Author: Chris Ashby

Pembrey Circuit reveals blockbuster 2019 events calendar

Pembrey Circuit is set for another blockbuster motorsport season in 2019 following confirmation of what is a bumper events calendar for the forthcoming year.

Coming off the back of a hugely successful 2018 campaign for the South Wales-based venue which saw a glittering array of events take place and spectators line the bankings each weekend, the British Automobile Racing Club is track is gearing up for more of the same.

The new season will kick off in early April with the Drift Championship making the first of what will be two visits during the year. The British Racing & Sports Car Club will then make a long overdue return to the venue for an Easter extravaganza later in the month.

High-octane thrills will be provided by the Classic Motorcycle Racing Championship in early May before the heavyweight behemoths of the British Truck Racing Association Championship descend on Pembrey.

Always a highlight of the year, the five-tonne mega-machines will likely dazzle over the weekend of May 11/12 and will be joined by a stellar supporting cast.

Sideways action will come in the shape of the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship before the BARC stages back to back weekends in early June.

Those will be shortly followed up by two frenetic days of enthralling entertainment from the Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship. As the summer months pass, the action shows no sign of letting up with event after event taking place.

August 17/18 will be one to watch as the British Supermoto Championship tackles the challenges of Pembrey before both the British Truck Racing Association Championship and Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship visit once more.

The CMC Tarmac Rally Stages will wind down the action before the CMC ‘Jaffa’ Christmas Rally Stages will bring the curtain down on what is expected to be another memorable year of competition.

2019 Calendar

Drift Championship – April 7

British Racing & Sports Car Club – April 20/21

Classic Motorcycle Racing Championship – May 4/5

British Truck Racing Association Championship – May 11/12

Autosport International BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship in partnership with Toyo Tires – May 18/19

BARC Wales Sprint – June 1/2

British Automobile Racing Club – June 8/9

Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship – June 22/23

NGRR Motorcycle Championships – July 13/14

VMCC Motorcycle Championships – July 27/28

Autosport International BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship in partnership with Toyo Tires – August 10/11

British Supermoto Championship – August 17/18

Drift Championship – September 1

Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship – September 21/22

British Truck Racing Association Championship – October 5/6

CMC Tarmac Rally Stages – October 20

CMC ‘Jaffa’ Christmas Rally Stages – December 29

Tickets for all events at Pembrey Circuit will be available to purchase online or by phone in the New Year.

BARC HQ Christmas Closing Dates

The British Automobile Racing Club headquarters at Thruxton Circuit will be closed during the following dates over the Christmas and New Year periods.

FROM: Friday 21st December at 17:00

TO: Wednesday 2nd January 2019 at 09:00

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible trackside next year, be it if you are officiating, marshalling, spectating or competing!

From everyone at the BARC and all of our venues around the country, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

SHP Promotions to oversee new BARC Super Silhouette Championship

SHP Promotions will spearhead what is set to be an exciting new chapter for the BARC Super Silhouette Championship as its bids to continue to grow in stature next year.

Formerly known as the Scrapco Metal Recycling/Avon Tyres Intermarque Championship, the 2019 season will mark the dawn of a new era as SHP Promotions work with the British Automobile Racing Club to bring cars into one single Motorsport UK championship.

Catering for spaceframe coupe and saloon cars that have been built to strict regulations, the series is designed to encourage close competition with hot rod-based machines that resemble the likes of the Peugeot 206 and Vauxhall Tigra, among other makes and models.

In what is an initial three-year plan, adjustments to the rules will be implemented to ensure an even playing field for all competitors, whilst also bidding to ensure it grows into a national championship instead of cars splitting off into a variety of categories.

SHP Promotions’ Sonny Howard said: “The 2019 season sees a new beginning and what looks set to be an exciting future for the BARC Super Silhouette Championship. This concept has been around for a number of years and has all the hallmarks of becoming something very special.

“Those involved in the championship have a wealth of experience, understand the product and have worked with many of the drivers in the past. A structured vision is in place and along with an events calendar that will showcase the championship all around the UK, the future looks bright.”

Falling under the SHP Promotions umbrella alongside the Pickup Truck Racing Championship and new Wildcat Sprint Car category for 2019, the BARC Super Silhouette Championship will travel the length and breadth of the UK, predominantly racing on the British Truck Racing Association Championship package.

Kicking the season off at Brands Hatch over Easter on April 21/22, the series will then head to Pembrey before returning back to Brands Hatch as part of the coveted American SpeedFest weekend.

Two visits to Mallory Park and trips to Donington Park, Croft, Snetterton and one final appearance at Brands Hatch – where a champion will ultimately be crowned – will round out the 2019 calendar for the championship.

