Category: Barc

BARC announces revised provisional 2020 calendar for remainder of the year

The British Automobile Racing Club can today (June 22) reveal its revised provisional calendar for the remainder 2020; kicking off on July 4/5 and running right the way through until November 22.

Following on from the suspension of UK motorsport in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club has worked tirelessly to put together a calendar with the dates available that will suit each individual championship.

Unfortunately, both the British Hillclimb Championship and BARC Connaught Speed Championship have elected to cancel their 2020 campaigns, with the focus now on 2021.

To view the full revised list of 2020 British Automobile Racing Club race meetings, CLICK HERE.

All dates 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.

Those wishing to enter a race meeting can do so via the BARC Competitor Entry System.

For those that do not have a Username to access the BARC Competitor Entry System or if you have a general enquiry, please contact BARC Competitors secretary David Wheadon via 01264 882209 or dwheadon@barc.net.

Guidelines for Competitors and Officials have also been published in relation to how BARC race meetings will operate moving forward. They can be viewed by heading to https://www.barc.net/barc-publishes-covid-19-guidelines-for-competitors-and-officials/ 

BARC begins to get back to work as head office partially re-opens

The British Automobile Racing Club will begin getting back to work from today (Monday 22nd June) with the partial re-opening of its head office at Thruxton Circuit, in particular the Competitions Department.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club’s main office has been closed since late March with all administrative staff furloughed.

With a return to racing on the horizon, the Competitions Department has resumed work in order to prepare for race meetings – starting with those that are being held in July. The rest of the Club’s staff remain furloughed at this point.

Those wishing to enquire about events, whether a competitor or marshal, should contact David Wheadon or Paula Brown via the following means of communication:

David Wheadon – Competitions Secretary – 01264 882209 – dwheadon@barc.net

Paula Brown – Marshals Secretary – 01264 882210 – pbrown@barc.net

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, said: “It feels like a long time since we closed the doors and sent everyone home, but I would like to thank all our staff, members, competitors and supporters for their patience in recent months.

“We cannot wait to get started again and we are detecting that most people feel the same way, and are desperate to go racing.

“Obviously things will have changed in the meantime and there will be some noticeable changes to our operations and protocols, but we are confident that we can provide a safe and controlled environment for people to enjoy their motor sport at our events and venues.

“We would ask everyone to take particular care of themselves and those around them and ensure that when we do resume, we do so sensibly and responsibly for the safety and well-being of all.”

To view the post-lockdown revised events calendar for the remainder of the year, click here. Spectators are currently not permitted to attend events at this moment in time.

As has been the case throughout this pandemic, the well-being of staff, competitors, officials and all potential visitors to our venues and events remain at the forefront of our considerations at all times.

To that end, changes have been made to operations and protocols which will be communicated to all relevant parties in advance of any events moving forward. This situation will be kept constantly under review and may be subject to change at short notice.

All dates remain provisional and subject to change in line with the current and ever-evolving government guidelines.

‘Raceday Programme with a Difference’ launched for BTCC fans

Fans of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will be primed for the start of the post-lockdown 2020 season, whether watching at home on the sofa or trackside, courtesy of the ‘Raceday Programme with a Difference’ which is on sale now.

Put together by ITV4’s lead commentator David Addison, Motorsport News’ Matt James and more, the programmes serves as the perfect season guide ahead of the curtain-raiser at Donington Park on August 1/2.

The programme is packed with the latest news, features, the revised calendar, an extensive entry list and team guide, social media directory and much more.

The 2020 BTCC Raceday Programme with a Difference can be purchased from https://www.btcc-programme.co.uk/ and costs ÂŁ6.00, including postage.

BARC Connaught Speed Championship sets sights on 2021 after cancelling 2020 campaign

The BARC Connaught Speed Championship is setting its sights on hitting the ground running in 2021 after confirming that it has postponed its 2020 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Organised and run by the Club’s Midlands Centre, the popular series was hoping to hit new heights after enjoying a stellar 2019 season.

With the first 13 rounds of the 2020 campaign postponed due to the suspension of motorsport in the UK from the end of March, the Midlands Centre kept in close contact with venues and competitors, discussing a range of scenarios and outlining possible contingency plans accordingly.

