Category: Barc

Croft set to step back in time for Classic Touring Car Festival

Croft Circuit will welcome some iconic racing cars from the past when it takes a step back in time to host the Classic Touring Car Festival featuring Super Tourers next weekend (12/13 August).

The North Yorkshire track will celebrate one of the most fondly remembered eras of saloon car racing when the two-day British Automobile Racing Club meeting arrives as the Super Touring Cars of the 1990s will roar into action with two races.

Spectators will be able to enjoy a blast from the past when cars including Honda Accords, Vauxhall Cavaliers and Renault Lagunas amongst other classic machines take to the tarmac at Croft. They will be joined on the starting grid by other pre-2003 models and will have their qualifying session on Saturday morning before racing at 4.30pm and again on Sunday at 3.45pm.

There is a full programme of Classic Touring Car Championships competing over the weekend with pre-66, pre-83, pre-93 classes also set to go head-to-head. The pre-66 category includes the likes of Austin Mini Coopers and Hillman Imps whilst the pre-83 class features Ford Escort Mk1s and MG Metros.

The pre-93 championship is open to four-seater saloon cars produced before 1st January 1993 such as the BMW E36 M3 and Vauxhall Astras and line-up on the grid alongside competitors from the Blue Oval Saloon Series exclusively for Fords on sale before 1st January 2013 including the Fiesta, Escort and Anglia.

The Caterham Graduates will also be in action as will the Junior Saloon Car Championship, featuring up and coming drivers aged between 14 and 17 behind the wheels of Citroen Saxos.

The Classic Thunder series will be battling for the honours which sees competitors participating in saloon, coupe, hatchback, and estate cars as well as the pre-83 Historic Thunder Saloon Cars, Notable machines will include the Ford Falcon, Mazda RX8, BMW E46 M3, Toyota Starlet and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Jaguar fans will be able to get their fix with the Jaguar Challenge going wheel to wheel in two races.Saloon and GT cars from the 1960s, such as the XK engine, to Millennium models such as the S Type and XK8 feature in the series across five classes.

There will also be touring car displays throughout the weekend, whilst on Saturday racing starts at 9.30am with qualifying followed by eight races starting at 13.50. Sunday’s action gets underway at 12.00 noon with a further ten races during the afternoon.

Adult admission prices are £16 for both Saturday and Sunday. All accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free and parking and paddock access is free also. For further details and tickets, please visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk or call 01325 721815.

BARC laps up high-speed thrills at Thruxton Summer Festival

The British Automobile Racing Club served up a full-throttle two days of edge-of-the-seat entertainment on home turf this past weekend (July 29/30) as a number of championships shared the limelight at the Thruxton Summer Festival. 

Descending on the fastest circuit in the UK for the penultimate race meeting of the 2023 season at the Hampshire venue, those in attendance were treated to a feast of memorable wheel-to-wheel moments.

Headlining the action were no less than ten races from Caterham Motorsport. In the Adrian Flux Insurance Caterham Academy, Daniel Neale clinched an impressive victory in the White class whilst Barry Thompson edged out Nick Highton in the Green category.

Less than seven tenths of a second proved to be the difference between the top two across all Mission Motorsport Caterham 270R Championship contests; with the overall spoils ultimately being shared between Charlie Lower and Freddie Chiddicks.

That theme of close finishes continued in the Motul Caterham 310R Championship as Taylor O’Flanagan and Tom Wyllys triumphed whilst Craig Boyle and Lyonel Tollemache reigned supreme in the Vertex Caterham Roadsport Championship.

History was made in the Junior Saloon Car Championship as the popular one-make series for 14 to 17-year-old’s embarked on its first-ever visit to the high-speed Hampshire track – serving up three pulsating encounters in the process. 

Never short of entertainment, the JSCC contingent had those in attendance on the edge of their seats as Daire Flock and Cameron Pratt-Thompson powered their way to the top step of the podium across Saturday and Sunday. 

The Track Attack Race Club – which is organised and run by the same team that looks after the JSCC – welcome a bumper grid of tin top machinery for its first visit to Thruxton since 2017, with Jack Ruddell and David Shead notching a win apiece.

Nigel Mustil and Tommy Field shared the spoils in the Classic & Modern Motorsport Club bouts whilst the weekend’s action was concluded by two Classic Racing Car Club Formula 2000 Pinto Challenge races, which were won by Jordan Harrison. 

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

Blockbuster entertainment runs throughout TOCA support bill at Croft

Croft Circuit provided the backdrop to a thrilling two days of action this past weekend (July 29/30) as the TOCA support package blasted back into life.

