Author: Chris Ashby

New Series Elite Championship launches

A new one-make series has today (April 24) launched aimed towards mature budding race drivers with a lower-age restriction of 50 years, titled Series Elite.

Running under the British Automobile Racing Club umbrella, the championship will see drivers compete in identical Jaguar F-TYPE GT4 machines – starting at Brands Hatch in late October before embarking on a full 12-race season in 2019.

Targeting high net worth individuals and offering a turnkey racing opportunity, Series Elite is designed to appeal to both amateurs and more experienced racers.

Drivers will be provided with all the relevant training, testing and race experience needed to compete in the new series, with their cars stored and prepared at a centralised team facility.

Series Director, Graeme Glew, said: “Currently there is no series that caters specifically for older drivers who want to compete at a high level with like-minded racers. We’re filling this gap with Series Elite supported by Jaguar’s race car expertise.

“Our competitors will own their own cars, but all the other aspects of going racing – preparing the cars, transporting them, arranging hospitality, travel and accommodation – will be arranged for them. With time at a premium it will allow drivers to fulfil their desire to go racing with minimal effort and fit into their busy lifestyle.

“Our offering will also extend off-track too, with high-class hospitality and exclusive lifestyle events outside of race weekends to expand the race experience into new areas, such as ice-driving.”

Greg Clark, Director Vehicle Personalisation at Jaguar Land Rover adds, “The Jaguar F-TYPE GT4 was developed last year for Invictus Games Racing and following this we were approached to develop the car for Series Elite.

“The concept and series profile is an obvious fit for Jaguar and it is an appropriate next step for us to expand production of the GT4 car, with a controlled environment and build schedule for this year.

“We are looking forward to seeing the first grid of cars at Brands Hatch before the full season with a 20-car field in 2019.”

The series’ inaugural weekend takes place at Brands Hatch on October 27/28 as part of a bumper two days of BARC racing. Series Elite is set to visit Silverstone, Donington Park, Rockingham, Brands Hatch and a yet to be decided international venue next year.

For more information, head to www.serieselite.com

Porsche Carrera Cup GB unveils championship evolution for 2019

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB is set to continue evolving in 2019 after unveiling a raft of refinements to the changes implemented for this year.

Currently in the midst of an enthralling season, the 2018 campaign saw the introduction of the most significant changes to the championship since it began in 2003.

Leading those changes was the introduction of reverse grids, and that procedure will remain for next year. A driver’s fastest qualifying time will determine the starting grid for the opening race of the weekend before race two will be determine by the finishing order of that first race.

However, any driver that fails to complete race one in 2019 will now start race two behind the last race finisher of their category. All other classified finishes will be allocated starting positions in accordance with their finishing position in race one.

The winner of the first race will continue to select a number at random between four and six to denote how many cars will be reversed.

Championship points will remain across all categories with two additional points distributed to the driver in the Pro category that sets the fastest lap in qualifying. Those drivers in the remaining classes will be awarded an additional point if they walk aways with the fastest lap in each race.

Prize money throughout the one-make series will remain as it is however the provisional calendar for 2019 will once again encompass an international flavour. Continuing on the TOCA support package, the Carrera Cup GB will travel the length and breadth of the UK whilst also competing at either Spa Francorchamps or Monza.

Provisional 2019 Calendar

Brands Hatch Indy – April 6/7

Spa or Monza – TBC

Croft – June 15/16

Oulton Park – June 29/30

Snetterton – August 3/4

Knockhill – September 14/15

Silverstone – September 28/29

Brands Hatch GP – October 12/13

Capping off the list of changes that the Carrera Cup GB has implemented is to continue working hard with the relevant governing bodies and organisers to ensure that participants in the championship are able to compete in a safe and controlled environment.

These changes have often gone above and beyond what is required, most recently facilitating award-winning research into concussion in motorsport, research that would go on to win the FIA’s 2018 Watkins Scholarship.

For 2019, the championship will introduce a Porsche e-learning tool, developed through the Porsche one-make series network to improve and test competitors knowledge of the sporting regulations.

All drivers and team managers will be required to pass an online test prior to the start of the season, the aim of which is to ensure all competitors full understand on-track procedures. At each round drivers will be selected at random following the briefing to complete another short online test.

