Author: Chris Ashby

BTCC title race hots up on dramatic return to Donington Park

The battle for supremacy in the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship saw more twists and turns play out this past weekend (August 24/25) as Colin Turkington, Ash Sutton and Dam Cammish scored a victory apiece at Donington Park – however it is Jake Hill that leads the way in the standings.

Entering the home stretch of the campaign, the UK’s premier motorsport series returned to the Leicestershire venue – albeit this time on the longer Grand Prix circuit – where a bumper trackside crowd was treated to blockbuster entertainment.

Proceeding’s began with LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ’s Josh Cook coming out on top of a breathless qualifying to claim his first pole position in more than two years, and on the home soil of Toyota UK no less.

In what proved to be a captivating fight for pole position, Cook edged out Team BMW’s Turkington to secure the bragging rights while Mikey Doble impressed in his Vauxhall to net third ahead of Sutton and Tom Ingram.

As he has done in each race meeting since the summer break, Turkington reigned supreme in Sunday’s opening encounter as he leapfrogged Cook at the start and then powered clear to clinch a pivotal fifth win of the season.

Despite coming under late pressure from Sutton, Turkington never looked likely to relinquish the lead as he bolstered his own championship aspirations while his BMW stablemate Hill rocketed up the order to complete the podium.

Ingram would endure a less than ideal start to his race day as contact from Doble sent him tumbling down the order on lap one. With the help of a safety car intervention closing the pack up, the Hyundai driver recovered to sixth however things would get worse come race two.

Fighting his way up to second place in no time at all, Ingram looked as though he could wrestle the lead off Sutton; that was until a stone pierced his radiator and forced him to retire as engine temperatures continued to rise.

The departure of the Team Bristol Street Motors driver meant that Sutton, who had grabbed the lead off Turkington on lap one, claimed a crucial win while the Northern Irishman and Hill filled the remaining spots on the rostrum.

The twists and turns of the BTCC title race threw up more drama in the weekend’s final contest as Sutton’s joy was short-lived as he scored zero points after getting caught up in an incident on the opening tour that saw him take an excursion through the gravel.

Out front, Alliance Racing’s Dan Cammish – another title contender – produced a wheel-perfect drive to claim his first win of the season however all eyes were on Ingram as he charged from the back of the grid to clinch runner-up laurels ahead of Aron Taylor-Smith.

Heading into the penultimate event of the season towards the end of September, Hill holds a nine-point advantage at the top of the Drivers’ Championship ahead of Ingram; Sutton, Turkington and Cammish complete the top five.

A strong weekend for NAPA Racing UK saw them continue their march at the summit of the Teams’ Championship, whilst Ford hold a narrow lead over BMW in the battle for the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ title.

Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing are on the verge of securing the Independent Teams’ crown for the first-ever time while Taylor-Smith is closing in on the Independent Drivers’ Championship. His Vauxhall team-mate Doble controls the Jack Sears Trophy leaderboard.

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

The penultimate event of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will see Rounds 25, 26 & 27 play out around the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, on September 21/22.

Covers officially come off TOCA Junior Championship at exclusive launch event

The Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship officially launched this evening (13 August) with the covers coming off the car that will power young drivers in the brand-new series from 2025 – the Chevron B1417.

As part of an exclusive event at the Mercure Daventry Court Hotel, the rear-wheel-drive machine took centre stage in front of almost 125 invited guests including those prospective teams and drivers, championship partners, suppliers and media.

Attendees not only had the opportunity to get a first-look at the car, but they were also provided with further insight into the series as it prepares to take its place on the support bill of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) next year.

Hosted by Alan Hyde, guests first heard from BTCC Chief Executive Alan Gow before Tommy Watson, the Chief Executive of title sponsors Mairon Freight UK, took to the microphone. Championship Director Dave Beecroft and Operations Director Vickie MacClinton then took to the stage before formerly revealing the car.

The event was the culmination of almost two years hard work and marked the birthplace of a category that is set to develop and prove talent between the ages of 14 to 17 for many years to come.

Putting safety first

The Chevron B1417 has been designed and built from the ground up as an entry-level machine that has safety at the core of its ethos, allowing young drivers to make the transition from karting to cars as seamlessly as possible.

Built to the highest FIA standards and regulations, the car’s chassis boasts a number of industry-leading features, one of which is the Roll Over Protection System that has been designed in accordance with the latest FIA Homologation Regulations for Safety Cages including utilising a 16mm main hoop.