Making the annual trip to North Yorkshire following the traditional mid-season summer break, a quartet of categories served up an unmissable show alongside the British Touring Car Championship for a capacity trackside crowd.

Hot on heels of confirming that they will remain on the TOCA bill until at least the end of 2026, the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA underlined its status as being the first step on the road to Formula 1 by providing three frenetic races.

After setting the pace early on in the season, Louis Sharp made a welcome return to the top step of the podium by claiming a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the weekend’s opener before Sonny Smith reigned supreme in an action-packed reverse grid contest. 

Sharp then doubled his account for the weekend with a clinical display in race three as he cruised to victory ahead of Will Macintyre and Deagen Fairclough.

Having dazzled crowds with scintillating overtakes and close-quarter racing at Brands Hatch back in May, the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM made a triumphant return to the TOCA support bill and as expected, they didn’t disappoint. 

Round three on Saturday saw the trio of Marcus Pett, Jack Parker and Will Gibson claim a win apiece before Connor Mills and Robert triumphed across round four’s double-header on Sunday.

Blockbuster entertainment was around nearly every corner when it came to the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, as they too returned to the BTCC billing, having not featured since Thruxton. 

Tom Ovenden strengthened his championship challenge with an assertive performance in the weekend’s opening bout however he could do nothing to stop Jack Byrne from triumphing in a pulsating finale. 

Concluding the weekend’s action around the British Automobile Racing Club-operated venue were two contests from the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain. 

Team Parker Racing’s Joseph Warhurst edged out Matthew Armstrong and Max Coates in the opening encounter before  Armstrong and Toby Trice reigned supreme in Sunday’s second and third bouts.

To view the full classifications of results from all competing championships over the course of the weekend at Croft, CLICK HERE.

Dan Cammish, Ash Sutton & Colin Turkington share BTCC spoils at Croft

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasted back into life in blockbuster fashion at Croft Circuit this past weekend (July 29/30) as Dan Cammish, Ash Sutton and Colin Turkington charged to victory.

Kicking off the second half of the season with its annual trip to the British Automobile Racing Club’s North Yorkshire venue, the UK’s premier motorsport series served up three pulsating contests for the bumper crowd that had flocked trackside.

Saturday’s battle for pole position saw NAPA Racing UK continue their qualifying domination as Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Sutton clinched a hugely impressive 1-2-3 lock-out. 

On what proved to be a scintillating session around the 2.12-mile layout, a number of drivers staked their claim at the top of the times but it was home hero Cammish that ultimately came up trumps, blasting his rivals away with a sensational lap.

Rowbottom and Sutton – who virtue of being championship leader had no hybrid available – settled for second and third whilst Josh Cook and Turkington completed the top five on the grid for race one.

Cammish was wheel-perfect in the first of Sunday’s three races as he converted his front row start into a commanding lights-to-flag victory. Opting to run the soft option tyre, the Yorkshireman pulled clear of the chasing pack to clinch his third win of the season.

Behind, Rowbottom and Sutton diced for the remaining spots on the podium with the latter jumping ahead of his team-mate on the run to the flag as the Motorbase-run squad celebrated a historic 1-2-3.

Race two proved to be a carbon copy result however this time it was Sutton that emerged victorious. Sweeping around the outside of his stablemate on the run down to the first corner, the three-time champion produced a clinical performance.

Continuously stretching his advantage over the course of the 15-lap bout, Sutton claimed his seventh win of the season by more than seven seconds – with Cammish and Rowbottom in tow to clinch a second successive NAPA Racing UK podium sweep.

Team BMW’s Turkington then brought the curtain down on the weekend’s action with a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the reverse grid encounter, reaffirming himself as the King of Croft. 

Launching his BMW from pole position, the four-time title winner held off an early charge from Ingram before settling into a groove to claim his third win of the season. Reigning champion Ingram and One Motorsport’s Cook completed the rostrum. 

Leaving Croft, Sutton continues to lead the way from Ingram in the Drivers’ Championship whilst BMW and NAPA Racing UK top the Manufacturer-Constructor and Teams’ categories respectively after six events. 

Elsewhere, Josh Cook and One Motorsport with Starline Racing comfortably remain out front in the Independent Drivers’ and Team’s standings, with Mikey Doble now holding the advantage in the Jack Sears Trophy.

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

The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season continues in less than two weeks’ time when the series travels north of the border to Knockhill for Rounds 19, 20 & 21 on August 12/13.

bp Charge & Fuel Card – ‘How to apply’ guide for members.

INVEST LESS ON FUEL, MORE ON WINNING.

