Author: Chris Ashby

BARC quartet serves up ‘Super Sunday’ at Donington Park

The British Automobile Racing Club delivered its own ‘Super Sunday’ at Donington Park this past weekend (August 14) as five championships took centre stage for a scorching day of tin top entertainment. 

Basked in bright sunshine, the Leicestershire venue saw the gloves come off as contenders went wheel-to-whee, taking another step closer to the home stretch of the 2022 season. 

Headlining the action were two 50-minute contests from the Britcar Trophy Championship and it was SVG Motorsport that proved to be the class of the field. Mark Lee, Owen Hizzey and their Ginetta G56A emerged as the perfect combination as they teamed together to score a dominant double.

Steve McDermid’s march towards retaining his Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship crown gained further momentum as he scored yet another win. Unfortunately the MG ZR driver was unable to repeat the feat later in the day after being forced to retire after just three laps.

McDermid’s misfortune benefitted Jack Woodcock as he clinched his first win of the year ahead of William Sharpe, who had originally won on the road before a post-race time penalty relegated him to second.

Adam Jones was the driver to beat in the Carbon8 Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires as he charged to a pair of wins. Jones narrowly missed out on pole position to Alistair Dendy but he rectified that as soon as the lights went out.

Jones led home Wayne Rockett and Luca Staccini in the opening contest before Stacking became his closest challenger in a pulsating race two, with Neale Hurren rounding out the rostrum. 

Elsewhere, James Card was another driver to make two visits to the top step of the podium over the course of the day as he cleaned up in the Kumho BMW Championship. 

Rounding out the day’s track action were a pair of races from the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship, which were won by Chris Everill and Damian Longotano.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Donington Park, CLICK HERE. 

You can also re-watch all of the action from Sunday by heading to the British Automobile Racing Club YouTube channel. 

The BARC will return to Donington Park in a few days’ time (August 20/21) when the British Truck Racing Championship and British Endurance Championship headline what promises to be a blockbuster Convoy in the Park meeting.

Where To Watch BARC LIVE: Donington Park – August 14

Live action from the British Automobile Racing Club returns this Sunday (August 13) for the first of two successive events at Donington Park.

Ahead of next weekend’s (August 20/21) Convoy in the Park meeting at the Leicestershire venue, four BARC championships will take centre stage to continue what have been pulsating 2022 campaigns to-date.

Headlining the day’s action will be two 50-minute races from the Britcar Trophy whilst the Kumho BMW Championship, Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup, Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship and Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship will also star.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 11:10 – Facebook | YouTube

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Donington Park including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

BARC North West Centre delivers Croft cracker

The British Automobile Racing Club’s North West Centre took centre stage at Croft Circuit this past weekend (August 6/7) where five championships delivered a feast of on-track action.

Basked in bright sunshine, the North Yorkshire venue was the place to be as the latest chapter of the 2022 season continued – and it didn’t disappoint. 

The North West Centre’s flagship category – the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship – emerged as one of the headline acts with a near 20-car grid producing two frenetic contests. 

Jon Woolfitt emerged as the driver to beat and he was arguably in a league of his own behind the wheel of his Spire GTR, winning both races. Woolfitt headed Andrew Southcott and Richard Rudd in race one before beating Rudd and Simon Allaway in the second. 

The Caterham Graduates Racing Club provided plenty of entertainment across both days with no less than four races being run. The Sigma 135 class has arguably been all about one driver this year and Croft proved to be no different as Jamie Winrow ran riot.

Having scored countless victories already this year, Winrow added two more to his account although he was pushed all the way by James McCall. The amalgamated Sigma 150 and Sigmax races had a familiar feel to them as well as Harry Senior bagged a dominant double. 

Jamie Petters enjoyed a dream weekend as he continued his recent run of form in the Junior Saloon Car Championship. Hot on the heels of clinching his first win of the year at Knockhill, the former Rookie Cup champion was back on the top step again.

