Author: Chris Ashby

Julian Godfrey reigns supreme in Pembrey BRX thriller

The 2018 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship will go down to the wire following a frenetic eighth round of the season at Pembrey on Sunday (September 23), won by five-time champion Julian Godfrey.

On what was the second visit to the Welsh venue this year by the series, Godfrey produced a superlative performance at the wheel of his Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage to remain in title contention alongside Ollie O’Donovan and Mark Higgins.

With the introduction of a new first corner configuration being implemented, the action proved to be fast and furious as Godfrey surged to his third victory of the year.

Starting second on the grid for the final, Godfrey made the best start to launch into the lead whilst Albatec Racing’s Higgins spun out of contention following contact. As Godfrey powered away from his rivals, O’Donovan held station in second.

Further back, Higgins continued his recovery by climbing into fourth at the end of lap one and then taking his joker lap early. Fourth soon became third as Higgins overhauled Tom Bardy and that was to be how it finished as Godfrey underlined his title credentials.

As the final round’s score must be counted, each driver has now dropped their worse two scores from the first eight rounds of the year, meaning O’Donovan leads the standings by four points from Godfrey, with Higgins another point further back.

In the MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship, Tristan Ovenden took another step closer to retaining his crown with an impressive sixth victory of the season. Having been in the mix throughout the day, the Renault Clio V6 driver was

Luke Constantine moved into the lead of the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship standings following victory after a back-and-forth duel with brother Tom. Elsewhere, Simon Ovenden won the eighth round of the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship however his triumph wasn’t enough to stop Morgan Bailey from claiming title honours.

David Bell was perfection personified in the BMW Mini Rallycross Championship as he cantered to his fourth win of the season.

Capping off the list of race winners was Roger Thomas who piloted his freshly-restored MG Metro 654 to the top of the podium in the Retro Rallycross Championship.

Next up at Pembrey is the second visit of the British Truck Racing Association Championship, which takes place on October 13/14. For more information on the event, click here.
For more information click here

Action aplenty at Snetterton as BARC championships shine

It proved to be a scorching two days both on and off the track at Snetterton this past weekend (August 4/5) as a host of British Automobile Racing Club categories produced mesmerising action.

Back on track and providing plenty of entertainment at the top of the race programme was the Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge, which staged a four-hour endurance race around the 2.99 mile circuit.

Boasting another bumper entry list, a staggering 53 cars lined up for the start of the 240-minute race which saw plenty of high drama and memorable moments. Come the end of what was a gruelling race in scorching conditions, McAttack Racing emerged as the winners, little under a minute ahead of their nearest challengers Absolute Alignment.

Notching an impressive 76 laps, the team of Declan McDonnell, Joe Wiggin and Simon Walker-Hansell topped the podium in their trusty #347 machine. With Absolute Alignment finishing second, Old Hat Motorsport rounded off the rostrum and ended the race as the final team to finish on the lead lap.

Ben Palmer continued his march towards defending his title in the Michelin Clio Cup Series, maintaining his perfect record with two more races wins. Blasting his way to pole position for both races, the reigning champion once again underlined his title credentials with his latest set triumphant performances.

Palmer narrowly pipped Ronan Pearson in race one whilst Ben Colburn was also hot on the heels of the pair too. Race two proved to be an equally tense affair as Pearson and Colburn produced a carbon copy performance, hounding Palmer to the chequered flag but ultimately being unable to overhaul him.

In the Road Class, defending champion Nic Harrison continued his fine run of recent form to score a double of his own.

Garrie Whittaker was another driver to score a brace of victories at Snetterton, dominating proceedings in the Kumho BMW Championship. Just three laps were completed in race one but come the end of it, Whittaker was the man to beat – finishing little over a second ahead of Colin Wells whilst Darren Fielding rounded off the podium.

Race two would go the distance later in the day but Whittaker was again leading the way, with Wells and Fielding continuing to give chase but unable to gain the upper hand over the BMW E63 M3 driver.

The APL Health Caterham Graduates Championship was in action with its raft of classes, many of them amalgamated together to produce an array of on-track thrills.

