Category: Barc

Champions crowned! Full list of 2024 BARC title winners confirmed

The British Automobile Racing Club revelled in another momentous year of motorsport in 2024 and with the dust now beginning to settle, we’re delighted to be able to reveal who reigned supreme across our wealth of championships:

2CV Championship
Alex Cockhill

BARC Connaught Speed Championship
Matt Bramall

Britcar Trophy Championship
Maurice Henry & Hadley Simpson and Mark Jones, Rob Ellick & Craig Fleming

British Endurance Championship
Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 1
Ryan Smith

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 2
John Powell

Caterham Academy Championship – Green
James Hall

Caterham Academy Championship – White
Paul Ogglesbury

Bilstein Caterham Roadsport Championship
Paul Goldstein

Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship
Ben Timmons

Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship
Harry Cook

Vertex Caterham Seven UK Championship
Lewis Thompson

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Everard Pre-66 Touring Cars
Ian Thompson

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Pre-83 Group 1 Touring Cars
Stephen Primett

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Laser Tool Pre-93 Touring Cars
Stuart Waite

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Burty Haulage Pre-03 Touring Cars
Gary Prebble

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series
Tim Mizen

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder
Josh Lawton

Classic Touring Car Racing Club – Super Tourers
Alexander Morgan

CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship
Steven Parker

Junior Saloon Car Championship
TBC

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship
Jake Hill

Adrian Flux Insurance MG Owners Club Championship
Steve McDermid

MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport
Ross Alexander

Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship presented by Nova Motorsport
Matthew Ryder

OT Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires
Dan Munro

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
George Gamble

Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain
Sebastian Hopkins

Pickup Truck Racing Championship
Dale Gent

ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA
Deagen Fairclough

SIM Motorsport Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 135
Paul Goldstein

SIM Motorsport Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 150
Jamie Ellwood

Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW
Dan Zelos

Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy
Harry Hickton

TCR UK to host Donington Park taster day

The TCR UK Championship has released details regarding its upcoming Taster Day, which is scheduled to take place at Donington Park on Friday 22nd November.

Following the news that the tin top series will join the British Automobile Racing Club next year, preparations are already afoot for the 2025 season.

The taster vent will provide  interested parties the opportunity to test drive a TCR car, specifically an Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen 2, at the Leicestershire venue.

Drivers who are already experienced in piloting TCR cars will be on hand during the event to provide guidance and knowledge of the car.

Championship officials will also be on hand during the day to provide further information about the 2025 season and to answer any queries that customers may have.

“I’m excited to offer this chance to anyone who is interested in moving up to TCR UK for 2025. This is the best way to find out how good a TCR car is at one of the best circuits in the UK,” said Stewart Lines, TCR UK Championship Promoter.

“TCR is the ideal platform for those looking to make the step up to touring car racing, and this event will provide more knowledge and insight for those looking to take the next step up in their motorsport careers.”

Anyone interested in the Taster Day can register their interest by clicking HERE.

To find out more about the TCR UK Touring Car Championship, visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/.

BTCC locks in additional rule changes for 2025 season

Series organisers of the British Touring Car Championship, TOCA, have confirmed further changes to its latest regulations ahead of the 2025 season. 

Following the ground-breaking announcement that the UK’s premier motorsport series will introduce 100% sustainable fuel next year, a number of other amendments have now been ratified between TOCA and all competing teams. 

As of April 1st 2025, a two-year engine freeze will come into effect, so that no further developments can be made to the homologated engines for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

This decision ensures that the highest-level of competitiveness of each engine will remain but will also significantly save costs to the teams over the next two years.

On the topic of tyres, it will now be mandatory for the three overall podium finishers in Race 1 to run the hardest Goodyear tyre compound available in Race 2 – as opposed to the previous top ten finishers.

A new safety car procedure will be also introduced to ensure a smoother, closer and safer restart to all sessions.

When the Safety Car lights are turned off – indicating it will accelerate away from the pack and return to the pit-lane – all cars must cease weaving, braking and/or accelerating and stay no more than two car lengths from the car ahead of them.

The race leader will be required to maintain approximately the same speed the safety car was using when it extinguished its lights, until the leader has passed the new ‘Restart Point’ – designated at each circuit by TOCA and to be positioned between the final corner and the start/finish control line – after which the leader can then accelerate up to racing speed.

In the battle for the coveted Jack Sears Trophy, drivers that have either previously won the competition or have scored more than one outright podium in the BTCC will not be eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy from next year.

Finally, the qualifying format has been looked at with the grid positions for cars that do not progress from both groups in the first Part of the Qualifying session undergoing a change for 2025.

