Category: Barc

Blockbuster BARC action headlines Convoy Cymru at Pembrey

The British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Pembrey Circuit this past weekend (May 18/19) for an unforgettable two days of blockbuster track action, all of which acted as the headline acts for Convoy Cymru.

On what proved to be a weekend to remember in South Wales, a bumper crowd flocked to the popular venue for a festival of all things trucking – which included an eye-catching show truck display, live music, monster truck rides, electric motocross and much more.

Whilst there was plenty to see and do off-track, edge-of-the-seat entertainment was the order of business on it as a number of categories continued their 2024 campaigns in superlative style.

Topping the bill were five heavyweight contests from the British Truck Racing Championship, which – just like Brands Hatch for the season-opener – delivered an abundance of drama across both Division’s 1 and 2.

As expected, reigning Division 1 champion Ryan Smith was a force to be reckoned as he romped to a brace of wins however the Daimler Freightliner driver didn’t have things his own way. Fellow former champion David Jenkins would tally a double of his own while Steven Powell also stood on the top step of the podium.

In Division 2, with defending champion Paul Rivett forced to watch on from the sideline due to sustaining a broken ankle, John Powell set about closing the gap to the early points leader by sharing the spoils with Rivett’s NAPA Racing UK replacement, BTCC star Sam Osborne.

Powell laid down his marker with pole position and a lights-to-flag victory in the opening contest however mechanical issues prevented him from starting races two and four, which provided Osborne with the opportunity triumph. Powell would however win the remaining races in his DAF.

Westbourne Motorsport’s Harry Hickton maintained his lead in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy standings following three frenetic races of the popular tin top series in the Welsh countryside.

Hickton tallied a podium and a fourth place finish in races one and two before then coming to the fore in the finale, as he powered his way from third on the grid to claim a hard-fought victory – his third of the season so far.

Prior to Hickton reigning supreme, Jamie Keates splashed his way to the top of the rostrum in a wet’n wild opener before Alex Solley opened his account for the new campaign with a commanding win in race two.

Former BTCC race winner Matt Simpson enjoyed a near-perfect weekend in the Pickup Truck Racing Championship as he strengthened his early stranglehold on proceedings at the summit of the leaderboard.

Simpson was arguably untouchable out front for a majority of the event as he blasted his way to pole position in qualifying before then converting it into a brace of superlative wins in races one and two.

Dale Gent ultimately prevented Simpson from claiming what would have been a memorable hat-trick in the weekend’s finale as he underlined his credentials as a contender for the crown with a masterful defensive drive to hold off his rival and Mark Willis.

Like Simpson, Josh Selvadorai was another driver that narrowly missed out on clinching a clean sweep of wins as he laid down his marker as one to watch in the ever-exciting Junior Saloon Car Championship.

Series leader Harry Smith narrowly pipped Selvadorai to outright honours in a damp race one but from that point on the meeting belonged to the Citroen Saxo of Selvadorai as he piloted his way to a dominant double.

Behind him, Smith continued his fine start to the year by adding two more podium finishes to his tally while there was also silverware for Jonathan Moore and Kieran Roberts.

Paul Roddison was another driver that enjoyed a weekend to remember at Pembrey as he, like many others already mentioned, produced a double-winning performance – this time in the fledgling Track Action.

Roddison – who is a previous winner of the coveted BARC President’s Cup – guided his Volkswagen Scirocco to the chequered flag in races one and two before Dan Earl triumphed in his Vauxhall Astra VXR in the finale.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action were a pair of races from the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship on Sunday, both of which were won by Deri Davies in his Darrian T90 and Damien Longotano in his Westfield SE.

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

You can also re-watch all of the action from Saturday and Sunday by heading to the British Automobile Racing Club YouTube channel HERE.

Classic sights and sounds set for Croft Historic Festival and Show this summer

One of the highlights of the northern motorsport scene is set to return to Croft Circuit in mid-August when the bigger and better Historic Festival Weekend and Show takes place (10/11 August).

A two-day meet of classics from the 1950s through to the 1980s with something for all the family, the popular meeting at North Yorkshire’s premier racetrack has been an established fixture on the calendar for over a decade in the guise of both the Croft Nostalgia and Croft Retro meeting.

This year, the summer event will offer not just classic racing but plenty of all-round entertainment for the family to enjoy, including children’s rides and live music.

