Author: Chris Ashby

TOCA support championships star at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch played host to a memorable two days of racing on the TOCA support package this past weekend (April 6/7), with a raft of show-stealing performances across all championships.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, five categories produced  spell-binding edge-of-the-seat entertainment amid the challenging conditions.

Showcasing the next generation of motorsport talent aged between 14 and 17, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship was back and better than ever with a pair of pulsating encounters wowing those in attendance.

Richardson Racing’s James Taylor edged a thrilling season-opener as he pipped debutant Zak O’Sullivan to the chequered flag by little over half a second, whilst 2018 Winter Series champion James Hedley rounded out the podium.

Race two saw Tom Emson emerge victorious from a nail-biting race which ultimately saw the top three covered by a mere 0.133. Narrowly missing out on the win was Hedley and Lorcan Hanafin, who had led a majority of the race.

The final season of the Renault UK Clio Cup began with Max Coates reigning supreme, enjoying a near-perfect weekend as he bagged a pair of pole positions and race wins. After topping the times in qualifying, the Team HARD driver converted his front row start into a lead that he would never lose as he led Jack Young and Brett Lidsey.

Young would be the winner on the road in the second race of the weekend but was later penalised after falling foul of rules regarding braking under the safety car. Despite having dominated proceedings, Young was issued a one-second time penalty, handing the win to Young whilst Lidsey once again bagged a podium.

In the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup triple-header; Reece Somerfield, Harry King and the returning Will Burns took a win each to set up a tantalising year of on-track action.

Spoils were also shared in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as two of the pre-season favourites, Dan Harper and George Gamble, set their stalls out as credible title contenders with a win each – Harper the one that finished the weekend on top of the standings.

Capping off the weekend’s racing was a trio of races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost, with the spoils being shared between Sebastian Alvarez, Luke Browning and Louis Foster who each took a win apiece.

From the full classification of results, click here.

All five TOCA support championships now head to Donington Park for the next event of the season, taking place on April 26/27.

BTCC kicks off 2019 season in style at Brands Hatch

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship kicked off its 2019 season in entertaining style at Brands Hatch this past weekend (April 6/7) as Josh Cook, Andrew Jordan and Rory Butcher shared the spoils to take a win apiece.

In front of a bumper trackside crowds amid challenging and changeable conditions, Britain’s premier race series underlined why it remans the biggest and best tin top category with a pulsating three encounters.

Adrian Flux Subaru Racing’s Ashley Sutton was the man to beat in qualifying as he got the best out of his rear-wheel-drive Levorg in the damp conditions to clinch pole position ahead of former team-mate and double champion Jason Plato.

Sutton would be unable to convert his front row start into victory however as the conditions once again played their part, with drivers opting for different tyre tactics. As others switched to the wet Dunlop BluResponse compound, BTC Racing’s Josh Cook elected to gamble on dry tyres starting from tenth.

Dropping down the order in the early stages, the Honda driver soon became the man to watch as he set the fastest lap on lap five. Scything through the order, and bringing a number of other dry tyre runners with him, Cook was soon on the back of race leader Sutton and duly made his move with ease.

As Cook made his escape out front and onto a third career victory, the final podium places were also occupied with those that had stuck their neck out and opted to go against the grain. Jake Hill and Tom Chilton enjoyed similar charging drives to finish second and third respectively.

Changeable conditions once again played their part in the second race of the day, however unlike the first, all drivers opted for to run the dry compound. BMW Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan ensured it was a debut to remember for the all-new BMW 330i M Sport as he opened his account for the new season in emphatic fashion.

The early running saw a host of overtaking take place, with Jordan and Sutton making the most progress towards the front. Soon a three-way battle for the lead began as a ballast-laden Cook valiantly fended off the charging duo, although 2017 champion Sutton soon made a move stick with a daring late lunge under brakes heading into Graham Hill Bend.

Jordan followed Sutton through and was soon hounding the back of the Levorg, dispatching him to take the lead on the start-finish line. From there the West Surrey Racing driver was unchallenged as he pulled away to take victory, whilst Sutton withstood a barraging attack at the end to fend off Adam Morgan, Hill and Stephen Jelley.