Those from Group 1 who do not progress into Part 2 will line up on the even numbered side of the grid and those from Group 2 on the other side – thus preventing a change in track or weather conditions having an adverse effect on those groups and their subsequent grid positions.

“Of course, the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel has been the headlining change for the 2025 BTCC season, but we always look at every aspect of our championship each year to see what can be improved,” said BTCC Chief Executive, Alan Gow.

“I’m sure that these tweaks will all have a positive effect and will further add to the great racing that is the hallmark of the BTCC.”

BARC closes out 2024 season with blockbuster Brands Hatch title-decider

The British Automobile Racing Club brought the curtain down on its 2024 season in spectacular style at Brands Hatch this past weekend (November 2/3) as the final batch of champions were crowned in front of a sell-out crowd.

Concluding what has been a year to remember for the Club’s championships, series, centres and venues; two days of blockbuster racing provided the backdrop to a fitting finale around the Indy layout.

Headlining the action was the British Truck Racing Championship, where Ryan Smith continues to re-write the history books in his Daimler Freightliner as he claimed a remarkable ninth consecutive Division 1 title.

Arriving at the Kent venue with one hand on the coveted crown, Smith was wheel-perfect as he blitzed the opposition to claim pole position in qualifying and then swept his way to all five race wins that were up for grabs. 

Behind him, former title winner David Jenkins edged out Steven Powell to clinch second overall whilst Michael Oliver and Stuart Oliver also stood on the podium over the course of what was a frenetic weekend.

In Division 2, John Powell made his dreams a reality as he finally savoured championship glory after edging out Simon Cole to top spot. The pair were virtually inseparable throughout the meeting however a non-finish for Cole in the finale allowed Powell to reign supreme. 

At the front of Division 2, the spoils of victory went to former champions Adam Bint and Paul Rivett – with the latter closing out his reign as defending champion with four superlative victories in his NAPA Racing UK MAN. 

The battle for supremacy in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy went down to the wire with Westbourne Motorsport’s Harry Hickton ultimately doing enough to beat his team-mate Sam Gornall to the title by just two points. 

Hickton went into the final meeting of the season sitting second in standings, 31 points adrift of the top of the table. Bagging pole position in qualifying, Hickton then outscored Gornall to close the gap in race one while James Black triumphed up ahead.

The Hampshire racer then claimed a critical fifth win of the season in race two to take the lead in the points before shadowing Gornall all the way to the chequered flag in the finale, which in-turn ensured he clinched the Drivers’ Championship. 

Remarkably, the difference between the top two in the Junior Saloon Car Championship was even closer than in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, with the bonus point for setting the fastest lap in the final race being the deciding factor.

Concluding its 10th Anniversary season with six drivers in contention, it boiled down to a straight shootout between Harry Smith and Jonathan Moore – and as always the one-make series had everyone on the edge of their seats as the pair scrapped for the right to call themselves champion.

James Sherrington scored victory in race one but with Moore finishing ahead of Smith it set up a tantalising title showdown. In a final contest that was truncated with red flags, Moore finished first on the road however confirmation of a champion remains to be decided virtue of how many laps were completed.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship was another category that crowned a new champion as Dale Gent finally climbed to the top of the mountain after just coming up short during the past few years. 

Going into the weekend at the top of the standings, Gent held his nerve to score the points that he required while Ryan Hadfield and Matt Simpson enjoyed a share of the spoils at the front of the field. 

Rounding out the weekend’s track action was the Mini 7 Racing Club’s O-Plate Winter Shootout. Aaron Smith and Rupert Deeth were undoubtedly the cream of the crop as they dominated all three races, with Smith narrowly beating Deeth on each occasion. 

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

Thruxton Circuit announces six-event 2025 race meeting calendar

Thruxton Circuit has revealed its calendar for the 2025 season, which will see likes of the Kwik British Touring Car Championship and Bennetts British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli take centre stage at the Hampshire venue.

Coming off the back of an action-packed 2024 campaign, the fastest circuit in the UK is poised to host to the some of the biggest championships and clubs over the course of next season, staging a total of six race meetings from May through to September.

The season will start in early May with the new Thruxton Tops Down Weekender, an exciting celebration of open-air driving which will include a number of championships that fall under the Caterham Motorsport banner.

From there, the UK’s premier motorsport series – the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – descends on the South of England for what promises to be three frenetic tin top contests on June 7/8.

In addition to the BTCC, the weekend will also see the likes of the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, Vertu MINI CHALLENGE and all-new TOCA Junior Championship also feature on the support race programme.

Thruxton will then step back in time and transport fans on a spirited trip down memory lane to celebrate the sights and sounds of motorsport with the all-new Thruxton Retro meeting.