On track action will come from different classes from the Historic Sports Car Club and showcase classic vehicles from the 1950s through the decades to the 1980s but there will also be lots of new additions off the circuit to evoke memories of yesteryear.

A Wright Cyclone R3350 and a Rolls Royce Merlin will be attending both days whilst a range of steam engines, a Hercules and Dioramas will be on display as well as the regular classic and vintage cars.

There will also be a mini train station ride, carousel and hook a duck for the kids, a large tipi with seating where you can relax and enjoy the food and entertainment as well as a food court including a prosecco van.

Live music ranging from the 1950s to the 1980s with Blue Note Mitch and the Red-Hot Jacks and the Northallerton Silver Band will sound out across the circuit whilst the ever-popular Colin Bourdiec is back at the track.

There will be the usual variety of trade stands 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 a display of around 600 vehicles of all shapes and sizes pre-1988. There will also be a new competition on Sunday for the best dressed in vintage costumes.

Application forms to lodge an interest to enter the displays or have a trade stand are now available to be downloaded from www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/historic-festival until 5th July 2024 or until all space is allocated, whichever comes first.

Ticket prices start at just £18 for adults on Saturday with children aged 15 and under admitted FREE, there is FREE car parking and FREE paddock access.

For further information, please contact Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or you can book your tickets online now at www.croftcircuit.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/historic-festival

Croft’s brand-new Café, Hanger 50, will also be open and serving refreshments over the weekend too. Further information is available from Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or at www.croftcircuit.co.uk.

Tickets for all 2024 events are now available to purchase along with Season Passes and Driving Experiences. Head to www.croftcircuit.co.uk for further information.

Meanwhile, with only eight weeks to go until Croft Circuit hosts the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship over the weekend of July 27/28, advance tickets are now available as well as a unique BTCC VIP Hospitality Experience where guests can enjoy exclusive access to Hanger 50 which includes admission and programme, fantastic catering and a meet and greet with the BTCC drivers for an unforgettable experience. The cost for Saturday is £89 per person and £170 per person on Sunday. Check out https://croftcircuit.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/btcc for further details.

Adult advance prices for the meeting are £18 for Saturday, £33 for Sunday and £50 for a weekend ticket. Prices for 13 to 15-year-olds are priced at £6, £9, and £12 respectively and all accompanied children aged 12 and under go free. Further details at www.croftcircuit.co.uk

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend // May 18-19

The British Automobile Racing Club sets course for South Wales this weekend (May 18-19) for what promises to be a blockbuster two days of action-packed entertainment from Pembrey Circuit.

Headlining the on-track thrills at Convoy Cymru will be the titans of the British Truck Racing Championship while the likes of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, Junior Saloon Car Championship and Pickup Truck Racing Championship are guaranteed to star.

Also joining them on the billing will be Track Action and the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship.

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

Saturday 18th May – Pembrey – 12:25 – WATCH HERE
Sunday 19th May – Pembrey – 09:15 – WATCH HERE

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

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

Sun shines on TOCA support championships at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch played host to a spectacular two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (May 11/12) as four categories continued their 2024 campaigns in style around the challenging Indy circuit.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Kent venue, a bumper trackside crowd – as well as many more watching on ITV4 – were treated to a feast of thrills and spills in scorching weather conditions.

History was made in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA as Rodin Motorsport’s Abbi Pulling became the first-ever female driver to win a race in the highly competitive single-seater series.

Just a few days on from claiming a double F1 Academy win at the Miami Grand Prix, Pulling didn’t put a wheel wrong in the reverse grid contest as she converted pole position into a flawless lights-to-flag victory. 

Championship leader Deagan Fairclough emerged victorious in the remaining two British F4 contests, strengthening his advantage at the summit of the standings in the process. 

Fairclough edged out Alex Ninovic and Rowan Campbell-Pilling to overall spoils in race one before he then led a Hitech Pulse-Eight 1-2-3 in the finale, as Mika Abrahams and Reza Seewooruthun completed the podium. 

There was plenty of entertainment in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain too, which staged three races over the course of the meeting – one of which was the postponed bout from Donington Park last month. 

Angus Whiteside withstood a torrent of pressure to win the rescheduled race however he went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows as in race two he was tipped into a scary barrel roll exiting Druids. Thankfully he was able to walk away unharmed from the incident.

