Category: Barc

Ginetta recruit Driving Standards Representatives for 2022 season

Ginetta has announced that it has recruited Tom Onslow-Cole, Jonny Kane and Thomas Erdos as its Driving Standards Representatives for the 2022 season.

Boasting a wealth of motorsport experience between them, the trio will be present at race events throughout the season with the aim of ensuring fair and competitive racing across Ginetta’s quartet of domestic championships. 

One Driving Standards Representative will be in attendance at each Ginetta race weekend to work directly with the Clerk of the Course and Ginetta. 

Working on all judicial procedures for breaches of the regulations regarding driving standards and driver conduct on and off track, the representative will utilise their racing experience and knowledge to assist in creating a transparent and consistent process for the application of penalties.

Ginetta’s four domestic championships this year are the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and Ginetta GT Academy. 

Steph Bush, Ginetta Championships Manager, said: “This is an exciting new development for Ginetta and one that we are proud to be implementing. We feel it is vital to have a clear and consistent approach to managing driving standards and the judicial processes across our championships.

“Our driving standards representatives have a wealth of experience and will be a great asset to our team and the Clerk of the Course, as well as to the drivers and teams who should benefit from a clearer understanding of the consequences of breaching driving standards.

“Ginetta bring a lot of new drivers into British motorsport every season, many of whom go on to race in different categories in the UK and abroad, so we feel it is important to try and promote the highest driving standards possible for them to carry through their racing careers.”

BARC quartet serve up spectacular Oulton Park race day

The British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Oulton Park this past Saturday (April 2) where four championships played their part in what proved to be an entertaining race day. 

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the sun shone on the picturesque Cheshire venue as an enthusiastic crowd lined the bankings to watch a frenetic day of wheel-to-wheel action.

After kicking off their 2022 season at Silverstone last month, the British Endurance Championship took centre stage for a two-hour contest which ultimately ended up being dominated by the Rob Boston Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 of Wayne Marrs and Tom Jackson.

Set a blistering pace to snare pole position during a truncated qualifying session, the duo proved to be in a league of their own as they charged to victory – lapping the entire field in doing so. 

Behind, MacG Racing’s Jonny MacGregor piloted his Taranis to second place whilst the pairing of Chris Goddard and Charlie Hollings guided their RNR Performance Cars Ferrari 458 Challenge to the third step of the podium. 

Further endurance thrills around the 2.69-mile International circuit came in the shape of the Praga Cup. Despite a number of incidents producing a lengthy safety car period in the early stages, the fledgling category produced plenty of edge-of-the-seat moments.

Despite losing a door and subsequently spinning, Idola Motorsport’s Miles Lacey and Tommy Foster clinched victory ahead of Jimmy Broadbent and Gordie Mutch. 

The Legends Cars National Championship lifted the curtain on a brand new season and the 5/8 scale machines didn’t disappoint as they delivered a trio of exhilarating encounters. 

Matthew Isherwood charged to what was his maiden win in the series in race one before multiple title winner John Mickel chalked up his 150th in race two. Reigning champion Miles Rudman came to the fore in a red flag interrupted third contest to make it three different winners from three races. 

Rounding off the day’s track action was the season-opener for the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, the flagship category for the BARC North West Centre.

Boasting a bumper entry list which included a number of former champions, the 12-lap bout saw Andrew Southcott claim victory in his MG Midget Lenham. 

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

Watch all of the action that was streamed throughout the day on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

Where To Watch BARC LIVE: Oulton Park – April 2

Oulton Park provides the backdrop for the British Automobile Racing Club’s latest race meeting this coming Saturday and it’s not to be missed.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, this weekend marks the first of several trips to the picturesque Cheshire venue over the course of the year – and our TV cameras will be there to capture all the action.

After enjoying a sensational start to the season at Silverstone last month, the British Endurance Championship and Praga Cup are back to take centre stage whilst the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship make their first appearance of 2022.

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

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 12:45 – Facebook | YouTube

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

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

BTCC teams complete first Hybrid Installation Test day at Donington Park

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commenced its official pre-season testing programme today (March 29) as Donington Park played host to the opening Hybrid Installation Test.

Becoming the first major touring car series in the world to integrate hybrid power, all competing cars will run the TOCA Hybrid system in 2022 – which has been designed, supplied and will be serviced by Cosworth Electronics.

All teams were in attendance at the Leicestershire venue as a total of 23 cars hit the track, however not all of them ran the new hybrid system as some are still awaiting the installation of parts.

Morning running under the flightpath of East Midlands airport was delayed due to fog but when conditions improved it was four-time champion Colin Turkington that set the fastest time, leading a BMW 1-2-3-4 ahead of Stephen Jelley, Adam Morgan and Jake Hill. 

Turkington continued his front-running pace in the afternoon session as he set a benchmark time of 1:09.104 ahead of Gordon Shedden, Tom Ingram, Dan Cammish and Morgan.

As is the case during test sessions, overall lap times are unlikely to be representative as each team and driver works through their own respective programmes.

