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HomeThe British Automobile Racing Club has announced that it will create a new brand under the âBARC Heritageâ banner.
Designed to cater for older racing and machinery, the BARC Heritage line signals a strong desire by the BARC to re-establish its credentials in the retro, classic and historic racing space. The announcement was made at last weekendâs hugely successful Thruxton Historic race meeting, which boasted a great racing line-up of incredible older cars from the 1950s right up to the 1990s.
In deference to the extraordinary history of the UKâs oldest racing club, BARC Heritage will utilise the original BARC shield logo that was taken out of commission in 2014, but which still adorns the pitlane at Goodwood Race Circuit.
BARC has engaged seasoned historic racer and event organiser, Rob Manger, to lead the BARC Heritage push. Manger is the driving force behind the stunningly successful revival of the Jochen Rindt Trophy for single seater racing cars up to 2-litres that has appeared at the Thruxton Historic meeting every year since 2021.
Ben Taylor, BARC CEO, said: âThe BARC has been around in one form or another for more than 110 years and consequently boasts the most amazing history. We have talked for a long time about making more of the clubâs heritage and the time seems right to get something started now.
âThe retro scene is very relevant and popular and although BARC has the fabulous Classic Touring Car Racing Club, we havenât been properly represented in this space for a while. Itâs an area that we want to get back into, so we just need to remind people that BARC has great credentials in this area and weâre serious about this sector of the sport.
âWe already organise more than 20 club race meetings a year, as well as the BTCC package and of course the three Goodwood events. We have also had great feedback from the Thruxton Historic, so we are confident in our ability to put on quality race events that competitors really enjoy. We are absolutely not looking to compete with the big historic meetings and festivals, but we do think we might be able to offer something for the competitors who just want to go racing for fun with their friends at decent circuits for a fair price.â
Rob Manger, BARC Heritage, added: âBARC is such a great institution and has an amazing history, but it can definitely make more of it. What I have learned from running the JRT is that these drivers, with their lovely cars, just want to be able to race them a few times a year. They donât necessarily want the bells and whistles of the big invitation-only meetings, or to chase a championship, but they do like to feel that they are wanted, respected, are getting value for money and that they wonât always be the last race on a Sunday!
âFrom the conversations that I have been having, it seems there might be an opportunity for BARC to offer a home to a couple of championships, or just bring in the odd race here and there. The message is come and talk to us and letâs see whatâs possible under this new BARC Heritage banner.â
