Category: Barc

BTCC signs off 2018 season in spectacular style at Brands Hatch

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship brought the curtain down on its Diamond Jubilee season in style at Brands Hatch this weekend with three dramatic races and champions being crowned.

Having already proven to be a record-breaking campaign, the BTCC’s 60th Anniversary was signed off in typically thrilling fashion as Colin Turkington beat season-long rival Tom Ingram to lift the coveted title for a third time.

Turkington’s championship triumph was just half the story however on a weekend that saw the series showcase why it is one of the leading categories in the world.

Qualifying kicked off proceedings with the all-important battle for pole position set to be critical in the title battle. Following a frenetic session, Brett Smith topped the timesheet as the clock ticked to zero, handing him his maiden BTCC pole position.

Behind the Eurotech Racing driver were a further four Honda Civic Type R’s as the underlined their superiority around the Grand Prix layout. Of the championship protagonists, Turkington could only manage 17th whilst Ingram languished in 19th.

Halfords Yuasa Racing wild prove to be the dominant force on race day however as they stormed to a pair of 1-2 finishes, with Dan Cammish finally scoring a breakthrough victory and with it becoming the 17th different race winner of the season.

As the lights went out for race one, Smith held the lead off the start but soon found himself at the mercy of Cammish who made his move at Clearways. Triple champion Neal followed soon after and that was to be how it finished at the chequered flag.

Drama was to follow afterwards though as Cammish was handed a 30-second time penalty after being adjudged to have made a false start. Following an appeal by the team, Cammish was later reinstated as the race winner meaning the original result stood.

For Turkington and Ingram, a handful of points for both saw the Team BMW driver extend his advantage and put him on the cusp of championship glory heading into race two.

Cammish produced a carbon copy performance in race two, despite being ladened with 75kgs of success ballast as he led home Neal for another Honda 1-2. Things were far less comfortable for Neal however as he fended off Andrew Jordan for a majority of the race.

In the title battle, Turkington found himself in the thick of the action and contact with Dan Lloyd at Paddock Hill Bend was shortly followed by a trip through the gravel trap sent him tumbling down the order.

As that happened, Ingram’s target became clear – he had to finish on the podium to keep the championship alive. Hustling his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota into fourth, Ingram tried everything he could to muscle his way past Jordan in the closing laps but was unable to do so, meaning Turkington secured an unassailable lead and was crowned champion.

The final race of the weekend and the season proved to be a fitting end to the BTCC’s Diamond Jubilee as outgoing champion Ashley Sutton and Josh Cook engaged in a ding-dong battle for the honours.

Going bumper-to-bumper for a majority of the race and dicing for the lead, the pair kept fans on the edge of their seats and they were soon out of them as Sutton drew alongside Cook on the run to the line – snatching victory by a mere 0.032 of a second.

Rob Austin rounded out the final podium of the season as he finished third in his HMS Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

As Turkington celebrated becoming a three-time BTCC champion, BMW and West Surrey Racing also successfully retained their BTCC Manufacturer/Constructor Championship and BTCC Teams Championship respectively.

Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport did the same in the Independents’ categories whilst the Toyota Avensis driver was also the winner of the Dunlop Forever Forward award for the most overtakes over the course of the season.

Capping off the list of title winners was two-time race winner Cammish who lifted the Jack Sears Trophy.

For the final championship standings as well as the full classification of results from the weekend, click here.

Junior Saloon Car Championship announces Brands Hatch Winter Series

The Junior Saloon Car Championship will pay its second visit to Brands Hatch this year on November 3/4 to hold a Winter Trophy for the first time.

As part of the popular British Truck Racing Association Championship season finale at the Kent venue, which encompasses two days of racing and fireworks, the one-make series will look to add further excitement in front of what is expected to be a bumper crowd.

With the current 2018 season set to draw to a close at Oulton Park in late October, the JSCC plans to run three races at the meeting with the highest point’s scorer from those encounters being crowned the overall winner of the Winter Trophy.

On top of the British Truck Racing Association Championship and Junior Saloon Car Championship, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship and UK National Legends Cars Championship with MRF Tyres.

In addition to the Winter Trophy, entries for the 2018 Junior Saloon Car Championship Scholarship are now opened, with limited plenty of interest already being shown.

