Author: Chris Ashby

Thruxton Circuit revved up for spectacular summer of motorsport in 2020

Thruxton Circuit is gearing up for another packed programme of motorsport action in 2020 after unveiling a blockbuster events schedule which will see some of the biggest championships and clubs headline at the Hampshire venue.

Coming off the back of memorable 2019 season, six events will take place at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club over the course of the year, starting in mid May and ending in late August.

Kicking off the season around the fastest circuit in the UK will be the annual TOCA test day on April 16, which will see the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and support categories provide a taster of what is to come around the fastest motor racing circuit in the country.

One month later, the BTCC will return for the fourth event of its 2020 campaign with three high-octane races headlining what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable weekend of tin top thrills and spills. 

The start of June will see Thruxton take a trip down memory lane as a bygone era of machinery takes centre stage for the ‘Thruxton Historic’ meeting before the heavyweight behemoths of the MV Commercial BTRA Championship top the bill at the end of the month.

July will see Thruxton welcome the Classic Sports Car Club once again before the adrenaline-pumping two-wheeled heroes of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship make their traditional summer visit.

Bringing the curtain down on an unforgettable summer of motorsport at Thruxton will be the return to the British Racing & Sports Car Club at the end of August.

THRUXTON CIRCUIT 2020 CALENDAR

April 16 – TOCA Test Day

May 16/17 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

June 6/7 – Thruxton Historic

June 27/28 – British Truck Racing

July 25/26 – Classic Sports Car Club

August 7/8/9 – Bennetts British Superbike Championship

August 22/23 – British Racing Sports Car Club

Tickets to all 2020 Thruxton race meetings are now available to purchase online from https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing or call 01264 882200 (option 1).

Tickets on sale for prestigious BARC Championship Awards Evening in February

Champions, marshals and officials are set to be honoured at the British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening on Saturday 8th February 2020, with the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth confirmed to once again host the prestigious event.

Celebrating the 2019 season in fine style, race suits and overalls will be swapped for black ties and ball gowns as the great and good of UK motorsport come together for what should be another unforgettable night.

Whilst those who emerged victorious from their respective categories over the course of the season will take centre stage, several other ‘secret’ awards will be handed out during the evening as well – adding further excitement to the spectacle.

Hosted by Alan Hyde, the star-studded evening is set to include a three-course dinner and raffle in addition to the customary trophy presentation. Entertainment will come in the shape of popular cover band ‘The Torn Off Strips’.

Tickets for the BARC Championship Awards Evening are priced at £75.00 for BARC Members whilst £85.00 for Non-Members. Click HERE to view and complete the ticket booking form.

For more information regarding the event, please contact: Mandy Curley, BARC Ltd, Thruxton Circuit, Andover, Hants SP11 8PN | Tel: 01264 882202 (direct) | Fax: 01264 882233 | Email: mcurley@barc.net

A limited number of rooms have been allocated at Chesford Grange Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis at Double £112 per room and Single £98 per room.

Once allocation has gone, the full rate may be charged. To book and pre pay for your accommodation with the hotel’s central reservations line, contact 0845 074 0060 and quote ‘BARC event’.

BARC Marshal Training dates confirmed for 2020

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it will run a total of five training days for marshals prior to the start of the 2020 motorsport season.

Chateau Impney, Croft, Pembrey and Thruxton will stage the training days which take place between the months of February and March.

Every event organised and run by the BARC needs marshals and all marshals, whatever they are doing, are contributing to the success and smooth running of the meeting.

With training provided to cover a wide range of topics such as fire safety to pit lane operation and teamwork; marshal training covers a wide variety of key attributes in preparing those that are heading trackside for the forthcoming season.

More information is to be confirmed in due but for those interested in taking part in 2020 marshal training, please contact BARC Marshals Secretary Paula Brown via email at pbrown@barc.net.

2020 BARC MARSHAL TRAINING DATES

Saturday 1st February – Chateau Impney

Saturday 22nd February – Pembrey

Saturday 7th March – Croft

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th March – Thruxton

To find out more about marshalling with the BARC and how to get involved, click here.