Following a lengthy red flag stoppage, Hugo Ellis produced a superlative performance to claim victory when the race restarted ahead of Charles Rainford and James Wallis before Will Martin reigned supreme in style in the final race.

Maximus Hall enjoyed a near-perfect weekend in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he firmly announced himself as one to watch, clinching pole position in qualifying before then going on to score two impressive wins. 

The EXCELR8 Motorsport driver was on the pace during Friday practice and ultimately never looked back. In race one he made a late lunge at Druids to wrestle the lead from Zelos to win and then he held the double champion off throughout race three to triumph again.

Zelos would have his moment on the top step of the podium however as he claimed victory in race two, which allowed him to extend his advantage at the top of the standings.

Concluding the weekend’s action were six races from the 5/8 scale pocket rockets of the Legends Cars Championship, which was continuing its popular Elite Cup campaign after kicking off their season at Donington Park a few weeks back.

Reigning champion Will Gibson and now new championship leader Jack Parker claimed two wins apiece while there were also victories for Oli Schlup and Robert Barrable.

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

Snetterton provides the next stop on the calendar for a number of championship in less than two weeks’ time on May 25/26.

Colin Turkington and Ronan Pearson victorious at Brands Hatch BTCC scorcher

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship continued its action-packed start to the 2024 season at Brands Hatch this past weekend (May 11/12) as Colin Turkington and Ronan Pearson blasted their way to victory in front of a bumper trackside crowd.

Two weeks on from a spectacular season-opener at Donington Park, the UK’s premier motorsport series took centre stage at the world-famous Kent venue for what turned out to be three breathtaking contests around the short yet challenging Indy circuit.

Qualifying proved to be a frenetic affair on Saturday as the varying levels of hybrid deployment for the front-runners played its part in mixing up the order. At the front however there was no stopping BMW as Colin Turkington and Adam Morgan clinched a Team BMW 1-2.

Four-time champion Turkington comfortably progressed through the first two segments of the session before then blitzing the opposition to snare pole ahead of Morgan, Dan Cammish, reigning champion Ash Sutton and Josh Cook.

Turkington continued his rich vein of form on Sunday as he converted his front row start into a commanding lights-to-flag victory in race one. Opting to run the soft tyre, the Northern Irishman quickly established a lead out front and from there he was never challenged.

Behind him an almighty battle for second place played out with Cook and Sutton captivating those in attendance as they traded paint across a number of laps. In the end it would be Cook that would prevail ahead of the Ford man.

Race two followed a similar theme to that of earlier in the day as Turkington once again romped to victory, albeit this time he had to contend with a brief safety car period so that the stricken BMW of Jake Hill could be recovered at Druids.

Wheel-perfect from the get-go, the multiple title winner was again unchallenged as Sutton battled Ingram for runners-up laurels. Sutton had defended resolutely for much of the race before a late lunge at Paddock Hill Bend saw Ingram finally find a way past.

The final encounter saw Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS’ Pearson then take a fantastic maiden win ahead of team-mate Tom Chilton and Sutton, who extended his podium streak to six successive races.

Pearson made a sluggish start from pole position which allowed Aron Taylor-Smith to blast into the lead however it was short-lived as Pearson regained the position at Clearways at the end of the first lap.

With a clear road ahead of him, the Hyundai driver set off to comfortably triumph while Chilton muscled his way past Taylor-Smith – which in-turn opened the door for Sutton – to complete the rostrum.

Leaving Brands Hatch, Sutton holds a two-point lead over Turkington at the summit of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship whilst BMW top the Manufacturers-Constructors Championship.

In the Teams’ Championship, NAPA Racing UK head the standings after two events whilst Aron Taylor-Smith and Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing have established themselves as the early front runners in the Independent Drivers’ and Independent Teams’ Championship’s respectively.

The Jack Sears Trophy – which is open to drivers who hadn’t scored an outright podium in the series prior to the start of the season – is led by Power Maxed Racing’s Mikey Doble.

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

Snetterton provides the next stop on the calendar for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship; with Rounds 7, 8 & 9 taking place on May 25/26.

BARC and Caterham serves up memorable outing at Zandvoort

The British Automobile Racing Club enjoyed an event to remember in mainland Europe this past weekend (May 4/5) as Caterham Motorsport and the Caterham Graduates Racing Club served up a feast of entertainment at Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

Taking centre stage at the home of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing – which culminated in the lead drivers being separated by virtually nothing at the line – proved to be the theme of the two-day event.

