Author: Chris Ashby

BTCC title race takes another twist as Tom Ingram and Josh Cook win at Thruxton

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship title race took another twist at Thruxton this past weekend (September 19/20) as Tom Ingram fired himself into contention with a sensational double win, before BTC Racing’s Josh Cook triumphed in the finale.

On a blockbuster race day around the fastest circuit in the UK, Laser Tools Racing’s Ashley Sutton moved to the summit of the standings following a trio of top five results after reigning four-time champion Colin Turkington encountered trouble.

Taking place behind closed doors and without spectators, the BTCC’s annual visit to Hampshire marked the halfway point in the season and it proved to be pivotal in setting the tone for the events to come.

Qualifying on Saturday proved to be a hotly contested affair as Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Dan Cammish narrowly edged out Ingram to take his second career pole position, setting a new lap record around the high-speed 2.35-mile circuit for good measure as well.

When the lights went out for race one it was Ingram who made the better of the starts as he blasted his Toyota Corolla into a lead that he would ultimately never lose to take his first win of the 2020 season.

Gapping the rest of the field early on, Ingram and Cammish served up a fascinating race-long duel as they pushed the limits of themselves and their cars.

Behind, Matt Neal maintained his incredible record of scoring a podium at Thruxton every year since 2002, edging out the Mercedes of Adam Morgan.

Race two was to be a carbon copy of race one as Ingram soaked up intense pressure from Cammish to claim a second lights-to-flag victory, aiding his championship challenge greatly. Like race one, the Honda Civic Type R of Neal finished third.

Having endured rotten luck in recent rounds, the reverse grid encounter belonged to Cook as he scored a commanding victory around his home circuit – continuing his run of scoring a BTCC victory in each of the last four visits to the track.

Drawn on pole position virtue of the reverse grid draw, Cook didn’t put a wheel wrong as he led home a BTC Racing 1-2 with team-mate Tom Chilton following him home to record the team’s best-ever result.

Motorbase Performance’s Rory Butcher rounded out the rostrum in third after an enthralling fight with Sutton and Ingram.

For Turkington, the Team BMW driver saw his day unravel in the opening encounter as a misfire resulted in a first non-points finish of the campaign and forced him to fight back in races one and two.

Two fourth place finishes and a fifth for Sutton gave him a 26-point swing on Turkington in the standings and now sees him leading the BTCC Drivers’ Championship by 16 points. Ingram’s impressive performance has moved him into third, 34 points adrift.

Despite not tallying a podium, BMW continue to head both the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ standings whilst Sutton and Laser Tools

Michael Crees enjoyed his best weekend to-date in the BTCC with two top ten finishes and that has aided his quest for the Jack Sears Trophy, which he continues to lead.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Thruxton, click here.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship now heads to Silverstone National on September 26/27 for Rounds 16, 17 & 18.

TOCA support championships serve up drama and entertainment at Thruxton

Thruxton Circuit’s high-speed nature and unique challenge played its part this weekend (September 19/20) on the TOCA support package as five championships continued their 2020 campaigns producing a feast of drama and entertainment.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship around the fastest circuit in the UK, the action proved to be fast and furious as the title battles in each category further intensified.

Bailey Voisin and Josh Rattican shared the spoils on a frenetic weekend in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, taking a win apiece. Voisin strengthened his position in the standings in race one as he led home Rattican and Tom Lebbon, extending his winning streak at the same time.

Rattican however turned the tables in a blockbuster second race which saw a series of incidents take place throughout the field. When the dust settled however, the R Racing driver kept his cool and scored his first win of the season ahead of Lebbon and Josh Millar.

Jamie Falvey became the newest winner in the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup as he powered his way to an impressive pair of wins. Falvery’s breakthrough came in an enthralling opening encounter before he doubled up with an impressive lights-to-flag drive in race two.

Race three around the 2.35-mile Hampshire venue belonged to Tom Hibbert, who soaked up plenty of pressure to hold on to his third win of the season and with it, claim the overall championship lead.

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB saw heartbreak for upon Harry King as he twice suffered a puncture when comfortably out front. Having been the driver to beat so far this year, the Team Parker Racing looked set to add to his already impressive season statistics only to be cruelly robbed.