Side-impact panelling has also been built into the chassis while the driver’s door is filled with energy-absorbing materials; both of which increase the structural integrity of the car and dissipate the force of impacts.

Significant safety features continue inside the cockpit with every car being fitted with a Corbeau ARS-6 (AS.090.21) seat homologated to FIA 8862-2009 standard. The seat is used in conjunction with a six-point harness and FIA 8863-2013 Racing Net; a vital component that protects drivers by preventing debris from entering the cockpit and safeguarding them in a collision.

Inspired by the BTCC, the Chevron chassis also boasts front and rear removable subframes for easy maintenance and repairability, while aerodynamics come in the shape of a front splitter and adjustable rear wing.

Other key features include adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars and sealed two-way suspension dampers with controlled springing. Adjustable functionality has also been built into the steering position and the brake, throttle and clutch pedals.

Weighing approximately 850kg, the car is powered by a custom built four-cylinder naturally aspirated 1898cc engine. Serving as a stepping-stone to professional motorsport, championship competitors will have the benefit of utilising that power through a five-speed manual gearbox and a limited slip differential, both of which will be sealed.

The series will use Goodyear Direzza Race tyres, with restrictions being placed on the number of tyres that are allocated at each event to ensure parity and to also contain costs.

To view the full specification of the Chevron B1417, click here.

Chevron name returns to the track

At the heart of the TOCA Junior Championship is the triumphant return of Chevron Cars to the modern racing scene.

Founded by the late Derek Bennett in 1965, the British manufacturer was once a motorsport powerhouse as it went from humble beginnings in Bolton to enjoying worldwide success across the likes of Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula 5000, Formula Atlantic and Sports Cars.

Unfortunately, the untimely passing of Derek in 1978 led to the company subsequently enduring instability over the next four decades – that was until when the iconic marque recently partnered with the TOCA Junior Championship.

With Championship Director Dave Beecroft having aligned the two brands, the car that will place the next generation of racing drivers behind the wheel will bare the prestigious Chevron badge, and in-doing so pay homage to the company’s engineering credentials at the same time.

Registration process set to open

Applications for the supply of the 2025 TOCA Junior car will be open to teams and drivers from Thursday 15th August, and early indication points towards their being very strong demand.

The series’ inaugural campaign will see the grid capped at 26 cars, with the option to expand on this number in the future. All applications to purchase cars will be evaluated by the organisers of the championship, with teams permitted to field no more than four cars.

Dave Beecroft, TOCA Junior Championship Director, said: “This is a ground-breaking moment for not only the TOCA Junior Championship but also UK motorsport as a whole; and it’s something that myself and the team are all immensely proud of delivering.

“Since being entrusted this project by Alan Gow we have set out on a vision to deliver the safest possible car that also provides a perfect platform for young drivers to thrive and progress – and I’m confident that we have done just that.

“It’s important that I acknowledge and thank every single person and supplier for their outstanding work. It has been a massive undertaking to design and build a new car and we shouldn’t underestimate for a moment everything that went into this.

“I feel that we have a championship that covers all bases for those that are going to be taking their first steps onto the ladder of motorsport: the highest of safety standards, high performance, parity in all the key areas and of course, value for money.

“We’re excited to open up registrations and then go on to showcase the car to the fans. A thorough testing programme is in place and with the build of more cars and many more exciting announcements still to come, we’ve got lots to be looking forward to.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “It’s great to see the TOCA Junior Championship coming to life and we’re looking forward to the championship joining the package next season.

“This is a fantastic stepping-stone for young drivers in the UK – a vital bridge between karting and moving into the professional ranks of motorsport. Junior categories in this country have produced Formula 1 race winners and many drivers have gone on to have successful careers in open-wheel, touring car and GT racing – we look forward to the TOCA Junior Championship helping to continue that great tradition.”

Next for the TOCA Junior Championship is the public debut of the Chevron B1417, which is scheduled to take place at the upcoming Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship event at Donington Park on the 24-25 August.

Mairon Freight UK named title sponsors of TOCA Junior Championship

Mairon Freight UK, a trusted worldwide freight management company, has today (12 August) been announced as the title sponsor of the new TOCA Junior Championship.

In what is an exciting multi-year deal that begins with immediate effect, the highly-anticipated young driver series will be now known as the Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship.

