Category: Barc

BARC championships serve up scorching weekend of racing at Croft

The British Automobile Racing Club’s second race meeting in as many weeks since UK motorsport restarted proved to be a resounding smash-hit this past weekend (July 11/12), as six championships served up a feast of entertainment at Croft.

As the sun beamed down on the North Yorkshire venue across both days, competitors and officials continued to adjust to the ‘new normal’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic; with temperature checks, wearing of face masks and social distancing all being carried out.

Spoils were shared in the opening two rounds of the Dunlop Endurance Championship as a bumper entry list took centre stage around the challenging 2.1-mile circuit.

Race one saw the RAW Motorsport pairing of Steve Burgess and Ben Dimmack power their Radical RXC Coupe to the chequered flag before VR Motorsport’s Danny Harrison did the same in race two at the wheel of his Praga R1T.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres delivered six spellbinding encounters and produced three deserving winners.

Saturday’s action saw Jack Parker take an impressive brace before Sy Harraway closed out proceedings with a win of his own. On Sunday, defending champion Miles Rudman opened his account for the season before Harraway returned to winning ways once again, netting another two victories.

Lewis Saunders maintained his advantage at the summit of the Junior Saloon Car Championship as he bagged another pair of wins. The former champion swept the opposition in the opener before narrowly edging out Charlie Hand in race two to maintain his perfect record.

The Mighty Minis Championship saw a dominant double-winning display produced as well as Neven Kirkpatrick reigned supreme to kick-start his 2020 campaign in fine style; getting the better of Ian Clark and Steven Rideout in both races.

Jon Halliwell completed a fairytale comeback in the Max5 Racing Championship as he also claimed a sensational two wins. Having watched from the sidelines for a few years, Halliwell was back behind the wheel and back at the front to lead Paul Roddison home.

Rounding out the weekend were a trio of races from the Caterham Graduates Championship, which boasted a bumper entry list throughout each of its classes that added up to an impressive 34-car starting grid.

Henry Heaton proved to be the driver to beat throughout the weekend however as he was perfection personified, taking victory in all three races and by some margin as well.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions, click here.

Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Super Silhouette Championship poised for solitary appearance in 2020

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship and the Super Silhouette Championship are both poised to make just a solitary appearance on-track in 2020, scheduled at Brands Hatch on November 7/8.

With the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic still being felt, organisers of the two categories – SHP Promotions – have elected to press pause on running multiple events for the remainder of the season.

Prior to the suspension of motorsport, the two championships were set to feature alongside the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship at a number of events during the course of the year.

Despite a revised calendar being put together which would have seen them compete at the likes of Donington Park and Snetterton.

As it stands, both the Pickup Truck Racing Championship and Super Silhouette Championship will join the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship, Legends National Championship and Junior Saloon Car Championship at Brands Hatch on November 7/8.

BTCC offers glimpse into the future as TOCA Hybrid car breaks cover

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship offered a glimpse into the future this past week at Snetterton as the Cosworth-developed Toyota Corolla TOCA Hybrid car broke cover and hit the track for the first time.

Built and run by front-running team Speedworks Motorsport, the front-wheel-drive machine kicked off an extensive testing and development programme before the full introduction of hybrid technology comes in 2022.

Joining the 26-car grid that will battle for the UK’s premier motorsport crown on-track at the Norfolk venue, former BTCC race winner Darren Turner clocked valuable mileage across both days in mixed weather conditions.

The BTCC’s Hybrid System will be used by each driver for either passing or defending and will introduce new competitive strategies and opportunities during each race.

Performance simulations carried out by Cosworth Electronics show that the most significant gains will be achieved at the low engine RPM ranges; the hybrid power burst bringing the engine up into the turbo ‘window’ more quickly.

Drivers will have a steering wheel mounted button to engage the hybrid once full traction has been achieved whilst the system will deactivates on a second button press, the use of brakes, on reaching the time or energy limit, a reduced throttle pressure or sudden acceleration/deceleration.

Following the first foray for the TOCA Hybrid car, Turner said: “It is a great initiative and I am delighted to be a part of it. I fully aware it’s an historic moment for the series and we are all delighted to have completed an extremely successful test.

“The BTCC is the biggest and best championship in the UK and it’s right that it should be leading the way in this technology. The BTCC is leading from the front yet again, and this will be a great addition to the racing. We have regularly deployed the system on-track and it works really well – it will undoubtedly add an extra and exciting dimension to both the defensive and attacking aspects of the racing.