Aaron Head proved to be an unstoppable force in the Vertex Caterham Seven UK Championship as he blasted his way to a sensational hat-trick of race wins.

Having narrowly missed out on the coveted title to Lewis Thompson last year, Head laid down his marker for the 2024 campaign with a superlative overseas display that saw him not put a wheel wrong. Head triumphed in all three races and was shadowed by Paul Donkin, who clinched a hat-trick of second place finishes himself.

Completing the podium in race one was reigning champion Thompson before William Smith and Sam Smith tallied a third place finish apiece in the remaining two contests.

The Bilstein Caterham Roadsport Championship – which lays out the next step on the Caterham ladder for those graduating from the Academy – provided similar levels of dominance to that of the Seven UK Championship as its two races saw the same top three stand on the podium.

Paul Goldstein delivered a brace of flawless performances to hold off the charging Jonathan Emery in both bouts whilst Adam Kene filled their mirrors to finish third on both occasions.

Over in the Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship, spoils were shared between three drivers – maintaining the status quo from its season-opener at Snetterton last month where no one driver ran away with proceedings.

Lars Hoffman got the better of Taylor O’Flanagan and Hugo Bush to triumph in the opening encounter before Bush charged to victory in race two ahead of Harry Cook and Hoffman. Cook then came to the fore in race three as he edged out O’Flanagan and Bush to tally a memorable win.

The Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship also saw some variety at the sharp end of the field. Ben Timmons continued his fine start to the season with a double win while Toby Ballard also snared a victory, preventing Timmons from clinching a clean sweep.

Ballard and Timmons would finish on the podium in their remaining bouts too along with David Rooke, Nick Bryant and Rrutuj Patki – who also scooped some silverware to bring home with them.

Completing the weekend’s track action at Zandvoort were two races from the always entertaining SIM Motorsport Caterham Graduates Championship.

Boasting a bumper entry list, former champion Jamie Ellwood underlined his credentials behind the wheel with a commanding victory in race one as he led home Thomas Horton and Bren Maude.

Not content with claiming runners-up laurels in race one, Horton would strike back in race two to reign supreme as he clinched the chequered flag ahead of James McCall and Harry Cramer.

To view the full results from all sessions at Zandvoort, CLICK HERE.

All of the action is also available to watch on the BARC YouTube channel HERE.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend // May 4-5

The British Automobile Racing Club returns LIVE to YouTube this weekend with two days of wheel-to-wheel action being broadcast from Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

On what promises to be a thrilling visit to the home of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, Caterham Motorsport will take centre stage with their 270R, 310R, Roadsport and Seven UK Championship’s writing the latest chapter in their 2024 campaigns.

Joining them on this unmissable away day will be two races from the SIM Motorsport Caterham Graduates Championship as well.

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

Saturday 4th May – Zandvoort – 12:00 (UK Time) – WATCH HERE

Sunday 5th May – Zandvoort – 07:45 (UK Time) – WATCH HERE

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

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

BTCC announces unchanged calendar for 2025 season

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has revealed an unchanged calendar for its 2025 season.

Just a few days on from the opening rounds of the 2024 campaign, the UK’s premier motorsport series has released its schedule in record time following close co-operation between TOCA, ITV and all venues.

Donington Park’s National circuit kicks off the season at the end of April before the rolling into Brands Hatch Indy and Snetterton.

Thruxton and Oulton Park take centre stage in June before the series then takes its annual summer break, where the traditional Goodyear Tyre Test is expected to take place a yet-to-be confirmed venue.

The second half of season commences with a busy August courtesy of visits to Croft and Knockhill before then returning to Donington Park, this time to tackle the Grand Prix circuit.

Silverstone will host the penultimate meeting of the year in September before champions will be crowned on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in early October.

“It’s good news for our partners, stakeholders and fans that we can confirm next season’s BTCC calendar earlier than ever before, allowing for important planning to commence for all parties,” said Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive.

“The schedule has become a tried and tested formula in recent years and is universally backed. We are continuously pushing the boundaries on-track with new-for-2024 qualifying, hybrid and tyre regulations, so I am sure our teams will be happy with the continuity and consistency of our calendar.