Mairon Freight UK’s sponsorship will include branding on the windscreen of all cars, as well as on official clothing, paddock infrastructure and digital collateral, which will come in the shape of a variety of media platforms.

Founded in 1998, Mairon Freight UK has established itself as a trusted provider of freight services across the globe that specialises in seamless logistical solutions for air, sea and road freight movements.

Boasting extensive experience and industry expertise, the company is a go-to partner for dependable and cost-effective freight solutions, with an emphasis firmly on customer service and competitive pricing.

Racing fans in the UK will be no strangers to the Mairon Freight UK name either with the brand having been partnered with British Touring Car Championship race winners Tom Ingram, Ronan Pearson and EXCELR8 Motorsport for a number of seasons.

Both Mairon Freight UK and the TOCA Junior Championship will hope this partnership attracts even more fans as preparations continue to take centre stage on the support bill of the UK’s premier motorsport series ahead of the inaugural 2025 campaign.

Tommy Watson, Chief Executive of Mairon Freight UK, said: “We are thrilled to be the title sponsor of the new TOCA Junior Championship. Having been involved in motorsport for a number of seasons, seeing this championship come forward for the 2025 season is so exciting, and to be part of it with Mairon Freight is an honour.

“To be in a position to support a championship that has the overriding goal of giving younger drivers a huge platform to build upon is so exciting to see. I’m sure the close racing the series will promote will set them in good stead as they one day embark on the next steps in their careers.”

Vickie MacClinton, TOCA Junior Championship Operations Director, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Mairon Freight UK into the TOCA Junior fold. This collaboration will undoubtedly enable us to introduce thousands more people to the championship – which is hugely exciting.

“Mairon have underlined that they are industry leaders in the logistics sector and being able to connect with them is something that can benefit us just as much off the track as on it. Aligning with a brand-new championship allows them the opportunity to grow their brand further too.”

BARC takes centre stage at Donington Park for captivating Convoy

Donington Park provided the backdrop to a spectacular two days of on-track entertainment this past weekend (August 10/11) as the British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage in Leicestershire for the 2024 edition of Convoy in the Park. 

Billed as one of the biggest race meetings on the UK motorsport calendar, no less than five championships – and one additional guest category – served up captivating thrills and spills to thousands of fans that had flocked trackside.

Headlining the action around the 1.64-mile National layout were five blockbusters contests from the British Truck Racing Championship, where twists and turns played out in both Division 1 and Division 2.

Ryan Smith remains on course to clinch what would be a record-breaking ninth consecutive title in Division 1 after he bounced back from a frustrating qualifying session to add three more wins to his tally for the season. 

The Daimler Freightliner driver twice charged from the back of the grid to claim runners-up laurels behind David Jenkins on Saturday however come Sunday there was no stopping him as he powered his way to a memorable hat-trick.

Over in Division 2, defending champion Paul Rivett continued his fightback in the points by claiming three impressive wins. There were also visits to the top step of the podium for John Powell and the returning Adam Bintn in his Volvo White Aerodyne.

That wasn’t to be the only truck racing that took place though during the weekend as the International Truck Prix made a welcome return to the schedule following its popular debut last year. 

Boasting an entry list that was packed with high-profile names, the weekend’s four races belonged to Jamie Anderson as he didn’t put a wheel wrong in Neil Yates’ MAN to claim all four race wins. 

Over in the British Endurance Championship in association with Motorsport UK, perfection was the only word that could describe Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton as they claimed yet another race win in their Audi GT3. 

Maintaining their 100% winning record in the series, the PB Racing by JMH duo edged out the Lamborghini GT3 pairing of John Seale and Jamie Stanley to snare pole position, and they then repeated the feat in that afternoon’s two-hour race; triumphing by a little over a lap.

Further back was the Team Tasman Porsche 991.2 Cup entry of David Harrison and Nathan Luckey who claimed third overall; finishing just ahead of Xentek Motorsport’s Bal Sidhu and Josh Steed who were crowned GT4 champions. 

The Britcar Trophy Championship complimented the long-distance racing with a pair of 50-minute races that threw up two different sets of winners. 

In race one, Jasver Sapra and Bryan Bransom proved too much for the opposition in their BMW E46 M3 to win comfortably win before Lee Goldsmith utilised his rear-wheel-drive BMW to rocket up the order and onto the top step of the rostrum. 