“We will of course be developing the system and integration further and further – this is just the beginning of the car’s track life – and we’ll be getting more and more miles in the car over the coming months.

“The project is going extremely well, it is on schedule and there is no need to rush things – every bit of information is vital at this point to ensure we have a robust system that enhances what the BTCC is all about, and I’m absolutely convinced we will achieve that.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “It’s an extremely proud moment for everyone involved in the BTCC and the TOCA Hybrid project itself. The BTCC was the first major touring car series to confirm its intentions and pathway for introducing hybrid technology and this is clearly another hugely significant milestone as part of that.

“This is obviously just the start of the extensive programme ahead, prior to the full introduction of hybrid technology into the BTCC in 2022, but Cosworth, Speedworks and all of the technical partners involved should be congratulated for the professionalism, expertise and efficiency shown.

“Despite these challenging times the BTCC and its partners have worked extremely hard to ensure that the TOCA Hybrid car made its track debut as originally planned and it has been an extremely positive and successful test.”

Croft set to play host to bumper BARC weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club speeds into North Yorkshire this weekend (July 11/12) with six championships all set to take centre stage at Croft Circuit.

One week on from what proved to be a hugely successful season-opener at Cadwell Park for the Club since lockdown restrictions were eased, a total of 17 races are set to take place around the challenging 2.1-mile circuit across both days – with edge-of-the-seat entertainment guaranteed.

Having taken on a starring role last weekend, the Junior Saloon Car Championship is back in action with another bumper entry list of talented 14 to 17-year-old’s and two high-octane encounters scheduled to be run.

After notching two wins at Cadwell Park, all eyes will be on former champion Lewis Saunders as he bids to extend his early points lead over the rest of the field. Leading the chase for the Mac Tools-backed ace will be the likes of Charlie Hand, Ben Greenhill and Ruben Hage, amongst others.

Kickstarting their campaign at Croft will be the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres. Small in stature but packing a real punch under the bonnet, these 5/8 scale machines are renowned for producing breathtaking wheel-to-wheel moments.

Miles Rudman returns as defending champion but the threats to his throne come from all angles, with multiple title winner John Mickel, Connor Mills and Sy Harraway set to be the lead protagonists across the weekend’s six races.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship boasts a coveted entry list too with all manner of jaw-dropping machines revved up to launch their season with a pair of 50-minute spectacles.

Elsewhere, the Caterham Graduates Championship has continued on its upward trajectory of recent years and with a blend of experienced and new drivers, it is set to be quite the display on-track.

This weekend will also mark the start of a new season for the Max5 Racing Championship, which looks set to showcase one of its biggest grids in some time.

Paul Roddison has proven to be the driver to beat in recent years in the one-make series however the return of Jon Halliwell could well make it an intriguing weekend for the formidable race-winner.

Rounding off what is set to be a blockbuster weekend’s action at Croft will be races from the Mighty Minis Championship, with the usual thrills and spills likely to be delivered.

Please note that this event will be run behind closed doors and spectators will not be permitted to attend.

To view more information on this weekend’s event, such as the full entry list and timetable, click here.

BTCC returns to the track at Snetterton ahead of season-opener

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has ramped up its preparations for the start of the revised 2020 campaign this week by conducting a two-day test at Snetterton, with all teams and drivers present to clock valuable mileage ahead of next month’s season-opener.

With it being 112 days since the series’ Season Launch at Silverstone, the annual Goodyear tyre test served as a much-needed second pre-season group test following the delays caused to the schedule by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the news that Andrew Jordan, Jason Plato and Mat Jackson won’t race as originally planned, 26 cars took to the challenging Norfolk venue.

Mixed weather conditions greeted teams on the opening day of track action as Rory Butcher recorded the fastest time in his Motorbase Performance Ford Focus.

Despite a small electrical issue hampering his running early on, the Scotsman made the most of the dry conditions to set a 1:56.504 benchmark – narrowly pipping BTC Racing’s Tom Chilton and Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram.

Times wouldn’t improve in the afternoon as a heavy rain shower during the lunch break and continuing drizzle put pay to a majority of the running.

Of those that did battle the challenging conditions, Team HARD’s Jack Goff got the best out of Goodyear’s wet compound to top the times ahead of Chilton and Carl Boardley.

Wet weather continued to batter the circuit on the second and final day of running, where 2017 champion Ashley Sutton topped the times across both sessions.