In addition, five drivers will be selected at random on the morning of each championship week dot take part in a breathalyser test where a zero-tolerance rule will be in effect.

Carburetor class to be added to Mighty Minis Championship in 2019

The Mighty Minis Championship is set to introduce a standalone class for the 1275 Carburetor Mini for the 2019 season and beyond.

Set to be titled ‘Class C’, the new category will join the existing Super Mighty and Mighty classes that currently compete in the series.

Aiming towards continuing to provide an affordable form of motorsport, the championship is set to continue to build on its 23-year history with the introduction of this new class.

The new class will mirror that of Class A, the only changes being that cars will have a carburetor and distributor, rather than an injection system and ECU.

For more information on the regulations and more, visit the Mighty Minis website here.

BARC serves up scorching weekend at Thruxton Summer Truckfest

The British Automobile Racing Club served up a scorching weekend (July 7/8) both on and off the track at Thruxton, with seven championships tackling the fastest circuit in the country.

Amidst the heatwave the UK is currently revelling in, a bumper crowd turned out in force across both days to watch a variety of categories write the latest chapter in their 2018 campaigns.

Stealing the show was the British Truck Racing Association Championship, which staged a total of eight fraught races. Division 1 saw reigning champion Ryan Smith produce an emphatic display as he kicked off the weekend from storming to pole position. From there, the event belonged to Smith as he surged to four wins from four races, extending his championship lead in doing so too.

Whilst Smith topped the podium, a host of other drivers including Stuart Oliver, Luke Taylor, David Jenkins, Jamie Anderson and Simon Reid all scored rostrum finishes.

In Division 2 there were to be three different winners from four races, with Steve Powell emerging as the man to triumph twice. Powering his way to pole position, Powell took a dominant lights-to-flag victory in the opener before then replicating that performance in the combined Division 1 & 2 race at the end of the weekend.

Brad Smith and Luke Garrett were the other victors from the class with Smith’s victory proving to be a popular one as he broke his 2018 winless duck.

In the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, reigning champion Scott Bourne closed the gap to points leader Lea Wood with a dominant double. In two frenetic encounters, Bourne prevailed from both races narrowly pipping Wood, with just a tenth of a second covering the pair at the chequered flag each time. Mark Willis rounded out the podium in both races too.

Ben Palmer emerged as another double winner from the weekend as he continued his unbeaten run in the Michelin Clio Cup Series. Despite missing out on pole position, the defending champion produced two stellar performances to strengthen his advantage at the summit of the standings. Nic Harrison did the same in the road class of the series, sweeping his way to a pair of wins.

Spoils were shared in the Mighty Minis Championship as Greg Jenkins and David Kirkpatrick took a win apiece. Dicing for the lead in both races, Jenkins bested Kirkpatrick and Alex Comis in race one before the roles were reversed in race two, with Ian Slark rounding off the podium.

Dean Sullivan and Simon Kendrick emerged victorious from the weekend’s two Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship races. Sullivan narrowly pipped Kendrick to the chequered flag in race one before the latter then produced a devastating display to win by more than 11 seconds. Stuart Philps was unable to stop the squabbling duo and instead had to settle for third place in both races.

The Kumho BMW Championship races had a familiar feel to them as Colin Wells took a pair of win. Wells was the dominant force from the outset and despite the best efforts of James Card, Piers Reid and Darren Fielding, the experienced racer wasn’t to be denied.

Rounding off the weekend’s action was a host of races from the APL Health Caterham Graduates Championship. In the amalgamated Sigmax/ Sigmax VCT duels, Samuel Wilson and Oliver Gibson scored a win apiece whilst Jamie Ellwood, Jonathan Curry and Steve McMaster each took podiums.

The weekend’s Mega, Sigma & Classic races had Declan Dolan take honours in race one before Simon Griffiths struck to score a win of his in the second bout. Ben Winrow and Andy Skinner also picked up silverware too.

For the full classification of results from all of the weekend’s action, click here.

BTCC heads to Oulton Park for latest chapter of 2018 season

Oulton Park awaits the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship this weekend (June 9/10) with rounds 10, 11 and 12 set to write the latest chapter in what is becoming a fascinating battle for the biggest prize in UK motorsport.