“Of course, being able to agree our dates so early with our partners at ITV ensures we have locked in the primary slots for our continued all-day-live and free television coverage on ITV4. It also has a positive benefit for the rest of British motorsport, as other organisers can continue planning and scheduling their own events.

“Last year, I said we were unlikely to release our calendar any earlier than mid-May… I was wrong… and we are delighted to be able to announce this schedule earlier than ever before!”

2025 British Touring Car Championship Calendar

April 26/27 – Donington Park (National)
May 10/11 – Brands Hatch (Indy)
May 24/25 – Snetterton (300)
June 7/8 – Thruxton
June 21/22 – Oulton Park (Island)
August 2/3 – Croft
August 16/17 – Knockhill
August 30/31 – Donington Park (GP)
September 20/21 – Silverstone (National)
October 4/5 – Brands Hatch (GP)

Gear up for MotoFest Coventry 2024 with BARC Midlands!

Mark your calendars for a spectacular celebration of speed and spectacle at the MotoFest Coventry 2024! Happening on the weekend of June 1st and 2nd, this event is not just any festival; it’s a high-octane adventure that turns the historic heart of Coventry into a pulsating racetrack. This year, we’re not only commemorating MotoFest’s tenth anniversary but also gearing up to deliver a show unlike any before. Expect a crowd of more than 250,000 ready to be thrilled.

The BARC Midlands Touch: Sprint, Demonstration Laps

The BARC Midlands Centre, will be at the frontline, orchestrating the adrenaline-pumping MotoFest Coventry Sprint – the UK’s longest and fastest closed-road speed event. Over a mile of Coventry’s iconic Ring Road will be transformed into a sprint circuit where precision and speed meet in a heart-stopping display of motorsport prowess.

But that’s not all! This year, participants can also partake in Demonstration Laps, where they can showcase their unique vehicles amidst the backdrop of Coventry’s vibrant cityscape.

What’s Special This Year?

MotoFest 2024 is set to be bigger and better with an eclectic mix of attractions including live music, theatre performances, and street food, coupled with an array of exhibitors, car and motorcycle clubs, show ‘n’ shine displays, and celebrity guests.

Join the Race or Enjoy the Show!

Want to be more than just a spectator? Register for the Sprint or the demonstration laps to truly experience the essence of MotoFest 2024. Remember, spaces are limited and demand is high, so ensure your spot on the starting line by registering early.

Whether you’re competing or cheering, MotoFest 2024 promises to be a weekend of unforgettable excitement and celebration.

Need More Info?

For queries and to enter the Sprint or Demonstration laps, head to the BARC Midlands Centre website: https://www.barc-midlands.co.uk/

For enquires and more detailed information, reach out to Chris Hall or Mike Plummer.

Chris Hall
Mobile: 07973 622 489
Email: chris@barc-midlands.co.uk

Mike Plummer
Mobile: 07713 430 348
Email: mike.plummer11@ntlworld.com

CLASS SPECIFIC & TECHNICAL ENQUIRIES

Liam Matthews
Mobile: 07872 160 561
Email: liam@barc-midlands.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE: BARC Midlands is run by volunteers. Most of us, including Chris and Liam, are at work during the day Monday to Friday. So, if they don’t answer your call immediately, please leave a message and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can.

Tom Ingram and Aiden Moffat share wins at blockbuster BTCC opener

Tom Ingram and Aiden Moffat made a winning start to the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season this past weekend (April 27-28) as they claimed victory at Donington Park.

Lifting the curtain on the new campaign after months of excitement and anticipation, the UK’s premier motorsport series blasted back into life in spectacular style with three high-octane contests around the 1.98-mile National layout.

On what proved to be a ground-breaking opening meeting – which saw each race broadcast live on TikTok as well as ITV4 – the 20-car entry kicked off proceedings with a frenetic qualifying session on Saturday, which was running under the new ‘Quick Six’ format.

Starting with the grid being split into two groups, the top six drivers from each segment progressed into Q2 where they then battled to move on to Q3, which saw the fastest six drivers ultimately battle it out for pole position.

Armed with more hybrid power this year, Ingram left it until the final moments to charge to pole position ahead of Ash Sutton by 0.051 seconds; while Colin Turkington, Jake Hill, Ronan Pearson and Andrew Watson completed the top-six.