The next wave of driving talent aged between 14 to 17-years-old will take part in an assessment day at Croft on October 25th.

Drivers competing for the prize will take to the circuit, face the media, have a fitness test and also take part in an auto test. A judging panel made up of the championships organisers and partners will then whittle down the competition to select the winner that will receive a funded season in the category next year.

Battle lines drawn as British Superbike title fight powers into Thruxton

Thruxton sets the stage for round seven of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next weekend (3-5 August), with the high-speed Hampshire battleground awaiting the nation’s most fearless two-wheeled warriors in what promises to be another gripping all-action encounter.

Among the fastest motorcycle racing venues in the world, the Thruxton round of BSB represents arguably the most exhilarating challenge for Britain’s premier biking heroes as they battle handlebar-to-handlebar at eye-watering speeds in excess of 170mph in Britain’s tightest and most keenly contested racing series.

Indeed, with precision passes, multiple changes for the lead and races decided by mere thousandths of a second proving the rule rather than the exception in this thrilling championship, BSB is one of the many dazzling highlights of Thruxton’s 50-year Golden Anniversary celebrations.

JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam tops the table heading to Thruxton as he bids to maintain forward momentum in his quest for a long-awaited maiden BSB title. The Superbike stalwart is one of the series’ most successful racers with 37 victories to his name, six of which he has accumulated in 2018 alone.

However, while Haslam is no stranger to title fights at the pinnacle of Superbike racing both in Britain and on the world stage, many his main rivals for 2018 represent the best of a growing group of promising young talents seemingly destined along the path for success.

Leading this exciting new wave is Jake Dixon, who has forged a relentless route towards the sharp end of the standings in 2018 following a breakout race-winning 2017 campaign. At just 22-years old, Dixon is quickly establishing himself as a Superbike star having amassed no fewer than 12 podiums – including three wins – in little over 12 months aboard the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki ZX-10R.

In third place overall, Glenn Irwin has dutifully stepped up to lead the Be Wiser Ducati team in the absence of Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne. The defending champion remains on the road to recovery for injuries sustained in a testing crash just as his quest for another record-breaking seventh BSB title was gathering momentum. Nevertheless, the mantle could well remain in the team’s hands courtesy of Irwin who has featured towards the front all year.

Then there is Bradley Ray – aged just 21 – who stunned the paddock at the start of the year with a double victory on the distinctive Buildbase Suzuki GSX-R1000 and has been touted for future success, while Danny Buchan has been the model of consistency riding the FS-3 Kawasaki ZX-10R.

That’s not to say familiar fan favourites won’t be out in force for more Thruxton silverware this weekend. Former champion Josh Brookes arrives on the back of a triumphant double victory aboard the McAMS Yamaha R1, while the charismatic Australian has reason to be confident around a circuit he has enjoyed immense success at in previous years. Indeed, Thruxton marked his first-ever BSB win back in 2010, while he was a double victor in both 2014 and 2015, and topped the podium again last season.

With everything still to play for ahead of the ‘Showdown’ – where the top six riders go forward to battle it out for the coveted title over the final three rounds – don’t rule out the likes of Smiths Racing’s Peter Hickman, who was a race winner at Thruxton in 2017, and fellow BMW contenders Christian Iddon and Michael Laverty on the Tyco Racing-prepared S1000RRs.

Moreover, fans will have every reason to get behind the local brigade this year as Etchilhampton’s Tommy Bridewell teams up with Winchester-based Moto Rapido Ducati in the ultimate regional ‘dream team’.

Beyond the British Superbike Championship races, the packed Thruxton itinerary features a superb support programme delivering electrifying action worthy of a headline act. The Dickies British Supersport, Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and 600 in association with Black Horse, HEL Performance British Motostar and the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecars in association with Molson are all in action to keep visitors entertained from the first green light to the final chequered flag.

As well as three days of back-to-back track action, fans have the chance to meet the riders and grab their autographs and selfies with the Pit Walk at 09.30 on Sunday morning, while the addition of two more big screens at the first corner Allard and in the paddock will ensure not a single moment of the action is missed this weekend.