BARC members will be able to use the card at 3400 bp stations with access to discounted fuel rates at 1200 forecourts across the UK. This presents a significant advantage for those that rely heavily on fuel for their racing endeavours. Using the bp PLUS Fuel & Charge card, BARC members will enjoy cost savings on fuel purchased at bp stations [subject to the applicable promotion terms], including on Ultimate grade fuels.

The card is designed for use by both companies and individuals and the application can be found here.

If you’re an individual looking to take advantage of these significant savings on fuel, fill out the bp application and follow the below steps:

 

On STEP 1 of the application, please enter your personal details.

 

For STEP 2

Company details – Please enter your full name

Company registration type – Select SOLE TRADER

Company details – Please re-enter your full name

You DO NOT need to fill in company reg or VAT number (tick NOT VAT registered)

Private Address – Please enter your home address under

Incorporation date – Please select the current date

Legal Representative /Ultimate Beneficial owner

As you are applying as an individual, you will be both the legal representative and ultimate beneficial owner of the bp fuel & charge card.

Please tick the box that indicates the legal representative is also the beneficial owner.

Re-Enter your personal details in the required fields

Share or voting rights details – As this is an individual application, you will have sole control. Please place 100 in this field

 

For STEP 3

Vehicle details – Please enter your vehicle details into the required fields, along with your estimated monthly spend on fuel

Fuel Cards – Please enter your name as the company name

PIN type – Select Wish Pin and provide the PIN number you wish to use

Driver Name – Please enter your full name

Purchase Options – Please select ALL FUELS & ADBLUE

 

For STEP 4

Please fill in the required bank details

City of Signing mandate – Please use your home city

Read the T&Cs – If you are happy, please select ACCEPT

Once complete, you may be asked to provide a picture of your driving licence or photo ID. This may be requested through the download of an ID confirmation app. Please follow the instructions for this.

 

BARC & bp are not providing financial or legal advice. If you are unsure of the T&Cs please seek separate legal advice.

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 4 – July 28th 2023

Episode 4 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s new-for-2023 podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

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

The series’ fourth episode sees the hosts discuss the latest news and results from around the BARC with Event Manager David Wheadon before speaking to British Touring Car Championship fan favourite Jade Edwards ahead of the series’ annual visit to Croft this coming weekend (July 29/30).

Also joining Alan and Ian on the podcast is legendary former Ferrari and Williams Formula 1 engineer Rob Smedley, who discusses his journey through the motorsport ranks, the current landscape of Formula 1 and much more.

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

ROKiT British F4 extends partnership with TOCA until 2026

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA has today (July 26) announced that it will remain on the TOCA package – supporting the British Touring Car Championship – until the end of 2026.

Providing the first step on the road to Formula 1, the single-seater series has established itself as one of the UK’s premier one-make categories and is set to continuing reaping the benefits of racing on the BTCC support bill for a further three years.

Eve Lake-Grange, ROKiT British F4 Championship Manager, said: “Being on the TOCA package is very much part of the DNA of British F4. Our drivers really appreciate showcasing their skills both to a massive free-to-air terrestrial TV audience at home and in front of the enormous crowds that BTCC and the support package generate.

“The benefit of the reach and profile of the TOCA package, combined with a festival atmosphere at each and every round is very special. It made sense to be able to announce the continuity of the package for the next three years and give certainty for our teams, championship partners and prospective drivers alike.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with the F4 British Championship that will see it remain on the TOCA package until at least the end of the 2026 season.

“Having been on the bill since its inception back in 2015, the F4 British Championship has already helped shape some of the talent on the current Formula 1 grid, as well as entertain the millions of fans that have tuned in to watch the action.

“The F4 British Championship will continue to benefit from the huge trackside audience that the TOCA package attracts as well as the many hundreds of thousands more that enjoy ITV’s live free-to-air coverage. I am sure this will be another hugely successful period ahead and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – July 29/30

The British Automobile Racing Club is poised for an action-packed two days of on-track entertainment this weekend (July 29/30) as both Croft Circuit and Thruxton Circuit play host to race meetings – and they’ll both be available to watch online.

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

CROFT CIRCUIT

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns from its annual summer break with what promises to be a full-throttle visit to Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.

Kick-starting the second half of the season, the battle for supremacy in the fight to be crowned champion is set to intensify and every point will be crucial across the weekend’s three blockbuster encounters.

As always, the BTCC will be joined at Croft by a bumper support package which includes the Legends Cars Elite Cup, ROKiT British F4 and MINI CHALLENGE Trophy.