For those wanting more information on the BARC Super Silhouette Championship, contact info@supersilhouette.co.uk.

Renault UK Clio Cup to end after 2019 season

Renault UK has confirmed that the 2019 season will be the last for the Clio Cup, with the season finale at Brands Hatch in October being the one-make categories last.

In what is a decision that has not been taken lightly, the timing of the announcement by Renault UK coincides with the end of the current three-year TOCA contract and the last year of the fourth generation Clio.

Since its launch in 1991 the championship has achieved great success and its roots can be traced back to the mid-1970s when Renault first brought its single-model saloon car racing to the UK with the R5.

Appearing alongside the British Touring Car Championship for the past 19 years, the forthcoming season will mark two decades of the two competing on the much-loved popular package.

Down the years the Renault UK Clio Cup has proven to be the ideal proving ground and stepping stone for drivers to jump into the BTCC, with countless names stepping up. Of those, 14 have gone on to win races whilst three have become BTCC champions.

All other Clio Cup championships across the globe are unaffected by this decision.

The 2019 and final Renault UK Clio Cup season will launch at Silverstone on March 22 for its customary Media Day before the first of 18 pulsating races begin around the Brands Hatch Indy layout in early April.

Michelin named as title sponsor of Ginetta Junior Championship

Ginetta have announced that leading global tyre manufacturer Michelin will become the title sponsor for the 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship as part of a new five-year extension to what is an already long-standing partnership.

In what has been an association that has lasted over a decade already, Michelin will remain the sole tyre supplier for all five of Ginetta’s domestic single marque championships.

The Ginetta Junior Championship, Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Ginneta G40 Cup, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and the Ginetta Racing Drivers Club will all run Michelin compounds through to 2023.

Tim Hoare, Motorsport Manager at Ginetta, said: “We are proud to extend our long-standing sponsorship partnership with Ginetta and strengthen our association with the complete ladder of racing that Ginetta and Michelin can provide for drivers.

“We feel that our two brands work together very well, allowing drivers of all ages and abilities to experience the thrill of motorsport, while providing an excellent springboard for them to progress through the various classes and beyond, if they so wish.

“This partnership also helps us bring to life the Total Performance characteristics of both our motorsport and road tyres, which are developed along similar lines to make driving a sustainable and more pleasurable experience for all.”

Offering the first step on the motorsport ladder for drivers aged 14 to 17. the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship has forged a path for itself as one of the leading lights within the TOCA support package.

Boasting big grids of Ginetta G40 machines, the series is renowned for producing close-fought racing and down the years has served as a launchpad for drivers to enjoy successful careers around the world.

Ashley Gallagher, Ginetta Motorsport Manager, added: “Michelin are undoubtedly one of the leading tyre manufacturers in the world, and their ethos of providing safe and reliable products to their customers is synonymous with that of Ginetta.

“We are delighted to further our partnership with a company as respected as Michelin into a second decade. This is a testament to the continued success of our domestic championships and together we’re looking forward to a fantastic year of competition in 2019.” In addition to Michelin, Ginetta have also confirmed a technical partnership with Millers Oils, have become title sponsors of the GT4 Supercup and Ginetta Junior Scholarship.

Michelin Clio Cup Series to expand class structure in 2019

The Michelin Clio Cup Series has announced the introduction of a brand-new Sport Series class for 2019 which will welcome each Clio model from the second-generation RS Clio 182 through to the fourth-generation RS Clio 220.

Following on from another pulsating campaign of racing, the Race Series will retain its status as the pinnacle of the championship with third generation RS Clio 200s out to steal the show. In 2020 these will be joined by the fourth generation RS Clio 220.

There will be no changes made to the Road Series class too which will remain in its current guise moving forward too.

However, the new-for-2019 Sports Series will allow the use of Renault Sport-built race cars or modified road-based Clio 182, 197, 200 or 220 models with a maximum of 220bhp in a bid to pit independent engineering against factory-built machines.

Each of the new models permitted in the Sports Series have enjoyed stints in the flagship Renault UK Clio Cup on the British Touring Car Championship support package and will run on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres – as in the Road Series – to form the series’ new third class.

Together, the three-class structure offers competitors from a diverse range of backgrounds the opportunity to benefit from one of the most instructive, cost-effective and race-proven packages on the UK club racing scene.

Richard Colburn, Championship Promoter and Westbourne Motorsport Team Principal, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to announce the introduction of a brand-new Sport Series to the Michelin Clio Cup Series in 2019.