Cobra Sport AmD Autoaid/RCIB Insurance’s Butcher clinched a maiden BTCC victory in the reverse grid encounter after Chilton was handed a post-race penalty.

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher’s Chilton had taken the lead on lap 13 after contact with Matt Neal, and it would be that subsequent contact that led to Chilton being penalised by the stewards.

Having looked after his tyres in the early stages, Butcher became a man on a mission in the latter part of the race as he caught and passed the scrapping pair of Neal and Jelley. Contact between those two would lead to Neal suffering left-rear suspension damage on the final lap, which allowed Jelley to jump into third and take his first BTCC podium in nearly ten years.

For the full classification of results from all six BTCC sessions, click here.

Leaving Brands Hatch Cook and BTC Racing find themselves sitting atop of the BTCC Drivers’, Teams’, Independent Drivers’ and Independent Teams’ Championship standings.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship nows descends on Thruxton on April 17 for the customary TOCA test before the Rounds 4, 5 and 6 at Donington Park on April 27/28.

BTCC ready for 2019 blast off at Brands Hatch

After several months of driver announcements and pre-season testing, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is primed and ready to roar back into life this weekend (April 6/7) for the opening event of the season at Brands Hatch.

Billed as Britain’s biggest motorsport series, 2019 boasts another competitive 30-car capacity entry list – including ten different marques and an impressive 12 models of car. In addition, this year’s grid includes five former champions and 18 BTCC race-winners – further underlining the strength in depth the series possesses.

Having kicked off the new season at Hever Castle and Brands Hatch last week, where more than 3000 laps were clocked by the entire field, the talking is set to stop on Sunday as Rounds 1, 2 & 3 kick off proceedings.

Reigning champions West Surrey Racing enter the weekend bidding to ignite their title defence as they debut the BMW 330i M Sport. The manufacturer squad fired out a warning shot in testing with Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan both on the pace, and Tom Oliphant was not far behind either.

Toyota’s long-awaited return to the BTCC has set tongues wagging and both Speedworks Motorsport and Tom Ingram will see where they stack up with its Corolla whilst the Halfords Yuasa Racing duo of Matt Neal and Dan Cammish will be keen to score points early on.

Power Maxed Racing boast one of the most experienced driver line-ups, with Jason Plato and Rob Collard returning to front-wheel-drive to spearhead Vauxhall’s championship charge.  Elsewhere, Adrian Flux Subaru Racing have retained the services of 2017 champion Ashley Sutton and recruited race-winner Senna Proctor in a bid to regain their title.

Beyond the manufacturer entrants sits a raft of title contenders amongst the Independent ranks, with Motorbase Performance leading the way. Tom Chilton proved to be a worthy challenger in 2018 and will be keen to bounce back at the teams local circuit, with Ollie Jackson and Nicolas Hamilton also added.

BTC Racing have aligned themselves with Team Dynamics, secured to brand new Honda Civic Type Rs and signed Josh Cook to join Chris Smiley. If the cards fall their way, BTC Racing could become a force to be reckoned with over the course of the year.

Aiden Moffat, Adam Morgan and Daniel Rowbottom head up the Mercedes Benz A-Class entrants whilst Matt Simpson and Stephen Jelly will also be keen to move further up the order this year.

Team HARD. and AMD Tuning both class Brands Hatch as their local circuit and the two will be keen to make home advantage count. Both Sam Tordoff and Rory Butcher showcased what the AMD Hondas can do at last week’s test, with Tordoff topping the times under the official lap record. Jake Hill and former F1 racer Mark Blundell are also part of the AMD stable in a pair of Audi S3s.

Jack Goff, Bobby Thompson, Michael Crees and Carl Boardley have been selected to lead Team HARD and their quartet of Volkswagen CCs. Goff was the man to beat at the season-opener last year, storming to pole position and then victory.

Rounding off the grid this year will be Excelr8 Motorsport, who make their BTCC debuts with Rob Smith and Sam Osborne in the former race-winning MG6 machines.

With 30 drivers all geared up for the start of the new season, the stage is set for the BTCC to produce another unforgettable year of racing, with the fight to secure the UK’s biggest motorsport crown the focus of everyone.