Race of Remembrance scales new heights at Anglesey Circuit

One of the highlights of the UK motorsport calendar every year, Race of Remembrance took centre stage this past weekend (November 9/10) to produce a memorable three days of top-level motor racing and commemoration, both in equal measure.

Taking centre stage at Anglesey Circuit for the sixth consecutive season, the marque event provided the perfect blend of on-track entertainment whilst also commemorating the sacrifices made by all service personnel and their families.

Run by the Forces’ charity Mission Motorsport, more than 40 teams journeyed to the picturesque coastline circuit in North Wales to duke it out for supremacy across 12 hours of racing; with star names such as Tom Ingram, Mike Conway and Dario Franchitti all starring.

Despite it being a 12-hour endurance encounter, the uniqueness of RoR meant that the track action was paused throughout the weekend.

Most notably, Sunday morning saw track action come to a halt at 10:45 and the venue fell silent for a special remembrance service to take place in the pit lane. With all drivers, teams, marshals, officials, service personnel and families in attendance, it served as timely reminder as to the importance of the meeting.

In the battle for victory throughout day and night, nobody would ultimately be able to stop Rob Boston Racing as they claimed overall victory. Completing 351 laps, the duo of Rob Boston and Peter Mansfield proved too much for the opposition and took the chequered flag ahead of GPW Racing by a single lap.

Whilst Rob Boston Racing triumphed at the front of the field and in Class D, there were still plenty of other category honours to be decided. TrackScotland with Full Circle Cooling 2 ran out as victors in Class A while RABsport Racing did the same in Class B.

Class E belonged to TWP Racing: MX5parts.com & MRF Tyres, with the list of class winners from the event being capped off by the aforementioned GPW Racing.

BARC signs off 2019 season in spectacular style at Brands Hatch

The British Automobile Racing Club set pulses racing for one final time in 2019 this past weekend (November 9/10) as it brought the curtain down on a memorable year of track action at Brands Hatch, with several championships taking centre centre.

In what has been another action-packed season of top-draw motorsport from the Club’s categories, the famous Kent venue provided a fitting backdrop to end a pulsating campaign which began back in March.

Going wheel-to-wheel into the night, the Dunlop Endurance Championship had fans on the captivated from start-to-finish as a bumper grid of eye-catching cars went wheel-to-wheel around the challenging Indy circuit.

On its eagerly-anticipated debut, the Brabham B62 was a success straight out of the blocks as David Brabham and Will Powell stormed to victory in the opening encounter of the weekend. Mechanical issues would unfortunately cost them a chance of repeating the feat in race two.

Instead, spoils fell the way of Mike Moss and Ollie Hancock in their BMW 1M – the pair exerting their dominance to lap almost the entire field and take the chequered flag by more than 30 seconds in the end.

James Taylor took a clean sweep of victories to be crowned the Ginetta Junior Winters Series champion. Heading an ultra-competitive entry list of teenage racers, Taylor asserted his dominance across both days to lift the coveted title.

Powering his way to pole position on Saturday, the Elite Motorsport driver tallied a pair of race wins to hold the overnight lead in the points. On Sunday, two more wins were added to his record, guaranteeing him the highly sought after crown.

There were similar levels of dominance in the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup too as Wayne Rockett was perfection personified, taking a brace of wins. Having won ten of the 12 races that had been staged heading into the weekend, Rockett lived up to his mantel of being the driver to beat.

Setting an impressive time during qualifying, the multiple race-winner cemented his status as the most successful driver in the series for 2019 with a pair of spellbinding performances.

The Distrigo Parts Distribution Citroen C1 Challenge delivered two hours of enthralling action on Sunday, culminating in the MSAR Old Hat Motorsport duo of Daniel Bruce and Callum Hutchings taking victory by little over nine seconds.