“The Clio has such a fantastic racing heritage in the UK. The aim of the new Sport Series is to give the many fans of the car a more open series where modified road cars can race against Renault Sport factory-built race cars all with like minded people, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere – we really want to become and celebrate the Clio ‘family’.

“All cars will be limited to an output of 220 bhp to avoid expensive race engines, but gearbox, suspension and brakes modifications will be largely free allowing both track day competitors and those currently competing in other championships to join the Clio Family without extensive modifications.

“The new class will run alongside our existing Race and Road Series, to add another dimension to what is already among the most cost-effective and race-proven categories on the club racing ladder.

“For over half a decade now, the Michelin Clio Cup Series has struck a fantastic balance between catering to those keen to enjoy the experience of driving a ‘proper’ race car – and those looking to forge a career for themselves and rise through the ranks, as many of our alumni have done with the skills learnt in our category.

“We were very encouraged by the response to the series at our Taster Day at Donington Park last month, and interest in joining the Libra class has been high. All things considered, the future is definitely looking bright heading into the New Year, with more news to follow.”

For more information on the Michelin Clio Cup Series, including the upcoming 2019 calendar, head to https://www.cliocupseries.com/.

BTCC organisers reveal 30 car entry list for 2019 season

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Series Organisers TOCA have revealed that an entry of 30 cars has been confirmed for the 2019 season.

Following the entry approval deadline, the maximum number of TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs) held by teams have all been confirmed to have been entered for the forthcoming campaign.

Each team must hold a TBL for each car entered, with there being 30 TBLs controlled by teams in total and two further licences retained by TOCA for its own use.

In keeping with the aim reducing the size of the BTCC grid, TOCA have confirmed they will not be allocating its two TBLs to additional entrants, despite receiving serious applications from no fewer than three new teams wishing to participate in 2019.

Amongst the regular outfits, Excelr8 Motorsport will join the BTCC ranks for next year having firmed up their plans to take on the running of the two MG’s.

HMS Racing, the Independent squad responsible for bringing the Alfa Romeo name back to the series in 2018, has announced that it will take a year out. Motorbase Performance have subsequently taken on the running of their TBL to remain a three-car outfit.

Teams will announce driver line-ups and details of their cars and sponsorship agreements for 2019 over the coming weeks, prior to the release of the finalised entry list, set to be distributed by TOCA in March.

Confirmed entries for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship:

Aiden Moffat Racing – 1

AMD / Cobra Exhausts – 2

AMD / Trade Price Cars – 2

BTC Racing – 2

Ciceley Motorsport – 2

Excelr8 Motorsport – 2

Motorbase Performance – 3

Power Maxed Racing – 2

Simpson Racing – 1

Speedworks Motorsport – 1

Team BMR – 2

Team Dynamics – 2

Team HARD – 4

Team Parker Racing – 1

West Surrey Racing – 3

BARC gearing up for 2019 Autosport Show International

Despite the dust barely settling on the 2018 season, the British Automobile Racing Club is already setting it’s sights on its next event by confirming its presence at the 2019 Autosport Show International.

Taking place at the NEC Arena in Birmingham between January 10-13, the Show will serve as the perfect launchpad for another year of racing with thousands of industry experts and fans set to attend the four-day extravaganza.

Following on from a hugely successful 2018 event where the BARC picked up an award for ‘Best National Motorsport Stand’, the Club will return to event and will be situated on Stand 2745.

Showcasing a variety of cars as well as an all-new eye-catching stand, information on all of the Club’s championships, marshal initiatives, venues, membership and much more will be able to be discussed at the event.

Drew Furlong, BARC Chief Operating Officer, said: “The Autosport Show International is an event that is a permanent fixture in the diary of any motorsport fan and we, like many others, are delighted to kick off the new season there in January once again.

“Coming off the back of another brilliant year for the Club and our championships, we’re heading to the Show looking forward to showcasing all that we are about with the fans and those that work or compete within motorsport.”

In addition, a raft of announcements are set to be confirmed by the BARC and its affiliated championships during the Autosport Show as well.

Kwik Fit announced as new BTCC title sponsor

TOCA has confirmed that the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, Kwik Fit, is to become the title sponsor of the British Touring Car Championship for the 2019 season.

Goodyear Dunlop will remain as the sole tyre supplier to the BTCC under its current contract until at least 2022 however the championship will now be known as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

In what is a collaborative effort between TOCA, Goodyear Dunlop and Kwik Fit, the introduction of a new title sponsor is aimed towards introducing the BTCC to more fans across the UK.

Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Kwik Fit into the fold of the BTCC. This will undoubtedly enable us to introduce the BTCC to hundreds of thousands more motorists across the UK.