ITV4 will once again screen every second of the season live with coverage for this weekend beginning on Saturday as qualifying takes place from 15:00 on itv.com/btcc. ITV4’s coverage on race day begins at 10:15.

For more information on this weekend’s opening event of the year, click here.

Goodwood gearing up to roll back the years at 77th Members Meeting

Goodwood is set to take a spirited trip down memory lane this weekend (April 6/7) as it hosts the 77th Members Meeting, with a mouth-watering array of iconic machines primed to take centre stage.

In what is the opening weekend of the year of the West Sussex venue, Goodwood will aim to recreate the atmosphere and camaraderie of the original BARC Meetings that were held at the circuit through the late-1940s to mid-60s.

As is always the case when it comes to the Members Meeting, the modern era will become just a memory once you walk through the gates as those in attendance are transported back to yesteryear.

The 2019 edition of the Members Meeting once again boasts a diverse range of races, with the Gerry Marshall Trophy topping the bill. Run in memory of British saloon-car legend Gerry Marshall, the two-part race for Group 1 saloon cars between 1970 and 1982 will likely be a highlight of the weekend.

Paying homage to the cars that first raced at Goodwood Motor Circuit, a mixture of pre-war grand prix cars and the latest post war machinery will compete in the Parnell Cup. Elsewhere the Tony Gaze Trophy will feature a raft of stunning 1950s GT machines.

Fans of nostalgia single seater action will be well-catered for as one-litre Formula 3 cars that competed between 1964 and 1970 will duke it out for victory in the Derek Bell Cup.

The Members Meeting will also pay tribute to Canadian motorsport legend John Duff with jaw-dropping machinery from the late 1920s going wheel-to-wheel, whilst the Graham Hill Trophy will also be up for grabs for GT cars of a type that raced at Goodwood from 1960 to 1966.

The ultimate David-versus-Goliath battle will be found in the Gurney Trophy as Group 4 and Group 7 sports racing cars bid to steal the show.

Making a welcome return to the race programme is the Peter Collins Trophy, which features drum-braked sport scars from the 1950s such as Maserati and Jaguar as just some of the marques being represented.

Rounding out the enthralling Members Meeting weekend will be the Betty Richmond Trophy and the Sheene Trophy, showcasing the very best Mini saloons and iconic two-wheeled motorcycles.

This weekend’s action from Goodwood will be streamed live online via YouTube, whilst all other event information can be found here.

Ginetta Juniors look to take centre stage at Brands Hatch opener

The next generation of UK motorsport talent is set to take centre stage at Brands Hatch this weekend (April 6/7) as the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship roars back into life with a bumper 24-car entry list.

Never short of entertainment on the TOCA support package and open to drivers aged between 14 and 17, the one-make tin-top category has become the ideal environment for youngsters to transition from karting into cars, and reap the benefits that come with it.

With the likes of current McLaren F1 star Lando Norris and BTCC runner-up Tom Ingram products of the Ginetta Junior programme, this years crop of aspiring superstars will be keen to make their mark and follow in their footsteps.

Of the 24 cars taking to the grid for the opening two rounds, just nine of them have experience in the series. Winter Series champion James Hedley will be one to watch in his Elite Motorsport G40, as will Lorcan Hanafan and Gus Burton – two drivers that ran Hedley close last November.

The remaining second-season competitors include former Scholarship winner James Taylor, Will Martin, Harry Dyson, Tom Emson, Ethan Hawkey and Ben O’Hare – and all will be looking to make experience count, especially in the early running.

Several drivers will take their first tentative steps into the world of car racing around the iconic Kent circuit however none of them should be written off, with many of them holding credible backgrounds in karting and other disciplines.

Casper Stevenson, Freddie Tomlinson and Will Rochford and just three of several first-time racers that will be keen to make their mark.

Frankie Taylor meanwhile will step across from the Junior Saloon Car Championship and bid to build on his encouraging pre-season pace.

The same can also be said for Ethan Brooks who is on the grid virtue of winning the Ginetta Junior Scholarship. Brooks is no stranger to the British Automobile Racing Club either after being a standout performer in the British Schools Karting Championship in 2017 and 2018, winning the title with Brentwood School on both occasions.