Heavy rain battered the circuit on Sunday morning which led to substantial delays but when the action finally did get underway it was Ingram that emerged as the driver to beat as he claimed a comfortable lights-to-flag victory.

Withstanding a challenge from the fast-starting BMWs off the line, a lengthy safety car period to recover the crashed Ford Focus of Sam Osborne soon neutralised proceedings. On the restart, Ingram pulled clear and from there he was never challenged.

Behind him, reigning champion Sutton found a way past Hill in the closing stages to net second with the Laser Tools Racing BMW ace settling for third place.

Ingram doubled up in race two as he produced a fine late overtake on Hill to claim his second win of the weekend under the flightpath of East Midlands airport.

Hill took the lead as the lights went out and controlled much of the bout before Ingram and Sutton reeled him in. With four laps to go, the Hyundai ace found a way up the inside of Hill at the top of the Craner Curves to reclaim top spot.

Sutton wasted no time in following Ingram as he dived down the inside of him at the Old Hairpin a few moments later and he shadowed the 2022 champion home in what was a carbon copy podium from race one.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ’s Moffat then brought the curtain down on the opening weekend of the year with a superlative drive in race three to claim victory ahead of Turkington and Sutton.

On his debut outing for Speedworks Motorsport and Toyota, the Scotsman was wheel-perfect as he utilised all of his hybrid deployment to fend off the charging multiple champions at the end. Moffat made his way into the lead at mid-distance after overhauling his Toyota stablemate Rob Huff, who in-turn had taken the lead from Adam Morgan before that.

Leaving Donington Park, Ingram holds the advantage at the top of the Drivers’ Championship with Sutton and Hill completing, the trio blanketed by just 16 points at this early stage.

BMW lead the early going in the BTCC Manufacturer-Constructors Championship whilst NAPA Racing UK hold the early bragging rights in the BTCC Teams’ Championship. In the Independents’ category, Aron Taylor-Smith and Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing lead the way after the opening three rounds.

The Jack Sears Trophy – which is once again open to those drivers that have yet to score an outright podium in the series prior to the season starting – saw Mikey Doble edge out Nick Halstead to claim weekend honours.

To view the results of all BTCC sessions at Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship continues at Brands Hatch on May 11/12; with Rounds 4, 5 & 6 playing out around the Indy layout of the Kent venue.

TOCA support package begins new season with all-out action

Donington Park provided the setting for a pulsating 2024 season-opener on the TOCA support bill this past weekend (April 27-28) as a total of five championships blasted into life in typically action-packed style. 

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Leicestershire venue, the bumper crowd in attendance was treated to two days of blockbuster entertainment in at times challenging conditions. 

Saturday saw light showers briefly hit the track however action remained to time; something that wasn’t to be the case on Sunday as heavy downpours caused lengthy delays and a number of races having to be cancelled.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – which this year boasts one of its most competitive entry lists in recent memory – was one of the categories to run just one race however it made a flying start to the new campaign with Will Martin claiming a hard-fought win.

Matthew Rees had looked on course to covert his pole position into victory however a moment at the Old Hairpin allowed Martin to sneak by and once out front he wasn’t to be challenged as he claimed a memorable win.

Behind Martin, former BTCC race winner George Gamble battled a number of car issues to snare second place ahead of the charging Angus Whiteside, who had produced a sensational drive up the order. 

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA began its search for the next possible star of Formula 1 by staging two hotly contested single-seater races.

Pre-season title favourite Deagen Fairclough lived up to all expectations in the opening bout as he converted his blistering start from the second row into a flawless lights-to-flag victory ahead of James Higgins and Alex Ninovic. 

Fairclough could do nothing to stop his Hitech Pulse-Eight team-mate Mika Abrahams from triumphing in race two as he shadowed on-the-road leader Alex Berg to the chequered flag. Unfortunately for Berg, a time penalty for exceeding track limits dropped him from first to third. 

Dan Zelos began the defence of his Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW title in formidable form as he scooped a win and a second place to claim the early bragging rights in the championship standings. 

Zelos joined fellow former champion Ant Whorton-Eales in serving up a captivating battle for the win in the opening contest with Whorton-Eales initially triumphing. That was before officials deemed he had gained an unfair advantage and hit him with a time penalty.