Two further official test days are scheduled for Croft (6 April) and Thruxton (13 April), where it is expected that all cars will run the TOCA Hybrid system.

To view the full classification of times from the first Hybrid Installation Test at Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

Hendy Performance leads the way with BARC Safety Car

The British Automobile Racing Club has extended its partnership with Hendy Group – the UK’s premier family motor group – with the supply of the Club’s new Safety Car for the 2022 season.

Adorned with a spectacular livery to complement the sleek bodywork, the all-new Kia ProCeed GT-line will be in action at all BARC race meetings this year. The Safety Car will play an essential role at the start of races, and will also be deployed should the officials decide that a Safety Car intervention is required to neutralise the action temporarily.

BARC’s relationship with Hendy Performance has been led to date by Thruxton Circuit which has a number of Hendy cars on its prestigious driving experience fleet. It is a natural fit for the South’s premier race circuit to join forces with one of Southern England’s most successful companies – the Hendy Group turned over almost £1 billion in 2021.

On 24th July, Thruxton will host the Hendy Performance Open Day for the second time, a family-friendly celebration of all things fun and the Hampshire venue. The day is free to attend and tickets can be obtained from the Thruxton website: thruxtonracing.co.uk.

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, said: “We very much value the relationship that has been created with Hendy Group and the success of the Hendy Performance Open Day last year was a clear indication that the fit between the two organisations is very effective.

“We have extended that involvement for this year and the new Safety Car will be up and down the UK’s motorway to all our race meetings, at the head of the racing pack on the track, and in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers in the course of the season. It should be a great promotional asset for both parties.”

Sun shines on Silverstone as BARC serves up blockbuster weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club basked in the Spring sunshine at Silverstone this past weekend (March 26/27) as a number of championships kick-started their 2022 campaigns, serving up two days of blockbuster entertainment on the International layout around the Home of British Motor Racing.

Headlining the weekend’s track action was no less than eight races from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, in particular the Super Tourers which proved to be a smash-hit as they wound back the years to a golden era of the British Touring Car Championship. 

Jason Minshaw piloted the 1998 Rickard Rydell title-winning Volvo S40 to victory in the opening bout before Anthony Reid – who was reunited with his 1998 Nissan Primera – claimed the plaudits in race two after a thrilling battle with Minshaw and John Cleland. 

Stephen Primett drove his Ford Escort Mk1 to the top step of the podium in both amalgamated Pre ’66 & Pre ’83 races whilst Dave Griffin did the same in the combined Pre ’93 and Jaguar Challenge encounters. 

The theme of one driver reigning supreme in both contests continued in the Classic Thunder and Blue Oval Saloon Series races as Jason Davies triumphed in his Ford Sierra Cosworth. 

Big grids ran throughout the Caterham Graduates Championship too, which saw two drivers lay down their markers as the early pace-setters. Jamie Winrow was in a league of his own in the 135 bouts whilst Harry Senior starred in the combined 150 and Sigmax races.

Harry Hickton enjoyed the perfect start to the new Junior Saloon Car Championship season as he charged to a commanding pair of race wins. Entering the season as one of the title favourites in the one-make series, Hickton didn’t put a wheel wrong to prevail out front. 

James Card completed a clean sweep in the Kumho BMW Championship as he picked up where he left off last year, clinching pole position and then following it up with back-to-back victories in his trusty E36 M3.

Rounding off the weekend’s racing was an abundance of wheel-to-wheel action from the Mini 7 Racing Club. With the battle for supremacy going down to the wire, the Dunlop Mini Challenge supported by Mini Spares Miglia class saw Rupert Deeth and Andrew Jordan share the spoils.

There was further success for the Jordan family as Andrew’s father, Mike, produced a superlative display in the Dunlop Mini Challenge supported by Mini Spares Se7en category bagged an impressive pair of race wins. 

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

Watch all of the action that was streamed live across both days on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

Issue 1 of 2022 BARC Magazine hits members’ doorsteps

The latest issue – the first of 2022 – of the British Automobile Racing Club magazine has landed, exclusive to all members.

Alongside rounding up the latest news, checking in with our centres and Martin Hunt’s latest Marshal Matters blog, we have a number of must-read features too.

We recap what was a momentous BARC Awards Evening back in February, unearth what is set to be a new era for the ROKiT F4 British Championship and delve into the archives to look back on years gone by, plus much more.

To become a member of the BARC and to receive a copy of the magazine, head to https://www.barc.net/membership/.

BARC sends medical supplies to Ukraine

The British Automobile Racing Club is supporting the relief efforts in Ukraine by donating medical supplies to the country. The first shipment left the United Kingdom on Monday 21st March, bound for Poland where it was then transferred by Ukrainian medics to the city of Lviv. 

The items sent to Eastern Europe included IV fluids, trauma and burns dressings, torniquets and airway management equipment that had been donated by the club, its rescue units and marshals. A second delivery of medical supplies which will include stretchers, defibrillators and splints is due to be sent soon.