Standing on the highest peak of the podium became a familiar feeling for Matt Simpson who got his title challenge back on-track with a pair of wins in the Pickup Truck Racing Championship.

The former BTCC race winner was at times in a league of his own as he blitzed the opposition to triumph in races one and two however he was denied the chance of completing his hat-trick by Dale Gent, who tallied a win of his own in the finale. 

Steve McDermid bounced back from a high-speed crash at Thruxton by returning to winning ways in the Adrian Flux MG Owners Club Championship. The MG ZR driver reigned supreme in race one however he could only muster second in race two as Howard Hunt came to the fore.

Concluding the weekend’s track action at Donington Park were three races from the MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport, where the spoils were shared between the series’ top two drivers – Stephen Berry and Ross Alexander. 

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

Every lap from the two-day event is also available to watch on demand via the British Automobile Racing Club YouTube channel HERE.

Title races heat up across TOCA support championships at Knockhill

Blockbuster entertainment proved to be the overriding theme for the TOCA support package this past weekend (August 10/11) as four championships ventured north of the border to dazzle fans Knockhill.

Making the annual trip north of the border alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, 

Stealing many of the headlines around the undulating Fife circuit was EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Dan Zelos, who claimed a historic third Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW title with one round still remaining. 

Zelos entered the weekend retaining a slim chance of securing an unassailable lead in the standings but after triumphing in race two and then seeing his main title rival Max Hall retire from the finale, the record-breaking feat was achieved. 

“I’m not really sure what to say as no-one told me it was possible going into that race,” said Zelos. “Of course I didn’t want to win the title like that with Max at the side of the road, particularly through no fault of his own, and it’s a shame that we couldn’t battle it out on the track.

“However, the team has done a fantastic job this season to help give me the buffer in the points to wrap things up early, and it might not have been the most flattering way to win the crown, but we’ve got it done with three races to go.”

Zelos wasn’t the only one that had plenty to celebrate as both Dominic Wheatley and Nathan Edwards also scored race wins over the course of the weekend in the ultra-competitive tin top series. 

In the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Deagen Fairclough took a substantial step closer to lifting the coveted crown as he clinched his eighth and ninth wins of the campaign.

Having been the benchmark since the season began, Fairclough was in superlative form as he dominated proceedings in races one and three, claiming lights-to-flag victories and the fastest laps in both contests. 

Had he had a few more laps, there was every chance that Fairclough could have triumphed in the reverse grid contest too as he fought his way from outside the top ten to sixth at the finish. JHR Developments Leo Robinson would instead emerge victorious after overhauling Ella Lloyd. 

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain delivered two captivating contests with a monstrous grid of 911 GT3 machines putting fans firmly on the edge of their seats. 

Charles Rainford did a masterful job in fending off Hugo Ellis to win race one before ex-BTCC race winner George Gamble claimed a long overdue – and comfortable – win in the weekend’s remaining contest. 

Rounding out the weekend’s action at Knockhill was the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM. Never short of entertainment, the 5/8 scale series saw drama play out all the way until the final chequered flag being dropped. 

Among the race winners across both days was Jack Parker, Oli Schlup, Will Gibson and Tyler Read. 

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

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support categories continue their campaigns in less than two weeks’ time, returning to Donington Park to tackle the Grand Prix layout on August 24/25.

Colin Turkington, Jake Hill and Rob Huff fly high in Scotland

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship enjoyed one of its most thrilling events of the 2024 season so far this past weekend (August 10/11) as Colin Turkington, Jake Hill and Rob Huff blasted their way to victory around Knockhill. 

As the UK’s premier motorsport series begins its approach towards the business end of the campaign, the annual trip north of the border saw further twists and turns play out in the battle at the top of the standings – which continues to be headed by Tom Ingram. 

Four-time champion Turkington was once again the driver to beat during Saturday’s qualifying session as he claimed a third pole position of the year, but only after edging out the impressive Árón Taylor-Smith to top spot by 0.035s.

Like he did at Croft, the Team BMW was perfection personified in race one as he converted his front row start into a commanding lights-to-flag win. However while the Northern Irishman cruised to victory, the battle for second place had everyone captivated. 

Taylor-Smith had held firm during the first half of the contest however both Adam Morgan and Josh Cook began to apply pressure as the race drew towards ints conclusion, with both drivers finding a way past at the chicane.