For more information on the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship’s opening event, including links to timetable and live timing, click here.

Renault UK Clio Cup poised for memorable final season

The Renault UK Clio Cup is set to begin its final season at Brands Hatch this weekend (April 6/7) with an ultra-competitive entry list aiming to write their name into the history books.

Coinciding with the end of its current three-year contract with TOCA and the last year of the fourth generation Clio car, Renault UK confirmed at the end of last year that the 2019 campaign would be the last for the championship.

Since its inception in 1991 the one-make category has enjoyed unrivalled success, especially in the 19 years it has supported the British Touring Car Championship, and has become the ideal proving ground for drivers to elevate themselves further up the UK motorsport ladder.

With a pulsating 18-round calendar kicking off at the Kent venue this weekend, the race to be crowned the last Renault UK Clio Cup champion is set to be captivating.

Team HARD heads the entry list with a three-pronged challenge for the title, led by Max Coates. Having narrowly missed out on the overall crown last year, Coates returns for his fourth season in the season with his sights firmly set on lifting the championship trophy.

Joining Coates is former Junior Saloon Car Champion race winner Ethan Hammerton and fan favourite Jade Edwards. Hammerton will embark on his inaugural season in the senior Clio category whilst Edwards is bidding to score a breakthrough podium and race win after a turbulent 2018 campaign.

Westbourne Motorsport will field a four-car attack with Ben Colburn keen to build on the few rounds that he competed in at the end of last year. Joining Colburn is Finlay Robinson, who steps up from the Michelin Clio Cup Series, Aaron Thompson and the returning Anton Spires – also a product of the Clio Cup Series.

MRM Racing’s charge this year after coming off the back of a superlative performance in the Renault UK Clio Cup International event, winning overall. After triumphing in the Renault UK Clio Cup Junior, the Northern Irishman became a potent threat towards the front of the field in 2018 and will be keen to build on his momentum.

In addition, Young emerged as the man to beat at the 2019 Media Day as he dipped under the official Clio Cup lap record around Silverstone National. Brett Lidsey and Ben Davis join Young at MRM.

Rounding out the grid for this season is Luke Warr, who will also be looking to pose a threat at the sharp end of the field.

With two pulsating encounters around the Indy circuit set to have fans on the edge of their seats this weekend, the Renault UK Clio Cup is set to begin its farewell tour in typical unpredictable style at Brands Hatch.

For more information on this weekend’s event, click here.

All to play for as Porsche Carrera Cup GB gets set to lift the covers for 2019

Another frenetic and entertaining Porsche Carrera Cup GB campaign lies in wait for 2019, with Brands Hatch set to play host to the opening two rounds of the year this weekend (April 6/7).

A firm fixture on the TOCA package for a number of years, the Carrera Cup is the most successful single marque GT championship in the country and has once again welcomed a bumper entry list

With last years champion Tio Ellinas moving on, the mantel is set to fall on a new star to come to the fore and look to be the benchmark driver in the series.

Multiple champions Redline Racing enter the opening event of the season tipped as one of the favourites with Seb Perez, George Gamble and Jack McCarthy behind the wheel. Both Perez and Gamble will be keen to build on the experience they have in the series whilst McCarthy will be keen to make a solid start to life in the Carrera Cup after switching from the Renault UK Clio Cup.

Leading BTCC outfit Motorbase Performance will be keen to roll back the years and clinch championship silverware as they field Dan Vaughan and Lewis Plato in the Pro class.

Carrera Cup GB Scholar Dan Harper and Tom Roche, of JTR and Rob Boston Racing respectively, will also be ones to watch in the top category – further reinforcing the strength in depth across the field.

Off the back of clinching a spot on the coveted W Series grid, Esmee Hawkey will duke it out once more for Pro-Am honours with the aforementioned McCarthy, Karl Leonard and Jamie Orton.

Rounding out the entry list for the Brands Hatch curtain-raiser is Peter Mangion, Richard Hawken, Adam Knight, John Ferguson and Peter Kyle-Henney – all of whom will be battling for the Am title.

Two 34-lap encounters around the 1.2 mile Brands Hatch circuit kick off proceedings this weekend and if the Carrera Cup GB has taught anything in the past it will be to expect the unexpected.