Instead, Will Martin and Ross Wylie took advantage of King’s misfortune to chalk up their maiden race wins in the championship.

Tin top thrills and spills were in full force when it came to the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy as a bumper grid went wheel-to-wheel – sometimes six abreast round parts of the circuit – to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Ben Kasperczak, Leonardo Panayiotou and Andrew Langley each battled through the drama to tally a win apiece in the end.

Capping off what proved to be a breathtaking weekend was a virtuoso performance from James Hedley, who claimed a masterful hat-trick of race wins in the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost around his local circuit.

To view the full classification of results from all championships and session that competed at Thruxton, click here.

Several championships will now join the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone National this coming weekend (September 26/27) for the latest rounds of the 2020 season.

BTCC extends TV deal with ITV until 2026

TOCA – organisers of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – has announced that it has signed a new five-year television contract with ITV, extending its current UK-wide free-to-air broadcasting arrangement through to the end of the 2026 season.

Having broadcast Britain’s premier motorsport series since 2002, this latest deal will take the relationship into a 25th consecutive year – making it one of the longest British sporting TV partnerships on record.

The new contract will commence from 2022 and will see ITV continue to screen the championship live and exclusive on its free-to-air ITV4 and ITV4HD channels, with at least seven hours of coverage from each race day.

Qualifying will continue to be streamed on the ITV website whilst highlights programmes and online videos will take fans even closer to the action.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “I’m immensely proud of the great and close partnership that we have with ITV. Their commitment and enthusiasm to bring the BTCC to as wide an audience as possible is absolutely unrivalled.

“It was vital to me that the BTCC maintained its vast live free-to-air coverage. Simply, we want the maximum amount of people to be able to watch our great racing – it’s the bedrock of our enormous popularity. So hiding our championship away behind a paywall would only have the exact opposite effect.

“With the new hybrid regulations and our fantastic broadcasting coverage now locked into place right through to the end of 2026, it provides the solid foundation on which all our teams and partners can base, and build, their involvement.

“I’m not sure how many major motorsport championships in the world have an unbroken (and in fact increasing) free-to-air broadcasting relationship spanning a quarter of a century with the same broadcaster, but by my reckoning it’s probably only one… the iconic British Touring Car Championship.”

Blockbuster BTCC battle speeds into Thruxton

The battle for supremacy in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship looks set to further intensify this coming weekend (September 19/20) as the series descends on the fastest circuit in the UK, Thruxton, for Rounds 13, 14 & 15 of the 2020 season.

Marking the halfway point in what has been an enthralling condensed campaign so far, the high-speed Hampshire venue is renowned for producing edge-of-the-seat entertainment and this year should be no different over the course of the three scheduled encounters.

Like the four events that have taken place already this year, Thruxton will unfortunately play host to Britain’s premier motorsport series behind closed doors, without spectators.

Arriving at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club, reigning champion Colin Turkington sits on top of the standings holding a ten-point advantage. The Team BMW driver has been in sensational form this year with two wins and a host of podiums being the highlight.

Chasing a record-breaking fifth title, the Northern Irishman can’t rest for a second however as he has 2017 champion Ashley Sutton breathing down his neck. The Laser Tools Racing driver has chalked up four wins this year and his relentless driving style has made him one to watch.

As the BTCC reaches the mid-point in this unprecedented year, the two rear-wheel-drive competitors look likely to continue their ding-dong battle right the way through to the series finale at Brands Hatch in November.

Behind, Rory Butcher leads the chase for the top two in third place after scoring his second win of the season whilst Tom Oliphant and Tom Ingram have both enjoyed plenty of success too, placing them fourth and fifth in the standings.

Down the years the Honda Civic Type R has proven to be a potent weapon around the sweeping 2.36-mile layout and Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Dan Cammish will be looking to use that to reignite his championship challenge after tallying a brace of wins early on.

Matt Neal, Tom Chilton, local star Josh Cook and Jake Hill will also be worth keeping an eye on as they aim to make their mark in their own Honda machines as well.

Other notable names to keep an eye on over the course of the weekend include Hyundai duo Senna Proctor and Chris Smiley, Oulton Park race-winner Adam Morgan and Jack Goff – to name but a few.