“It is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle to witness these masters of the discipline racing so hard and fast in breathtaking encounters,” remarked Group Managing Director, Bill Coombs. “With riders getting their knees and elbows down at staggering speeds as they jostle for position just inches from one another, it’s little wonder this annual Thruxton highlight draws such passionate bumper crowds each-and-every year.

“The British Superbike Championship has been the cornerstone of our racing calendar for decades now and we’re proud it is regarded as one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, venues among the most accomplished Superbike riders in the country – indeed, some of the finest riders in the world! Together with an action-packed support programme and a wealth of entertainment, exhibitions and activities for the entire family to enjoy, there really will be something for everyone!”

In addition to the on-track action, Thruxton has also launched an exclusive competition that will see one lucky advanced ticket holder experience a high-speed pillion ride around the UK’s fastest circuit on BSB race day. This once-in-a-lifetime prize can be won by anyone who makes or has already purchased an advanced race day or advanced weekend ticket.

Advanced tickets for the BSB’s visit on 3-5 August are priced at £28 for Sunday (race day) but only until tomorrow (31 July). Tickets are available on arrival priced £5 for Friday (practice), £16 for Saturday (qualifying and support races) and £33 for Sunday. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge.

For further information, see www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/bsb or call 01264 882200 and select Option 1.

For more information on Thruxton’s race meetings and driving experiences, visit: www.thruxtonracing.co.uk

Series Elite unveils new car ahead of inaugural season

The striking Jaguar XE SV Project 8 has been unveiled at the International Property Awards in London as the new car that will be campaigned in the inaugural season of Series Elite in 2019.

Aimed at high net worth individuals with a minimum age of 50 years, the newly launched category is aimed at providing novice drivers who never had the opportunity to go racing in their youth, as well those more experienced drivers who raced in their younger days and still wish to compete.

Since launching in March the series has garnered plenty of interest, with work progressing behind the scenes to put together the correct package to ensure the one-make category continues to flourish.

Having received high acclaim from the automotive industry and media, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is set to become a thoroughbred race car in the series, with development of the car already well underway before testing commences in early 2019.

Series Elite founder, Graeme Glew, said: “The opportunity to develop this awesome car into a fully fledged racer was one that I jumped at. Not only will our drivers own a fantastic race car, when they finally hang up their race boots, they can if they wish, convert their Project 8 back to a road going version, one of no more than 300 will be made by Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations.”

Set to offer a turnkey racing opportunity and designed to appeal to both amateurs and more experienced racers, drivers will be provided with all the relevant training, testing and race experience needed to compete in the new series, with their cars stored and prepared at a centralised team facility.

With visits to Silverstone, Donington Park, Brands Hatch and Portimao all set to feature on the calendar next year, preparations are in full swing for the category to make its mark early next year.

“The last six months have been an intensive period of developments and it’s another milestone for us with the showcasing of the Project 8 car at the International Property Awards event this week,” Glew continued.

“We’ll be introducing the Series to a vey affluent, driven audience and offer them the chance to re-ignite an old passion or achieve an unfulfilled ambition.

“Our original plan was to hold a one-off ‘taster’ race weekend later this year. However, the car development and series preparation has led us to focus on an early 2019 test programme ahead of the inaugural race calendar.

“We’ll be giving our drivers even more track time and an opportunity to be race-ready and fully prepared for what promises to be a very exciting addition to the options for the more mature driver to go racing.

“We’ve also partnered with a number of luxury brands that will be joining us at the event, like-minded businesses who work within the HNWI industry and meet their demands for exclusivity and enriching their lives.”

Those wanting more information on Series Elite should head to https://www.serieselite.com/

Charlie Ladell seals Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup title in dominant fashion

Charlie Ladell was perfection personified in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup at Brands Hatch to seal the coveted championship title in fine style.

Having topped the standings since the opening event of the season, the Rob Boston Racing wrapped up the one-make series crown with one race to spare after dominating proceedings around the Grand Prix layout.

Arriving at the season finale in a commanding position at the summit of the points, ahead of chief rival Carl Boardley, Ladell laid down his marker by storming to pole position in qualifying after originally losing his fastest time.

Launching off the front row in race one, the 22-year-old took a significant step closer to championship glory with a lights-to-flag victory ahead of Angus Fender and Harry King.