With nine races down so far, there has been a changing of the guard in the BTCC this year with the next generation of youngsters taking the fight to the established names and so far prevailing.

Arriving at what is his and Ciceley Motorsport’s home event, Adam Morgan arrives at the Cheshire venue topping the championship standings for the first time in his career.

Two victories, the second coming last time out at Thruxton, sees Morgan hold a slender two point lead over fellow double race-winner Josh Cook – a revelation of sorts with Power Maxed Racing in the Vauxhall Astra.

Oulton Park is also home turf for Speedworks Motorsport and Tom Ingram, who together have made another lightening start to the season. Two wins and big points saw Ingram as the man to beat heading into Thruxton but an electrical issue left him to fight back on race day.

In the past both Ingram and Morgan have endured rocky rounds around the sweeping curves of Oulton Park, both will be hoping to turn their fortunes around this time.

Beyond the top three Jack Goff has been impressive in the WIX Racing with Eurotech Honda Civic Type R whilst many will be looking to see what Colin Turkington can achieve. Sitting fifth in the points, the West Surrey Racing driver was back on song at Thruxton and has an impressive record at Oulton Park.

Matt Neal and Senna Proctor have each scored a race win this season too and the pair will likely be in the mix towards the sharp end of the grid. Dan Cammish, reigning champion Ashley Sutton and Chris Smiley round out the top ten and will be keen to top the rostrum for the first time this year.

Last year Oulton Park marked the start of Sutton’s title assault and the aim will be to replicate that during this year’s trip to the picturesque circuit, both for himself and Adrian Flux Subaru Racing.

Beyond the top ten is a whole host of race-winning drivers that could easily be in the mix for victory this weekend. Fighting fit Andrew Jordan, his BMW team-mate Rob Collard, Motorbase Performance duo Tom Chilton and Sam Tordoff, as well as Aiden Moffat and Rob Austin lead the charge for the top ten and are more importantly free of success ballast heading into qualifying and race one.

BARC championships battle contrasting conditions at Brands Hatch

Contrasting conditions welcomed the British Automobile Racing Club to Brands Hatch this past weekend (May 12/13) as a host of championships continued their 2018 campaigns around the Indy layout.

Persistent rain on Saturday was swapped for bright sunshine on Sunday at the Kent venue, adding further spice to what already was proving to be a memorable event.

The Michelin Clio Cup Series had a distinctly familiar feel to it as reigning champion Ben Palmer further asserted his dominance at the top of the standings. Entering the weekend with an unbeaten record, Palmer clinched his fifth and sixth wins of the season, extending his points lead in the process.

In the race class, Nic Harrison’s run of wins came to an end, not before he could score a fifth victory of the season however. The defending champion romped to the chequered flag in race one but could do nothing to stop James Colburn in the second.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship produced its third double-winner of the season around the Indy circuit as Frankie Taylor vaulted himself into title contention. On what was a truncated weekend for the 14 to 17-year-old’s, Taylor held his nerve in two tense but entertaining encounters to score victory.

Podium finishes went the way of Lewis Saunders, Scott McIntyre and Steven Chandler too across both races.

Roaring into life for the first time this season, the BARC Clubmans Sport Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns delivered three nail-biting races. Steven Dickens won the opener before Mark Charteris picked up wins in races two and three.

In the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship, Nick Crispin stormed to a brace of victories in two frenetic races that saw a host of twists and turns along the way.

The BARC South East Tin Tops Championship kicked off the weekend for the Club’s trio of South East Centre categories with Danny Brooker taking victory in race one. At the wheel of his Vauxhall Astra VXR, Brooker narrowly pipped Rikki Taylor whilst Robert Hosier was third. Race two honours went the way of Ford Fiesta driver Taylor.

Malcolm Blackman was in irresistible form once again in the BARC South East Scrapco Avon Intermarque Championship, taking his record to a perfect four wins from four races at Brands Hatch.

Spoils were shared in the BARC South East Quaife Modified Saloon Car Championship, with veteran racer Rod Birley winning the opener at the wheel of his Ford Escort WRC. Birley was unable to replicate his performance later in the day however as Malcolm Wise powered his Ford Escort Cosworth to the top step of the podium.

Rounding out the action was the BARC Saloon Series, Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge and the Classic VW Cup, all of which amalgamated their grids.