The super-sized machines of the British Truck Racing Championship will follow in July and the full-throttle thrills are poised to continue into August as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship hits the track with some of the best riders in the world battling for outright honours.

Concluding the 2025 campaign at Thruxton will be the return of the Classic Sports Car Club towards the end of September.

Tickets for all 2025 race meetings at Thruxton are now available to purchase online at https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/thruxton-events?category=race-meetings.

Thruxton Circuit 2025 Calendar

May 4/5 – Thruxton Tops Down Weekender
June 7/8 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship
June 21/22 – Thruxton Retro
July 5/6 – British Truck Racing Championship
August 8/9/10 – Bennetts British Superbike Championship
September 20/21 – Classic Sports Car Club

Tickets for 2025 BTCC meeting at Croft now on sale

Tickets for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship’s 2025 visit to Croft Circuit are now on sale.

In what is the biggest event of the year at the British Automobile Racing Club operated venue, the UK’s premier motorsport series will descend on North Yorkshire to kick-start the second half of next season on August 2-3.

Three high-octane tin top races will top the bill while a bumper supporting cast which includes the all-new Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship will also take centre stage.

Tickets can be purchased at advance prices online today via: https://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc

BTCC to introduce 100% sustainable fuel as hybrid departs

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has announced that 100% sustainable fuel will be introduced for 2025, whilst the use of hybrid power has been discontinued.

Maintaining its position at the forefront of national motorsport innovation and industry-leading standards, the BTCC will next year become the first championship in the UK to fully adopt sustainable fossil-free fuel for all of its cars.

The new fuel – designated Hiperflo ECO102 R100 – is specifically engineered to maximise performance, compatibility, and sustainability. The fuel is 100% fossil-free, meaning all components are derived from synthetic and biological (i.e. non-crude) sources. Hiperflo ECO102 R100 conforms to the highest FIA and ISCC compliances. 

Following a thorough test and development programme of the fuel, the decision to introduce it means that the hybrid programme – which was officially launched for the 2022 season – will now come to an end.

From next season, cars will have the same power-boost output as in 2024 – and the same boost deployment format as previously used – with the additional power surge coming solely via turbo boost. Cars will also be some 55 kgs lighter and nimbler as a result. 

A further tweak will see all notifications of the turbo boost deployment being removed from the timing screens, as it was felt this gave teams and drivers immediate information to try to counteract its use by other drivers.

“The introduction of 100% fossil free sustainable fuel for 2025 shows that the BTCC remains committed to innovation in motorsport,” explained BTCC Chief Executive, Alan Gow.

“As the highest profile championship in the UK, this introduction is a significant and essential step in maintaining the competitiveness and excitement synonymous with the BTCC, but in a more sustainable and forward-thinking way.

“The hybrid era was a great one for the BTCC. Six years ago, when we first announced hybrid, it was a technology still in its relative infancy within motorsport. We’ve successfully completed that programme – and really have no more to prove in that respect – whilst others have yet to catch up. 

“But, as we’ve now ticked that box we can move further forward with the introduction of the fossil-free sustainable fuel, whilst very importantly delivering the same performance parameters that made this year’s BTCC such a memorable one.

“We don’t just sit still with the BTCC – we evolve, and we advance, as today’s announcement firmly underlines.”

Other rule tweaks have been ratified by Series Organisers TOCA ahead of the 2025 BTCC season, with information on these regulation changes to be released in the coming few days.

BTCC confirms 2025 Season Launch and official pre-season test dates

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has announced that its 2025 Season Launch will take place at Donington Park, while Croft has also been chosen to host two official pre-season test days.

Croft will welcome the UK’s premier motorsport series on April 1-2 for two days of testing before the Season Launch, and the final official pre-season test day, will be staged at Donington Park on April 15.

As is now customary, drivers and teams will carry out official pre-season media-related activities and interviews on April 14 before television and photography will also make up the early morning activities the following day. The ‘Class of 2025’ will then embark on six hours of testing at the Leicestershire venue.

Both Croft and Donington Park will be offering free entry to spectators, with refreshments available, whilst fans will be able to get autographs and photos with drivers during a pitlane walkabout at Donington Park.

The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign begins around Donington Park’s National layout on April 26/27.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – November 2/3

The British Automobile Racing Club brings the curtain down on its 2024 season at Brands Hatch with a title decider that is guaranteed to provide fireworks – both on and off the track.

Headlining the action will be five colossal contests from the British Truck Racing Championship as the destiny of the Division 1 and Division 2 crowns are settled in what promises to be a heavyweight showdown.