Starting on pole position for race two, Ladell underlined his title credentials with another superlative drive from behind the wheel of his #32 machine. Holding off King as the lights went out, Ladell settled into a rhythm and maintained the gap to the Elite Motorsport driver all the way to the chequered flag to score his tenth win of the season.

“This is an incredible feeling, it won’t sink in for a while,” Ladell said as celebrations began. “To do it with two wins is amazing, I can’t thank everyone around me enough. Everyone has worked so hard and it’s all come together.

“It was just a case of counting down the laps. Harry kept close, it wasn’t easy but I brought it home!”

Tom Roche capped off the season as he cantered to the victory in the final race of the weekend and the 2018 campaign, finishing ahead of Carl Boardley and Adam Shepherd.

In the Am class, Michael Crees recovered from a first lap spin in race two to charge through the field and ensure he secured title honours.

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

Snetterton serves up blockbuster weekend of TOCA support championship action

All five TOCA support package championships returned to action at Snetterton this past weekend (July 28/29) and there were edge-of-the-seat thrills all the way.

Resuming battle following the annual mid-season break, the Norfolk venue provided a fitting backdrop to two full-throttle days of high-octane entertainment.

The Ginetta Junior Championship produced a host of thrills and spills, with Luke Browning and Adam Smalley sharing the spoils. Races one and two belonged to Richardson Racing’s Browning as he took back-to-back victories, both on Saturday as the Norfolk venue basked in the sunshine.

Championship leader Smalley, who had to look on as Browning cleaned up, ensured he claimed the final bragging rights of the event with a win of his own in race three. The Elite Motorsport driver was made to work for his sixth victory of the season though as he was hounded to the chequered flag by Browning, the pair seemingly in a league of their own.

Harry King and Charlie Ladell emerged as the stars of the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup with King bagging a pair of race wins too. The Elite Motorsport hotshot proved to be the man to beat early on in the weekend and he solidified that fact with two perfect drives in races one and two.

Ladell meanwhile added yet another victory to his 2018 record as he maintained his lead in the championship heading into the business end of the season.

There was an emotional first win in the Renault UK Clio Cup for Daniel Rowbottom during the weekend too. In treacherous conditions, Rowbottom scythed his way from ninth into second on the opening tour, and then was involved in an almighty scrap for the lead with James Dorlin. After several laps of going back and forth, Dorlin out-braked himself at Wilson, giving the Cattaclean driver a lead he ultimately never went on to lose.

Race two from the Clio Cup saw championship leader Max Coates bounce back from his race one woes to notch another win. Losing the lead at the start, the Team Pyro driver battled back to pass Dorlin and then pull away from his rivals, taking victory ahead of the aforementioned Dorlin and Lee Pattison.

Spoils were shared in the two Porsche Carrera Cup GB races with Dino Zamparelli and Tom Wrigley each toping the podium. In wet conditions, Zamparelli controlled proceedings in race one as he grabbed an early lead and was ultimately never headed.

The second race of the day saw the circuit substantially drier, giving Wrigley the opportunity to showcase his talents and stake his claim to the title with a measured performance, taking the chequered flag by a mere eight tenths of a second ahead of Lewis Plato.

Finally, the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost produced three exhilarating races to kickstart the second half of their season. With another bumper grid of single seater machines primed for battle, Snetterton provided the perfect backdrop for rounds 16, 17 & 18.

Dennis Hauger came out on top in a dramatic opening encounter, leading home an Arden 1-2 with Sebastian Priaulx hot on his heels. Race two saw a new driver come to the fore as Paavo Tonteri scored his maiden F4 victory, taking the lead at the start and then never being challenged from there.

The final race of the weekend from the F4 contingent saw Jack Doohan make it three different winners from three races, pipping fellow race winners Hauger and Tonteri.

For the full classification of results from all of the weekend’s session from each championship, click here.

The action continues for the TOCA support package on August 11/12 as the Renault UK Clio Cup, Ginetta Junior Championship, Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup and F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost head to Rockingham.

BARC championships serve up thrilling Donington Park race day

The British Automobile Racing Club served up a breathtaking day of racing at Donington Park on Saturday (September 29) as three championships continued on the road towards the end of the season.