After pacing qualifying to snare pole position, Petters didn’t put a wheel wrong to beat Daire Flock in a frantic opener before Harvey Dent pipped Maximus Hall to score his first-ever win in race two. Petters then came back to the fore in race three to double his Croft tally.

The battle for supremacy in the Classic 2CV Racing Club is poised to go down to the wire at Snetterton later this month after title protagonists Nick Crispin and David O’Keeffe scored a win apiece.

With the coveted 24-hour race bringing the curtain down on another fine season for the one-make series in just a few weeks, the penultimate event of the year proved crucial in deciding who will hold the advantage heading to Norfolk. 

O’Keeffe – who trails Crispin in the points – was the first to strike as he scored a narrow yet decisive victory in the opening bout before Crispin hit back in race two, coming out on top of an enthralling wheel-to-wheel battle with Luca Proietti. 

Elsewhere, George Turiccki was perfection personified as the Pickup Truck Racing Championship rounded out the weekend action at Croft. After a few tough races, the reigning double champion got his title defence back on-track with a hat-trick of wins.

Setting the fourth best time in both parts of qualifying, Turiccki was a tour-de-force as he charged to the front in all three encounters to take a maximum points haul; thus further strengthening his lead at the summit of the standings. 

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Croft, CLICK HERE. 

BARC & Club24H postpone Anglesey 24-hour event

The British Automobile Racing Club and Club24Hour regret to announce that the inaugural endurance race, scheduled to debut at Anglesey Circuit on September 23-25, has been postponed. 

A number of operational factors led to the decision, but plans are already in place for the new event to debut in 2023.

Mark Turner, BARC Sporting Manager, said: “It is a shame that we have had to push this event back a year. On the operational side there are a number of factors that have brought the event into question so we have made the early decision to cancel for 2022 and look again in 2023.

Dave Beecroft, Club 24 Director, added: “We are obviously disappointed but we had a number of obstacles that couldn’t be overcome and that would mean we couldn’t deliver the event to the highest quality.

“We have had plenty of interest and entries for the race prior to this announcement and I’m confident that with even more time to work on things we will be able to deliver a race to remember next year.

“I’d personally like to thank Anglesey for their understanding on this matter and for being so accommodating. We’ve always enjoyed running there and we’re looking forward to visiting once again soon.”

The Club’s race meeting at Anglesey on September 3-4 is unaffected by this decision and will proceed as planned with Caterham Graduates Racing Club, Junior Saloon Car Championship, CNC Heads Sports/Saloons Championship, Mini 7 Racing Club and British Superkart Racing Club all on track. 

For more information on how to enter, head to www.barc.net or contact the Competitions Department via competitions@barc.net. 

Jake Hill, Ash Sutton and George Gamble share BTCC wins at Knockhill

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasted back into life in spectacular fashion at Knockhill this past weekend (July 30/31) as Jake Hill, Ashley Sutton and George Gamble each scored victory.

Kicking off the second half of the season with its annual trip north of the border, the UK’s premier motor sport series served up three pulsating races for the bumper crowd that had flocked trackside. 

As expected, qualifying proved to be an ultra-competitive affair with the top 24 being covered by less than a second. At the top of the times, ROKiT MB Motorsport’s Hill proved to be the benchmark as he secured his second pole position of the season in style.

The BMW driver punched in no fewer than three laps that were quicker than all of his rivals and under the existing race lap record to clinch top spot. Reigning champion Ash Sutton meanwhile hauled his Ford Focus onto the front row ahead of a quartet of rear-wheel-drive cars.

Race one proved to be a modern-day classic as Hill got the better of Sutton to clinch his second win of the year. Holding the lead off the line, Hill held on for much of the opening tour before Sutton made a stunning move around the outside of Duffus Dip to take the lead.

Inseparable throughout the opening exchanges, Hill ramped up his pursuit of the three-time title winner and made a move stick for first approaching mid-distance. Once out front there was no stopping the WSR man as he pulled clear to win ahead of Sutton and Colin Turkington. 

