Author: Chris Ashby

Champions triumph on TOCA support bill at Brands Hatch

Champions weren’t just crowned in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 8/9), as titles were also decided across the four support championships that make up the TOCA support bill. 

On what turned out to be an action-packed finale around the famous Grand Prix circuit, the bumper crowd in attendance were treated to a feast of wheel-to-wheel thrills as the battle for supremacy across each of the one-make categories reached an exciting crescendo. 

In the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, teenage sensation Louis Sharp took a huge step towards fulfilling his Formula 1 dreams by becoming the latest champion of the single-seater series.

Entering the final meeting of the year holding a one-point advantage over Will Macintyre, the Rodin Carlin driver clinched the crown in impressive fashion, starting by blasting to pole position in qualifying and subsequently converting it into a lights-to-flag victory. 

Starting towards the back for the reverse grid race, Sharp made as much progress as he could however Macintyre’s superior result meant that his lead was once again cut – leaving him with a slender points buffer heading into the finale. 

Needing only to finish ahead of Macintyre to secure the title, the Kiwi was happy to shadow fellow front row starter Deagan Fairclough throughout the final race of the season, with MacIntyre hot on his heels but unable to make up the ground he required to deny him.

Dan Zelos wrote his name into the history books of the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he was crowned champion of the ultra-competitive tin top series for a second time in three years. 

Having been the driver to beat for much of the season, the EXCELR8 Motorsport driver arrived at Brands Hatch with a commanding 101-point lead and he wasted no time in wrapping things up as he followed winner Sam Smith to the chequered flag in race one. 

With the title in the bag, the pressure was off Zelos for the remainder of the event however he was unable to curtail his season with one more victory. The remaining spoils instead went the way of Smith and last year’s champion Sam Weller. 

Having been the cream of the crop for much of the year, Team Parker Racing’s Joe Warhurst savoured title success as he emerged victorious in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain.

Arriving at the Kent circuit in the pound seat, the rising star was wheel-perfect in races one and two, taking commanding victories, which in-turn proved to be enough to see him crowned champion. 

Warhurst came oh-so close to making it a coronation to remember as he narrowly missing out on a third win to Steve Roberts by just under two tenths of a second. 

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain might have already been decided prior to Brands Hatch but that didn’t stop the monstrous field of rear-wheel-drive 911 cars from putting on a show for one last time this year. 

Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport’s James Kellett secured second in the overall championship as he stormed to victory in the opening encounter and then, fittingly, newly crowned champion Adam Smalley reigned supreme in race two to end the year on the top step of the podium. 

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championships, as well as the final standings for each, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support package will return in 2024, with the new season scheduled to get underway at Donington Park on April 27/28.

British Truck Racing Championship headlines pulsating Pembrey meeting

The British Truck Racing Championship is set for a grandstand finish around Brands Hatch next month after serving up a blockbuster penultimate event of the season at Pembrey Circuit this past weekend (October 7/8).

Headlining an action-packed British Automobile Racing Club meeting in South Wales, the heavyweight behemoths entertained the masses in attendance by serving up no less than six unmissable races – one of which was being re-run from Thruxton after it was originally postponed.

In Division 1, Ryan Smith’s quest for an unprecedented eighth consecutive title edged closer to becoming a reality as he added two more victories to his impressive season tally. 

The Daimler Freightliner driver was unable to secure an unassailable lead however as his main title rivals all scored big to ensure they remain within striking distance of one of the sport’s most successful drivers. 

Ten-time champion Stuart Oliver blasted his Volvo VNL onto the top step of the podium on two occasions whilst David Jenkins and for the first-time ever Bradley Smith, also triumphed around the Home of Welsh Motorsport. 

Over in Division 2, NAPA Racing UK’s Paul Rivett produced a five-star performance that has now seen him close to within just one point of season-long standings leader Adam Bint.

Despite missing out on pole position in qualifying, the MAN driver was perfection personified as he claimed a clean sweep of victories on Saturday before following it up with a further three triumphs on Sunday.

Those five wins, alongside a third place finish as John Powell tallied a hard-fought victory, has now set up a tantalising title showdown around the world-famous Indy circuit at the start of November.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship signed its season off in style with three pulsating contests and the crowning of a brand-new champion, William Sharpe.

Following two years of domination from Steve McDermid, Sharpe converted his healthy points lead into title glory as he reigned supreme in the Classic Class at the wheel of his MG Midget.