Tackling the challenging Leicestershire venue, the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Classic Touring Car Championship and CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship were all in action.

Showcasing the next generation of racing drivers, the Junior Saloon Car Championship delivered its customary blend of wheel-to-wheel thrills and excitement with spoils being shared between two drivers.

With the title battle set to go down to the wire, Joel Wren maintained his recent run of front-running form with a fourth consecutive victory. Starting from fourth on the grid, Wren charged to the front of the field and was declared the winner after five laps following a red flag stoppage. Thomas Ward and Lewis Saunders joined Wren on the podium, finishing second and third respectively.

Saunders made a triumphant return to the summit of the rostrum in race two as he narrowly edged out Wren to continue his charge towards the championship title.

In the Classic Touring Car Championship, six high-octane encounters left fans sitting on the edge-of-their-seats. The amalgamated Pre 93 Touring Cars, Pre 2003 Touring Cars & Pre 05 Production Saloon Cars races saw a dominant display by Ian Bower in his BMW M3, winning both races.

Stephen Primett produced a similar dominating performance in the combined Pre 66 Classic Saloon & Historic Touring Cars & Pre 83 Group 1 Touring Cars races as he piloted his Ford Escort Mk1.

The CTCRC action came to a close with the Classic & Historic Thunder Saloons & Blue Oval Saloon Series sharing the track, with Dave Cockell prevailing, sweeping to two victories in his Ford Escort Cosworth.

Rounding out the BARC action was the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship which saw series leader Paul Rose and Danny Bird take a win apiece.

For the full classification of results from all championships and sessions, click here.

TOCA support championships produce all-out action at Rockingham

There was action all the way on the TOCA support package this past weekend (August 11/12) as four championships continued their campaigns at Rockingham.

The Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup delivered three different winners as the title battle took another twist around the partial oval circuit. Tom Roche was the man to beat in race one as he converted pole position into a flawless win.

Championship leader Charlie Ladell won on the road in race two but he wouldn’t step on the top step of the podium, that would fall to Carl Boardley. Ladell was hit with a ten-second time penalty after being adjudged to have started out of position, dropping him to fourth overall.

Harry King signed off the weekend for the Supercup paddock by sweeping to a comfortable victory in race three ahead of Ladell and Angus Fender.

There were plenty of twists and turns in the Ginetta Junior Championship at Rockingham as it too staged a trio of races over the course of the weekend. Saturday belonged to rookie Louis Foster, who vaulted himself firmly into title contention with a brace of wins.

Foster’s first win came after a breathtaking move down the inside of Patrick Kibble at the Tarzan hairpin on lap six. From there, the pair diced all the way to the chequered flag with Foster pipping Kibble whilst Adam Smalley finished third. Foster’s second win of the weekend came after he emerged from a titanic tussle in the lead to win, Luke Browning and James Taylor rounding out the rostrum.

Treacherous conditions greeted the Junior contingent for their final race of the weekend and Foster almost made it a hat-trick of wins. Running Browning close throughout the ten-lap encounter, he could do nothing to stop the Richardson Racing driver scoring his latest win, whilst Smalley scored another podium in third.

In the Renault UK Clio Cup, spoils were shared between Daniel Rowbottom and Jack McCarthy. Off the back of his maiden victory in the series at Snetterton, Rowbottom was at it again as he stormed to a commanding win in race one. Taking the lead on lap three, the Cataclean-backed racer was unstoppable as he headed Paul Rivett and McCarthy. Elsewhere points leader Max Coates found himself out of luck and out of the race, forced into retirement following contact.

McCarthy became the latest winner in the series in a wet race two as he controlled proceeding’s to take a memorable first triumph. Getting the better of Bradley Burns early on, the Pyro Motorsport driver edged out the chasing duo of Mike Epps and Coates, both of whom capped off the podium.

The F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost served up plenty of entertainment across its three races, with a host of drivers coming to the fore. In a lively opening encounter, Patrik Pasma delivered a scintillating performance to score his maiden victory in the single seater series, leading an Arden Motorsport 1-2-3 ahead of Red Bull Junior duo Jack Doohan and Dennis Hauger.