Making the jump to Laser Tools Racing to pilot the rear-wheel-drive Infiniti Q50 this year, Sutton showcased his wet weather prowess to master the greasy conditions and underline his credentials as one to watch once racing begins.

Alongside the protagonists competing for the biggest prize in UK motorsport, the two-day test also provided an opportunity to see the TOCA Hybrid Toyota Corolla hit the track for the first time.

Piloted by former BTCC race winner Darren Turner, the car began an extensive test and development programme before the competitive introduction of hybrid technology in 2022.

To view the full classification from both test days, click here.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is set to kick off a condensed 27-race season at Donington Park on August 1/2.

Successful first weekend on-track as BARC embraces ‘new normal’

Face masks, social distancing and revised protocols; they were just some of the new measures put in place at Cadwell Park this past weekend (July 4/5) as the British Automobile Racing Club made a triumphant return to the track. 

More than 100 days since motorsport in the UK was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, four of the Club’s championships visited the picturesque Lincolnshire venue to mark the start of what is now a condensed 2020 season.

Whilst spectators were not permitted to attend; competitors, teams and officials all got to grips with what is being dubbed as the ‘new normal’ for the foreseeable future – and it proved to be a successful first outing for all involved.

Prior to the event, the Club issued its own guidelines for Competitors and Officials which outlined the adjustments that had been made to the practice and procedures in order to continue providing the safest possible environment.

With driver and marshal sign-on completed online, Personal Protective Equipment such as face masks were a mandatory requirement once at the venue to whilst social distancing was implemented wherever possible in the paddock and pit-lane.

In the absence of paperwork being distributed over the course of the weekend, a ‘Virtual Noticeboard’ was also created on the Club’s website to ensure that competitors and officials were being kept abreast with the latest updates.

Commenting on the success of the weekend as a whole, David Wheadon, BARC Competitions Secretary, said: “I just want to thank all the competitors for an outstanding meeting at Cadwell this weekend just gone.

“Apart from all the brilliant racing we experienced at the meeting, I was equally impressed with our competitors, their guests and all of our Marshals & Officials attitudes towards the new COVID safety regulations with regards to social distancing, PPE and personal hygiene.

“Motorsport UK had sent representatives to the event on the Saturday and they were equally impressed with their observations of everything as a whole.

As one of the first Motorsport UK permitted events happening in the post lockdown era, BARC understood that how our event performed would have a knock on effect on future events held throughout the remainder of the 2020 season.

“The phrase “start as you mean to go on” has never been more appropriate! Well done to all involved.”

The British Automobile Racing Club now heads to Croft this weekend (July 11/12), with several more championships set to kick off their own condensed 2020 campaigns.

Cadwell Park serves up blockbuster action on season-opening BARC weekend

Cadwell Park provided a fitting backdrop for the British Automobile Racing Club’s long-awaited 2020 season-opener this past weekend (July 4/5); with plenty of edge-of-the-seat, blockbuster action being served up by each championship over the course of both days.

With motorsport having been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racing finally roared back into life and in style too as new protocols were introduced whilst spectators were unfortunately not permitted.

Lewis Saunders’ quest to make history in the Junior Saloon Car Championship got off to the perfect start as he took a pair of race wins around the tight, twisty Lincolnshire venue.

Aiming to become the first two-time champion in the teenage series, the 2018 title winner powered his way to victory in race one ahead of Charlie Hand and Benjamin Greenhill. Saunders replicated his superlative performance in race two, leading home Hand and Alex Solley.

In the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship, a 15-car grid kicked off what is set to be another memorable year of on-track action with two entertaining encounters.

Alec Graham narrowly beat Sandro Proietti in race one to take the spoils before Luca Proietti turned the tables on Graham in race two, taking the chequered flag by just under a second.

The Classic Touring Car Championship boasted big grids and a wide variety of machinery across its eight scheduled races – with several drivers taking centre stage as well.

Guy Smith was the driver to beat in the Poultec – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, powering his Ford Lotus Cortina to a brace of race wins – with Roger Stanford and Peter Smith hot on his heels on both occasions.

The Shell Oil Pre 83′ Touring Car Championship saw a familiar name at the helm across both days as Stephen Primett notched two wins. Setting his sights on yet another CTCRC crown, the Ford Escort MK1 driver proved unstoppable all weekend.