Once clear of the Vauxhall driver, Cook then launched a sensational move around the outside of Morgan at turn one to snatch second place away. Despite quickly pulling away, Cook was unable to making any inroads into Turkington, who had scarpered up the road. 

After battling back from – by his own standards – a tough qualifying, Turkington’s BMW stablemate Hill came to the fore in race two as he utilised the soft tyre to record his sixth win of the season.

The Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver wasted no time in fighting his way to the front and once he got into the lead there was no looking back. NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Rowbottom followed Hill’s charge to net second while Turkington tallied more valuable points in third.

An argument could be made that the BTCC saved its best till last as race three proved to be one to remember as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s Rob Huff withstood race-long pressure from Ingram to claim a second win of the season. 

Ingram was another driver that was recovering from a tough qualifying showing but despite his best efforts, he could do nothing to find a way past Huff who was wheel-perfect in his Toyota Corolla GR Sport. 

Huff would hold firm either side of a brief safety car period to triumph while Ingram claimed a well-earned podium; and he was joined on the rostrum by his Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS team-mate Tom Chilton.

Heading back down south, Ingram now leads Hill by three points in the Drivers’ Championship with Ford and NAPA Racing UK topping the Manufacturer-Constructor and Teams’ categories respectively after seven events. 

Aron Taylor-Smith and Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing continue to close in on clinching the Independent Drivers’ and Independent Teams’ crowns, whilst Mikey Doble is the current pace-setter in the Jack Sears Trophy. 

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

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season continues in less than two weeks’ time when the series travels returns to Donington Park – this time on the Grand Prix circuit – on August 24/25.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – August 10/11

The British Automobile Racing Club returns to this big screen this weekend for what is arguably one of the biggest events on the national motorsport calendar; Convoy in the Park at Donington Park.

On what promises to be a festival of all things motor racing and trucking, the two-day event at the Leicestershire venue is guaranteed to have everyone on the edge of their seats – and all of it will be LIVE online.

Taking centre stage in front of the cameras will be races from the British Truck Racing Championship, International Truck Prix, British Endurance Championship, Britcar Trophy and the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, plus much more.

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

Saturday 10th August | 12:45 | WATCH LIVE
Sunday 11th August | 10:15 | WATCH LIVE

Also taking place during the weekend are the latest rounds of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Heading north of the border to Knockhill, the UK’s premier motorsport series will air qualifying online on Saturday afternoon before then broadcasting race day LIVE on ITV4 on Sunday.

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

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

Croft Historic Festival And Show set for best yet

One of the highlights of the northern motorsport scene is set to return to Croft Circuit when the bigger and better Historic Festival Weekend and Show takes place next weekend (10/11 August).

A two-day meet of classics from the 1950s through to the 1980s with something for all the family, the popular meeting at North Yorkshire’s premier racetrack has been an established fixture on the calendar for over a decade in the guise of both the Croft Nostalgia and Croft Retro meeting.

This year, the event will offer not just classic racing, but plenty of all-round entertainment for the family to enjoy, including children’s rides and live music. On track action will come from different classes from the Historic Sports Car Club and showcase classic vehicles from the 1950s through the decades but there will also be lots of new additions off the circuit too.

On track, there will be a wide variety of racing evoking memories of yesteryear with Historic Touring Cars, Historic Formula Ford and 70s Road Sports championships in action.

Fans got a glimpse of the Historic Touring Cars at the recent BTCC meeting with the likes of Mini Coopers taking on Ford Anglias, Lotus Cortinas, Jaguars, Hillman Imps and Ford Falcons. They will line up on the grid alongside the Historic Road Sports championship for Sports and GT cars built before 1969 who will battle it out in two races over Saturday and Sunday.

For Formula Ford fans, the Classic Formula Ford, Historic Formula Ford and Historic Formula Ford 2000 series will be competing and the 70s Road Sports Championship which will see a varied field packed with Porsches, Datsuns and MGs racing on both days.

The Guards Trophy Championship will be in action on Sunday with qualifying and a 50-minute race. The series is contested by sports racing cars and grand touring cars from the 1960s and includes a mandatory pit-stop and optional driver changes.

Also on track will be the Historic Modsports and Special Saloons whilst the Karting Legends demo will take place at midday on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday with several other parades on track throughout the afternoon.