Brad Kaylor and Ken Lark took a win apiece in the Classic VW Cup, however a notable performer was Daniel Rose in race two, charging from ninth on the grid to the front within the first lap. Ben Rushworth was the final race winner of the weekend, sweeping to both victories at the wheel of his Honda Integra in the BARC Saloon Series/VTEC Challenge races.

BARC delivers memorable two days at Croft

The British Automobile Racing Club enjoyed a memorable two days at Croft this past weekend (April 28/29) as a trio of championships continued their campaigns.

Searing temperatures coupled with rain showers only added to the spectacle as the fans were treated to an abundance of bumper-to-bumper thrills.

Making their first visit to the North Yorkshire venue since 2007, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship returned to Croft for the second chapter of what has already been an enthralling 2018 campaign to-date.

Reigning champion Scott Bourne opened his silverware account in race one as he stormed to victory, narrowly pipping David O’Reagan and Mark Willis, with just under three seconds covering the rostrum finishers.

O’Reagan climbed to the top step in race two however as he emerged as the victor following a frenetic race-long battle with Lea Wood, crossing the line 0.051 ahead of the double Brands Hatch winner.

Wood wasn’t to be denied in the final race of the weekend though, cementing himself as the man to beat at this stage in the championship by scoring his third win of the season. Having failed to finish earlier in the day, Bourne bagged second place behind the former BTCC star whilst O’Reagan scored a hat-trick of podiums.

In the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres, John Mickel underlined his status as a multiple and defending champion with a scintillating showing.

Boasting another bumper grid of the 5/8 scale machines, Mickel started the weekend hot on the heels of Steve Whitelegg who took the win in the first of six races. From there on however the event belonged to Mickel as he produced a string of mesmerising performances to win the next five races.

Other notable performances included Miles Rudman, Jack Parker, Paul Simmons and Sean Smith.

There were no less than eight races from the Classic Touring Car Championship, with many classes amalgamating. The Pre 66 Classic Saloon & Historic Touring Cars saw Philip House pilot his Ford Lotus Cortina to a brace of wins as Alan Greenhalgh and Roger Stanford rounded off the remaining podium positions, each taking a second and third place finish each.

Stephen Primett and Jim Mcloughlin shared the spoils in Pre 83 Group 1 Touring Cars whilst Dale Gent and his Subaru Impreza proved to be too much for the competition in both Classic & Historic Thunder Saloons & Blue Oval Saloon Series both races.

Outright wins also went the way of Ian Bower and Steven Barden in the combined Pre 93 Touring Cars, Pre 2003 Touring Cars & Pre 05 Production Saloon Cars races around the 2.1 mile layout.

Rounding out the action over the course of the weekend was two races from the DDMC Northern Saloon & Sports Car Championship, which boasted an entry list of more than 30 cars. Jeff Wilson piloted his Lotus Elise to both victories.

For the full classification of results from all championships, click here.

BARC championships set for final flourish at Silverstone

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Silverstone this weekend (October 6/7) for what is being billed as a season finale for a majority of championships, with title battles set to go down to the wire.

In what is a traditional fixture on the BARC calendar, the annual trip to the Northamptonshire marks the end of another frenetic motorsport, with one final chapter of edge-of-the-seat thrills set to be written.

Whilst there will be title battles taking place in other categories, the Michelin Clio Cup Series will sign off the year having already decided its champions. Ben Palmer and Nic Harrison both obtained unassailable leads at Anglesey in their respective classes last time out but that won’t deter the action.

Both drivers have won every single race they have competed in this season and the pair will be out to extend their unbeaten runs with a further two victories this weekend.

Silverstone marks the penultimate event for the Junior Saloon Car Championship, which is back on track after only competing last weekend. At the top of the standings, Lewis Saunders and Joel Wren find themselves in a two-horse race for the coveted crown, the pair having shared the spoils in the last eight races.

With two races and a host of other drivers all eager to impress, the 14 to 17-year-old category could well steal the show over the two days.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship has grown in stature once again in 2018 and the series’ blend of iconic cars and professional drivers descend on Silverstone for a pivotal round of the season. A 50-minute sprint race will be followed up by a longer two-hour encounter with the pairings of Matt Greenwood & Sarah Moore and Jon Watt & Kristian Prosser out to maintain their leads.