A bumper 30-car grid made up the Sigmax races where the spoils were shared between two drivers. Jamie Winrow led a tense opener in which the top three were covered by less than half a second, pipping Mark Johnson across the line whilst Samuel Wilson rounded out the podium.

Wilson was to make his mark in the weekend’s second Sigmax encounter as he got the better of Winrow to prevail, with Johnson this time propping up the podium in third.

Declan Dolan was at his brilliant best in the combined Sigma/Mega/Classic races, charging to a pair of race wins to further strengthen his position at the top of the standings.

Rounding out the racing at Snetterton where a flurry of races from the Classic Touring Car Championship. Famed for its blend of iconic tin top machines from all eras, the championship descended on Norfolk with a bumper entry list that didn’t disappoint.

Pre 83 Group 1 Touring Cars had a familiar feel to it as David Howard and Stephen Primett took a win apiece whilst Matthew Evans and Stuart Day did the same in the Classic Thunder & Blue Oval Saloon Series races.

Pre 93 Touring Cars, Pre 03 Touring Cars and Pre 05 Production Touring Cars came together for a pair of races over the course of the weekend too, with David Griffin in unstoppable form as he notched wins in both.

Capping off the list of race winners was David Hall and Michael Sheraton, both of whom scaled to the top step of the podium in the two Paul Inch Classic and Historic Touring Car races.

For the full classification of all sessions from Snetterton, click here.
For more information click here

Convoy in the Park at Donington Park awaits five BARC championships

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Donington Park this weekend (July 21/22) for one of the biggest events of the summer, Convoy in the Park, with five championships set to hit the track.

In front of what is expected to be a bumper crowd, the on-track action is just a flavour of the two-day event which will also encompass Show Trucks, a funfair, trade village, open-air cinema and much more.

Headlining the action are a colossal ten races from the British Truck Racing Association Championship. Boasting the biggest grids of the season in both Divisions, the heavyweight machines are likely to steal the show as they go wheel-to-wheel, with high drama never far away.

Division 1 currently sees reigning champion Ryan Smith sitting at the summit of the standing after bagging four wins at Thruxton. Currently in irresistible form at the moment, the MAN driver is likely to be the man to beat however there are a host of contenders all in the mix and hot on his heels.

David Jenkins, Jamie Anderson, Simon Reid, Stuart Oliver and the returning Mat Summerfield are all in the hunt for Smith, amongst others, so it will be intriguing to see who emerges victorious over the course of the weekend.

Luke Garrett has emerged as the leading star in Division 2 having scored a total of ten victories thus far and could well add to his tally under the flightpath of East Midlands airport. Garrett will have to be on top form however as he faces off against 15 other competitors – a season best for the category.

Leading the chase will be Brad Smith, Steve and John Powell, John Bowler and many more, all of whom are capable to shaking up the order at the sharp end of the championship standings.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship will take on a starring role on the Saturday of the event with a 50-minute and then two-hour race set to be staged. Bringing together an eclectic mix of jaw-dropping machinery and high-profile drivers, the series is enjoying a period of rude health and that is set to only get better after a recent five-year extension with Dunlop was announced.

Notable entries to look out for include Edward Moore and Marmaduke Hall in the Ginetta G50, David Mason and Ross Wylie in the Ferrari 458 GT3 and Chris Murphy in the Aston Martin Vantage GT4, along with a host of others.

It has been a thrilling season in the Pickup Truck Racing Championship and things are set to only intensify as the series rolls into Donington Park. After enjoying a strong start, Lea Wood’s pursuit of a maiden title has come under threat recently with the resurgent defending champion Scott Bourne coming to the fore.

Scoring a double at Thruxton, Bourne has closed the gap to Wood in recent rounds and their duel for the top spot is set to continue, providing an intriguing watch, whilst countless others also try to impose themselves on the sharp end of the field.

Whilst the British Truck Racing Association Championships machines are set to be the biggest at Donington Park, the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres can claim the title of being the smallest.

