Author: Chris Ashby

Oulton Park primed to welcome four BARC championships

The British Automobile Racing Club will head to Cheshire this Saturday (March 23) with four championships kick-starting their 2019 campaigns around the infamous Oulton Park International layout.

Serving as the traditional starting point for the Club’s North West Centre, who organise and run the race meeting, Oulton Park has become renowned down the years for producing exhilarating action whenever the BARC is in town.

That theme looks likely to continue as months of preparation and anticipation comes to fruition for the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Classic Touring Car Championship, CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship and Kumho BMW Championship.

Providing a clear path into motorsport for drivers aged 14 to 17, the Junior Saloon Car Championship has become a force to be reckoned with in recent years, with 2019 set to arguably be one of the strongest yet for the single-make series.

Reigning champion Lewis Saunders enters the year as the teenager to beat as he bids to become the first JSCC racer to score back-to-back titles. The challenges however will come from all angles with Ben Kasperczak and Scott McIntyre leading the list of returning drivers.

The day’s two races will also feature a host of new faces, all of whom will be making their first foray into car racing. Of those on the entry list, recent Scholarship winner Harry Rice will one many will be keeping a keen eye on.

Fans of saloon cars from yesteryear will be well catered for as the Classic Touring Car Championship also kicks off their campaign with a raft of races. Once again providing a variety of different classes, all of which span different decades, the series will hit the track for six races over the course of the day, with edge-of-the-seat thrills predicted in each.

Notable names to keep an eye include the long list of 2018 champions such as Stephen Primett, Steve Barden and Piers Grange, all of whom were in fine form when the championship last took to the track.

The BARC North West Centre’s flagship series, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship will also hit the track over the course of the day as they lift the curtain on their 2019 campaign. A popular fixture on the calendar for the championship, this weekend marks the first of three visits to Oulton Park

Open to a whole host of cars, variety really is the spice of life when it comes to the CNC Heads and it is a championship that was dominated by Paul Rose last year. With Rose having moved onto pastures new for this season, the door is open for a new driver to step under the spotlight, with James Cryer and Richard Wood just two season veterans to look out for.

Capping off the action will be a pair of races from the Kumho BMW Championship. Showcasing the very best machines built by the German manufacturer, the series will add another chapter with its illustrious history this year as it continues to go from strength to strength.

With a blend of returning and new faces set to line up on the grid, picking not only an outright race winner but also class winners has never been more difficult.

For more information on this Saturday’s Oulton Park event, head to the official race meeting page here.

C1 Racing Series kicks off 2019 season with a splash at Croft

The British Automobile Racing Club’s kicked off its 2019 motorsport season with a splash this past weekend as the Distrigo Parts Distribution C1 Racing Series starred at Croft Circuit.

After months of preparation and anticipation, exhilarating wheel-to-wheel action finally returned with two frenetic two-hour encounters taking place around what turned out to be a rain-hit North Yorkshire venue.

Serving as an ample opportunity to clock mileage before the C1 Racing Series’ 24-hour race around the Grand Prix layout of Silverstone in late April, a bumper grid of 33 cars duked it out for supremacy.

With rain battering the circuit throughout the day, qualifying threw up a pulsating affair as the Amigo Motorsport squad stormed to pole position. Made up of Rhys Lloyd and Matthew Dawson, the Amigo trio set a best time of 2:04.768 to pip Kraken Motorsport to top spot by just 0.015.

Despite starting on the front row Amigo Motorsport were unable to convert their pole position start into victory as McAttack Racing took the spoils. With Simon Walker-Hansell leading the charge in their C1 machine, McAttack hit the front within the first hour of the race and didn’t look back from there onwards.

Completing a total of 69 laps, the McAttack outfit crossed the line 1:43.915 ahead of their nearest challengers Team Merlin International, whilst also lapping up to fifth place at least once. Rounding out the top three was pole sitters Amigo Motorsport.

Riding high off the success from earlier in the day, McAttack Racing were unable to make it back-to-back victories as Amigo Motorsport struck back to earn an impressive win.

Guiding their C1 to a total of 81 laps ahead of Team Merlin International, the Amigo team proved to be in a league of their own as they put a lap on everyone but their nearest challengers.

With the 2019 season now underway, the Distrigo Parts Distribution C1 Racing Series heads to the home of British motorsport, Silverstone, on April 26/27/28.

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

UK Sports Prototype Cup introduces new class at selected rounds

The UK Sports Prototype Cup has confirmed that it will introduce a new ‘Sports Prototype Open’ class at selected rounds of its inaugural season in 2019.