Niall Bradley and Rod Birley were the winners of the weekend’s two CMMC Tin Tops & Amusetime Production Saloons races whilst Colin Peacock rounded the list of race winners, claiming a sensational hat-trick in the Dunlop Mini Se7en & Mini Miglia Championship.

To view the full classification of results from the weekend’s action at Brands Hatch, click here.

BTCC speeds back to Thruxton in 2020 with tickets now on sale

Britain’s premier race series will once again tackle the fastest circuit in the UK in 2020; with the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returning to Thruxton on May 16/17 – and tickets are now on sale discounted pre-Christmas prices.

Coming off the back of a memorable 2019 season which saw the home of the British Automobile Racing Club enjoy two bites of the BTCC cherry, Thruxton is revved up for another blockbuster race meeting to kick off a sensational summer of motorsport.

Tens of thousands of spectators descended on the Hampshire venue in both May and August of this past year to see frenetic wheel-to-wheel action; with Andrew Jordan, Sam Tordoff, Josh Cook and Dan Cammish all sharing the spoils.

Staging the fourth event of the season in 2020; Rounds 10, 11 & 12 at Thruxton are likely to play a pivotal role once again in the championship battle as momentum begins to build.

As ever, edge-of-the-seat entertainment alongside the BTCC will come from the TOCA support package; with the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost, Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup and the MINI Challenge all set to take centre stage.

With discounted tickets prices frozen until Christmas, tickets to Thruxton to watch the BTCC next May are the perfect present for the petrolhead in your lift.

Head to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc to purchase yours now.

BARC to bring the curtain down on 2019 season at Brands Hatch

The British Automobile Racing Club is set to race into the night and into the off-season at Brands Hatch this weekend (November 9/10) as the famous Kent venue plays host to the final race meeting of 2019.

In what has been another blockbuster year for the Club – which has seen countless events at circuits around the country – the curtain will fall on the 2019 campaign in what is being predicted to be enthralling style.

Taking centre stage with two long-distance races around the Indy layout will be the Dunlop Endurance Championship. With the overall title still to be settled, the Ferrari 488 Challenge duo of Paul Bailey and Andy Schulz find themselves in the pound seat and on the cusp of the glory.

However, before they can savour the spoils of a season-long title challenge, the pair will have to fend off the advances of the chasing pack across two enthralling encounters that will continue into darkness.

Following what has been a historic year, the Distrigo Parts Distribution Citroen C1 Challenge will draw to a close for another year with a bumper entry list revved up for its two-hour finale.

After setting a new British record at Silverstone for the largest-ever starting grid back in April, the popular one-make series has proven to be a smash-hit once again – with more excitement destined to play out over the course of the weekend.

Wayne Rockett has been the cream of the crop in the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup this year, winning ten of the 12 scheduled races so far, and he is looking to add two more to his tally during the weekend.

Enjoying another action-packed year, an ultra-competitive grid has gone wheel-to-wheel from the get-go and expect a host of drivers to challenge Rockett all the way to the final lap of the season.

Ginetta will end its season on a high with its Junior Winter Series; the annual end-of-season spectacular that has become renowned as a proving ground for the stars of the following season.

With the last seven Winter Series champions having gone on to finish in the top two in the main championship the next year, the competition is fierce and this year’s entry list boasts a host of potential winners.

Amongst those to look out for include James Taylor, Josh Rattican, Joel Pearson, Bailey Voisin, Aston Millar and Ben Kasperczak – in addition to a host of others.

Rounding out the weekend’s on-track entertainment will be races from the Dunlop Winter Mini Challenge supported by Mini Spares and a string of Open Tin Top encounters.

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting, including the event timetable and live timing, click here.

Anglesey Circuit revved up for Remembrance Service like no other courtesy of Mission Motorsport

Anglesey Circuit is set to take centre stage this weekend (November 8/9/10) for one of the highlights of the 2019 UK motorsport calendar – Race of Remembrance – and this year’s event is primed to scale new heights.

Returning to the picturesque North Wales venue for the sixth consecutive year, the three-day meeting will once again blend motor racing with commemorating the sacrifices made by all service personnel and their families.