Never short of providing high-octane thrills, the 5/8 scale machines have dazzled crowds wherever they have visited this year, and it is reigning champion John Mickel who leads the way. Holding a commanding 700 point lead, Mickel will be keen to pick up where he left off before the annual summer break.

Miles Rudman, Steve Whitelegg and Jack Parker are currently Mickel’s closest challengers and the trio will be looking to close the gap to the experienced racer across the weekend’s six races.

Capping off the weekend’s BARC action will be a pair of races from the 2CV parts.com Classic Racing Championship. Running two separate encounters, with drivers sharing cars, this iconic series is set to take spectators down memory lane, with Lien Davies as defending champion.

Rockingham ready to race into the evening with trio of BARC championships

The British Automobile Racing Club is set to race into the evening at Rockingham this Saturday (June 16) in what is set to be another first.

Following on from the venue’s inaugural 24hr race last month, the popular Corby track will now race into the sunset with the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Junior Saloon Car Championship and Classic Touring Car Championship.

Kicking off the action with qualifying sessions at 09:00, fans will be treated to a feast of on-track entertainment as the categories race through the day and into the night, with the final chequered flag set to fall at 21:30.

Headlining proceedings on the iconic oval circuit, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship makes its second visit to Rockingham this year – having already competed on the infield section of the track for the first time in its history.

Establishing himself as the dominant force early on, Lea Wood heads into the weekend as the championship leader. Now in his third full season, the former BTCC racer has strung together an impressive run of results which has seen countless victories.

Reigning champion Scott Bourne is hot on the heels of Wood and although he may not have won as many races as the points leader, Bourne has been the epitome of consistency. Also in the mix this weekend will likely be David O’Regan, Michael Smith, Mark Willis and Paul Tompkins.

Two high-speed, adrenaline-fuelled 30 lap races around the banked oval are set to be as enthralling as ever.

There will be plenty of variety in the Classic Touring Car Championship during the day too, with no less than eight races being run. Bringing together some of the most iconic tin top and saloon machines from yesteryear, championship will be amalgamated

Notable names to look for during the day include Stephen Primett in his Ford Escort, Dale Gent in his Subaru Impreza and also Mark Cholerton, Mark Osborne and David Howard, amongst others.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship reaches the halfway point in the season with the next generation of racers all set to serve up further thrills and spills.

Events at Silverstone, Rockingham and Brands Hatch so far have proved fruitful with three drivers taking two wins a piece, Frankie Taylor the latest of those. Entering the weekend as the championship leader, Taylor will be keen to extend his advantage across both races whilst fellow winners Joel Wren and Ben Kasperczak will be nipping at his heels.

BTCC battle speeds into ultra-fast Thruxton

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship descends on the home of the British Automobile Racing Club, Thruxton Circuit, for the third event of what is shaping up to be a season to remember this weekend (May 19/20).

Celebrating the BTCC’s 60th anniversary this year, the championship has produced six blockbuster races across Brands Hatch and Donington Park, with somewhat of a changing of the guard taking place as a host of young drivers have come to the fore.

It isn’t just the series that is celebrating a milestone year, Thruxton is too as it marks its 50th year in 2018 too. The beloved circuit is set to open parts of its brand-new, industry-leading £2 million hospitality facility – The Thruxton Centre – ahead of a full official opening on Sunday 3 June amid a weekend of 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Speeding into rounds seven, eight and nine, the drivers’ standings has a distinctly familiar feel to those of last year, with Tom Ingram sitting at the summit. Two wins paired with consistent points finishes has handed the Speedworks Motorsport driver a seven-point advantage and he will be keen to extend that at a circuit where the Toyota Avensis has gone well at in the past.

Leading the chase for Ingram and top spot is Donington Park race winner Adam Morgan. Enjoying a solid start to the year, the Ciceley Motorsport driver has been a force to be reckoned and has a prove package around Thruxton, making him a clear contender.

Josh Cook scored a breakthrough win at Donington Park and the local driver will be keen to add further silverware to his collection. The Power Maxed TAG Racing competitor is one of several emerging talents in the BTCC this year and it is hard to discount any of them.