In the BARC Clubmans Sports Prototypes Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns, the trio of Clive Wood, Michelle Hayward and Pippa Tanner-Wood will all look to sign off their campaigns on the top step of the podium, having already enjoyed title success.

There is still plenty to play for in the Kumho BMW Championship and Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship too. With multiple classes and some of the most illustrious models from each manufacturer taking to the track to do battle.

Notable names to look out for in the BMW category include Colin Wells, Giuseppe Callari and Russell Dack whilst Jim Baynam, Martin Willis and Chris Millard will likely be at the forefront of the fight in MG’s.

On top of the BARC action there will also be a pair of races from the much-loved Mini Se7en Championship.

BTCC title race set for further twists and turns at Silverstone

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will continue its journey towards what is set to be an exciting climax to 2018 with a visit to Silverstone this weekend (September 15/16), the penultimate stop on the calendar.

In what has been a record-breaking campaign in the BTCC’s 60th year, with 14 different drivers taking victory, just six races remain to crown a champion in Britain’s premier race series.

Following on from a dramatic triple-header north of the border at Knockhill, the BTCC descends on the 1.64 mile National layout of Silverstone for the latest chapter in what has been another memorable year.

Colin Turkington heads into the weekend sitting pretty at the top of the standings holding a healthy 43-point lead over Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram, with reigning champion Ashley Sutton a further seven back.

Despite only having one win to his name, the West Surrey Racing driver has been the epitome of consistency this year and will be a tough man to topple as he hunts after a third drivers’ title.

Both Ingram and Sutton have proven to be the main challengers to Turkington in recent roundsnhowever the pair have ground to make up if they are to stop the BMW driver. Both were excluded from race two at Knockhill and can’t afford to slip up from now until the final chequered flag falls.

With the characteristics of Silverstone likely to further shake up the order between Turkington, Ingram and Sutton, all eyes will on the trio to see who can steal a march before the series descends on Brands Hatch for the 2018 finale.

Beyond the main championship protagonists is 2013 title winner Andrew Jordan, who’s maiden win of the season last time out has vaulted him up to fourth in the standings. The BMW Pirtek Racing driver is not to be counted out from lifting a second championship and is set to be one to watch over the course of the weekend.

Josh Cook, Tom Chilton and Adam Morgan have also taken on starring roles throughout the season whilst the Honda trio of Jack Goff, Matt Neal and Dan Cammish, who round out the top ten, will be keen to leave their mark at the sharp end of the grid over the course of the weekend too.

Having endured a luckless year, Sam Tordoff sits on the cusp of the top ten in 11th and having come close to his first podium of the season on countless occasions, the Ford Focus RS driver will be looking to finally take a maiden rostrum finish.

Elsewhere, the likes of Jason Plato, Brett Smith, James Cole, Rob Austin and Brett Smith are just a handful of drivers that are also drivers to keep a keen eye on around the high-speed straights of Silverstone.

With a total of 67 points up for grabs at the Northamptonshire venue and three races to shape the title picture heading into the final round of the season.

For all of the event information for Silverstone, including an event timetable and links to live timing, click here.

Ashley Sutton ignites BTCC title defence with Croft double

Defending Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion Ashley Sutton ignited his title defence at Croft this past weekend (June 23/24) with two wins, whilst Daniel Lloyd scored his and BTC Norlin Racing’s maiden victory in race three at the Yorkshire venue.

On what was a scorching weekend which saw a bumper crowd soak up the sun trackside, Sutton underlined his credentials as the reigning champion by vaulting up the championship standings.

After a frustrating first half of the season up to Croft, the Adrian Flux Subaru Racing driver came out of the block flying on Saturday as he charged to pole position, leading a Team BMR 1-2 in the process as Jason Plato ended the session second.

Sutton’s charge to the chequered flag in race one was relatively straight forward as he held position as the lights went out and then dually began to stretch his advantage. Behind, Plato diced with the BMW of Andrew Jordan for much of the contest, getting the better of him in the end and then going on to chase down Sutton.

Struggling with tyre degradation, Jordan’s hopes of a podium slipped away as he ran wide at Clervaux, which allowed the impressive Tom Ingram to take the final podium spot in his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis.