New additions off track this year include a Wright Cyclone R3350 and a Rolls Royce Merlin will be attending both days whilst a range of steam engines, a Hercules and Dioramas will be on display as well as the regular classic and vintage cars.

There will also be a mini train station ride, carousel and hook a duck for the kids, a large tipi with seating where you can relax and enjoy the food and entertainment as well as a food court including a prosecco van.

Live music ranging from the 1950s to the 1980s with Blue Note Mitch and the Red-Hot Jacks and the Northallerton Silver Band will sound out across the circuit whilst the ever-popular Colin Bourdiec is back at the track.

There will be the usual variety of trade stands for the crowds to enjoy and the friendly atmosphere at Croft Circuit allows everyone to get close to the race cars in the paddock area along with a display of around 600 vehicles of all shapes and sizes pre-1988. There will also be a new competition on Sunday for the best dressed in vintage costumes.

The action starts on track at 9.30am on Saturday before racing commences at 2pm with Sunday’s schedule starting at 9.30am with vehicle parades. Ticket prices start at just £18 for adults on Saturday and £21 on Sunday with children aged 15 and under admitted FREE, there is FREE car parking and FREE paddock access.

For further information, please contact Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or you can book your tickets online now at www.croftcircuit.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/historic-festival.

Croft’s brand-new CafĂ©, Hanger 50, will also be open throughout the weekend and serving refreshments. Tickets for all remaining 2024 events are still available to purchase along with Season Passes and Driving Experiences. Further information is available from Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or at www.croftcircuit.co.uk.

MINI CHALLENGE to run post-season taster day at Donington Park

Organisers of the MINI CHALLENGE have announced plans for a post-season taster day at Donington Park for drivers that are interested in joining the grid for the 2025 campaign.

The event is scheduled to take place on Monday 14th October following the final meeting for the JCW and JCW Sport categories, and ahead of the season finale for the Trophy class – both of which will take place at Brands Hatch.

Teams competing across all three classes will be present on the day along with a variety of cars to cater for the different needs of potential entrants, from those looking to take their first steps into competition in the hugely competitive Cooper class right through to those looking to move up to a higher-profile series in JCW or JCW Sport.

Officials from the MINI CHALLENGE will also be in attendance in order to provide additional information on the series, and to answer any questions and queries.

A full race licence is not required in order to take part in the taster day, although those without will need to have a full road licence.

“We’ve had a huge amount of interest from people who are considering the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE for 2025, as we have seen with the drivers who have taken the opportunity to race our guest car in JCW Sport this season,” said Championship Co-ordinator Rhea Beauchamp.

“With that in mind, we thought it was a good idea to offer drivers who might be looking to join the MINI CHALLENGE next season, or who are eager to try and move up to a higher class, with the opportunity to go out on track and sample the cars and discover more about what the series is all about.

“At this stage we are looking for expressions of interest so we can finalise plans for the day, and would urge anyone interested to register their details.”

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – August 3/4

The British Automobile Racing Club is hitting the road and heading north of the border to Knockhill this weekend (August 3/4) as Caterham Motorsport gets set to write the latest chapter of what has been an enthralling 2024 season.

Hot on the heels of wowing crowds at Cadwell Park, the Caterham contingent will take on the undulating twists and turns of Knockhill – in both directions.

Starring in front of the cameras will be races from both Academy groups, as well as the 270R, 310R, Roadsport and Seven UK Championship’s.

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

Saturday 3rd August | 12:55 | WATCH LIVE
Sunday 4th August | 10:20 | WATCH LIVE

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

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

Colin Turkington, Josh Cook & Tom Chilton win big at Croft

Colin Turkington, Josh Cook and Tom Chilton were victorious at Croft Circuit this past weekend (July 27/28) as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship kicked off the second half of its 2024 season in blockbuster fashion. 

Blasting back into life at the British Automobile Racing Club’s North Yorkshire venue following a five-week hiatus, the UK’s premier motorsport series delivered three captivating contests for the bumper crowd that was in attendance. 

Qualifying on Saturday saw Turkington live up to his name of being the ‘King of Croft’ as he paced the opposition on his way to claiming pole position. The Team BMW driver was in formidable form as he upped the ante as the sessions progressed before setting a best time of 1:21.072.

Behind, NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish secured the remaining spot on the front row while Tom Ingram and the hugely impressive Aron Taylor-Smith claimed third and fourth respectively. Rounding out the top six was the lead Toyota of Rob Huff and reigning champion Ash Sutton.