Outgoing champion McDermid didn’t go down without a fight however as he took the battle all the way to wire after claiming all three overall race wins that were on offer over the course of the weekend. 

The battle for supremacy in the Pickup Truck Racing Championship is poised to go down to the bitter end at Brands Hatch following three frenetic bouts on Welsh soil. 

Dale Gent struck first as he narrowly edged out Chris Brockenhurst by two tenths of a second to win race one before reigning champion Reece Jones snared a comfortable victory in race two ahead of Paul Tompkins and Brockenhurst. 

Former British Touring Car Championship winner Matt Simpson then came to the fore in the weekend’s concluding bout as blitzed the opposition, taking the chequered flag by more than ten seconds ahead of Jones and Allen Cooper.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action were three races from the always entertaining Welsh Sports/Saloon Car Championship.

Boasting a bumper entry list that was packed with variety, Chris Everill and Andrew Williams proved too much for their rivals as they shared the spoils.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Pembrey, CLICK HERE.

Ash Sutton crowned BTCC champion for record-equalling fourth time

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship brought the curtain down on its 2023 season in style at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 7/8) as NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton was crowned champion for a record-equalling fourth time. 

On what proved to be a momentous final day of the season around the Grand Prix circuit, the Ford Focus ST driver held his nerve in front of a capacity crowd to cement his place as one of the greatest ever drivers in the UK’s premier motorsport series. 

Arriving at the Kent venue holding a commanding 45-point lead, Sutton stormed to victory in the opening encounter around the iconic Grand Prix circuit, which was enough for him to clinch the coveted crown.

With the title secured, the 29-year-old then went on to win the penultimate race of the season before concluding a quite incredible campaign with a points-paying finish in the finale.

Sutton’s path to a fourth title has been nothing short of impressive with six pole positions, 12 wins and a further eight podium finishes being tallied over the course of the ten event campaign. 

In addition to now tying Andy Rouse and Colin Turkington for the most BTCC titles ever, Sutton has also become the first driver to win the prestigious accolade in both front and rear-wheel-drive machinery. 

Whilst being unable to stop Sutton from triumphing, outgoing champion Tom Ingram ultimately settled for runners-up laurels whilst Jake Hill, Turkington and Josh Cook completed the top five in the standings.

Elsewhere, NAPA Racing UK and Ford claimed the Teams’ Championship for the second season in-a-row and they were also able to overhaul BMW to wrap up the Manufacturer-Constructor Championship for the first time too.

Cook retained his Independent Drivers’ title in comfortable fashion, and his performances also played a critical role in helping his One Motorsport with Starline Racing squad go back-to-back in the Independent Teams’ category. 

Rounding out this year’s title winners was CarStore Power Maxed Racing’s Andrew Watson who triumphed in the Jack Sears Trophy ahead of his Vauxhall Astra team-mate Mikey Doble.

Sutton’s charge to the coveted crown began on Saturday afternoon as he scooped a sensational sixth pole position of the season. Pacing the opposition by more than two tenths of a second, that success also clinched him the Goodyear Wingfoot Award.

In a season in which he has largely reigned supreme, it was somewhat fitting that Sutton became the youngest ever four-time champion with a superlative lights-to-flag victory in the opening contest.

Blasting away from the front row, the Alliance Racing driver was wheel-perfect throughout the 18-lap bout as he led home his chief championship rival this season, Ingram.

With the championship secured and the pressure off, Sutton then produced a carbon copy performance in race two as he charged to an unprecedented 12th victory of the year – which tied the record set by fellow multiple champion Alain Menu more than two decades ago.

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill then brought the curtain down on the season with victory in a thrilling finale, as he came out on top of a captivating battle for the lead which inclued Honda ace Cook and BMW stablemate Stephen Jelley.

To view the full classification of results from all BTCC sessions at Brands Hatch, as well as the final championship standings, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return in 2024, with the start of the brand-new season poised to start around Donington Park’s National layout on April 27/28.

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 9 – October 6th 2023

Episode 9 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s official podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

In partnership with BP Fleet Solutions UK, the fortnightly podcast – which is hosted by Alan Hyde and Ian Waterhouse – is packed with full-throttle news, reviews and captivating interviews.

Coming off the back of a momentous first-ever LIVE edition at Silverstone, Alan and Ian are back again and they’re joined by two aficionados of Formula 1, James Allen and Chris McCarthy.