Sutton wasn’t to be denied his first win of the season in a pulsating second contest. In a repeat of the day’s earlier race, the NAPA Racing UK driver filled the mirrors of Hill in the early exchanges and charged past on lap five exiting the chicane as the race one victor made a slight mistake.

Once out front the 28-year-old was pinpoint perfect, withstanding waves of pressure from both Hill and Turkington to secure his maiden win in the hybrid era. 

Former two-time champion John Cleland drew Gamble onto pole for the reverse grid bout, a race that had everyone in attendance on the edge of their seats once again.

Getting a perfect launch as the lights went out, the Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport driver didn’t put a wheel wrong for the entirety of the 24-lap contest to claim his first-ever win in the BTCC.

Behind, Butcher – who launched an early challenge to Gamble during the opening laps – could do nothing to stop Hill who claimed second however the Scotsman was able to fend off the late advances of Turkington and Sutton to net a podium on home soil. 

Leaving Knockhill, Turkington holds the advantage at the summit of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship whilst Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com lead the way in the BTCC Teams’ Championship standings. 

Josh Cook and Rich Energy BTC Racing continue to top the Independent Drivers’ and Independent Teams’ categories, with BMW setting the pace in the Manufacturer-Constructors’ leaderboard. Gamble’s dream day also saw him to close to within five points of Bobby Thompson in the Jack Sears Trophy.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Knockhill, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship continues in less than two weeks’ time as Rounds 19, 20 & 21 take place at Snetterton on August 13/14.

Blockbuster entertainment runs throughout TOCA supports in Scotland

Knockhill provided the backdrop for a thrilling two days of action this past weekend (July 30/31) as the TOCA support package blasted back into life.

Making the annual trip north of the border following the mid-season summer break, five championships put on an unmissable show alongside the BTCC for the bumper crowd that had flocked trackside. 

Ronan Pearson enjoyed a dream weekend in the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE as he made home advantage count to score a dominant double, much to the delight of the local fans.

The Scotsman was in a league of his own on Saturday as he claimed pole position before charging to a pair of lights-to-flag victories. Sunday’s reverse grid encounter for the tin top series saw Pearson just miss out on a famous hat-trick as Alex Denning won a safety-car affected third race. 

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA saw its fair share of drama over the course of the weekend, with the next generation of single-seater stars serving up three memorable bouts. 

Joseph Loake became the ninth different winner of the season in a pulsating first race before Georgi Dimitrov and Ugo Ugochukwu came to the fore, winning races two and three on Sunday. 

There was a familiar story in the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup as James Kellett continued his relentless winning streak. Arriving at the Fife venue with a 100% unbeaten record, the Century Motorsport ace was perfection personified. 

Storming to pole position in qualifying, the 24-year-old didn’t put a wheel wrong in race one to triumph before repeating the feat in race two. Kellett had won race three on the road however a post-race penalty saw him excluded and Wes Pearce declared the victor.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship served up a feast of entertainment and a first-time winner over the course of the weekend. Former Scholarship winner Maurice Henry soaked up the applause in race one after holding his nerve to win a shortened opener. 

Points leader Josh Rowledge then proved to be the driver to beat in races two and three as he produced a pair of carbon copy performances to triumph, despite fending off late charges in both.

Rounding out the weekend’s action in Scotland was the latest chapter of the ever-competitive Porsche Carrera Cup GB. Rosland Gold Racing by Century Motorsport’s Gus Burton opened his win account for the campaign as he produced a flawless performance in race one, after a multi-car crash took place on the start-finish line. 

Adam Smalley had looked on course to claim the spoils in race two before being hit with a five-second time penalty in the latter stages. Despite taking the lead as the lights went out the Redline Racing driver couldn’t break clear of Will Martin and was ultimately relegated to second place after the chequered flag.

To view the full classifications from all sessions at Knockhill, CLICK HERE.

All five TOCA support championships will next be in action in under two weeks’ time when they join the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton on August 13/14.