Saturday 29th July // 15:15 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 30th July // 11:30 – 18:15 (ITV4) – WATCH HERE

THRUXTON CIRCUIT

At the fastest circuit in the UK, the Thruxton Summer Festival is guaranteed to get pulses racing as the likes of Caterham Cars, the Junior Saloon Car Championship and Track Attack

Saturday 29th July // 13:15 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 30th July // 11:00 – WATCH HERE

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

Ginetta produces G-Fest extravaganza at Cadwell Park

Ginetta Cars continued its 65th anniversary celebrations at Cadwell Park this past weekend (July 22/23) as the Yorkshire manufacturer’s championship trio wrote the latest chapter of their 2023 campaigns in action-packed style. 

Making a long-awaited return to the Lincolnshire venue for the second edition of G-Fest, Ginetta served up a total of nine blockbuster encounters across both days, with a number of drivers taking centre stage in what were challenging conditions at times. 

In the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship – which is open to drivers aged 14 to 17 – R Racing’s Freddie Slater edged closer to title glory as he claimed an impressive brace of race wins. 

Arriving at Cadwell Park holding a commanding championship lead courtesy of picking up 14 victories already this year, the teenager blitzed the opposition in qualifying to clinch pole position and for the first two races he was wheel-perfect. 

Comfortably beating Mikey Porter and Alisha Palmowski in the opening encounter, Slater then went on to reign supreme ahead of Finn Harrison and Chase Fernandez in what was a frenetic second contest. 

Unfortunately, a non-finish in race three prevented him from clinching a hat-trick as Scholarship winner Fernandez charged to his third victory of the season ahead of Porter and Charlie Hart in the weekend’s finale.

In the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship, Ruben Hage gave his title hopes a much-needed boost as he claimed two wins; however he was a denied a clean sweep by series leader Luke Reade.

Rounding out the track action were three races from the Ginetta GT Academy, two of which were won by Ravi Ramyead whilst Nick White picked up the spoils in the remaining contest.

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

Track Focused triumph in Britcar 6-Hour at Donington Park

Track Focused wrote their name into the history books at Donington Park last Saturday (July 22) after claiming victory in the Britcar Endurance 6-hour race. 

On what proved to be a momentous day for the the KTM GT4 duo of Mike McCollum and Teddy Wilson, the Independent outfit reigned supreme in style around the Leicestershire venue by converting pole position into a wheel-perfect victory – finishing two laps clear of their nearest challengers.

Billed as being a non-championship round on the challenging National layout, the six-hour contest also provided the first step on the road for the coveted Britcar 24-hour race to one day make a welcome return to the UK motorsport calendar.

Boasting a varied grid of machinery, qualifying for the all-important bout saw the battle for pole position boil down to the duo of McCollum and Wilson and Team BRIT’s McLaren GT4 quartet of Bobby Trundley, Paul Fullick, James Whitley and Chris Overend.

In what proved to be a competitive duel for top spot, the 1:17.052 from Track Focused ultimately proved to be enough to clinch top spot – albeit by the slender of margin of just four tenths of a second. 

As the lights went out, battle between the top two continued with both teams enjoying stints out front on multiple occasions. Team BRIT topped the classification at the end of the first two hours before Track Focused struck back to lead at the end of hour three. 

That back-and-forth duel would continue across the next couple of hours before McCollum and Wilson established a stranglehold on proceedings in the final hour to pull clear by more than two laps and clinch outright honours. 

Team BRIT ultimately went on to finish a valiant second whilst the County Classic Porsche 996 pairing of Ken Briddom and Jackson Goodrum completed the podium in third. 

To view the full results from all sessions of the Britcar 6-hour event at Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – July 22/23

Cadwell Park provides the backdrop for the second instalment of Ginetta G-Fest this weekend (July 22/23) with two days of blockbuster track action from the Yorkshire manufacturer guaranteed to get pulses racing.

Following on from the 65th Anniversary celebrations that took place at Silverstone in early June, the twists and turns of Cadwell Park now provide the next challenge for those competing in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship and Ginetta GT Academy.

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

Cadwell Park

Saturday 22nd July // 11:25 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 23rd July // 11:40 – WATCH HERE

Goodwood locks in 2024 Festival of Speed dates

Goodwood has announced that the 2024 edition of the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will take place from Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th July next year.

Hot on the heels of a momentous weekend where the event celebrated its 30th Anniversary, plans are already afoot for the four-day spectacle to return bigger and better than ever.

Billed as motorsport’s ultimate garden party, fans flocking to the famous West Sussex venue next year can once again expect to see a plethora of legendary motorsport personalities, global car launches, futuristic technology and much more.

Further announcements – including the theme of the event and high-profile attendees — will be confirmed in due course.

Ticket information regarding the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed is available to view at https://www.goodwood.com/.