Race one belonged to Turkington as he led from start-to-finish on his way to a 70th career victory in the BTCC. Blasting away from pole position, the four-time champion driver withstood early pressure before soon breaking free and comfortably triumphing.

Ingram would lead the chase for the Northern Irishman after getting the better of Cammish however he could do nothing to overhaul him. Completing the podium – fresh off of signing a new multi-year deal – was the aforementioned Cammish in his Ford Focus ST. 

With the front-runners being forced to run the hard tyre, race two provided unmissable viewing as LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ driver Cook produced a stunning move late on to clinch his second win of the season. 

Running on the faster soft tyre, the Toyota driver battled his way up to second place before then overhauling stablemate Rob Huff with a breathtaking move around the outside of the Jim Clark Esses. 

It was an overtake that had everyone glued to the action but thankfully both drivers emerged unscathed. Cook then powered clear to take victory while Huff and Dan Rowbottom each made a welcome return to the rostrum in second and third. 

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS’ Chilton concluded the action by taking a hugely popular win in a frantic reverse grid contest. Drawn onto pole position, the Hyundai driver put in a sublime performance with Cammish and Ingram rounding out the podium.

Leaving Croft, Ingram leads the way from Hill in the Drivers’ Championship whilst Ford and NAPA Racing UK top the Manufacturer-Constructor and Teams’ categories respectively with four events now remaining. 

Elsewhere, Aron Taylor-Smith and Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing comfortably remain out front in the Independent Drivers’ and Teams’ standings, with Mikey Doble holding the advantage in the Jack Sears Trophy.

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

The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season continues in less than two weeks’ time when the series travels north of the border to Knockhill for Rounds 19, 20 & 21 on August 10/11.

TOCA support championships soak up the sun at Croft

Croft Circuit saw no shortage of entertainment this past weekend (July 27/28) as the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain took centre stage on the TOCA support package.

Featuring alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for what is one of the biggest events on the calendar at the North Yorkshire venue, each championship served up a feast of edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

One of the stars of the show was undoubtedly the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and its Pre-’66 Touring Car Championship, which was making its first-ever appearance on the support bill of the BTCC.

As part of the CTCRC’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Pre-’66 contingent rolled back the years to a bygone era of tin top racing as they staged three non-championship races around the challenging 2.13-mile circuit.

Former BTCC race winner – and Yorkshireman – Sam Tordoff proved to be the driver to beat over the course of the weekend as he guided his monstrous Ford Falcon to a hat-trick of commanding victories.

David Dickerson and Guy Smith emerged as the closest challengers to Tordoff but both had to settle for the remaining spots on the podium. Also picking up some silverware was former Formula 1 driver Max Chilton, who was competing in a Ford Cortina prepared by Team Dynamics.

Spoils were shared in the latest rounds of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as EXCELR8 Motorsport team-mates Maximus Hall and Tom Ovenden claimed a win apiece, while Dan Zelos maintained his advantage in the championship.

Hall’s triumph came somewhat unexpectedly as a gaggle of cars ahead of him – including Ovenden, Dominic Wheatley and Nelson King – encountered their own troubles in the latter stages, which led to Hall picking up the pieces for his fourth win of the year.

Ovenden would bounce back from the heartache of losing an almost certain win in race two as he got the better of pole sitter Jamie Osborne and then cruise to victory, reigning supreme ahead of the NAPA Racing UK duo of Osborne and Lewis Selby.

Local driver Max Coates had a weekend to remember as he won two of the three races in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain. Always a popular draw at his home circuit, Coates was near-perfect in the one-make series as he ignited his championship challenge in style.

The Team Omologato with Graves Motorsport driver dominated proceedings in the opening encounter, winning by more than eight seconds, before Sebastian Hopkins came to the fore in race two as he tallied his latest win of the season – with Will Jenkins and Coates not far behind.

Hopkins had looked on course to double up in the weekend’s third and final race however he was hit with a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits late on, which therefore promoted Coates onto the top step of the podium.

In the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, Hugo Ellis and Matthew Rees bolstered there individual seasons by snaring a win apiece. Ellis was in a league of his own in the opening encounter to triumph before Rees came to the fore in a captivating finale. Will Martin continues to lead the standings as the series heads north of the border to Knockhill.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championships that competed at Croft, CLICK HERE.