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, said: “The outpouring of support for the Ukrainian struggle has been extraordinary. People all over the UK are looking at what they can do to support the country and it is only right that we as an organisation donate what we can to the cause. I’d like to thank Martin Hunt and his team for taking the lead in this and making it happen.” 

Where To Watch BARC LIVE: Silverstone – March 26/27

The British Automobile Racing Club returns to Silverstone this weekend (March 26/27) for an action-packed two days of track action around the International circuit – and our cameras will be there to broadcast every race live online.

Following on from a hugely successful 2022 curtain-raiser which saw in excess of 100,000 views across Facebook and YouTube, we’re back for what should be another entertaining live stream spectacle.

Taking centre stage around the Home of British Motor Racing will be the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Junior Saloon Car Championship, Caterham Graduates Championship, Kumho BMW Championship and Mini 7 Racing Club.

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

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 14:05 – Facebook | YouTube

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 08:50 – Facebook | YouTube

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

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

Spectators welcome to Croft for pre-season BTCC test

Croft Circuit is set to permit fans to attend the upcoming Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship test day on April 6 in exchange for a donation to its chosen charity for 2022, Race Against Dementia.

As the UK’s premier motorsport series gears up for another season – one which will see the introduction of hybrid technology throughout the grid – Croft will play host to the first of three official test days where a majority of the grid will be in attendance.

Normally held behind closed doors, the North Yorkshire venue is opening its gates for fans to get a flavour of the action that is to come this year. Whilst there is no admittance charge, a minimum donation of £5.00 per person on the gate is requested, all of which will go to charity.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return to Croft on June 25/26 for Rounds 13, 14 & 15. Tickets are available to purchase online.

Croft Nostalgia to return as part of Historic Sports Car Club event

After an absence of three years, one of the highlights of the local motorsporting scene is set to return with the announcement that the Croft Nostalgia Event will feature at the North Yorkshire race track on Sunday 4th September 2022.

This will be the tenth running of the popular event and promises to be another unforgettable event as the North East’s premier racing circuit pays homage to yesteryear once again as part of the Historic Sports Car Club race meeting over the weekend.

The event is acknowledged as one of the best events in the north of England, with an eclectic mix of exhilarating motorsport on track along with displays of military vehicles, classic cars and other interesting vehicles which are registered pre-1976. Most of these vehicles will be able to take part in track parades during the day.

There will also be live music, trade stands and fairground attractions for the crowds to enjoy and the friendly atmosphere at Croft Circuit allows everyone to get close to the race cars in the paddock area along with the display vehicles of all shapes and sizes which are a must for a photo opportunity.

Application forms to lodge an interest to display a vehicle are now available to be downloaded from the Croft Circuit website https://www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/nostalgia until Friday 5th August 2022 or until all space is allocated, whichever comes first.

Ticket prices start at just £15 for Saturday’s race action with the admission fee on the Sunday £25 per adult on the gate, but currently £20 in advance until Friday 26th August 2022.

Children aged 15 and under are admitted FREE, there is FREE car parking and FREE paddock access. For further information, please contact Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or www.croftcircuit.co.uk.

BARC kicks off 2022 season in style at Silverstone

The British Automobile Racing Club kicked off its 2022 season in sensational style at Silverstone this past weekend (March 12/13) with the British Endurance Championship, Praga Cup and Britcar Trophy Championship all taking centre stage.

After months of excitement and anticipation, the Grand Prix layout of the Northamptonshire venue provided the backdrop for the first track action of the year for the Club, with TV cameras in attendance to broadcast every lap on Facebook and YouTube. 

Headlining the weekend was the new-for-2022 British Endurance Championship, the Motorsport UK-sanctioned iteration of what was formerly known as the Britcar Endurance Championship.

With revised regulations, and a modified class structure to guarantee competitiveness across a range of machines, the three-hour encounter served up a feast of entertainment for those watching both trackside and online.

Having qualified towards the lower end of the top ten, the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 pairing of Lucky Khera and Lee Frost produced a superlative performance during the race to clinch a dominant victory – lapping the entire field on their way to the top step of the podium. 

Following on from a groundbreaking 2021 where they featured alongside Britcar, the inaugural Praga Cup made its debut at the Home of British Motor Racing and it too didn’t disappoint. 

Two one-hour races had fans on the edge of their seats from start-to-finish, with just under two seconds separating the top three in the opening bout. Alex Connor and Tom Canning edged out the competition to win race one before Charlie Hall and Scott Mittell teamed up to prevail in race two. 

Capping off the endurance competition was a brace of contests from the Britcar Trophy Championship which saw Ginetta entrants SVG Motorsport and Motus One score a win apiece.

The Super Series by the British Superkart Racing Club saw three pulsating races play out, with the spoils being shared between Matt Robinson and Liam Morley; Robinson heading Morley to clinch a pair of wins.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action was a solitary race from the Uncle Lukes Snetterton Saloons with Z Cars Racing Championship, where Rhys Lloyd claimed a dominant victory in his Opel Astra TCR.

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

Watch all of the action that was streamed live across both days on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.