“It also gives Kwik Fit the ideal opportunity to further increase their brand awareness via the UK’s largest motorsport championship.”

Andy Lane, Marketing Director at Kwik Fit, added: “We are looking forward to becoming the title sponsor of the championship. It is a fantastic competition with a strong heritage which will significantly add to our marketing activities.

“We are very excited about connecting with the fans and teams during the season ahead as well as helping raise the profile of the championship with our customers across the country.”

Andy Marfleet, Goodyear Dunlop Marketing Director, concluded: “We have been supplying motorists with Goodyear and Dunlop tyres through the Kwik Fit network for decades and we are delighted to continue our connection as they take on the sponsorship of this fantastic championship.

“We will continue to be tyre supplier and an integral supporter of the BTCC; our association with TOCA has run continuously since 2003 and is stronger than ever before.”

Five BARC marshal training days confirmed for early 2019

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it will run a total of five marshal training days prior to the 2019 motorsport season roaring into life.

Pembrey, Croft and Thruxton, all BARC venues, as well as the infamous Chateau Impney will provide the backdrop to the training days between the end of January and early 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 heading trackside for the forthcoming season.

For more information on how to take part and be involved regarding marshal training for 2019 (dates listed below) then please contact BARC Marshals Secretary Paula Brown via pbrown@barc.net.

2019 MARSHAL TRAINING DATES

Pembrey – January 27

Chateau Impney – February 2

Croft – February 16

Thruxton – March 16/17

More information on each respective training day is expected to be confirmed in due course.

Providing an outlet to become actively involved and contribute to the sport, marshalling has become an integral part of motorsport within not only the BARC but also around the world with several UK marshals being selected for worldwide events.

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

Blockbuster Brands Hatch weekend brings BARC year to a close

Brands Hatch provided the backdrop for a thrilling final race meeting of the 2018 season for the British Automobile Racing Club this past weekend (November 17/18) as six championships brought the curtain down on their campaigns.

Despite there being a chill in the air, the BARC basked under the Kent sunshine throughout both days as those in attendance were treated to a feast on-track entertainment.

Racing into the darkness on both nights, the Dunlop Endurance Championship lit up the Indy circuit with a spellbinding array of machines. Honours fell the way of Alan Purbrick and David Brise in the first 50-minute encounter as they piloted their Saker RAPX to victory.

In the longer two-hour endurance race, Ferrari 458 duo Ross Wylie and David Mason were the winners of the Sprint category before the Team HARD duo of Simon Rudd and Tom Barley went on to score victory in the Endurance class.

With the final races being decided, Sarah Moore and Matt Greenwood were declared Endurance champions whilst Jon Watt and Kristian Prosser claimed the Sprint title.

James Hedley wrote his name into the history books as he lifted the coveted Ginetta Junior Winter Series crown. With familiar and new faces duking it out for the final championship on offer from the Yorkshire manufacturer, Hedley made his mark in style.

Ruben del Sarte scored victory in race one however nobody could stop Hedley on day two as he stormerd to a pair of wins from behind the wheel of his G40 to scoop the title and follow in the footsteps of Adam Smalley.

Wayne Rockett and Steve Kite signed off the Hyundai Coupe Cup season in dominant fashion as they powered their way to a race win, the latter adding cementing his status as the man to beat throughout the year.

Spoils were shared in the BARC South East Tin Tops Championship as Alfie Brooker and Kamran Tunio took a win apiece. Elsewhere Rod Birley was back to his brilliant best as he wrapped up victory in the two BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship races.

Capping off the weekend’s action was two races from the Scrapco Metal Recycling / Avon Tyres Intermarque Championship, with Chris Brockenhurst and Steve Burrows each topping the podium.

For the full classification of results, click here.

BARC launches Officials Recruitment Drive

The British Automobile Racing Club has launched a recruitment drive to bring in more marshals and officials, with a variety of roles available to be fulfilled.

With the 2018 season drawing to a close, the focus has already switched to 2019 and another bumper events programme being run.

If you’re a good communicator, work effectively as a leader or in a team, possess great listening and management skills, and much more – one of the following roles could be a match made in heaven:

Race Phones / Radio Communications 

Chief Observers / Deputy Chief Observers

Chief Incident Officers / Deputy Chief Incident Officers

Chief Marshals

Clerks of the Course

Club Stewards

Safety Car Observers

Fire Car Crew

Scrutineers

For those believing they have what it takes to fulfil any of the roles listed above, a letter outlining what roles you would like to be considered for and why should be sent to officials@barc.net with BARC Officials Recruitment Drive in the subject matter.