Jack Goff, race winner in round one, and reigning champion Ashley Sutton have been in the thick of the action and round out the top five whilst Aiden Moffat has impressed with two podiums. Factor in his strong pace at Thruxton and the Scotsman can’t be discounted from podium contention either.

Dan Cammish and Chris Smiley will be ones to watch as well, piloting their respective Honda Civic Type R’s. Both picked up their maiden podium finishes last time out and given the track record of the Honda at Thruxton in the past, both will be confident of what they can achieve.

Duo Motorsport with HMS Racing’s Rob Austin is another home hero for fans to cheer on and he, along with Colin Turkington, round out the top ten.

Beyond that, a whole host of race-winning drivers sit on the fringe of spring boarding themselves into front-running contention. Andrew Jordan and Matt Neal have both thrived around the high-speed layout in the past and will be keen to ignite their championship challengers; as will local man Rob Collard, Jason Plato, Motorbase Performance – to name just a few.

With five different winners from six races and a total of 14 drivers have graced the podium so far, the landscape of the BTCC is as unpredictable as it ever has been and that trait is set to continue around Thruxton’s famed 2.356 mile track.

Tickets for the BTCC’s visit on 19-20 May can be purchased on the gate, priced at £16 for Saturday (qualifying) and £33 for Sunday (race day). Saturday grandstand seats are an additional £5. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge.

Spoils shared as BTCC young guns come to the fore at Donington Park

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship saw another three frenetic races at Donington Park serve up three different race winners this past weekend (April 28/29) – with the series’ young guns coming further to the fore.

Coming off the back of a memorable curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch, the capacity 32-car grid descended on the Leicestershire venue with it all to play at the top of the standings.

Qualifying proved to be a dramatic affair with times tumbling right until the end of the session. As the clock ticked to zero, Power Maxed Racing’s Josh Cook displaced Chris Smiley to score his first BTCC pole position.

Cook’s Saturday dominance translated to race day as he converted pole position into a commanding first victory – becoming the 19th different driver to have scaled to the top step of the podium.

Launching his Vauxhall Astra off the front row, Cook held off the advances of Smiley on the opening tour before stretching his advantage over Dan Cammish and Aiden Moffat, who moved themselves into the remaining rostrum places.

Race two went the way of championship leader Tom Ingram, who became the first driver to win two races this year. Having scored a handful of points with maximum weight and the hard tyre in race one, the Speedworks Motorsport racer scythed his way through the field from P13 in the second encounter.

Picking his way through the top ten, Ingram shuffled BTC Norlin Racing’s Smiley to second on lap ten and was never challenged thereon after. WIX Racing with Eurotech’s Jack Goff rounded off the podium after also charging through the pack.

Goff had been hot on the heels of Ingram at one stage but a valiant defence from Cammish, who had led early on, saw the Honda Civic Type R driver lose ground to the leaders.

One of the star performers in race two however was the Ciceley Motorsport Mercedes Benz A-Class of Adam Morgan, who crossed the line fifth having started 25th.

With the top nine reversed for race three, Rory Butcher lined up on pole position with reigning champion Ashley Sutton lining up alongside him. As the lights went out, five cars fell victim to the close-quarter racing down the Crater Curves, with James Cole, Josh Price and Sam Tordoff all out on the spot.

At the front, Sutton propelled himself into the lead but soon fell into the clutches of the chasing pack, with Morgan leading the way. Making his move on lap eight, Morgan held his nerve, withstanding a late charge from Cook to score his first win since Thruxton 2016.

Laser Tools Racing’s Moffat made it two Mercedes on the podium as he scored his second third place finish of the day. Standout performances from Rob Collard and Andrew Jordan saw them round out the top five, piloting their West Surrey Racing BMW’s through the field.

Following on from another exciting day’s racing, Ingram extended his advantage in the drivers standings with Morgan and Cook filling the top three spots.

For the full classification of results, click here.

The 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship returns on May 19/20 with rounds seven, eight and nine taking place at Thruxton.