Unfortunately, based on the availability of dates needed to secure sufficient rounds and create a viable series, the Midlands Centre has elected to cancel the 2020 season with immediate effect.

A club statement said: “We fully appreciate the resultant disappointment amongst our competitors. After the considerable amount of work already invested by Bob Adams, our Championship Coordinator, and other members of the Midlands Centre Competitions Team, this decision has not been taken lightly and is a significant disappointment to us all.

“Based upon conversations with some of our long-standing competitors, we have decided to provide three options regarding the 2020 Championship Registration Fee.

“Those options are as follows: A roll over to the 2021 BARC Speed Championship, a donation to Mind, the championship’s 2020 charity, or a full refund. Bob will be contacting competitors individually regarding their preference.”

The BARC Midlands Centre may not be staging the 2020 BARC Connaught Speed Championship however it is working on potentially running a ‘Grand Finale Sprint’ at Curborough on October 17.

British Hillclimb Championship elects to cancel 2020 season

The British Hillclimb Championship has taken the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally scheduled to stage 34 rounds at 11 different venues over the course of the year, the series had been working alongside venues and Motorsport UK on staging a foreshortened season which would take place starting in August, running at five venues over seven weekend’s.

However, recent announcements from the Bugatti Owners’ Club and Prescott Hill has meant that neither the British Hillclimb Championship presented by Avon Tyres or the British Hillclimb Cup presented by Footman James will proceed.

A statement from organisers read: “Clearly this decision was not taken lightly and we have listened to the opinions of the venues and the competitors, who rightly have concerns about safety, before deciding it was better not to continue to try to run a championship this year.

“We will now start plans for 2021 and it is our intention to revise and invigorate the Championship and to implement some changes that will take the Championship forward for another 75 years.

“For any competitor who has registered for the Championships we offer the option of leaving your entry intact, and this will be carried forward to next season regardless of any pricing alterations that may come into effect during that year.”

Competitors are encouraged to contact the British Hillclimb Championship Administrator Jackie Wilson via jackie@britishhillclimb.co.uk.

Goodwood confirms cancellation of 2020 Festival of Speed and Revival events

Goodwood has announced that its 2020 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard and Godwood Revival have been cancelled until 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Renowned for creating bespoke events every year, Goodwood confirmed that the current social distancing measures that are in place to fight the pandemic would comprise the experience at both events for all involved.

The Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard was originally scheduled to take place on July 9/10/11/12; whilst the Goodwood Revival was pencilled in for September 11/12/13.

Both events join the now subsequently join the 78th Members’ Meeting, slated for March 28/29, in not being run this year.

A Goodwood statement said: “Summer is normally an exciting time at Goodwood, as we welcome hundreds of thousands of guests to our headline events.

“Sadly, that’s not to be this year, as we have had to take the decision not to hold the Festival of Speed and Revival in 2020.”

Ticket holders to the cancelled events have now been given the option to roll their tickets over into 2021, or request a refund.

Supporters of the famous West Sussex venue however are encouraged to join a revived Goodwood Supporters’ Association, which is aimed at keeping the spirit of Goodwood motorsport alive.

For more information, head to the Goodwood website.

M-Sport appointed as new BTCC TOCA engine suppliers from 2022

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has confirmed that it has awarded a five-year contract for the supply of a new ‘TOCA BTCC engine’ to global motorsport industry leader M-Sport.

Following its successful tender submission and subsequent voting by all teams, M-Sport will now develop, build and supply the TOCA engine to the UK’s premier motorsport series from 2022 to 2026.

Since the introduction of the NGTC regulations in 2011, one key aspect of the regulations has been to make available the competitive TOCA engine with proven durability and strict cost-controls, should any team choose not to run their own engines.

M-Sport will work through a development programme of the new TOCA engine, including rigorous testing and manufacture during 2021, before then introducing it into the series the following year.

In addition to the production of the new-specification engine in the next year, M-Sport will also work closely with Cosworth – who have been awarded the contract to design, supply and service the new BTCC Hybrid System, which will also be introduced in 2022.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to welcome M-Sport into the BTCC family and congratulate them on their successful tender.