BARC’ing Mad is available to listen to across all popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

You can also watch each episode via the Club’s official YouTube channel.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – October 7/8

It’s set to be an unmissable spectacle at both Brands Hatch and Pembrey this weekend (October 7/8) with both the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and British Truck Racing Championship in action.

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with every lap that is being broadcast:

BRANDS HATCH

Will it be Ash Sutton or Tom Ingram? The destiny of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will be decided on the Grand Prix layout Kent venue this weekend across three blockbuster races.

Titles will also be decided in the Manufacturers’, Teams’, Independents’ and the Jack Sears Trophy too; whilst overall honours will be decided on the TOCA support package as well.

Saturday 7th October // 15:30 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 8th October // 10:45 – WATCH HERE

PEMBREY

At Pembrey, the British Truck Racing Championship will take centre stage in South Wales for its penultimate event of the season – and it’s all still to play for across Division 1 and Division 2.

Also featuring on the bill is the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship and the Welsh Sports/Saloon Car Championship.

Saturday 7th October // 11:50 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 8th October // 09:15 – WATCH HERE

To find out more information about this weekend’s race meetings, CLICK HERE.

BARC confirms 2024 Marshal Training dates

The British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that it will run a total of seven marshal training days prior to the start of the 2024 motorsport season.

Croft, Pembrey and Thruxton will host the aforementioned training days across the months of January, February and March next year.

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.

2024 BARC MARSHAL TRAINING DATES

Saturday 20th January – Thruxton [Speed Training, relocated from Gurston Down]

Sunday 21st January – Thruxton [New Marshals]

Saturday 10th February – Croft

Sunday 18th February – Pembrey

Sunday 3rd March – Harewood [Speed Training]

Saturday 9th March – Thruxton

Sunday 10th March – Thruxton

The Training Day booking form will be communicated shortly.

Want to find out more about marshalling with the BARC? Head to https://www.barc.net/marshals/!

BTCC stars at Silverstone to set up tantalising title showdown

Ash Sutton and Tom Ingram will head into the final three races of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in contention to be crowned champion next month following an action-packed weekend (September 23/24) at Silverstone. 

Brands Hatch’s world-famous Grand Prix circuit will once again provide the setting for this year’s closer in less than two weeks’ time with three-time title winner Sutton heading there with a commanding 45-point lead at the top of the standings. 

With 67 points set to be on offer at the famous Kent venue, reigning champion Ingram now remains the only driver in mathematical contention to capture the biggest prize in the UK motorsport. 

The penultimate event of the season at the Home of British Motor Racing saw its fair share of thrills and spills as Sutton, Jake Hill and Colin Turkington shared the spoils on what proved to be a spectacular race day in Northamptonshire. 

Running under the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ format for the final time this season, qualifying on Saturday proved to be ultra-competitive with less than a tenth of second blanketing the top five. 

Following a frenetic opening segment it was anybody’s guess as to who would grab pole position but CarStore Power Maxed Racing’s Mikey Doble duly stepped up the mantel to blast his Vauxhall Astra to the top of the timesheets.

Team BMW’s Turkington came to within 0.012 seconds of Doble’s pole time but the rear-wheel-drive ace had to settle for runners-up laurels whilst championship protagonists Ingram, Hill and Sutton completed the top five.

Doble’s delight sadly turned into despair in race one as a miscommunication by the team led to him completing an additional green flag lap, which relegated him to the rear of the field.

With drizzly conditions throwing a spanner in the works, tyre strategy proved crucial and it was Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill that rolled the dice correctly to leave his rivals in his wake as he claimed a commanding victory. 

Blasting into the lead off the line, Hill was in a league of his own out front whilst Dan Rowbottom and Andrew Watson diced for second and third all the way to the chequered flag. 

Further down the order, both Sutton and Ingram found themselves in the thick of the action as they tumbled backwards before pitting for wet tyres. The pair would ultimately go on to finish the race in 22nd and 23rd. 

That result set up two of the finest performances that the BTCC has seen in recent years as Sutton and Ingram carved their way through the order in race two, with NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton clinching a famous tenth win of the season.

As soon as the lights went out the champion duo were on the move and whilst they progressed forward, Hill looked to be cruising to victory out front. That was until a safety car neutralised proceedings. 