BARC descends on Pembrey for Autumn Truckfest

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Pembrey Circuit this weekend (October 13/14) primed for two days of blockbuster track action, headlined by the British Truck Racing Association Championship.

In what is being billed as the ‘Autumn Truckfest’, a bumper crowd is expected to flock trackside to witness all manner of edge-of-the-seat thrills from a variety of categories.

Making their second visit of the year to South Wales, the British Truck Racing Association Championship will look to steal the show as they get set to stage eight races over the course of the weekend.

Sitting at the summit of Division 1 and on course to secure his third title in succession, Ryan Smith will likely be the man to beat at the wheel of his MAN. Having enjoyed plenty of success throughout the year, the reigning champion could well wrap up the title if things fall his way at the sharp end of the grid.

David Jenkins and Jamie Anderson will stand the best chance of haulting Smith’s charge albeit the likes of Stuart Oliver, Richard Collett and Simon Reid will also be in the mix no doubt too.

It is a similar story in Division 2 as well as Luke Garrett bids to put himself out of touch of his rivals at the summit of the standings. Having built up a comfortable lead with a string of victories, the MAN driver will need to replicate his pulsating form to remain control of the championship battle.

Leading the chase for Garrett are a host of experienced racers including Brad Smith, John Powell, Steve Powell and John Bowler, all of whom have showcased their credentials at some stage during the year.

The action is set to be similarly exciting in the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, with the battle for supremacy at the top of the standings firmly on. Reigning champion Scott Bourne finds himself leading the way after a resurgent run of form but he isn’t likely to have things his own way.

Season-long rivals David O’Regan and Lea Wood are hot on the heels of Bourne and the weekend’s three races will be pivotal in deciding the outcome of who walks away as champion.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres will make its first visit to Pembrey since 2016 with a bumper grid and six sensational races lined up.

As it stands, John Mickel and Steve Whitelegg look destined to take the battler the title all the way to the wire and neither of them can afford a slip up around the challenging curves of Pembrey.

Eyes must also be focused on Jack Parker, Miles Rudman, Sean Smith and Paul Simmons, all race winners that on their day can take the fight to the top two.

In addition to the BARC action, Pembrey will also play host to the MSA British Superkarts and Welsh Racing Drivers Association throughout the weekend too.

BARC championships gearing up for Rockingham farewell

The British Automobile Racing Club is set to say a fond farewell to Rockingham Motor Speedway this weekend (September 22/23) at Truxx Factor, where a host of championships will look to leave their mark on the Corby venue.

Following the circuit’s sale in August, motorsport events will cease at the end of the 2018 season, bringing to an end a 17-year run as one of the UK’s most-popular race tracks.

Opening in 2001 and staging all manner of race meetings and championships from that point on, the BARC have been regular visitors to Rockingham having played a part in the initial development of the track from its inception.

Now staging an event at Rockingham for the final time this weekend, the Club and its associated championships will be keen to sign off in style as part of the family friendly Truxx Factor weekend.

Billed as a two-day extravaganza, spectators will be able to immerse themselves within a multitude of live arena, on and off track thrills.

Although not competing, a raft of heavyweight behemoths from the British Truck Racing Association Championship will be in attendance and on display, allowing spectators to get up close and personal to the five-tonne machines that do battle across the length and breadth of the country.

In addition, spectators will be given the opportunity to sample the delights of a BTRA machine with passenger laps being available around the challenging Rockingham layout.

On-track and tackling the oval circuit for the final time will be the Pickup Truck Racing Championship. The series has become a stalwart of Rockingham down the years and has enjoyed countless landmark events along the way.

This weekend will see two high-octane encounters and all eyes will be on reigning champion Scott Bourne and title protagonist Lea Wood. The pair have been locked in a season-long battle at the summit of the points and that is set to continue on the banked tarmac.

The Max5 Racing Championship has delivered a memorising season of racing two races from the one-make series will add the latest chapter to that over the course of the weekend. Notable names to look out for include Paul Roddison, Josh Malin, Matthew Tidmarsh and Richard Smith.