For more information on the event including links to timetable and live timing, click here.

Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup gearing up to make their mark

The Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup will crown new champions in both the Pro and Am classes this year, and the journey to doing just is set to begin this weekend (April 6/7) at Brands Hatch.

Captivating at almost every turn in 2018, Ginetta’s flagship championship has become a proving ground for some of the UK’s top motorsport talent, and the class of 2019 are primed and ready to make their mark.

With Charlie Ladell not returning to defend his title, Rob Boston Racing have turned to 2016 runner-up Will Burns to spearhead their line-up alongside former Britcar Endurance front-runner Simon Rudd.

There is a Britcar connection over at Team HARD too as Tom Barley steps into the GT4 category after partnering Rudd last year. Barley will be joined in the Team HARD stable by former BTCC and Renault UK Clio Cup competitor Mike Epps, who is making his debut in Ginetta machinery.

Harry King and Elite Motorsport proved to be a tour-de-force last year and King could yet be a threat once more along with rookie Fin Green, three-time winner Tom Hibbert and Carl Shield.

Having triumphed in the Am category with Michael Crees last year, Century Motorsport are bidding to make it back-to-back titles starting this weekend and boast a strong driver line-up.

Jack Oliphant, brother of former champion and now BTCC racer Tom Oliphant, has stepped up whilst 2017 British Rallycross title winner Nathan Heathcote has elected to swap dirt for tarmac and tackle circuit racing.

Dan Kirby, Lee Frost, Lucky Khera, James Kell, Paul Taylor, Darron Lewis and Carl Garnett round out the impressive list of Am competitors for this weekend’s opening event, and all can’t be discounted from prevailing come Sunday evening.

This weekend will see a total of two 24-lap duels take place. For more information on the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup’s opening event of the 2019 season, including links to timetable and live timing, click here.

Sportscars, saloons and single-seaters top the bill at Thruxton Motorsport Celebration

A mouth-watering array of sensational sportscars, flame-spitting saloons and evocative single-seaters will thrill the crowds at this year’s Thruxton Motorsport Celebration (1/2 June), with no fewer than 15 races on the bill as the past comes back to life at the fastest circuit in the country.

Following the resounding success of last summer’s 50th Anniversary Celebration weekend, the decision was taken to make the popular, family-friendly event an annual affair. In addition to the myriad of yet-to-be-announced off-track attractions and high-speed demos, nine series have been confirmed to take to the circuit at the retro-themed Hampshire festival.

The action will rev into life with the Historic Touring Car Challenge (HTCC) with Tony Dron Trophy, for models that competed in the British and European Touring Car Championships between 1966 and 1990 – including larger-engined turbocharged cars like the legendary Ford Sierra RS500. The Tony Dron Trophy – named in honour of the 1970s touring car and Le Mans ace – is a standalone series for Group 1 Touring Cars from 1970 to 1982.

Going even further back through the gears, the U2TC for pre-66 under two-litre Touring Cars and HRDC ‘Coys Trophy’ for Touring Cars 1958-1966 feature cars that first raced in their prime more than half-a-century ago.

In the same vein, the HRDC ‘Allstars’ for pre-66 Sports, GT and Touring Cars – which evokes the spirit of the Club Members Meetings of the 1950s and ‘60s – recreates the ‘Allcomers’ Club races with the greatest variety of pre-’66 historic competition cars to be found on a single grid, from super-quick Ashley GTs to powerful TVRs and Cobras, not to mention the rare Daimler Dart and Austin Healey Jamaican.

The HRDC ‘Alfa Challenge’ for Alfa Romeo Sports, GT and Touring Cars is sure to appeal to all ‘Alfisti’, with fans of the much-loved Italian marque set to be spoiled by a grid-full of seldom-seen models from the early 1950s through to the late 1970s – Giuliettas in both Spyder and Berlina form, Giulia Supers and GTs and the later Alfetta GTVs and Berlinas amongst others.

The RAC Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy is widely acknowledged as the pre-eminent series for late-1950s sportscar racing, with all cars running in genuine period specification to ensure an authentic experience true to the era, while the Sports 2000 Championship reunites a field of two-seat, mid-engined, open-cockpit, full-bodied sports prototypes.