On the restart, a mechanical issue appeared to hamper Hill’s pace and he soon began to drop places, which promoted Aron Taylor-Smith into the lead. Holding firm out front for a number of laps, the Vauxhall driver soon had Sutton bearing down on him and the inevitable happened.

Sutton’s move for the lead came on the penultimate lap as he bravely dived down the inside of the Irishman at Woodcote and once clear, he cruised home to notch yet another win whilst Taylor-Smith and Ingram completed the podium. 

Four-time champion Turkington then brought the curtain down on the weekend in style as he scored BMW’s 150th victory in the BTCC. 

Starting fifth, the rear-wheel-drive ace wasted no time in making progress and he soon hauled himself into a lead that he was ultimately never challenged for. Behind, Ingram and Sutton had everyone on the edge of theirs seats again as they clawed their way onto the rostrum.

Turkington’s win ensured that BMW remain on course to secure the Manufacturer-Constructors for an eighth consecutive season whilst NAPA Racing UK are holding firm at the top of the Teams’ Championship.

Josh Cook has provisionally wrapped up the Independent Drivers’ Championship for the second year in succession whilst his One Motorsport with Starline Racing squad have edged closer to retaining their Independent Teams’ crown. 

In the Jack Sears Trophy, Watson now sits on the cusp of clinching the title after enjoying a stellar weekend which saw him extend his lead over the chasing pack.

To view the full classification of results from all BTCC sessions at Silverstone, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will bring the curtain down on its 2023 season at Brands Hatch on October 7/8.

TOCA support championships serve up Silverstone spectacular

The battle for supremacy on the support package of the British Touring Car Championship intensified at Silverstone this past weekend (September 16/17) to set up what promises to be a grandstand finish at Brands Hatch in less than two weeks’ time. 

Taking centre stage at the Home of British Motor Racing, thrills and spills played out across a total of four support categories, with one title – the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – being wrapped up with a round to spare.

Having been the form driver for much of the season, Team Parker Racing’s Adam Smalley converted his commanding advantage at the top of the standings into an unassailable lead after producing an exemplary performance. 

Narrowly missing out on pole position in qualifying, the Porsche GB Junior driver shadowed NAPA Racing UK’s Gus Burton in the opening race – which was hit by mixed weather conditions – to put himself on the cusp of glory.

A few hours later, Smalley clinched things with a measured drive onto the third step of the podium whilst his team-mate Harry Foster led home Huge Ellis to take victory.

Dan Zelos edged ever-closer to becoming a multiple champion in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he guided his EXCELR8 Motorsport machine to a commanding pair of race wins around the 1.64-mile National circuit. 

Blasting to pole position in qualifying, Zelos could do nothing to stop Will Orton from reigning supreme in the weekend’s opening bout before he struck back in style during Sunday’s two action-packed races.

Team Parker Racing’s Joe Warhurst was perfection personified in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain as he claimed a stunning hat-trick of race wins to open up a five-point lead at the head of the championship standings. 

Proving to be the driver to beat from the get-go, Warhurst hustled his rear-wheel-drive machine onto pole position in qualifying and from there he didn’t put a wheel wrong to claim a remarkable clean sweep. 

Rounding out the weekend’s track action – and making its first-ever appearance on the BTCC support bill – were three races from the Avon Tyres Caterham Seven UK Championship. 

Concluding their campaign with what was arguably one of the biggest events in the series’ history, the all-action one-make category had the bumper crowd on their collective feet as they served up a feast of wheel-to-wheel entertainment. 

Just 0.064s separated Gordon Sawyer and Stephen Lyall in a frenetic opening contest before Aaron Head came to the fore in race two, prevailing from an almighty battle for outright honours which included Jake Swann and Angus Maclaine.

Head was declared the winner in the weekend’s shortened third and final contest too following a sizeable accident just six laps in. 

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Silverstone, CLICK HERE.

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 8 – September 22nd 2023

Episode 8 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s new-for-2023 podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

In partnership with BP Fleet Solutions UK, the fortnightly podcast – which is hosted by Alan Hyde and Ian Waterhouse – is packed with full-throttle news, reviews and captivating interviews.

For the first time this series, Episode 8 sees Alan and Ian venture to Silverstone to sit down with some of the leading protagonists from the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Ash Sutton, Andrew Watson and Mikey Doble.

BARC’ing Mad is available to listen to across all popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

You can also watch each episode via the Club’s official YouTube channel.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – September 23/24

The end is in sight for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and it is all to play for at Silverstone this weekend as Rounds 25, 26 & 27 of the 2023 campaign take centre stage at the Home of British Motor Racing.