Launching with the aim of providing a multi-marque racing environment for lightweight sports prototype, the category will already play host to the BARC Radical SR3 Trophy and Revolution Race Series this year.

The Sports Prototype Open class will provide an opportunity for a diverse range of lightweight sports cars to compete in additional longer distance races alongside their own official championship commitments.

Cars as diverse as Sports 2000, Sports 1000, Clubmans, Kitcars, Caterham Sevens and the Radical SR1 will all be eligible to compete.

“Since announcing the Cup, we have had many enquiries from owners of other sports cars who are interested in our generous track time,” said Championship Promoter James Bailey. “We expect over 15 cars to compete in the first year of the main Cup, but on the longer circuits we have the ability to accommodate additional cars.

“There are some championships that don’t get the opportunity to race on the longest versions of these circuits, particularly the Silverstone Grand Prix layout. The Sports Prototype Open also provides racers with the chance to experience an endurance race format on four great circuits in addition to competing in their main championship.”

The class will feature at Silverstone in late April before then tackling Donington Park, Snetterton and Oulton Park.

For more information on the BARC’s newest championship to hit the track this year as well as entry forms, head to https://www.sportsprototypecup.com/open-class.

Vital Equipment to fuel Legends Anniversary season

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres has confirmed that racing fuel specialist Vital Equipment have been named as the brand new supplier for the forthcoming 2019 season.

In what is a milestone year for the series as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary, the championship has further strengthened its position within the UK motorsport landscape with this deal.

With more than a decades worth of experience in the safe and efficient supply of racing fuels, Vital Equipment will provide all teams and competitors with Careless Hiperflo fuel for the entirety of the coming campaign.

Vital Equipment Managing Director, Alistair Roberts, said: “We are delighted to be adding the highly successful and popular Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres to the growing list of motorsport championships we are working with. We look forward to meeting all the Legends teams and supporting them throughout the season.”

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Vital Equipment ahead of our 25th anniversary season and very much looking forward to working together through, what will certainly be, another outstanding season for the championship,” added Legends Cars owner Phil Cooper. 

“Vital has a lot of experience, within the UK and around the world, with the supply of racing fuel and it’s very important for Legends Cars competitors to be able to benefit from such a service. We always strive for the most level playing field we can, and the deal with Vital is a key part of that.” 

The opening round of the 2019 Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres season gets underway at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend on April 21/22, with six pulsating encounters scheduled to take place around the Indy circuit.

BARC launches brand new striking website look

On the eve of the British Automobile Racing Club’s 2019 motorsport season roaring into life at Croft Circuit, the Club is delighted to unveil its brand new website.

Having been in the pipeline for a number of months, the Club has worked closely with creative website design, branding and marketing agency MOJO Media to deliver a striking new online look.

Overhauling the Club’s previous website, this new website allows for a smoother and more intuitive user experience. In addition, it enables users to navigate their way through the site with, jumping from membership to how to get further involved in motorsport for example with ease.

Delivering a fully responsive experience, the new website also gives users a seamless transition across devices – be it PC, tablet or mobile phone – and all quickly and easily.

The new site retains a majority of the same content as its predecessor, albeit comprehensively revamped, with in-depth championship and event information pages showcasing all you need to know about both.

Chris Ashby, BARC Multimedia Communications Co-ordinator, said: “This new website has been a really fantastic project to work on alongside MOJO Media and to see the culmination of an enormous amount of work behind the scenes come to fruition is something everyone can be proud of.

“The BARC is always striving to improve and the addition of a brand new bespoke website allows us to do just that from an online perspective. Over the past few years we have raised our profile via our social media channels and introducing this new website is the latest stage in our ongoing aim of being the best there is.”

The BARC’s new website will be regularly updated with news, features and reports on all of the Club’s championship, events, venues, centres and much more, with visitors encouraged to go and explore it.

Champions of 2018 honoured at star-studded BARC Awards Evening

On what is one of the marque events of the BARC calendar each year, the best of UK motorsport came together in February for a night of celebrations at the prestigious BARC Championship Awards Evening.

Returning to the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth after a solitary year away, more than 200 drivers, marshals, officials and leading BARC figures were collectively in attendance during the evening, hosted once again by the superlative Alan Hyde.

Leading the illustrious list of winners was British Touring Car Championship victor Colin Turkington, who’s title-winning West Surrey Racing BMW 125i M-Sport took pride of place in the main room.

Elsewhere at the venue Stuart Coombs’ Mighty Mini, Lewis Saunders’s Junior Saloon Car and Jon Curry’s Caterham were also on display for all to see, turning heads and drawing plenty of attention throughout the night.