Thruxton will also see the return of Tom Onslow-Cole, who has rejoined Team HARD to replace the injured Ollie Brown for three events. Onslow-Cole was last in the BTCC back in 2013 and debuted the outgoing Volkswagen CC.

Every point is proving crucial in the fight for the biggest prize in UK motorsport and Thruxton always has a habit of throwing up the unexpected.

To view more information on this weekend’s event, including links to the live timing and the BTCC Digital Programme, click here.

Spectacular Snetterton weekend in-store for BARC championships

The British Automobile Racing Club travels to Snetterton this weekend (September 19/20) for a blockbuster event that will see no less than six championships take centre stage around the challenging 300 layout.

In what is one of the standout race meetings on the national motorsport calendar each year, the Norfolk venue is renowned for throwing up thrills and spills – and that theme looks set to continue on what is a pivotal event for many.

Headlining the action will be five titanic encounters from the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship. Lifting the curtain on its campaign at Donington Park last month, the heavyweight behemoths rumble into Snetterton with fireworks set to fly in both classes.

Division 1 currently sees an enthralling battle brewing with Ryan Smith, John Newell, David Jenkins, Stuart Oliver and Martin Gibson all split by just a handful of points. With the battle for supremacy set to intensify, any driver could establish them as the man to beat if they can piece together a strong weekend.

Elsewhere, Division 2 kicked into life with Steven Powell clinching a hat-trick at Donington Park whilst defending champion Luke Garrett also triumphed. Having gone wheel-to-wheel throughout last year, both Powell and Garrett look set to continue their duel for the crown.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres has proven to be as competitive as ever this year and six more races are expected to centre stage. As it stands, there is nothing to separate John Mickel and Daniel Clark at the top of the points.

Both have been at their brilliant best, and they will need to be to remain at the top, as the likes of Miles Rudman, Will Gibson, Connor Mills and Jack Parker will all be keen to make their mark.

Variety is the spice of life when it comes to the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and those in attendance will be able to see saloon cars from decades gone by going wheel-to-wheel across six amalgamated races.

Action from the Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, Shell Oil Pre 83′ Touring Car Championship, Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars Championship, Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars Championship, Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship, Burton Power Products Blue Oval Saloon Series and the Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship will undoubtedly set pulses racing.

Nostalgic tin top thrills will also come in the shape of the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship over the course of the weekend as well, with two breathtaking encounters scheduled to take place.

The Sports Prototype Cup’s sophomore season has been nothing short of sensational thus far and the good times are set to keeping come as the prototype category continues. Alongside the usual runners and riders, one notable addition to the entry list is former Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy – who will be making his debut.

Rounding out the action at Snetterton will be high-octane races from the Mini 7 Racing Club. Last month, the Se7en and Miglia categories took on a starring role alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, including where to follow live timing and view the latest entry list, click here.

High-speed thrill ride awaits TOCA support championships at Thruxton

It won’t just be the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship that will tackle the ultimate thrill ride that is Thruxton this coming weekend (September 19/20) as several support championships will continue their 2020 campaigns as well.

In what will mark the halfway point in the season for a number of categories, the annual visit to the high-speed Hampshire venue is one that is always eagerly-anticipated, with the demands of the 2.36-mile circuit pushing drivers and their cars to the limits.

Having produced a string of edge-of-the-seat moments already this year, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship is undoubtedly not to be missed as it stages its latest two races.

Just four points separate Bailey Voisin and Tom Lebbon at the head of the leaderboard however the likes of Georgi Dimitrov, Josh Rattican and Joel Pearson will be focused on ensuring it won’t be a two-horse race for the coveted Junior crown.

The Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup returns to the track after missing the trip north of the border to Knockhill, and its Gus Burton that has a stranglehold on proceedings at the top of the standings.

Burton’s double at Oulton Park saw the pendulum swing his way however both Tom Hibbert and Will Burns remain within touching distance of the Century Motorsport driver, making it an unmissable three-way fight for supremacy.

Harry King has, for the most part, been in a league of his own this year in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and the Team Parker Racing driver is showing no signs of letting up as he chases down the title in his rookie season.

Winning six of the eight races run so far, the Porsche GB Scholarship victor will be hard to beat, although that is what the likes of Josh Webster, Matthew Graham and Scott McKenna will all be targeting.