Johnathan Hoggard was back in the winners circle for race two as he narrowly pipped Kiern Jewiss in a thrilling 14-lap race, with Doohan third. Pasma added a second victory to his CV in the final race of the weekend, producing another superlative drive to top the podium.

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

Next stop for the TOCA support package will be north of the border at Knockhill, where the Ginetta Junior Championship, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup and the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost will all do battle on August 25/26.

Julian Godfrey wins at Croft to take British Rallycross Championship points lead

Julian Godfrey propelled himself to the top of the standings in the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship this past Sunday (July 29), taking victory at Croft Circuit in round six.

Visiting North Yorkshire for the second time this season, the series battled it out in contrasting conditions to last time, with heavy rain added further spice to the action in front of a hearty crowd.

Entering the weekend third in the points, five-time champion Godfrey produced a stellar performance to take a maximum score, vaulting himself to the summit of the leaderboard.

Kevin Proctor led the way in two of the three heats in the run to the final, with Godfrey the other pace setter. Come the end of the day however nobody could stop the Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage as he got a good start and converted his front row start into a lead that he ultimately never lost.

Behind, Ollie O’Donovan saw his hopes of a podium disappear whilst giving chase to Godfrey and Proctor. The Ford Focus driver suffered broken right front suspension and finished the contest sixth, leaving him tied for second overall with Mark Higgins, a point off Godfrey.

Higgins benefitted from O’Donovan’s woes to round off the podium with Steve Hill and Liam Manning rounding out the top five.

Elsewhere reigning MSA Supernational Rallycross champion Tristan Ovenden overcame the challenging conditions to clinch his fourth victory of the season ahead of local star Paige Bellerby and Paul Coney.

Solberg Hansen recorded his second win in the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship as it boasted a record 12 drivers that started. As others lost their way during the final encounter, Hansen held his nerve to thread his way into the lead and power to victory ahead of Patrick O’Donovan and Ben Sayer.

Morgan Bailey delivered a champions performance in the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship to pip Tom Llewellin and Simon Ovenden after a race-long battle.

There were two attempts to run the BMW Mini Rallycross Championship final but when it came to a close, David Bell emerged as the victor and in-doing so took the lead of the points too.

Rounding out the list of winners from a wet and wild weekend was Gary Dixon in the Retro Rallycross Championship final following a monumental scrap with James Harrold, Gary Simpson, Jason Bowes and Ian Biagi.

Brands Hatch beckons for BARC championships

The British Automobile Racing Club will head to Brands Hatch this weekend (October 27/28) where two days of enthralling championship-deciding action will be staged around the Indy circuit.

In what is the first of a host of visits to the Kent venue in the coming weeks as the 2018 season draws to a close, a total of five BARC categories will duke it out for supremacy.

Headlining the action will be no less than eight races from the Classic Touring Car Championship. Home to some of the most iconic and eye-catching saloon cars from down the years, the series has produced memorable action throughout this past season and champions are set to be crowned in pulsating fashion.

Luc Wilson, Patrick Harris and Andy Meesham will battle it out for the Paul Inch Race Engines CTCRC Pre-66 Touring Car crown whilst there will be no such trouble for Stephen Primett in the CTCRC Group 1 Pre-83 Touring Cars, the Ford driver having already successfully retained his title.

The Envirotec Hygiene Services Pre 93 Touring Car battle is set to boil down between Ian Bower and David Hunt, the two having been near inseparable all-year long.

Steve Barden and Anna Barden find themselves in the fortunate position of having an unassailable lead in the YourITMan Pre-03 Touring Cars and Toyo Tires Pre-05 Touring Cars respectively, therefore meaning they can look ahead to signing their campaigns off in style over the course of the weekend.

Capping off the racing from the series will be a pair of encounters from the Burton Blue Power Oval Saloon Series and the Hammerite Classic Thunder Touring Cars, both of which have champions already decided in the shape of Piers Grange and Ilsa Cox.

With big grids and some titles still to be settled, this weekend’s Classic Touring Car Championship action is not to be missed, with entertainment guaranteed all the way.

The Max5 Racing Championship will also round out their 2018 season at Brands Hatch with titles to be decided in two of the three classes.