Run by the Forces’ charity Mission Motorsport, the event is very much billed a Remembrance Service with a 12-hour endurance event attached to it.

With multiple classes structured to ensure that all manner of machinery can compete, this year sees another ultra-competitive entry list confirmed with more than 40 teams scheduled to go wheel-to-wheel for overall glory.

Notable drivers in action include BTCC race winners Tom Ingram and Rob Austin,  Mike Conway, four-time IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti and his younger brother, sportscar ace Marino Franchitti.

Unique as an event on the whole, Race of Remembrance will be paused at points throughout the weekend, meaning that although it will be a 12-hour endurance race the time it takes to start and finish it will be much longer.

The most notable pause will come at 10:45 on Sunday morning when the racing will stop and the circuit will fall silent for a special service of remembrance, which will take place in the pit lane.

For links to the event timetable, entry list, live timing and more, head to https://www.barc.net/event/race-of-remembrance-anglesey/.

Orders for new Clio Cup UK race car now being taken ahead of 2020 season

Orders are now being taken for Renault Sport Racing’s fifth generation Clio Cup race car, which in 2020 will compete in an all-new championship in the United Kingdom.

With support from Renault Sport Racing in France and promotion by R.S. Promotions, the one-make series is set write a new chapter in its illustrious history after bringing a two-decade association with the TOCA support package to an end this year.

For 2020, a seven-event calendar has been confirmed – with five of them taking place alongside the British GT Championship; whilst a further two will be held overseas.

The Grand Prix configurations of Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Silverstone will all feature on British shores, with Magny-Cours and one other track making up the rest of the schedule.

Open to ‘Pro’ and ‘Am’ drivers, Renault Sport Racing has confirmed that the price of the ‘Gen 5’ Clio Cup will be €37,900 (euros) + vat.

Those wishing to place an order can do so by placing a deposit of ÂŁ2,000 per car.

Renault Sport Racing Customer Racing Commercial Director, Benoit Nogier, said: “2020 will mark an important new chapter for the spirit of Clio Cup competition.

“Our philosophy has always been to make competing in Clio Cup accessible and enjoyable for both amateur racing enthusiasts as well as career-minded drivers, and we believe the new Clio Cup is the perfect car to achieve that.”

To view the full technical specification of the car, head to https://www.cliocupuk.com/

Clio Cup UK 2020 Calendar

May 16/17 – Snetterton

June 6/7 – Silverstone Grand Prix

June 20/21 – Donington Park Grand Prix

August 29/30 – Brands Hatch Grand Prix

September 12/13 – Magny-Cours

September 19/20 – Donington Park Grand Prix

Overseas Event – TBA

BARC championships deliver show-stopping weekend at Brands Hatch

The British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Brands Hatch this past weekend (November 2/3) as five championships battled contrasting conditions to bring the curtain down on their 2019 campaigns.

As champions were crowned in front of a bumper crowd around the famous Kent venue, fireworks flew both on and off the track across a sensational two days of scintillating entertainment.

One of the headline acts of the weekend proved to the MV Commercial BTRA Championship, which served up no less than eight spellbinding encounters.

In Division 1, Ryan Smith secured a fourth successive title as he converted his healthy points advantage over David Jenkins into an unassailable lead.

Storming to pole position, the MAN driver was victorious in race one before then going on to finish in fourth in race two – which was enough to wrap up the title. Jamie Anderson meanwhile proved to be unstoppable on Sunday as he scorched his way to a hat-trick of race wins.

Steven Powell made home advantage count in Division 2 as he powered his way to a hat-trick of race wins. Cementing his status as vice-champion, Powell was in a league of his own for a majority of the weekend whilst John Bowler rounded off the year on the top step of the podium.

Producing plenty of thrills and spills, the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres brought its 25th Anniversary campaign to a close in sensational style – with Miles Rudman being crowned champion for the first-ever time.