The FJHRA/HSCC ‘Silverline’ FJ Championship, meanwhile, boasts two grids at the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration – one for front and one for rear-engined machinery. Launched in 1958, Formula Junior was intended to provide an entry-level open-wheel formula in which drivers could use inexpensive mechanical components from everyday cars.

“Although initially conceived as a one-off to mark half-a-century of motorsport at Thruxton, last year’s event was so phenomenally well-received that we couldn’t not continue it,” explained Thruxton Operations Manager, Pat Blakeney. “We’re delighted to unveil such a glorious grid for this summer’s festival, with a tremendous variety of iconic sportscars, saloons and single-seaters spanning several of the sport’s most memorable decades.

“In addition to what is sure to be some fantastic racing on-track, off-track there will be just as much to keep spectators entertained, which we are looking forward to revealing over the coming weeks. It promises to be another action-packed, fun-fuelled weekend celebrating everything to be enjoyed about this spectacular sport.”

Advance tickets for the Thruxton Motorsport Celebration on 1/2 June are available from just £12 for Saturday entry and £20 for Sunday – or £28 for both days. Sunday grandstand seats are an additional £5. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge.

For further information or to buy tickets, see thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/celebration or call 01264 882222.

For more information on Thruxton’s race meetings and driving experiences, visit: www.thruxtonracing.co.uk

BARC serves up six-tastic Silverstone spectacle

The home of British motorsport, Silverstone, played host to a memorable two days of British Automobile Racing Club action this past weekend (March 30/31) as six more championships launched their 2019 campaigns.

In what is a traditional fixture on the Club’s early-season calendar, the International configuration of the Northamptonshire venue once again showcased a raft of wheel-to-wheel battles across all categories.

Headlining Saturday’s action was a pair of races from the Dunlop Endurance Championship, which boasted a record 36-car entry list. With a pair of one-hour encounters setting pulses racing, Tim Gray proved to be the man to beat in race one at the wheel of his VR Motorsport Praga R1T.

Gray took on the Lamborghini pairing of John Seale and Marcus Clutton, prevailing to narrowly take the chequered flag by little under two seconds. Seale and Clutton ensured they savoured victory too by dominating race two, lapping the entire field in their striking Huracan.

The Michelin Clio Cup Series saw the spoils shared as Luke Pinder and Simon Freeman took a win apiece. The pair were inseparable for a majority of the weekend as they vied for top spot in the Race Class with Ronan Pearson and Paul Bell rounding off the podium in each race respectively.

James Colburn bagged a brace of victories in the new-for-2019 Sport Class, whilst double Road Class champion Nic Harrison also enjoyed a double-winning performance as well.

Having reigned supreme in the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship last year, Pete Sparrow began the defence of his title in fine style as he romped his way to a pair of victories – setting his stall out as the man to beat once more.

Rick Morris also enjoyed a stellar weekend as he too scored a pair of wins, this time in the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship. Heading what was a stellar entry list of experienced single seater racers, Morris was a tour-de-force in the opening encounter to fend off Mark Armstrong and John Village.

In race two, Morris then prevailed from a nail-biting 17-lap affair ahead of 1992 BTCC champion Tim Harvey – who was making a popular return to the series – whilst Armstrong picked up another rostrum finish.

Spoils were shared in the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship races as William Sharpe and Steve Darbey won overall. Never short of entertainment, the multi-class series is home to some of the most iconic machines from the MG brand however it was to be the MG ZR that reigned supreme – a car that Sharpe and Darbey both piloted.

Capping off the weekend’s action in Northamptonshire was a raft of races from the Caterham Graduates Championship. Another category which has forged a name for itself in recent years, amalgamated grids ensured there was plenty of action throughout each class.

The combined Mega/Classic/135/125 races came down to Luke Tzourou and Kevin Barrett, with the pair nip-and-tuck with each other and ultimately taking a win apiece. Elsewhere Samuel Wilson emerged as the man to beat in the Sigmax and 150 races as he romped to a brace of wins ahead of Jamie Ellwood.

To view the full classification of results across all championships from Silverstone, click here.