“The opportunity to supply the TOCA engine from 2022 understandably attracted great interest from an extremely high calibre of bidders, so it is testament to M-Sport’s professionalism and expertise that they were able to come out on top of such a competitive and comprehensive process.

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Swindon Powertrain, who have been such an integral part of the success of the BTCC engine regulations, and we look forward to working closely with them for the remaining two seasons of their contract.”

Malcolm Wilson OBE, M-Sport Managing Director, added: “We’re delighted to have been selected to supply the new TOCA BTCC engine in 2022. The BTCC has long been a popular and prestigious part of the British motorsport scene, and we’re all looking forward to working with TOCA and the relevant teams on this new and exciting project.

“I firmly believe that M-Sport has some of the best engineering expertise in the country, and with the development of our on-site Evaluation Centre this capability is only going to increase.”

BTCC announces revised provisional 2020 calendar

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has unveiled a revised calendar for the 2020 season, comprising of nine events instead of the scheduled ten and set to run from August through to mid-November.

Series organisers TOCA have taken the decision to provisionally plan events from August onwards, however, the calendar will of course remain conditional upon receiving appropriate government directives and approvals regarding the resumption of sporting activities. Should the BTCC be unable to resume at that time, the calendar will be amended accordingly.

In the new provisional schedule, Donington Park will play host to the 2020 season-opener as originally planned, albeit on August 1/2. The first of two visits to Brands Hatch will swiftly follow the next weekend before trips to Oulton Park and Knockhill round out what is set to be a busy month of four events in five weekends for the series.

Thruxton will then stage the fifth event of the season on September 19/20 before Silverstone follows a week later for three high-octane races around the National layout of the Northamptonshire venue. Silverstone’s second meeting around the International layout has been cancelled.

The BTCC’s annual pilgrimage to North Yorkshire and Croft has been moved to October 10/11 whilst Snetterton will provide the backdrop for the penultimate event of the season.

As has been the case in years gone by, the Grand Prix layout of Brands Hatch will stage the final round of the season, but at the later date of November 14/15.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “These are incredibly challenging times for the whole nation. Through it all, we have seen the importance of being both adaptable and pragmatic… and the BTCC is no different. So it’s entirely logical to draft plans and lock-in our provisional dates, with the ability to amend those if circumstances dictate.

“Obviously this calendar presents a hectic four months, with three separate back-to-back events and four events in the first five weeks alone. But our teams and drivers are fully up for the challenge – there’s such enormous energy, enthusiasm and passion for the BTCC that everyone will want to just roll up their sleeves and get the action underway when the time comes to go racing.

“However, the over-arching element will always be to ensure we have the correct procedures and protocols in place, in order to provide a safe environment. But before that time comes the most important thing we can all do is to please stay safe and also protect the health of others.”

Provisional 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Calendar

Donington Park – Rounds 1, 2 & 3 – August 1/2

Brands Hatch Indy – Rounds 4, 5 & 6 – August 8/9

Oulton Park – Rounds 7, 8 & 9 – August 22/23

Knockhill – Rounds 10, 11 & 12 – August 29/30

Thruxton – Rounds 13, 14 & 15 – September 19/20

Silverstone National – Rounds 16, 17 & 18 – September 26/27

Croft – Rounds 19, 20 & 21 – October 10/11

Snetterton – Rounds 22, 23 & 24 – October 24/25

Brands Hatch GP – Rounds 25, 26 & 27 – November 14/15

British Automobile Racing Club offices still closed, but venues open for testing and track days

UPDATED: 11 June 2020

The BARC offices remain closed at this time in line with current government guidelines and all administrative staff are still furloughed. However, our venues are starting to re-open for professional team testing and for track days in line with the easing of lockdown measures.

We hope to return to racing as soon as Motorsport UK is prepared to issue event permits, which at the present time looks likely to be July 4/5, when we have a race meeting at Cadwell Park, followed by a meeting at Croft the following weekend. In order to prepare for the race meetings, the Competitions department staff are likely to return to work from Monday 22nd June.

The safety and well-being of staff, competitors, officials and all visitors to our venues and events will be at the forefront of our considerations at all times. To that end, there will be changes made to operations and protocols which will be communicated to all relevant parties in advance of any events.

This situation will be kept constantly under review and may be subject to change at short notice.