Entering the finale holding a significant points lead, Rudman made no mistake to get the job done; winning Saturday and Sunday’s finals in show-stopping fashion. Connor Mills, Paul Simmons, Jack Parker and John Mickel also tasted victory across both days too.

Scott McIntyre was another driver to savour the spoils of victory over the course of the weekend as he captured the Junior Saloon Car Championship title.

With double points on offer, a second place finish behind outgoing champion Lewis Saunders in the opening encounter was enough for the 2018 Scholarship victor to secure the championship. Saunders would reign supreme in the final race of the season too.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship crowned a brand-new champion in the shape of George Turiccki at Brands Hatch, with three blockbuster encounters captivating those in attendance.

Michael Smith, the returning Lea Wood and Declan Jones shared the spoils but nobody could stop Turiccki from capturing his first championship in the series.

Despite 2019 champion Malcolm Blackman electing to miss the season finale, the Super Silhouette Championship was in fine form too during the weekend with Danny Hunn and Lewis Smith signing off with a win apiece.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Brands Hatch from this past weekend, click here.

Croft 2020 BTCC tickets now on sale

Tickets for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship’s annual visit to Croft Circuit on August 15/16 2020 are now on sale, with discounted prices confirmed in the run up to Christmas.

In what is set to be one of headline events as part of a spectacular summer of motorsport in North Yorkshire, tickets to the seventh event on the BTCC calendar could make the the perfect present for the petrol head in your life.

Having traditionally featured during the first half of the season, the annual BTCC trip to the north east will now take place during the second half of the 2020 campaign, with the venue set to play a pivotal role in the destiny of the title – playing host to Rounds 19, 20 & 21.

Croft’s blend of high-speed and tight technical corners makes it a favourite amongst competitors and spectators alike, with edge-of-the-seat entertainment all-but guaranteed. In 2019, Andrew Jordan and Tom Chilton reigned supreme on an action-packed race day.

In addition to the thrills and spills of the BTCC, fans will also see bumper support race action over the course of the weekend courtesy of the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, MINI Challenge, Porsche Sprint Challenge GB and F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost.

Tracey Morley, Croft Circuit Manager, said: “We’re delighted to now be able to allow fans to buy tickets to next year’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship event – all of which are at discounted prices.

“After several years of hosting the event in June, we are excited to take up a spot on the calendar in August and we’re sure it will be one of the highlights of the summer; especially with three high-octane BTCC races and a bumper bill of support race action too.

“With tickets available to purchase at discounted prices from now right the way up to Christmas, these really are the perfect presents for any petrolhead.”

Visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc to view full tickets offers and prices, as well as more information on 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Thomas Lebbon wins Ginetta Junior Scholarship to secure fully-funded 2020 drive

Thomas Lebbon has secured a fully-funded season in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship for 2020 after winning the coveted Ginetta Junior Scholarship at Blyton Park.

Following three days of intense competition which saw the list of contenders whittled down from 68 to five, the teenage karting sensation produced a superlative performance to clinch one of the most sought after prizes in British motorsport.

Impressing the judging panel, Lebbon starred throughout the variety of driving, fitness and media assessments that were put in front of him, ultimately being selected as the next possible future star the Yorkshire manufacturer as produced.

Running for the tenth year in succession, the Ginetta Junior Scholarship has forged the careers of previous winners such as Stuart Middleton, Daniel Harper, Adam Smalley and Ethan Brooks.

In addition to earning himself a spot on the grid for next year and the use of a Ginetta G40 race car, Brooks will also receive insurance, consumables, tyres and fuel plus professional car preparation from an experienced team for the duration of the 2020 campaign.

Commenting on the achievement, Lebbon said: “What an amazing moment! I never thought this was going to happen, so I’m feeling both delighted and surprised.

“I enjoyed pushing the Ginetta to the limit and I can’t wait to go racing in it for the first time at Donington Park.”

The 2020 Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship roars into life at Donington Park on March 28/29 before joining travelling the length and breadth of the UK on the support bill of the Kwik British Touring Car Championship.