Capping off the BARC portion of racing will be a pair of races from the Kumho BMW Championship, home to all manner of models from the German manufacturer. The Racing Ford Series is also set to be in action, adding to the on-track spectacle.

To find out more information about this weekend’s event, click here.

BARC championships shine in Oulton Park thriller

Oulton Park played host to an unmissable day’s track action this past Saturday (June 23) as four British Automobile Racing Club championships resumed battle.

In sweltering conditions, the picturesque Cheshire venue provided the perfect backdrop for a frenetic day’s racing which was organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre.

Heading up the action was Britcar’s Dunlop Endurance Championship, which saw a 50-minute and two-encounter run. Bringing together a raft of eye-catching and mesmerising machines onto one grid, both races proved to ha

In the shorter 50-minute Sprint race, Richard Neary piloted his Mercedes Benz AMG GT GT3 to victory – more 25 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger after completing 28 laps.

Neary continued that form into the day’s longer race, which had a 50-minute sprint incorporated into it too. Once again starring in his Mercedes, Neary romped to clinch the chequered flag to make it a dream double and uphold his position as being in a league of his own.

Whilst Neary and many others peeled off at the end of their race, the endurance contingent continued to tackle Oulton Park and come the end of the two hours, the pairing of Sean Cooper and McCollum drove their Track Focused KTM X-Bow to the top of the podium.

The solitary CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship race had a familiar feel to it as Paul Rose further cemented himself as the man to beat in 2018. Having produced countless race-winning performances already this season, Rose was in his usual superlative form at Oulton.

At the wheel of his Saker RAPX S1-400, Rose converted pole position into a dominant win as he streaked clear, winning by more than 55 seconds. Despite their best efforts, the duo of Danny Bird and Luke Arminger could do nothing about Rose’s charge and settled for second and third respectively.

Garrie Whittaker emerged as a one-man juggernaut in the Kumho BMW Championship, picking up two overall race wins. Home to some of the most iconic models from the German manufacturer, a grid of more than 20 cars went wheel-to-wheel for supremacy, with Whittaker prevailing. Race one saw Whittaker edge out a close affair with Piers Reid and Colin Wells in close proximity, ultimately filling the rostrum. Whittaker’s performance in race two was to be more dominant, triumphing by more than 12 seconds ahead of Wells and James Card.

In the Classic 2CV parts.com Championship staged the latest two rounds of their popular one-make category, with experience coming to the fore. Race one saw reigning champion Lien Davies bag a win before Pete Sparrow did the same in the second.

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

Thruxton gains second event as 2019 BTCC calendar is unveiled

Series organisers, TOCA, have confirmed the official calendar for the 2019 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – boasting a fresh look.

Comprising of 30 races spanning ten weekend’s across the length and breadth of the UK, Britain’s premier race series will once again dazzle thousands throughout the year.

The most notable change to the 2019 calendar sees Rockingham not included due to the impending sale of the facility not providing TOCA with sufficient clarity at the time of finalising the calendar.

In its place instead is a second event at Thruxton, which will add an August summer visit to its regular May date. Croft and Oulton Park have also changed berths in the order of events, the latter now following the annual trip to North Yorkshire.

Brands Hatch Indy will once again play host to the curtain-raiser on April 6/7 before the series moves on to Donington Park, Thruxton, Croft and Oulton Park. Following the traditional mid-season break, the action will resume at Snetterton before once again returning to Thruxton.

Knockhill, Silverstone and the iconic Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit cap off the season, where a champion will be crowned.