The start of the second race saw Ingram make a flying start as he emerged from the first sequence of corners in the lead having gone three wide with Sutton and Plato.

Further behind Josh Cook found himself in strife as he suffered brake failure at the wheel of his Power Maxed TAG Racing Vauxhall Astra. Heading down the back straight and into Tower Bend, the two-time race winner experienced a heart-stopping moment as he narrowly missed those ahead of him and went sideways into the field. Cook was thankfully okay and managed to return to the pits.

Back at the front and despite being ladened with 75kgs of success ballast, Sutton wasted no time in wrestling the lead back off of Ingram, making his move at the final hairpin on lap two to reclaim control. Plato meanwhile was adjudged to have jumped the start and was forced to serve a drive through penalty, ruling him out of contention.

Almost flying under the radar in race one, points leader Colin Turkington was firmly in the mix in the second, halving the amount of ballast he was carrying on his BMW and hot on the heels of Ingram. Drawing on all of his experience around the challenging layout, the ‘King of Croft, couldn’t find a way past Ingram, who had put up a resolute defence, for second place. Sam Tordoff meanwhile notched his sixth fourth place finish of the season.

Back at the front, Sutton proved to be a in a league of his own and romped to his second win of the day, becoming the first driver to win two races on the same weekend and with 75kgs on-board this season thus far.

The reverse grid draw was made by double champion John Cleland and the Scotsman pulled number nine out of the bowl – promoting local star Daniel Lloyd onto pole position.

Joined on the front row by fellow Yorkshireman Senna Proctor, the BTC Norlin Racing driver launched his Honda Civic Type R off the line and into a lead that he would never lose. Tom Chilton fired his way from fourth to second off the start but couldn’t challenge Lloyd, who ultimately crossed the line little under six seconds ahead of the Motorbase driver.

Further behind Proctor gave the Croft crowd plenty to smile about as he ensured to Yorkshire drivers would end the day on the podium, finishing third. Matt Neal starved off a raft of drivers to take fourth whilst Sutton ended the day with a seventh place finish.

Virtue of the weekend’s results, Turkington leads the championship standings heading into the annual summer break, 19 points ahead of his nearest challenger Ingram.

In the BTCC Teams Championship, Team BMW sit at the summit of the standings whilst BMW also lead the BTCC Manufacturer/Constructors Championship. The Independents category sees Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport lead the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championship’s. Rounding off the list of points leader is Dan Cammish, who controls the Jack Sears Trophy at the half-way stage.

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

The 2018 Dunlop MSA Touring Car Championship returns on July 28/29 for rounds 16, 17 and 18 at Snetterton. As part of the series’ 60th anniversary celebrations, the third encounter at the Norfolk circuit will be contested over 60 miles, equating to 20 laps.

Britain’s biggest motor sport series braced for colossal Croft challenge

Croft Circuit is preparing to welcome the UK’s leading motor sport series later this month, as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship speeds into North Yorkshire on 23/24 June – with local stars to the fore.

The BTCC is the biggest deal on the national racing scene, with 32 of the most talented drivers in the country taking to the wheel of cars that would not look out-of-place doing the weekly supermarket shop – albeit with a few more galloping horses underneath the bonnet.

These flame-spitting, 160mph monsters produce spectacular action wherever they go, and you can be assured that when the BTCC rolls into town, drama, entertainment and thrills ‘n’ spills are never far behind, particularly in a season as close and competitive as 2018 is turning out to be.

As the flagship event on Croft’s annual sporting calendar, the BTCC always draws a huge and enthusiastic crowd to the popular venue located just outside of Darlington, and they are richly rewarded with head-turning doorhandle-to-doorhandle duels from lights-out to chequered flag.

The Pride of Yorkshire will be well-represented on the grid, with four locally-born chargers all firmly in contention at the sharp end of the field. Vauxhall young gun Senna Proctor (Driffield) claimed his breakthrough victory in the 2018 curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch, while Honda new boy Dan Cammish (Leeds) arrived in the BTCC with an impressive reputation and has thus far lived up to that billing and then some.