BARC to close out 2022 season with all-new endurance race

The British Automobile Racing Club is poised to sign off its 2022 season in style later this year with the introduction of a brand-new 110-minute endurance race to celebrate the BARC reaching its 110th year of operating as one of the UK’s biggest and best motor racing organisations.

Taking place at Brands Hatch on November 12/13, the ‘110 years of the BARC’ race will be open to closed-wheel production cars, with teams able to have a minimum of two and a maximum of three drivers. 

Entry fees are being kept low with a two-driver team costing ÂŁ500 and only an extra ÂŁ50 for a third driver. Classes for the inaugural event will be dictated by engine size, with further clarification to be provided nearer to the race taking place.

Comprising of a 20-minute qualifying session and 110-minute race around the Indy layout of the Kent venue, members of clubs other than the BARC will be able to complete, maximising the opportunity for a big, competitive entry list. 

Mark Turner, BARC Sporting Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be able to announce this special race to mark 110 years of the BARC. For more than a century the Club has been renowned for being the go-to place for national and international motor racing and we feel this is a nice way to tip our hat to reaching such a marvellous milestone.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on listening to our competitors and it is from discussions with them that this has been made possible. Competitors have expressed their interest in having an end of season race where they can get together, have some fun and round off the year. The low entry fee for the track time is a big plus point as well. 

“The race is about getting everyone together at the end of the year but it’s also about giving everyone someone to race with so the multi-class environment is the natural way of achieving this. We’ve had encouraging conversations with a number of clubs that will support the race and I’m sure this is only going to continue now that we have formally announced everything.”

As it stands, the 110 years of the BARC contest will join the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Junior Saloon Car Championship, Ginetta Junior Winter Series, Carbon8 Coupe Cup series and more in action at Brands Hatch over the aforementioned weekend in November. 

For more information on how to enter, head to www.barc.net or contact the Competitions Department via competitions@barc.net. 

BTCC hits the track for scorching two-day Goodyear Tyre Test at Snetterton

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship was back in action this week as a majority of the field took part in the two-day Goodyear Tyre Test at Snetterton.

In scorching conditions, NAPA Racing UK ultimately set the pace around the Norfolk venue with reigning champion Ashley Sutton and team-mate Dan Cammish occupying the top spots on the combined times at the conclusion of running. 

Sutton – who currently sits fourth in the standings at the midpoint in the season – completed a total of 155 laps around the 300 configuration in his Ford Focus ST, more than anyone else.

His best lap came on Wednesday morning where he shaved more than six tenths of a second off the current race lap record, setting a best time of 1:55.121.

“We were selected to do some Goodyear tyre testing,” explained Sutton. “So pretty much our whole day was based around testing out the option tyre and a few other things. I kind of took the limelight away from Dan [Cammish] who had raw pace on the right tyre if I’m honest. We were just running a completely different programme, as requested by Goodyear.

“We still made good progress with the car over the two days. We feel like we’ve had a lot of potential and that potential seemed to be showing in Dan’s pace too, but I’m pleased with the two-day tyre test and am looking forward to going to Knockhill and trying out some of the things we’ve learnt.”

Cammish finished a mere 0.015 seconds behind the three-time champion whilst Jake Hill, current series leader Tom Ingram and Gordon Shedden – the pace-setter throughout Tuesday – rounded out the top five. 

Toyota’s Ricky Collard finished up sixth on the timesheets with Michael Crees, Dan Rowbottom, Jason Plato and Stephen Jelley completed the top ten. 

In total, 30 drivers hit the track over the course of the two days to for over 14 hours of testing, accruing almost 2,500 laps of the 2.97-mile layout. 

Alongside teams and drivers testing various strategies, a selection of drivers also undertook Goodyear’s own testing programme, as the tyre company evaluates making adaptations ahead of next season.