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31 March 2020

In line with government advice and with the health, safety and well-being of our staff and our customers in mind amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, the British Automobile Racing Club has decided that the best option for everyone at this time is to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel or social interaction.

The best way to ensure that this happens is to close our headquarters and venues; they will remain closed until at least 30th April 2020 at which point we shall review the situation.

Motorsport UK has suspended all race meetings until the end of June 2020. Entries for postponed race meetings will be transferred to other events later in the season, while tickets for postponed events will be valid for the replacement date. If you are unable to make these news dates, either as a spectator or as a competitor, you will of course receive a full refund.

All BARC staff have been furloughed and as such are no longer able to continue working, even from home. As a result, we regret that we are unable to process any requests for refunds or transfers at this time.

All test days and driving experiences have been postponed during this period at all five venues operated by the Club; Croft, Gurston Down, Harewood, Pembrey and Thruxton. All experience activities will also be rescheduled once we are able to reopen.

In the meantime, we would like to thank everyone for their understanding at this difficult time and urge them to follow all official guidance to do what they can to keep themselves and others safe and well.

British Automobile Racing Club Statement: Coronavirus Update – 17.03.20

In line with the government’s public health advice and the direction of Motorsport UK, the British Automobile Racing Club is suspending all motor sport activity with immediate effect until the end of April 2020.

We understand that this will be a great disappointment to many people, including competitors, teams, officials, marshals, fans and our members. However, in the current climate, it is clear that this is the correct course of action.

We will continue to monitor the situation in the coming weeks and we look forward to a resumption of activities as soon as possible, at which time we will look to reschedule the events that have been postponed. All entries and payments received to date will be automatically carried over into future events.

In the meantime, we urge everyone across the wider motor sport community to follow all official guidance and do what they can to keep themselves and others safe and well.

Ben Taylor

BARC Group Chief Executive

British Automobile Racing Club Statement: Coronavirus Update – 13.03.20

Following the government’s announcements on Thursday 12th March 2020, we can confirm that the British Automobile Racing Club is continuing, in so far as is possible, with business as usual.

The situation is evolving rapidly and may of course change in the course of the next few days and weeks, depending on the advice of the experts, but for now we are preparing for our events to go ahead as planned.

In order to reassure our customers, we would like to stress that, regardless of what may be written in our Terms and Conditions, if we are forced by the authorities to cancel any race meetings or events, we guarantee to refund the entry fees of all competitors, just as we have committed to refund ticket buyers at any of our venues.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will be in touch immediately should the situation change.

The UK’s governing body, Motorsport UK, has issued its own statement on the outbreak HERE.

In the meantime, please stay safe and continue to plan for the coming season.

BTCC hybrid power scheduled to hit the track this summer

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship organisers TOCA have confirmed that its hybrid power introduction project is running ahead of schedule and is set to hit the track for the first time later this year.

Announcing back in August 2018 that the BTCC will boast hybrid power in all cars from the start of the 2022 campaign, impressive progress has been made to establish the roadmap for the introduction of hybrid energy in the BTCC.

Awarding the contract to Cosworth Electronics for the design, supply and servicing of the BTCC Hybrid System, both TOCA and Cosworth will select an existing BTCC race car for the initial hybrid integration and comprehensive testing programme.

With all technical and practical targets being met during the design and build stage, the hybrid equipped car is set to hit the track in June ahead of the annual two-day tyre test at Snetterton in July – marking its first public appearance.

Following the test at Snetterton, rigorous testing and simulations will commence in order to refine the exact nature of the driver-selectable hybrid power delivery as well as configuring the varying amounts of regeneration and hybrid power that will be used to replace the current success ballast system.

The additional hybrid power will be used by each driver using a steering wheel mounted button – after lap one – for either passing or defending. This will provide new competitive strategies and opportunities during each BTCC race.

“I’m incredibly pleased with the fantastic progress we are making on this project,” said BTCC Chief Executive Alan Gow.

“One always assumes there will be some hiccups along the way, but so far…nothing. And that’s great testament to the high quality of the technical partners involved – not just Cosworth of course but also Xtrac, PWR, Delta Motorsport, AP Racing and Goodyear.”

Further updates will continue to be provided by TOCA over the coming weeks.