After setting pulses racing at Oulton Park last month, the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Class returns with three races scheduled to play out over the course of the weekend. Boasting a bumper entry list, expect fireworks to fly throughout the field.

Rounding out the BTCC support bill action at Thruxton will be three high-octane encounters from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. Luke Browning holds the advantage in the points but the chasing pack are hot on his heels.

This weekend’s race meeting at Thruxton will be run behind closed doors, subsequently meaning that spectators will not be permitted to enter the venue. Race day coverage on Sunday will be broadcast on ITV2, starting at 11:

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, including links to live timing and the Digital Programme, click here.

BARC publishes COVID-19 guidelines for Competitors and Officials

With the restart to racing in the UK now well underway the British Automobile Racing Club has updated its guidelines on how events will be run for both Competitors and Officials.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to adjust some of our practices and procedures in order to satisfy the requirements laid down by the government and most importantly to provide the safest environment possible for everyone involved.

In line with the guidance provided by Motorsport UK, the BARC will operate their race meetings as follows:-

BARC Competitors Guidance (v3 21 July) – CLICK HERE

BARC Officials Guidance (v2 22 July) – CLICK HERE

These guidelines have been put in place with the well-being of staff, competitors, officials and all potential visitors to our venues and events remaining at the forefront of our considerations at all times.

As it stands, all race meetings and events remain provisional and subject to change in accordance with the latest directives from the UK government.

To view the remaining post-lockdown 2021 events schedule, head to https://www.barc.net/events/.

Four championships put on a Saturday show at Oulton Park

The British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Oulton Park this past Saturday (September 12) where four championship basked in the Cheshire sunshine to serve up a feast of entertainment.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the one-day meeting had a host of thrills and spills as each category continued their condensed 2020 campaigns.

Headlining the day’s action was the much-loved Dunlop Endurance Championship, which was home to all manner of eye-catching pieces of machinery. Two races, one for the Endurance class and the other for the Trophy class set pulses well and truly racing.

In the hour-long Endurance encounter, VR Motorsport’s duo of Jack Fabby and Garry Townsend reigned supreme in their Praga R1T to triumph whilst the Honda Integra Type R pairing of Danny Casser and Nigel Ainge did the same in the Trophy category.

Harry Senior enjoyed a near-perfect weekend in the Caterham Graduates Championship as he tallied two wins from three races. Senior controlled proceedings in races one and two before missing out on the hat-trick in race three, where Andrew Whitton ran out as the victor.

The North West Centre’s flagship category – the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship – boasted a near 30-car entry list for its two races and close-quarter, wheel-to-wheel battles were present throughout the field.

Paul Woolfitt was to be the driver to beat, powering his Lotus Exige to an impressive pair of wins ahead of Luke Armiger. The spoils for third place were ultimately shared between Jon Woolfitt and Danny Bird.

Capping off the day’s action were two races from the Kumho BMW Championship, which showcased some of the best machines that have been produced by the Bavarian manufacturer from down the years.

Michael Pensaville proved too much for the competition at the wheel of his BMW M3 E36 to score an impressive brace of race wins whilst Brad Sheehan finished hot on his heels in both encounters. Lucky Khera and James Card each took a podium apiece as well.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions, click here.

Race of Remembrance postponed until 2021

Mission Motorsport have confirmed that his year’s Race of Remembrance event has been postponed and will subsequently return in 2021.

Scheduled to take place at Anglesey Circuit on November 6/7/8, the three-day meeting has proven to be a smash-hit down the years as it provides the perfect blend of on-track entertainment whilst also commemorating the sacrifices made by all service personnel and their families.

Encompassing some of the star names from the world of motor racing, a diverse range of cars will go wheel-to-wheel around the picturesque Welsh venue during the course of the 12-hour endurance encounter.

A from RoR read: “With heavy hearts, Race of Remembrance will be postponed this year, The uncertainty that COVID brings can only be mitigated so far, and for an event primarily but on goodwill we hope that by making a decision early we will reduce the impact on competitors, officials, partners, friends and beneficiaries. We will bring the event back in 2021.

“For now, we are engaging with our beneficiaries and working on telling those stories that shine a light on Mission Motorsport and the veteran community. That’s what Race of Remembrance is for, and we are determined to mark the event in another way. More details will be released through the RoR channels very shortly.