In the amalgamated Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars Championship and Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars Championship races, Alexander Owen and his trusty Honda Civic Type R proved too hot to handle as he also claimed a pair of wins.

Rounding out the CTCRC action was the combined Burton Power Products Blue Oval Saloon Series and Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship. Andy Robinson and Michael Pensaville took a win apiece following two frantic encounters.

Representing the Club’s North West Centre, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship had those in attendance on the edge of their seats as Paul Rose and Paul Dobson topped the rostrum after two pulsating races.

Bringing the curtain down on the weekend’s entertainment were races from the British Superkarts Championship, where Liam Morley clinched a sensational hat-trick of wins.

To view the full classification of results from all championships competing at Cadwell Park, click here.

The British Automobile Racing Club will be back in action this coming weekend (July 11/12) at Croft as several other championships kick off their 2020 campaigns.

Thruxton Circuit announces five-event post-lockdown calendar

Thruxton Circuit is making preparations for a busy second half of the 2020 motorsport season after announcing a post-lockdown schedule comprising of five events.

With UK motor racing having been suspended since late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-loved Hampshire track has worked hard to piece together a calendar.

The Classic Sports Car Club will kick off what is set to be a feast of on-track entertainment over the coming months with its eclectic mix of infamous racers going wheel-to-wheel on July 25/26.

On August 15/16, the high-speed venue will then take a trip down memory lane as a bygone era of machinery takes centre stage for the coveted ‘Thruxton Historic’ meeting.

One week later on August 22/23, attention will turn to the British Racing & Sports Car Club as it makes a welcome return with multiple Caterham categories and Fun Cup Championship topping the bill.

Moving from its traditional May date, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support categories will speed into the fastest circuit in the country on September 19/20.

As the 2020 campaign begins to edge towards its conclusion, three high-octane races from Britain’s premier race series will provide plenty of tin top thrills and spills.

Rounding out Thruxton’s revised schedule will be a two-day event hosted by the British Automobile Racing Club on October 24/25.

Unfortunately, both the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the BTRC British Truck Racing Championship meetings have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now return in 2021.

All dates and events remain provisional and subject to change in line with the latest government guidelines.

The CSCC race meeting will be run behind closed doors (no spectators) but the venue is hopeful that spectators will be able to attend the remaining events. Confirmation is expected in the next few weeks.

Thruxton Circuit – Revised Provisional 2020 Calendar

July 25/26 – Classic Sports Car Club

August 15/16 – Thruxton Historic

August 22/23 – British Racing & Sports Car Club

September 19/20 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

October 24/25 – British Automobile Racing Club

Gurston Down cancels remaining 2020 events

Gurston Down Speed Hillclimb has confirmed that it has cancelled its remaining events that were scheduled to take place in 2020.

Operated by the Club’s South West Centre, the Salisbury-based venue had been set to play host to the likes of the British Hillclimb Championship, amongst other meetings, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement on Gurston Down’s website read: “After an exhaustive Committee meeting on the 29th June 2020, BARC South West Centre have to announce that we will not be running an event on 30th August 2020.

“As many of you already know, as a consequence, there will be no hill climb events at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb for the 2020 season. The Turbo Dynamics Gurston Down Hill Climb Championship and the Cavendish Ships Store BARC SW Top Ten Challenge have both been cancelled as has our Annual Awards Dinner in November.

“The Committee heard from all of those involved in the running of the event, discussed the safety and financial implications, as well as views from each of the committee members.

“The primary concern of the Committee was driver and stakeholder safety. The Committee, by majority vote, decided that the event could not be run taking into account all of the current guidance issued by Motorsport UK, BARC, HM Government and the other stakeholders.

“Our Competition Secretary, Nick Revels will be in touch with all competitors over the next few weeks to arrange refunds. These refunds will be processed as quickly as possible.”

BARC championships ready to get back on track at Cadwell Park

The British Automobile Racing Club will take centre stage at Cadwell Park this weekend (July 4/5) for the first event of the 2020 season; with a blockbuster two days of ultra-competitive action lined up.

After months of uncertainty due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UK motorsport scene is set to kick back into life although spectators will not be permitted to attend and strict post-lockdown rules are now in place to combat the spread of the virus.

Packed with tight turns, flowing corners and undulation; the Lincolnshire-based venue has been a popular destination for racers down the years and is set to be a fitting backdrop to start what will be a condensed and frenetic campaign over the coming months.