Class A has seen an enthralling three-way fight play out throughout the year and heading into the finale, Josh Malin finds himself in the pound seat. Holding a 27-point advantage over Matthew Tidmarsh, Malin will be keen to add to his nine race wins to seal the title whilst Andrew Pretorius can’t be discounted from making his mark too.

Richard Smith’s consistency means he is out of touch of his rivals in Class B however a head-to-head battle in Class C between Paul Roddison and Jeremy Shipley is sure to get pulses racing.

Also on the billing will be the BARC South East Centre’s trio of championships; the BARC South East Tin Tops Championship, BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship and Scrapco/Avon Intermarque Championship.

With all manner of machinery competing in these three categories, variety really is the spice of life and regulars to Brands Hatch will be well acquainted with them.

Joining the BARC will be two races from the Reprise IT Tiedeman Trophy Championship, both of which will be run on Saturday.

James Dorlin overhauls points deficit to provisionally seal Renault UK Clio Cup title

The Renault UK Clio Cup title fight went down to the final lap of the season at Brands Hatch this past weekend (September 29/30) with James Dorlin eventually overhauling his rivals to provisionally be crowned champion in his second season in the series.

In what had been a pulsating season-long battle, four drivers descended on the Kent circuit in mathematical contention for the coveted title but when the dust settled on the weekend’s two races, the Westbourne Motorsport driver celebrated championship glory.

Having entered the weekend sitting third in the standings, the BRDC Superstar picked up silverware in race one before setting his sights on taking control of the championship battle in the final race of the year.

Launching from the outside of the front row, Dorlin overhauled Bradley Burns for the lead on the opening lap heading into Graham Hill Bend and soon made his escape. Behind, series leader Max Coates found himself in the thick of the action but could not make headway.

Despite having to deal with two safety car periods, the former Junior Saloon Car and Michelin Clio Cup Series champion held his nerve to take his sixth victory of the season and with it, the 2018 Renault UK Clio Cup title.

Dorlin’s title, though, is provisional, pending an appeal to the MSA National Court by Paul Rivett and his WDE Motorsport team.

Commenting on his title win, Dorlin said: “This is the biggest achievement of my career so far, without a doubt.

“To win at this level in front of the British Touring Car teams, crowds and ITV cameras and because of the very high level of competition that the Clio Cup attracts means it carries massive credibility.

“I had all sorts thrown at me during the race but I knew so long as I kept the lead and it wasn’t Max in second then it was coming my way. Any pressure actually helped me stay focused and winning was the only thing on my mind.

“It’s great to get it the title with a sixth win and I have to say a massive ‘thank you’ to my team Westbourne Motorsport who I’ve come through the system with and sponsors Vantage Motor Group and GardX. And of course my family who’ve been with me all the way since I first started racing.”

Daniel Rowbottom, who had been in contention at the start of the weekend, produced a superlative performance in the opening encounter to storm to his third victory of the year. Converting pole position into the race lead, Rowbottom served up a mesmerising performance as he fended off the charging duo of Burns and Jack Young.

Further down the order the trio of Dorlin, Rivett and Coates diced but it was to be the Westbourne Motorsport driver that held the advantage. As the laps ticked by Young soon found himself in trouble as he was hit with a ten-second penalty for a false start – promoting the title trio.

The race however would not reach its conclusion following a heavy crash for Nicholas Reeve and Brett Lidsey at Dingle Dell. Reeve came off worse as his machine hit the tyre wall hard and subsequently rolled, causing substantial damage to his Specialized Motorsport machine.

Due to severe damage to the barrier, the race was red-flagged with Rowbottom declared the winner with Burns and Dorlin rounding off the podium.

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

BTCC marks 60th Anniversary in style with Snetterton spectacle

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship marked its 60th Anniversary in fine style at Snetterton this past weekend (July 28/29) as Jack Goff, Ashley Sutton and Matt Neal all took race wins – the latter in the Diamond Double.

In-keeping with the series’ Diamond Jubilee, the second half of the season kicked off in Norfolk with two blockbuster races and a longer milestone encounter – all of which helped write the latest chapter in the illustrious history of the BTCC.

Saturday’s two qualifying sessions belonged to the WIX Racing with Eurotech Honda Civic Type R of Jack Goff. Having set the pace in the day’s earlier practice session, Goff came out of the blocks flying in the first battle for pole position, storming to the top of the times at the mid-point of qualifying and to a new lap record.