With a mesmerising and deserving list of champions being honoured throughout the evening, those in attendance also had the opportunity to look back on some of the best bits from each championship too.

Alongside the customary championship awards were a further three secret accolades, all of which were handed out to unsuspecting winners. The Densley Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding female driver in the BARC, went the way of BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns CSP2 champion Michelle Hayward, who delivered an emphatic performance throughout the 2018 campaign.

The Peter Collins Memorial Trophy, which is bestowed upon the most promising newcomer competing at BARC events during the year was awarded to Lewis Saunders, who stole the show in the Junior Saloon Car Championship.

Max5 Racing champion Paul Roddison meanwhile scooped The Presidents Cup, presented to the most successful driver competing below International level after producing an astonishing performance in 2018 on the way to the title.

Two marshals also shared the spotlight on the night too as Dave Hodgson picked up the coveted BARC Marshal of the Year award. Meanwhile Ken Watts lifted The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy virtue of completing the most volunteering days over the course of 2018, 30 in total.

Capping off the list of winners was Sonny Howard, who was awarded with the coveted Gerry Marshall Trophy. Bestowed upon a driver or BARC member that the BARC believes epitomises Gerry Marshall’s philosophy to motorsport, with Howard fitting the bill perfectly.

Having been a significant force behind the Pickup Truck Racing Championship and a variety of other BARC categories as well, Howard was honoured for his outstanding service to motorsport – upon which he has always gone above and beyond to serve down the years.

Passing comment on a momentous evening of celebrations, BARC Chief Operating Officer Drew Furlong said: “The annual BARC Championship Awards Evening is always a memorable night and a fitting way to celebrate those who succeeded last year.

“The 2018 season proved to be another spectacular year for the Club and its championships with an abundance of edge-of-the-seat thrills and entertainment being provided throughout.

“Returning to Chesford Grange, having cars on site was a fantastic touch and they all looked fantastic situated around the venue. Every award was richly deserved and the evening has set us up to kick the 2019 season off in fine style in roughly a months time.

In addition to the prize-giving, a total of £1860 was raised and donated on the night to the BARC Marshals and Rescue Fund.

BARC kicks off 2019 season in style at Autosport Show International

The British Automobile Racing Club kicked off the 2019 motorsport season in style this past week with a successful four days at the Autosport Show International.

Serving as the perfect launchpad to lift the curtain on another year of motorsport, tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans descended on the NEC Arena in Birmingham for the event.

Showcasing a brand new vibrant stand, the BARC once again flourished in the National Motorsport section as it welcomed drivers, marshals, officials, co-ordinators and fans to discuss plans for the forthcoming campaign across all four days.

Adorning the striking stand were a multitude of cars too, showcasing the diversity that the BARC offers when it comes to motorsport in the UK.

Ollie O’Donovan’s front-running Toyo Tires Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship Ford Fiesta drew plenty of attention, as did vehicles from the Caterham Graduates Championship and Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge.

In addition, the British Superkarts Championship were also in attendance with a bespoke kart available for all to see.

Drew Furlong, BARC Chief Operating Officer, said: “The Autosport Show International has long been the traditional starting point for the motorsport season each year and the BARC has always enjoyed exhibiting there too.

“As always, this years show proved to be a huge success with lots of exciting announcements and meetings taking place across all four days. Our new stand certainly stood out from the crowd, as did the cars that were displayed on it as well.

“The 2019 season is shaping up to be another busy one for the Club with a raft of exciting championships and events all set to be played out. It is an exciting time for the BARC and we’re looking ahead to move forward.”

If you missed out on any of the big stories from the show then click here to catch up.

Bigger BTCC prize confirmed for milestone Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres season

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres will mark what will be a milestone season with an even bigger prize package for the 2019 campaign.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, the popular 5/8 scale series will continue its partnership with race-winning British Touring Car Championship outfit HMS Racing.

A ‘touring car experience’ will be awarded to at least 10 drivers come the end of the 2019 season, in-keeping with the revised qualifying format as of past seasons.

The top ten drivers in the overall points at the end of the penultimate event, staged at Pembrey, will be invited onto the specially arranged day. Should the lead rookie driver at that point of the season sit outside of the top ten, he/she will also be part of the prize.

Alongside high-speed passenger laps in the squad’s stunning Alfa Romeo with multiple BTCC race winner Rob Austin, the Legends Cars drivers will also get to see behind-the-scenes with HMS to understand the inner workings of a top touring car team, with hospitality also included.

Phil Cooper, Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres owner, said: “We’re delighted to begin our 25th anniversary year with this fantastic announcement here at the Autosport International Show.