“Remembrance is important, and a key part of what Mission Motorsport stands for. As a group that’s spent many of the last Remembrance Days in each other’s company, we will find a way to come together, likely digitally, and we will remember them.”

Croft BTCC race meeting to be run behind closed doors

It comes with great disappointment to confirm that the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship’s annual visit to Croft Circuit on October 10/11 will be run behind closed doors, without spectators.

As Britain’s premier motorsport series, the BTCC has been classified as an elite sport by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and therefore must follow the government’s elite sport pathway.

This current pathway, coupled with the recent changes to government regulations, means that we have had to take the difficult decision to operate without spectators. However we can reassure you that the BTCC will be back at Croft on June 12/13 2021.

Croft will be providing a full refund to spectators who have purchased tickets in advance of this years race meeting within the next two weeks.

We appreciate the disappointment that this will cause to our loyal supporters, but we are grateful for your understanding at this difficult time and look forward to welcoming you back to Croft again very soon.

New format and location confirmed for BARC Awards in 2021

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening will have a different feel to it in 2021, both in terms of format and location, as it moves to the multi-million pound Thruxton Centre on Saturday 6th  February. 

One of the biggest prize-giving nights in UK motorsport, the black tie event celebrates the achievements of drivers, officials and marshals in early February every year.

Due to the uncertainty that still remains surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the BARC has elected to change its traditional evening format and will instead host a lunch event for its award winners and special guests.

Taking place inside the state-of-the-art Thruxton Centre – which opened to the public back in 2018 – the event moves from a Big Night Out at the Chesford Grange Hotel, to a Big Lunch In at the home of the BARC.                                     

Ben Taylor, BARC Group Chief Executive, said: “We have thought long and hard about this and it was a difficult decision to take.

“Ordinarily we would need to start making bookings and commitments about this time of year, but we simply cannot say with any certainty that by February our members will be ready to enjoy a weekend away with hundreds of others in a hotel.

“On the other hand, we’re in the middle of a busy season of motor sport, albeit one that has been slightly curtailed. Come the end of the year there will be worthy champions and award winners who will rightly want to celebrate their successes.

“So we think that a lovely lunch event at Thruxton is the best way to ensure that this year doesn’t get forgotten. We’ll make sure that it is one to remember.”

More information will follow in the coming months. 

BARC heads to Oulton Park for one-day meeting

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Oulton Park this weekend (September 12) for a one-day meeting that will is bound to get pulses racing, as four championships continue their 2020 campaigns.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the Cheshire venue is set to play host to a breathtaking day of high-octane autumnal action in front what will undoubtedly be a bumper crowd of enthusiastic spectators.

Headlining the day’s timetable will be two pulsating encounters from the Dunlop Endurance Championship. Showcasing an eclectic mix of jaw-dropping machinery across multiple classes, the series has starred at Croft and Brands Hatch already this year and that theme is only set to continue.

VR Motorsport’s Danny Harrison and Jem Hepworth hold the early initiative in the Endurance Category whilst Barry McMahon holds a slender advantage in the Trophy Class. Keen to extend their leads respectively, the duo will need to be in top form as the list of contenders that are hot on their heels continues to grow.

Boasting bumper grids and producing blockbuster wheel-to-wheel entertainment, the Caterham Graduates Championship has been at its brilliant best this year and Saturday’s visit to Oulton Park is set to be no different.

The Kumho BMW Championship will be back in action after starring at Mallory Park, with two races scheduled to take place. Home to all manner of models that have been produced by the Bavarian manufacturer, rear-wheel-drive rules the roost and is a sight to behold across all classes.

Notable names to look out for include James Card, Brad Sheehan, Darren Morgan-Owen and Rick Kerry, amongst many others.

Rounding out Saturday’s action will be two races from the North West Centre’s flagship category, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship.

Open to all manner of machinery, the multi-class championship has seen its fair share of excitement and drama already this year, with events taking place at Cadwell Park and Donington Park. With the likes of Paul Rose, Paul Dobson and Danny Bird battling for supremacy, it’s all to play for at the top.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event at Oulton Park, head to https://www.barc.net/event/barc-race-meeting-oulton-park/.