Silverstone beckons for six action-packed BARC championships

Silverstone awaits the arrival of the British Automobile Racing Club this weekend (March 30/31) with six championships kicking off their 2019 campaigns.

As the new season begins to gather momentum, the BARC descends on the home of British motorsport once more to tackle the International layout, with enthralling entertainment expected to keep fans on the edge of their seats throughout both days.

Topping the bill for the weekend is the Dunlop Endurance Championship which has attracted a record entry for the second year running. Boasting a grid of 36 jaw-dropping machines, Britcar is enjoying a period of rude health and that is only set to continue with tweaks having been made to the race format.

This weekend’s opening event sees the introduction of two one-hour races instead of the previous 50-minute and two-hour encounters, thus further enticing more iconic machinery to the grid. In addition the class structure has also been altered however that won’t wave from the likes of Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini, Mercedes and more going wheel-to-wheel.

Nostalgia single seater thrills will come in the shape of the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship this weekend with two races scheduled to take place. Harking back to the days when the category was a feeder series to Formula 1, the racing remains the same

Experienced racers such as Stuart Kestnbaum, Mark Armstrong and Rick Morris are amongst the favourites to shine whilst attention will also be paid to former BTCC champion turned presenter Tim Harvey, who is back behind the wheel of a Van Dieman.

It’s a new chapter for the Michelin Clio Cup Series this year too as they introduce the fourth generation car into the newly formed ‘Sport Class’. Having been a haven for tin top thrills down the years, the Clio Cup Series is set to scale new heights with as it looks to the future.

Both the Race and Road Class categories boast bumper grids too, with a new champion set to be crowned in 2019 following Ben Palmer moving onto new pastures. Nic Harrison meanwhile remains the man to beat in the Road Class as he bids to become a three-time title winner.

The Caterham Graduates Championship has become synonymous for close-quarter action down the years and that theme is set to continue this weekend. Four classes will duke it out in amalgamated grids with more than 40 cars confirmed to kick off the season in style.

Jamie Ellwood, Robin Webb, Mark Carter, Ben Winrow and Jon Curry are just a few of the drivers that have flourished in the past and could be potent threats over the course of both days.

Small in stature but never short of entertainment, the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship is back for another year and with another healthy entry list. Following on from a frenetic 2018 campaign which saw Pete Sparrow clinch the title, the series is back for another year – kicking off the season this weekend before a raft of events between now and August.

Capping off the weekend’s BARC action are a pair of races from the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship. Showcasing some of the most iconic machines from the iconic manufacturer, all eras of MG are fielded in this multi-class category, with battles raging throughout the grid.

Jim Baynam, Steve McDermid and Simon Kendrick are just three drivers to look out for as they all bid to kick their campaigns off on the right foot.

To find out more information regarding this weekend’s event at Silverstone, click here.

BARC appoints Ben Taylor as Group CEO

The British Automobile Racing Club is pleased to announce the creation of a new post, Group CEO; with Ben Taylor taking up the role to lead the Club’s operations and multiple business units.

The appointment follows a restructure of the organisation and the creation of a new Group Board designed to assist the future development of the company and to deliver a stronger and more effective group strategy to the various operations that make up the second biggest group of motorsport venues in the UK. 

Taylor’s motorsport career dates back more than twenty years, involving positions in F1, BTCC and the UK governing body, the Motor Sports Association, now Motorsport UK.

Most recently he was Managing Director of the Major Events subsidiary International Motor Sports with responsibility for Wales Rally GB, the British Grand Prix and the British Rally Championship.

Prior to that, he was MSA Director of Development and Communications, leading the company’s promotional, grass roots and marketing activities.  

Commenting on his new role at the BARC, Taylor said: “It is an exciting and pivotal time to be joining the BARC as the company lays its foundations for the future.

“It is a big challenge, but I am looking forward to meeting the people involved, understanding the many different aspects of the business and working together to build on the existing structure.”

Tony Scott-Andrews, BARC Chairman, added: “This is the start of a new phase in the history of the BARC. We have ambitious plans to grow the company and create a solid and sustainable motorsport business for the next 50 years.

“We are thrilled that Ben has agreed to join us; his knowledge and experience make him the perfect fit to take up this new challenge and we look forward to getting started next month.”