“The partnership with HMS Racing is one we value immensely and to be able to offer 10, potentially 11, of our drivers the chance to experience a day with the team is tremendous.

“It will provide a wonderful opportunity for a much bigger number of Legends Cars competitors to see behind the scenes with HMS, and to also experience the full capability of the team’s incredible Alfa Romeo with Rob Austin at the wheel – he’s not bad in a touring car, so I hear…! Obviously, we’re incredibly grateful to Simon Belcher for his continued support.”

HMS Racing Team Principal Belcher added: “We’re very excited to be providing this touring car experience day to more drivers than ever before, particularly in Legends’ 25th anniversary year.

“Having the opportunity to sit alongside Rob [Austin] for some full-on hot laps, and then experiencing a full day with the team to see the inner workings of what we do, is a great opportunity and one hopefully everyone will enjoy.”

MINI CHALLENGE to join TOCA support package from 2020

The MINI CHALLENGE will join the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship support bill full-time from the 2020 season onwards, further cementing itself as one of the country’s leading tin top championships.

In what is a multi-year deal for the one-make category, the MINI CHALLENGE will fill the vacant slot which will be left by the Renault UK Clio Cup – which will cease come the end of the 2019 campaign.

The top-flight CHALLENGE JCW Championship, which caters for the latest version of MINI’s 265bhp hot hatchback running on Dunlop slick racing tyres, is planned to feature at eight of the planned 10 BTCC weekends whilst the Cooper CHALLENGE will get a chance to shine on the remaining two fixtures. The exact split of dates has yet to be finalised.

Anthony Williams, MINI CHALLENGE Promoter, said: “The deal to join the TOCA package represents one of, if not the biggest moment in the history of the MINI CHALLENGE and it’s certainly something we’ve been working very hard towards over the last few seasons.

“The JCW is now a proven, purpose-built race car and driver feedback has suggested that it is the closest thing out there to the thrill of driving a full NGTC touring car, making the CHALLENGE an ideal feeder category toward the BTCC. During recent seasons we’ve had many BTCC teams come to join us, and we’re proud to boast a string of alumni drivers who have gone on to race successfully in the BTCC.

“Running in support of the UK’s biggest circuit racing championship will only strengthen that link further and we have to also thank our superb tyre partner Dunlop for its support in working toward this deal. We’ve enjoyed very healthy grids in recent seasons, and we fully expect that to continue as part of the TOCA package.

“The deal is also brilliant news for the Cooper CHALLENGE. Electing to run the JCWs at eight of the 10 rounds helps keep budgets under control, and also gives us the chance to elevate the Coopers onto the main stage and show the strength of the MINI CHALLENGE at all its levels.”

BTCC Series Director Alan Gow added: “We’ve kept an eye on the development of the MINI CHALLENGE over the last few years and it’s clear that it’s a very popular and competitive championship.

“At TOCA we are keen to showcase not just the British Touring Car Championship, but also the cream of national racing categories to our audiences both at the circuits and on TV.

“Recent years have certainly shown that the MINI CHALLENGE is an ideal feeder category for drivers aspiring toward a career in the BTCC and I’m sure the championship will be an excellent fit within our 2020 weekends and beyond.”

Classic VW Cup gains Motorsport UK championship status for 2019

The Classic VW Cup is set to scale new heights in 2019 after being granted championship status by Motorsport UK, the governing body for four-wheel motorsport in the UK.

Home to those wishing to compete in pre-2003 Volkswagen and VAG cars, the series is renowned for delivering high-octane thrills and spills as it travels the length and breadth of the UK year-on-year.

Having flourished in recent years with grid numbers continuing to grow and a raft of household names coming to the fore, the championship will adopt a points system for the new season as part of its new status – the latest step in progressing forward.

Ian Fowler, Classic VW Cup Championship Co-ordinator, said: “Gaining Motorsport UK Championship status for the 2019 Classic VW Cup is a great reward for all the teams and drivers that have supported us since our first season in 2015.

“We must thank the team at the BARC for all there help and assistance over the seasons and we look forward to welcoming drivers and teams, old and new, on the grid for the 2019 season.”

In addition to the Classic VW Cup becoming a fully-fledged championship, the series will also introduce a GT Cup class for the forthcoming campaign – which will feature sporadically throughout the year.

Fowler added: “With the new GT Cup joining us at selected rounds in 2019 we feel we this new class will offer the same friendly and competitive, but for models that can’t race in the original Classic VW Cup.”

The Classic VW Cup will kick off its 2019 season at Silverstone in late April before then visiting Pembrey, Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Anglesey and finally Cadwell Park, which will serve as the venue to coronate a new champion.