Race two belonged to NAPA Racing UK’s Lewis Selby as his inspired move to switch to slick tyres while everyone else was on wets saw him go from dead-last to the top step of the podium, as he led home Zelos and last year’s Cooper champion Tom Ovenden.

The Legends Cars Championship garnered plenty of attention when it featured on the UK’s premier motorsport package in 2023 and the 5/8 scale machines are back for more this year, with a bumper grid all vying for glory in its Elite Cup.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, the trio of Andy Bird, Jack Parker and Will Gibson reigned supreme on the opening day of track action before Gibson and Parker then added to their tallies 24 hours later.

Concluding the weekend’s action were two races from the Radical Challenge, which was another series to return to the BTCC bill after enjoying an impressive debut last year.

Tipped by many as one to watch prior to the weekend beginning, Chris Lulham duly lived up to all expectations as he powered his way to a brace of victories. 

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

Brands Hatch provides the next step on the calendar – where everything but the Radical Challenge will be in action – on May 11-12.

BARC stars on wet’n wild weekend at Cadwell Park

The British Automobile Racing Club starred at Cadwell Park this past weekend (April 27-28) with a total of 11 different championships serving up a feast of entertainment as they continued their 2024 campaigns.

Marking what is to be the one and only visit to the Lincolnshire circuit this year by the Club, a blockbuster timetable saw all manner of thrills and spills served up for the bumper crowd that had flocked trackside.

While conditions allowed for Saturday to run as planned, heavy rainfall battered the circuit on the Sunday which led to each category being given just one race to take place during the afternoon after track crews had worked to clear standing water all morning.

Hot on the heels of delivering a pulsating season-opener during the Easter bank holiday weekend at Donington Park, the Classic Touring Car Racing Club was back in action – and this time double points were on offer.

Ian Thompson was in a league on his own in his Lotus Cortina as he claimed bragging rights in the Pre-66 Touring Cars while reigning champion Stephen Primett and Nick Williamson scored a win apiece in the Pre-83 Touring Cars.

The amalgamated Pre-93 Touring Cars, Pre-03 Touring Cars and Blue Oval Saloon Series races garnered plenty of attention with an ultra-competitive grid and that shone through in the results as Piers Grange and Stuart Waite shared the spoils.

Capping off the CTCRC action was the monstrous machines of the Classic Thunder which yielded a victory for Josh Lawton in the opener before defending champion Nick Vaughan tallied his first triumph of the year in race two in his Audi A3.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship continued its tenth anniversary season with Harry Smith maintaining his fine start by adding another race win to the two that he claimed at Brands Hatch earlier in the month.

Smith found himself in the right place at the right time in race one as he inherited victory from Josh Selvadorai, who was hit with a time penalty for gaining an unfair advantage. The youngster couldn’t maintain his winning streak in race two however as Jonathan Moore opened his account with a superlative drive to the top step of the podium.

Multiple Adrian Flux Insurance MG Owners Club Championship title Steve McDermid was another to open his account for the season in style as he carved his way from seventh on the grid to claim a hard-fought victory.

The MG ZR driver underlined all of the credentials that have made him a standout performer in the series in recent years by producing a number of jaw-dropping overtakes on his way to taking the chequered flag ahead of Luke Boniface and Henry Sharpe.

Mark Ridout made the perfect start to the new OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires season as he claimed a clean sweep of results, tallying pole position in qualifying before then following it up with two wins.

Ridout came out on top of a captivating battle between himself, Darren Banks and Luca Staccini Anzanello in the opening contest before stamping his authority on race two with a commanding victory ahead of Daniel Munro and Staccini Anzanello.

The 2CV Parts.com Championship meanwhile saw Kristopher Tovey enjoy the perfect start to his title defence as he comfortably reigned supreme. Tovey pulled clear of the chasing pack in commanding fashion to triumph by more than ten seconds come the end of the contest.

Brian Heerey would finish as his nearest challenger, with he himself ended up finishing more than six seconds ahead of Nick Crispin, who was a title contender last year.

In the Dunlop Mini Miglia Challenge, Jeff Smith beat Ben Colburn to outright honours in its only race of the weekend. Unfortunately, the Dunlop Mini Se7en Championship was unable to run any of its races to completion for a result to be declared.

Concluding the weekend’s track action were three races from the high-speed British Superkart Racing Club. Lee Harpham was a convincing winner in race one before repeating the feat in the finale.

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