Former championship runner-up Sam Tordoff (Bradford) has rejoined the fray this season in a Ford Focus RS, and a front row start and three consecutive fourth-place finishes at Thruxton suggest he will be a force to be reckoned with on home turf. An even more recent returnee is Daniel Lloyd (Huddersfield), who qualified second the last time he raced at Croft so will certainly be one to watch as he takes to the track in the potent Honda Civic Type R.

Indeed, with one-eighth of the field hailing from ‘God’s Own County’, Yorkshire currently boasts more BTCC drivers than any other area of the country – all the more reason to come along to Croft on 23/24 June to cheer the locals on.

A raft of support series will add to the appeal, from the Ginetta Junior Championship for precociously gifted 14-to-17-years-olds to the Renault UK Clio Cup for tomorrow’s touring car heroes, the Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup and the F4 British Championship, where fans may just spot a future Formula 1 driver or two.

Better still, Croft’s popular open-paddock policy means spectators can get up close and personal with the stars of the show, while Sunday morning’s traditional Pit-Lane Walkabout offers the opportunity to snap some selfies and add to autograph books.

“The BTCC is a major draw wherever it goes, and the series’ annual visit to Croft is the only chance for fans in this part of the country to enjoy a taste of its high-octane thrills, so this really is an event not to be missed,” enthused Circuit Manager, Tracey Morley. “Better still, with such a high chance of ‘home’ success, our four-strong local contingent are sure to receive rapturous support.

“The drivers are unanimous in their appreciation for the challenge that Croft presents, as one of the most technically demanding circuits on the calendar – and it is that same layout that generates fantastic racing and irresistible action. It really is a fantastic event for the whole family to enjoy.”

Advance tickets are available until 14 June, priced at just ÂŁ11 for Saturday, 23 June (BTCC Qualifying), ÂŁ24 for Sunday, 24 June (BTCC Race Day) or ÂŁ33 for the full weekend. Tickets purchased after 14 June or on the gate will cost slightly more. Accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free of charge.

For further information or to book tickets, please visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc or call 01325 721815.

TOCA support championships shine bright at Thruxton

The fastest circuit in the UK, Thruxton, provided a fitting venue for the latest rounds of four championships on the TOCA support package this past weekend (May19/20) – with a bumper crowd being treated to plenty of on-track entertainment.

In scorching conditions, the home of the British Automobile Racing Club once again served up the perfect blend of high-speed thrills ’n’ spills that many have become accustomed to.

James Dorlin was once again the benchmark in the Renault UK Clio Cup, extending his run of wins to four with another double at Thruxton. Starting on the front row alongside Max Coates for race one, the Westbourne Motorsport driver was one of three drivers to lead the opening encounter, with Coates and Daniel Rowbottom the other pace-setters.

Producing a daring move at more than 110mph on Rowbottom, the youngster went on to take the win whilst Coates and Rowbottom scrapped for the remaining podium positions.

Dorlin further cemented his status as the man to beat in the series at the moment as he romped to a commanding victory in race two. Jumping pole sitter Paul Rivett off the line, Dorlin was never headed as he took his fourth win of the year and with it, the championship lead.

Spoils were shared in the Ginetta Junior Championship as Patrick Kibble and Adam Smalley took a win apiece. Never short of producing entertainment, the teenage racers tackled Thruxton in fine style. with Kibble taking his maiden win after Smalley was handed a time penalty.

The Elite Motorsport drive ensured he wasn’t to be denied in the second frenetic 12-lap race after battling with James Hedley to take the win and with it, the points lead.

Joining the TOCA package for the first time this season, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge proved to be a smash-hit. Two pulsating races saw Geri Nicosia and Max Bird each take a win whilst James Kellett and Alex Toth-Jones also scored podiums.

In the F4 British Championship, the action proved to be enthralling from the get-go, with a lively opening race seeing Kiern Jewiss score victory. Applying pressure to Dennis Hauger throughout the race, Jewiss snatched the lead in dramatic fashion at the final chicane, making contact along the way.

Race two of the popular single seater category saw Jewiss take victory again, setting him up to be in with a chance of winning ÂŁ10,000 if he completed a sensational hat-trick. Unfortunately, the Double R Racing driver was to fall short of the big prize as Jack Doohan bagged his first win of the year.

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

The TOCA package returns, along with the Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup, on June 9/10 at Oulton Park.