Following a short break, the BTCC contingent were back out on track for 15 minutes to decide the grid for the longer 60-mile race three encounter. As he had done previously, Goff produced a scintillating lap to break his own lap record and take the all-important pole position for the weekend’s marque event.

In contrast to the dry conditions of Saturday, drivers were greeted with heavy rain on Sunday morning as they lined up for the first race of the day – one that would ultimately go on to be an all-time classic.

Launching from pole position, Goff launched his Civic off the line and into an early lead. Further back, all eyes were on reigning champion as he jumped from ninth on the grid into second place by turn three.

As others struggled to master the treacherous conditions, Goff and Sutton got their heads down and began to build a gap to Dan Cammish in third. Further back, Tom Ingram joined the ever-growing list of retirements as he crawled to a stop having suffered an alternator failure on his Toyota Avensis.

With the laps ticking by, Sutton soon began eating into Goff’s lead – his Subaru Levorg working well in the pouring rain. Setting fastest lap after fastest lap, the 23-year-old soon began to fill the mirrors of Goff as they went onto the final tour.

Showing his nose at Agostini, Sutton made a bold and quite staggering move around the outside of the sweeping Coram corner, placing him on the inside for Murrays. Leading out of the final corner, the pair had a drag race to the line where Goff narrowly pipped Sutton to the chequered by just 0.152. Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Cammish rounded off the podium in third.

Riding high on the success of race one, Goff’s world came crashing down before the start of race two after missing the window to leave the pit lane and head to the grid. Forced to start from the back of the grid, Goff’s pole position spot was vacant and it gave Sutton clear road ahead.

With the track having predominantly dried out, all cars started on slick tyres and it was Sutton that made the best start. Resisting early pressure from Cammish, the Subaru driver began to stretch his legs out front whilst the chasing pack squabbled.

Whilst Sutton led, Speedworks Motorsport’s Ingram proved to be the star of the show as he scythed his way through the field from P27. Picking off drivers one-by-one, the Independents champion eventually finished on the podium, clawing third away from Cammish at the line.

Back at the front, a safety car period with just a handful of laps to go eroded Sutton’s gap and despite a strong restart he was to come under pressure from the charging Josh Cook, who ran him close as they took the chequered flag covered by less than a second.

Having started from the back of the grid, race one winner Goff struggled with the additional 75kgs of success ballast and crossed the line in P17.

As the dust settled on races one and two, all eyes were firmly focused on the Diamond Double; the 60-mile, 20 lap, double championship point extravaganza race to cap off the weekend.

Back on the front row of the grid, Goff made another lightening start and immediately began to build a gap over the Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda of Neal. Sutton’s chances of scoring big ended on the opening laps he was forced to serve a 30-second stop-go penalty for an infringement on the grid before the warm-up lap. Due to serving it incorrectly, he made a second visit to the pits a lap later to do the same thing.

At the front, the battle for the lead ignited after a brief safety car period. On lap nine, a sprinkling of rain hit the circuit, catching several drivers out. Heading into the Wilson hairpin, Neal showed his nose on Goff, who out-braked himself – thus giving the lead to the three-time champion.

From there Neal, Goff and Ingram were inseparable as they built up a substantial gap over Andrew Jordan and Tom Chilton in fourth and fifth. Despite Goff or Ingram being able to make a move on Neal, the three-way fight for the lead kept fans on the edge-of-their-seats until the final lap.

Further down the order was an almighty scrap for sixth, with Chris Smiley leading a train of more than 10 cars at one point. Fending off the likes of Colin Turkington, Cook and more, Smiley looked on course to maintain the position before damage late on put pay to those aspirations.

The chequered flag saw Neal write the latest chapter in what is becoming a storied career as he took victory in the winner Diamond Double, finishing ahead of Goff and Ingram.

At the end of the weekend it is now Ingram that sits at the top of the points standings, six markers ahead of Turkington whilst Neal is a further ten behind.

For the full classification of results and standings from all of the weekend’s sessions, click here.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship continues in under two weeks time for rounds 19, 20 & 21 at Rockingham on August 11/12.