2019 BTCC Calendar:

Rounds 1, 2 & 3 – Brands Hatch Indy – April 6/7

Rounds 4, 5 & 6 – Donington Park – April 27/28

Rounds 7, 8 & 9 – Thruxton – May 18/19

Rounds 10, 11 & 12 – Croft – June 15/16

Rounds 13, 14 & 15 – Oulton Park – June 29/30

Rounds 16, 17 & 18 – Snetterton – August 3/4

Rounds 19, 20 & 21 – Thruxton – August 17/18

Rounds 22, 23 & 24 – Knockhill – September 14/15

Rounds 25, 26 & 27 – Silverstone – September 28/29

Rounds 28, 29 & 30 – Brands Hatch GP – October 12/13

Last of the Formula 1 six-wheelers set for Thruxton’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

Thruxton Circuit will welcome a cavalcade of stand-out motor racing machinery from the worlds of Formula 1, GT and Sportscars, top-tier motorcycling and endurance to its 50th Anniversary Celebration next weekend (2/3 June), with Williams’ unique FW08B the latest star to join the fold.

The ground-breaking six-wheeler, designed by Patrick Head and Frank Dernie, was created by Frank Williams’ outfit with the intention of running during the 1983 Formula 1 campaign, as it chased a longer wheelbase and greater ‘ground effect’ as well as increased traction out of corners with four-wheel drive.

In testing, the car showed promise, breaking a lap record at Paul Ricard and development continued through 1982 until the FW08B surfaced at Donington Park, producing a ream of head-turning lap-times. Subsequently, the FIA issued its regulations for ’83 and included a clause outlawing both six-wheelers and four-wheel drive and the FW08B would never see competitive action as a result.

The ingenious one-off will be displayed alongside Nigel Mansell’s championship-winning FW14B which stormed to nine of 16 race wins in the Formula 1 World Championship in 1992 in his hands and Williams’ 2016 charger – the FW38B. The Grove squad will be represented on-track too, with Karun Chandhok set to steer Keke Rosberg’s 1983 530bhp Ford Cosworth DFV-powered FW08C around the Hampshire speedbowl.

Further Formula 1 iconography in the form of the Lotus 87B will also be on display and will be joined by the likes of Ford’s legendary GT40 – the pioneering Le Mans-winning GT hero of the 60s – and a modern GT counterpart in the shape of an Aston Martin Vantage GTE.

Fans will also be able to get up-close and personal with Porsche’s last hurrah in the World Endurance Championship – the stunning technical marvel that is 919 Hybrid Sports Prototype. In the hands of decorated racers such as Mark Webber and Nico Hulkenberg, the 919 flew to three consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles in the flagship endurance series between 2015 and 2017, which included a hat-trick of victories at the world renowned Le Mans 24 Hours during the same period.

The weekend’s first-class competitive action comes courtesy of 13 races from the Historic Sports Car Club with the Historic Touring Car Challenge, the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy, HSCC Guards Trophy and Historic Formula Ford all highlights. More spectacular historic racing you will not see.

Adding to the circumstance on-track will be high-speed demonstrations throughout the weekend from Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) heroes Rob Austin and Rob Collard in the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta and multi-title-winning BMW 125i M Sport respectively. The pair lapped Thruxton in competitive trim a week or so ago and will be on-hand to wow crowds once again.

BMW’s monstrous M4 GT4 will also demo, alongside MINI Challenge cars, muscle machinery such as the Chevrolet Camaro and a Ducati double – the 1199 Panigale R and V4 Panigale. A full list of demonstration runners and riders is available here.

In addition over the 50th Anniversary Celebration weekend, The Thruxton Centre – Thruxton Circuit’s new, £2 million state-of-the-art hospitality facility – will be officially opened at 12:00 noon on Sunday, 3 June by 31-time Grand Prix-winner and 1992 Formula 1 World Champion, Nigel Mansell CBE alongside his lifelong friend – legendary motorsport commentator and journalist, Murray Walker OBE.

Away from the racing and on-track action, static displays and car club reunions, as well as a funfair, live music, overnight camping and a fireworks display ensuring the festival’s family-friendly appeal.

“We are delighted to add the world famous Williams FW08B to our ever-growing list of cars and stars that will be attending our 50th celebrations on 2-3 June,” enthused Thruxton Group Managing Director, Bill Coombs. “The list of cars present will span the full five decades of the circuit’s existence and include some of the most memorable machinery that motorsport has to offer.