Topping the bill over the course of the weekend will be two races from the Junior Saloon Car Championship, home to the stars of tomorrow. Open to drivers aged 14 to 17, the one-make series has become renowned for producing plenty of thrills and spills and this year is set to be no different.

Former champion Lewis Saunders headlines the entry list as he bids to become the first two-time JSCC champion however he will be faced with a host of challengers including Ruben Hage, Harry Rice and Scholarship victor Deagen Fairclough, amongst others.

Variety is the spice of life when it comes to the Classic Touring Car Championship and this year’s eclectic mix of tin top machines is shaping up to be no different.

Racing from the Poultec – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, Shell Oil Pre 83′ Touring Car Championship, Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars Championship, Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars Championship, Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship, Burton Power Products Blue Oval Saloon Series and Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship will undoubtedly provide thrilling entertainment.

Action from the Club’s North West Centre flagship category, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship will also take place during the weekend. Home to all manner of machinery, a bumper grid of differing machines are all set for battle across the multiple classes that are in place.

Steeped in more than 25 years worth of history, the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship has become a stalwart of the BARC and it will begin a three-event series this weekend.

With two races scheduled to take place and defending champion Pete Sparrow absent from the entry list, the door is wide open for someone to be crowned champion. Nick Crispin, Lien Davies and Chris Yates are just three possible contenders that could claim the throne.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action will be racing from the much-loved British Superkarts Championship, where high-octane speeds will be clocked just inches off the ground.

To view more information on this weekend’s 2020 curtain-raiser at Cadwell Park, including the full entry list and official BARC guidelines, click here.

Pembrey Circuit unveils revised provisional 2020 events schedule

Pembrey Circuit is set to play host to a blockbuster season of top-draw racing for the remainder of 2020 after unveiling a revised provisional schedule made up of eight events.

Having had to press pause on celebrating its 30th Anniversary in association with the British Automobile Racing Club due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the home of Welsh motorsport is primed to finally stage race meetings after already opening its doors for professional teams to test.

The Welsh lockdown has provided the venue with the opportunity to complete the build of its brand new garage complex, with further improvements having also been carried out in recent months too.

Working closely with the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council, the South Wales circuit will now aim to move from exclusive testing to playing host to race meetings.

All dates and events remain provisional and subject to change in line with the current and ever-evolving government guidelines. Spectators are currently not permitted to attend events at this moment in time.

Phil Davies, Pembrey Circuit Manager, said: “These have been trying months for everyone but I am proud that we have been able to persevere through this pandemic and come out the other side in a strong position.

“In recent weeks we have welcomed a host of professional teams for private testing and these have proven to be very successful with our own guidelines in place. Now we are looking forward to playing host to events.

“This hasn’t been the way we had planned to celebrate our 30th Anniversary but with our new garage complex finally built we are certain to make the best of it.”

Pembrey Circuit – Revised Provisional 2020 Calendar

August 8/9 – Toyo Tires BTRDA Rallycross Championship

August 29/30 – British Supermoto Championship

September 12/13 – British Automobile Racing Club

September 26/27 – Classic Motorcycle Racing Club

October 3/4 – BTRC British Truck Racing Championship

October 9/10/11 – NGRR Motorcycle Championships

October 17/18 – Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy

December 28 – Christmas Stages Rally

Croft Circuit revved up to get back racing in 2020

As a return to racing draws nearer following, Croft Circuit is readying itself to play host to top-level motorsport once more in 2020 – with a four-event post-lockdown schedule having been announced.

All dates and events remain provisional and subject to change in line with the current and ever-evolving government guidelines. Spectators are currently not permitted to attend events at this moment in time.

The British Automobile Racing Club will lift the curtain on the revised schedule with a two-day bonanza on July 11/12, with the likes of the Legends Cars Championship and Dunlop Endurance Championship, amongst others, all in action.

On September 5/6, the Darlington & District Motor Club will take centre stage with a wide range of cars all vying to reign supreme before the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship rolls into North Yorkshire.

Scheduled to take place on October 10/11, Croft will play host to a pivotal three races for Britain’s premier race series as the 2020 finale draws ever-closer.

Croft’s condensed calendar will then draw to a close on December 13 with the annual Christmas Stages Rally.

Croft Circuit – Revised Provisional 2020 Calendar

July 11/12 – British Automobile Racing Club

September 5/6 – Darlington & District Motor Club

October 10/11 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

December 13 – Christmas Stages Rally