“Snetterton gives us all we need,” said Mickey Butler, Goodyear Motorsport Event Manager. “It’s a mixture of corners, low speed, high speed and great visibility around the track. We can understand where we currently are from previous years’ testing and the data we’ve built up. 

“It works really well for us. Obviously, we’re in the new hybrid world and we’re still developing our understanding of that, like everybody else, and then also adapt a new tyre for 2023 to make the racing even more exciting.”

To view the full classification of times from the BTCC Goodyear Tyre Test at Snetterton, CLICK HERE. 

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship recommences on July 30/31 when the series makes its annual trip north of the border to Knockhill for Rounds 16, 17 & 18. 

Peter Riches set to retire as BTCC Technical Director

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship series organiser, TOCA, has confirmed that Technical Director Peter Riches will retire from the position at the end of the 2022 campaign. 

Having enjoyed an illustrious career in Britain’s premier motorsport series which has spanned four decades, Peter’s expertise have been paramount in relation to the technical developments the championship has made over the years. 

Come the end of the year, he will have worked at more than 320 race events, 820 races and 30 seasons. 

While throughout 2023 Peter will be retained as a consultant in order to assist the TOCA Technical team, his retirement will see Sam Riches step into the role, having also worked within the BTCC for more than 20 seasons himself, importantly providing a seamless transition moving forwards.

“This is something we’ve been preparing for, and I feel ready to retire, the world is so different now to where we started,” said Peter. “I had a set of scales in the pit lane and a boost control system and that was it basically, and now we’ve got a 40-foot trailer full of kit, the world has moved on!

“[As a consultant] next year, I’ll be in more of a guiding role, maintaining the things we’ve done in the past and ensuring the wheel doesn’t get reinvented and become square in order to have a smooth transition. What we don’t want to do is change the direction we’ve been going in, so my knowledge will still be there if required.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “Peter’s retirement will mark a significant change for the championship but I’m confident that it will be a successful transition as Sam takes the reins. 

“Having been an integral part of the BTCC since 1993, Peter’s departure will be felt throughout the TOCA paddock, but we’re pleased to be retaining his services as a consultant throughout the 2023 season and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

BARC produces Thruxton thriller at Convoy on the Plain

The British Automobile Racing Club produced a blockbuster two days of entertainment at the now annual Convoy on the Plain at Thruxton Circuit this past weekend (July 9/10).

On what proved to be a scorcher both on and off the track at the Hampshire venue, thousands of fans flocked through the gates for what proved to be an event to remember.

Headlining the two-day schedule were five colossal contests from the British Truck Racing Championship. Returning to action after a two-month hiatus, the heavyweight behemoths whipped the crowd into a frenzy as they provided unmissable thrills and spills around the fastest circuit in the UK.

Reigning Division 1 champion Ryan Smith continued his march towards a seventh successive title by claiming two wins on Sunday before the trio of David Jenkins, Michael Oliver and Steven Powell shared the spoils on Sunday.

Division 2 saw home hero Luke Garrett strengthen his lead at the top of the standings by scoring an impressive hat-trick of wins. Adam Bint and Jock Borthwick – both winners at Pembrey – added to their win tallies with a victory apiece to round out proceedings.

Fans of touring cars were well-catered for across both days as the Classic Touring Car Racing Club took centre stage for no less than eight races to showcase some of the most iconic tin tops from down the years.

Stephen Primmet and Stephen Cripps scored a win apiece in the combined Pre ’66 and Pre ’83 races whilst Jason Davies piloted his Ford Sierra Cosworth to a brace of victories in the amalgamated Classic & Historic Thunder Saloons and Blue Oval Saloons Series bouts.

Anthony Reid and Richard Wheeler took those in attendance on a trip down memory lane as they guided their pair of 1998 Nissan Primera’s to the top step of the podium in the Pre ’93, Pre ’03 and Super Tourer races. Tom Robinson rounded out the CTCRC winners, triumphing twice in Jaguar Challenge. 