They aren’t the only titles to be decided either as champions will be crowned in the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy and Mini 7 Racing Club Winter O-Plate Shootout.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Saturday 2nd November | 12:05 | WATCH HERE
Sunday 3rd November | 09:45 | WATCH HERE

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Brands Hatch, including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any of the action from a BARC LIVE event by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

Marshal of the Year entries are now open

As the 2024 season draws to a close, we want your help recognising the people that have helped make this year so special.

Nominate the individual who you believe deserves to be celebrated for their 2024 season contribution. Whether they’ve gone above and beyond in their role all season, dealt with a specific incident brilliantly, or been a personal support. Celebrate them here.

Entries will be collated and a winner selected to receive their award at the 2024 Awards Night.

Submit your nominations for Marshal of the year here: MOTY24 – Welcome to the BARC

Submit your nominations for Trainee Marshal of the year here: TMOTY – Welcome to the BAR

Tom Ingram full of praise for TOCA Junior Championship and Chevron B1417

The Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship and the new Chevron B1417 car has received a glowing endorsement from British Touring Car Championship title winner Tom Ingram following a recent test day at Pembrey Circuit.

Hot on the heels of narrowly missing out on a second BTCC crown earlier this month, Ingram became the first high-profile name to get behind the wheel of the bespoke rear-wheel-drive machine that is set to power the next generation of racing drivers from 2025.

Joining Championship Director Dave Beecroft and Tommy Watson, the Chief Executive of title sponsors Mairon Freight UK, the 31-year-old clocked a substantial amount of mileage around the Welsh venue and delivered a rave review.

“It’s been really interesting to jump behind the wheel at this stage because we’re in a position where it’s early days and we can therefore take the car in any direction we want to see what does and doesn’t work,” he said.

“As a base car it is very strong, very neutral. It’s fun and easy to drive, you can get to the limit comfortably and it’s also quite forgiving. Importantly, it’s confidence inspiring, which for the young guys and girls that are going to be driving it, is a really big plus point.

“At this stage in the development process it is about providing as much feedback as possible and then make small tweaks to steer things in the right direction. The car is in a great place out of the box and it has all the fundamentals you could ask for.

“Over the next few months we’ll start to push things further and take the car beyond its limit, find out how it reacts to certain things and also see what is what in terms of set-up changes. It’s an exciting time that’s for sure!

Commenting on the championship becoming part of the TOCA package, Ingram added: “I’ve no doubt that this championship will be the foundation for drivers to go on and enjoy careers in professional motorsport. We’re going to see people get involved from a very young age and go on to showcase their talent in front of a huge audience.

“Being on the TOCA package is a hugely important thing for the championship as it’s going to allow young drivers to make their mark and establish themselves. It will come with plenty of pressure, especially when the cameras are rolling and the spectator bankings are packed.

“That being said, I think one of the great things that the exposure of the TOCA package will provide is that it will allow drivers to learn and grow. They’ll become accustomed to everything that goes on alongside the racing and that will put them in good stead.

“Being able to do that in a junior championship that is as promising as this will ensure that when they finally make it to the BTCC or whatever it may be, they feel a lot more comfortable and are more than ready to embark on that next step in their careers.”

Christmas Stages Rally set to return to Croft this November

After a two-year absence, Croft Circuit will once again reverberate to the sound of rally cars when the Swift Signs and Shirts Christmas Stages Rally takes place on Sunday November 24th, 2024.

Organised by Northallerton Automobile Club, the legendary event has been a feature at Croft during the winter for many years and following the previous event in 2022 where it was called the Winter Stages Rally, a change back to its original name has been deemed appropriate for this year’s running.

The event over eight stages and totalling around forty miles is expected to attract the cream of UK asphalt rally drivers once again in a capacity 90-car entry list which will feature many local crews and a varied selection of competition cars.

Previous winners include local businessman Kevin Procter who has won the event no less than eight times and more recently, Frank Bird from Penrith and Durham’s David Henderson have added their names to the honours list.

Regulations are now out and entries available from a link on the organising club’s social media page: www.facebook.com/xmasstages

With the return of the event, demand for tickets is expected to be high and once again, Croft are offering advance ticket sales at a discounted price. The cost is just £13 per adult in advance with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted free, and to order, please visit https://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/christmas-stages-rally

Gates will open at 8.00am and the first car starts stage one at 9.00am with action continuing throughout the day with the final stage being run in complete darkness. Extensive free parking is also available with full commentary, trade stalls and food outlets, including Croft’s very own cafĂ© Hanger 50 which will be open throughout the day serving hot food and drinks.

For further information please visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk. You can also keep up to date with the latest ticket alerts by following Croft Circuit on Facebook, X, and Instagram.