“It’s sure to be an amazing spectacle on-track, as well as off it. We will have a host of motorsport royalty in attendance, plus family entertainment and the official opening of our £2 million Thruxton Centre by legends Nigel Mansell CBE and Murray Walker OBE. Everyone at Thruxton is looking forward to the weekend immensely and we can’t wait to get started!”

Advance tickets for Thruxton’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on 2/3 June are available from just £12 for Saturday entry and £15 for Sunday – or £24 for both days. These are available until Tuesday evening. Sunday grandstand seats are an additional £5. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge. For details on ticketing for Thruxton’s 50th Anniversary meeting, head to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/50th-anniversary. For more information call 01264 882200 and select Option 1.

Karun Chandhok to steer Williams’ FW08C on Formula 1’s return to Thruxton

Formula 1 will return to Thruxton for the first time since 1993 at the circuit’s 50th Anniversary Celebration weekend (2/3 June), with former F1 racer Karun Chandhok set to take the reins of the flame-spitting Williams FW08C as it blasts around Britain’s fastest racetrack.

Damon Hill was the last man to round Thruxton’s flat-out sweeping bends in F1 machinery, then in a title-winning Williams FW15C, averaging a stunning 147.25mph. Chandhok – wielding Keke Rosberg’s 540kg, 530bhp Ford Cosworth DFV V8 powered FW08C from 1983 – admits he feels like a kid in a sweet shop ahead of what is sure to be quite the spectacle when he takes to the Hampshire speedbowl in June. Notably, it is the first F1 car that Ayrton Senna tested ahead of an illustrious career at the pinnacle of motorsport.

“It looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m really excited for the event,” said Chandhok – himself a fiend for everything historic when it comes to motor racing.

“I’ve driven the Williams FW08C a few times before. It’s a very special car with its manual gearbox and Ford DFV engine, which is probably the most important engine ever produced in Formula 1 and it still sounds as good as it did all those years ago. It’s a truly iconic piece of kit, and there aren’t many opportunities to see these legendary cars in action anymore.

“I’ll be giving it a blast at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix before Thruxton’s 50th, which will serve as a nice warm-up. I’d obviously love to open it up properly, but at the same time, I’m very conscious that this car is being wheeled out of a museum for me. That said, as a racing driver, you’re never inclined to take it particularly easy, and I’ll certainly do my utmost to put on a real show for everybody watching.”

It’s been some 15 years since Chandhok was last on-track at Thruxton, but it’s a circuit he holds in high esteem, citing it as a true one-off and a must for spectators – even more the case given the visual and auditory feast the Williams is sure to imbue.

“I’ve not driven at Thruxton since 2003, back in my British F3 days, so it’s been a little while but I always loved racing there. The action is never anything less than spectacular, with plenty of fantastic, high-speed slipstreaming battles. It’s a unique challenge with its bumps and big kerbs – a proper old-school track.

“I love coming to Thruxton to spectate, too – it’s every bit as enjoyable for fans as it is competitors. Watching at the approach to the chicane at the end of the lap and seeing the cars roaring up the hill towards you is quite a sight to behold – I thoroughly recommend it.”

In addition over the 50th Anniversary Celebration weekend, The Thruxton Centre – Thruxton Circuit’s new, £2 million state-of-the-art hospitality facility – will be officially opened at 12:00 noon on Sunday, 3 June by 31-time Grand Prix-winner and 1992 Formula 1 World Champion, Nigel Mansell CBE alongside his lifelong friend – legendary motorsport commentator and journalist, Murray Walker OBE.

There will be 15 enthralling races and high-speed demonstrations not just by the FW08C, but a host of iconic two and four-wheeled motor racing machinery, while Mansell’s 1992 Formula 1 World Championship-winning Williams FW14B is also set to be displayed. Penned by Sir Patrick Head and legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey OBE, the FW14B was a pioneer of the sport’s game-changing active suspension technology – with ten Grand Prix wins on the way to the Constructors’ title as Mansell sealed the Drivers’ crown.

Away from the racing and on-track action, static displays and car club reunions, as well as a funfair, live music, overnight camping and a fireworks display ensuring the festival’s family-friendly appeal.