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship wrote the latest chapter of its 2022 campaign with two pulsating races. Competing at Thruxton for the first time in three years, the popular series brought a flavour of America to Andover with its bumper grid of two-litre multi-valve twin-cam machines.

Mark Willis came from the third row of the grid to claim victory in race one before Reece Jones prevented him from completing the double, winning race two by less than a second at the chequered flag.

Wayne Rockett was in top form in the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires to take two wins, whilst Steve McDermid did exactly the same in the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship to continue his winning streak.

The Sports 2000 Championship made a guest appearance on the billing and it didn’t disappoint as a 32-car grid served up two enthralling races. Michael Gibbins was the driver to beat in the opening bout before Joshua Law triumphed in race two. 

Closing out the weekend’s on-track entertainment was a thrilling 40-minute race from the CALM All Porsche Trophy, which was won by Sam Callahan after pole-sitter James Harvey failed to take the start following a crash in qualifying.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Thruxton, CLICK HERE.

Caterham Graduates Racing Club and Kumho BMW Championship star at Snetterton

The Caterham Graduates Racing Club and Kumho BMW Championship headlined an entertaining two days of track action as the British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Snetterton this past weekend (July 9/10).

Bathed in bright sunshine, the Norfolk venue played host to no less than 12 races in front of an enthusiastic crowd that had flocked trackside. 

Kicking off the second half of its season, the Caterham Graduates Racing Club wrote a majority of the headlines around the 2.96-mile circuit with five pulsating races getting those in attendance on the edge of their seats. 

Jamie Winrow continued his fine form by adding two more wins to his unbeaten streak in the Sigma 135 Class. Having been the driver to beat from the outset, Winrow was perfection personified as he charged to a commanding pair of victories. 

The two amalgamated Sigma 150 and Sigmax contests saw Harry Senior a produce similar level of dominance. After narrowly missing out on pole position in qualifying, Senior reigned supreme in style as he narrowly edged out Stephen Clark on both occasions. 

As a cherry on top for fans of the popular one-make series, Sunday saw the Caterham Graduates Racing Club stage the inaugural Yokohama Team Relay – a three-hour endurance. 

BB Racing charged to victory as the trio of Kevin Barrett, Neil Sturgess and Nigel Smith teamed up to claim the overall spoils.

The Kumho BMW Championship continued its 2022 campaign with a pair of breathtaking races. Series stalwart Russell Dack edged out Bryan Bansom in race one before Bansom struck back later on, securing the win in race two. 

Liam Morley was arguably the class of the field in the The Super Series by the British Superkart Racing Club. Running the 0 plate on his machine, Morley was in a league of his own as he stormed to a hat-trick of wins. 

Rounding out the weekend’s action at Snetterton was a 45-minute bout from the Uncle Luke’s Saloon Series, which saw a bumper grid of powerful tin tops go wheel-to-wheel.

The BMW M3 duo of Nigel Innes and Bansom proved to be the class of the field a they lapped all but one car in their battle for supremacy. Ultimately it was Innes that would clinch the win, taking the chequered flag by four seconds.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Snetterton, CLICK HERE.

JSCC to offer prize test in GT Cup Lamborghini

The Junior Saloon Car Championship has teamed up with leading GT Cup outfit TopCats Racing and Hex.com to offer one lucky competitor the chance to drive a Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

Open to drivers that are competing in their second or third year in the one-make series, the winner of the prize will be chosen by a select panel of judges and will be based on who is deemed to have shown the ‘Spirit of the JSCC’.

Powered by a monstrous V10 engine and producing in excess of 600bhp, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo is fitted with a huge aero package and paddle shift gearbox; making it a a true thoroughbred racer. 

The prize test will see the winner get behind the wheel of the Lamborghini alongside an instructor at a yet to be determined circuit. Once driving duties have been completed, the winner will jump into the passenger seat for some hot laps with one of the cars regular drivers.

More information on the JSCC and its ‘Spirit of the JSCC’ award can be found at https://www.juniorsaloons.co.uk/.