Both the BARC Saloon Series and the Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge will also be regular fixtures around the Classic VW Cup this season as they feature at all events.

British Truck Racing Association Championship partners with SmartWitness video camera systems

All competing British Truck Racing Association Championship machines will be fitted with SmartWitness video camera systems in 2019, following an agreement with SmartWitness.

Forward-facing, rear and blind side SmartWitness cameras will be installed on all competing trucks at BTRAC events for the forthcoming season with the live video support set to be available for race officials at the click of a button.

Competing trucks will have 1080HD footage on a monitored live stream via connected 3G/4G SmartWitness cameras which will be monitored on the SmartView software platform. The live video platform registers events such as hard breaking, acceleration as well as footage on demand from collisions shot in high resolution and at 30 frames per second.

The forward facing SmartWitness KP1S camera has a 170 angle lens which simultaneously records to an SD card in a tamper-proof unit, as well as sending footage and data via the 3G/4G cellular connection.

Driving infringements can be monitored live from the SmartView platform or can be reviewed from the SD card afterwards if race officials so wish. The SmartWitness software will allow officials to track back to the exact moment of an alleged infringement and can analyse footage frame by frame on forward-facing, rear or blind side cameras to see exactly what happened in any alleged incident. The SmartWitness system has already been trialled on BTRAC machinery with selective trucks running the equipment at the 2018 season finale at Brands Hatch.

Glen Horncastle, Championship Director, said: “The SmartWitness system and cameras are the perfect solution to assist race officials to investigate and monitor these race trucks in race conditions. The SmartWitness cameras and software really impressed us and ticked all the boxes from what we needed from live video analysis.

“We are always looking to align ourselves with professional sponsors / partners who can bring added value to the Championship, and having the ability to work with a technology leading camera and software provider such as SmartWitness is a very exciting prospect.

“Not only will the Championship benefit from this relationship but so will the fans, as they will be given the opportunity of viewing truck racing from new angles and with previously unavailable vehicle telemetry.”

Paul Singh, SmartWitness CEO, added: “We are really proud to be a part of the British Truck Racing Association Championship, we are big fans of the sport and it’s great that we can help make it safer and fairer.

“The cameras and systems are exactly the same as we install in HGV fleets across the UK and USA, the cameras are the same high definition footage, G-shock sensors and GPS tracking. Our system is so robust and flexible that it can work just as well on a truck hurtling round Brands Hatch at 100mph as it does with a vehicle in urban traffic.”

The 2019 British Truck Racing Association Championship season will begin over the Easter weekend at Brands Hatch on April 21/22, before the heavyweight behemoths then descend on Pembrey, Thruxton, Nurburgring, Donington Park and Snetterton, before capping off the year back at Pembrey and Brands Hatch.

Series Elite takes covers off race spec car and announces title sponsor

Series Elite, the new race series that will cater exclusively for drivers aged 40 and over, have taken the covers off its first Jaguar SVO Project 8 car at the Autosport Show International and announced SmarTrack as its title sponsor.

Taking pride of place at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, the jaw-dropping V8 machine will be capable of speeds of almost 200mph and is fitted with an FIA approved roll cage, as well as Corbeau seat and harnesses.

The car is the first of the grid being built by Jaguar and has been converted to race specification by Slidesports’s Mark Jenkins.

In addition to the car being unveiled, SmarTrack have also been announced as Series Elite title sponsor in a multi-year agreement which will see branding on each car, trackside, in the paddock and across all marketing communications.

SmarTrack is a multiple award winning stolen vehicle tracking systems brand and the category will be known as SmarTrack Series Elite for the forthcoming campaign.

Graeme Glew, Series Elite CEO, said: “It is another milestone on our journey to the first race today with the unveiling of our race car and the signing of a title sponsor, with SmarTrack stolen vehicle recovery systems joining us.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome SmarTrack on board and thanks to their commitment and that of our other partners, we can build a great new series with high profile brands that reflect the premium quality of our drivers and events.

“I’ve been developing SmarTrack Series Elite for over two years and working with Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) to produce the quality, build and performance of race car that we need for the series during this time, so to bring this to fruition with the unveiling of the race-spec car in Birmingham today is fantastic.”

SmarTrack’s Gavin Hennessey added: “This is a great opportunity for SmarTrack to be working with the new, exclusive race series for amateur racing drivers using the latest Project 8 Jaguar SVO P8 vehicles and race technology.”

The inaugural season of SmarTrack Series Elite kicks off at Brands Hatch in May before visits to Silverstone, Donington Park, Snetterton and Portimao.