With just two events remaining, the battle for supremacy for the biggest prize in UK motorsport is intensifying and it’s all to play for as the series hits the National layout.

Support race action from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Porsche Sprint Challenge GB, Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW and Avon Tyres Caterham Seven Championship UK will also feature over the course of the weekend. 

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with all the action that is being broadcast:

Saturday 23rd September // 15:30 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 24th September // 11:00 – WATCH HERE

To find out more information about this weekend’s race meetings, CLICK HERE.

Classic Touring Car Racing Club reveals 2024 calendar

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club has today (September 19th) announced its calendar for the 2024 season, which will mark 50 years of being in association with the British Automobile Racing Club.

The popular tin top club, which caters for all eras of iconic saloon cars, will kick off the new campaign in late March with a trip to Donington Park’s GP layout before heading onto Cadwell Park and Mallory Park. 

One of the undoubted highlights of the year will come at Brands Hatch on June 29/30 as the CTCRC takes centre stage in Kent for Super Touring Power 2; which is once again poised to celebrate one of the most revered periods of the British Touring Car Championship.

Saturday will see competitors tackle the world-famous Grand Prix circuit before switching to the Indy layout for Sunday’s track action.

Following Brands Hatch, the CTCRC will make its annual visit to Snetterton in August ahead of bringing the curtain down on the season in September around the fastest circuit in the UK, Thruxton. 

Stuart Caie, CTCRC Chairman, said: “The Classic Touring Car Racing Club are proud to announce our 2024 calendar. Next year marks 50 years of racing as a BARC club and we look forward to yet another successful season with their support and guidance.”

“The BARC is delighted to extend the historic 49-year relationship with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club into its 50th year with the club in 2024,” added Mark Turner, BARC Sporting Manager.

“We have worked closely with the CTCRC Chairman, Stuart Caie, to pull together an exciting calendar with a variety of circuits, including the much-loved Super Tourer event on the Brands Hatch GP circuit.”

Before preparations can ramp up for the 2024 season, the Classic Touring Car Racing Club is poised to bring the curtain down on its 2023 campaign at Donington Park on October 14/15.

2024 Classic Touring Car Racing Club Calendar 

March 29/30 – Donington Park (GP)

April 27/28 – Cadwell Park 

May 18/19 – Mallory Park 

June 29/30 – Brands Hatch (GP/Indy)

August 17/18 – Snetterton (300)

September 21/22 – Thruxton

New MINI CHALLENGE Scholarship to offer 2024 prize drive

Organisers of the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE have announced the launch of a new Scholarship programme that will see one lucky person win the chance to compete in 2024, scooping a top prize worth in excess of £50,000. 

The overall winner will secure a package that includes an entry, car hire, fuel and tyres in order to compete in an all-new class being introduced into the MINI CHALLENGE next season. 

Additional prizes will be handed out to drivers who make it through the final with a 25% reduction in entry fees should they join the grid for 2024 – worth in the region of ÂŁ4,000 per driver.

Stage 1 of the MINI CHALLENGE Scholarship will see competitors head for Capital Karts in Canary Wharf, London in late October to showcase their skills around the fastest indoor kart circuit in the UK. 

Once Stage 1 is complete, those chosen to progress will travel to Croft early next year for Stage 2, where they will take to the circuit alongside a trained instructor to see if their karting skills can translate into a car. 

The top 20 performers from Stage 2 will then go through to the Grand Final to determine who secures the ultimate prize, and the chance to join the MINI CHALLENGE grid.

Antony Williams, Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Championship Promoter, said: “For more than 20 years, the MINI CHALLENGE has been a ‘go-to’ series for people looking to make it in the motorsport world and we are hugely proud of the way in which we have grown to become one of the best one-make championships in the UK competing on the biggest stage in British Motorsport.

“We are beyond excited to be in a position where we can now launch the MINI CHALLENGE Scholarship for 2024, which will open the door for new talent to join our grid and experience everything we have to offer as a championship – with packed grids and all-action racing throughout the season.

“This initiative is something we have considered for a while, but with the launch of a new class coming for next season, this seemed like the perfect time to make the plans become reality. We look forward to unearthing some new talent, and giving them the chance to show what they can do on track.”

Further details on the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Scholarship can be found by visiting https://www.minichallenge.co.uk/.Â