Category: Barc

BARC championships set to dazzle at Donington Park

The British Automobile Racing Club heads to Donington Park this weekend (June 2/3) with six championships set to produce plenty of wheel-to-wheel thrills as they continue their 2018 campaigns.

With summer approaching and events coming thick and fast, this visit to the Leicestershire-based venue for some will mark the second half of the season – igniting title battles even further.

Having been in action just last weekend, the Max5 Racing Championship descends on Donington Park for another two races this weekend with it all to play for. Marking the fourth stop on the calendar, the multi-class category has served up plenty of entertainment thus far.

Paul Roddison enters the event as the man to beat having won five of the six races already. Winning five in-a-row, the series veteran saw his winning streak come to an end at Anglesey last time out as Jeremy Shipley took the chequered flag. Keen to strike back with further triumphs, Roddison will be one to watch however Shipley, Matthew Tidmarsh, Richard Smith and Josh Malin are set to all be in the mix.

The BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns will be in action for the second time this season over the course of the weekend too. Kicking off their campaign at Brands Hatch, the popular prototype series is never short of producing close racing.

Mark Charteris, Steve Dickens and Michelle Hayward all took class victories around the Indy layout last month and the trio will be looking to add to their ever-growing silverware collections under the flightpath of East Midlands airport this weekend.

Small in size but packing a real punch on-track, the Mighty Minis Championship will undoubtedly be deliver a host of edge-of-the-seat moments. Boasting a bumper grid made up of the iconic car, Donington Park marks the halfway point in the season and it is all to play for.

In the more powerful Super Mighty Mini class wins have gone the way of Stuart Combes, Lee Polman, Greg Jenkins, Damien Harrington and Alex Comis – making picking a winner for outright glory at this event almost impossible to choose from.

Elsewhere in the Mighty Mini class, the likes of Seven Kirkpatrick, Scott Kendall and Jo Polley have all been the leading lights and each will be looking to add to their impressive 2018 resumes.

There will be a diverse range of machinery in the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship as it too reaches the halfway stage of the season. Events at Oulton Park, Rockingham and Snetterton have set the tone already, with the likes of Jim Baynam, Stuart Plotnek and David Mellor as the perennial contenders to look out for.

Fans of single seater racing will be well catered for over the course of the weekend too via the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship. Taking a trip down memory lane of the once popular category, the jaw-dropping machines of yesteryear continue to spark great racing.

Mike Gardner, Mark Armstrong, Benn Tilley, Adriano Mederios and more have all tasted success this year and will be looking to do so once again.

Capping off the BARC competition will be a pair of races from the Kumho BMW Championship. Bringing the best models from the German manufacturer together onto one grid, the series has continued to keep going from strength-to-strength with Colin Wells, Ian Crisp and Russell Dack are three of just many drivers that have made their mark this year.

In addition to the feast of BARC action, the British Superkarts will also be in action around the sweeping curves of Donington Park.

Prizes confirmed for BSKC 2018 National Final

The British Schools Karting Championship have confirmed another bumper set of prizes for the most successful teams and drivers competing in the 2018 National Final, staged at Whilton Mill on June 30.

Following a host of regional finals, spanning the length and breadth of the UK, a total of 26 teams are set to battle it out for supremacy in what is set to be a highly competitive event.

Ten races stand between a variety of schools and colleges and their respective students from walking away with what could be argued as the biggest set of prizes that have been on offer for winning the championship.

The three students from the winning team and one representing adult will be given the opportunity to enjoy a Heritage Tour of the Williams Grand Prix Collection. Touring the state-of-the-art, multi-million pound Grand Prix Collection, the winners will be able to walk around the interactive museum that houses around 40 Williams Formula One cars dating from 1978 onwards.

Seminal race cars that carried World Champions such as Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve to victory over three decades of racing are all on display.

Ginetta Cars will also offer the entry onto the prestigious 2019 Ginetta Junior Scholarship for the highest placed competition licence holder [whose date of birth falls between 1st January 2003 and 21st March 2005, and who has not previously competed in an MSA circuit car race].

Giving them the opportunity to battle for free entry onto the 2019 Ginetta Junior Championship grid, the prize is one that can spring board any junior race onto great things.

Super Green Racing’s Howard and Ben Green will also continue their support of the BSKC by offering a pair of tickets to an event that Ben competes at later in the year. Now riding high in the British GT Championship, Green is a former winner of the event having triumphed with Debden Park High School in 2014.

For more information on the BSKC and how you can get involved in 2019, head to www.bskc.co.uk to find out more.

C1 Challenge set to make history at Rockingham with blockbuster 24hr race

The British Automobile Racing Club is set to play its part in a small piece of history at Rockingham this weekend (May 11/12/13) as the Corby circuit gets set to stage its first-ever 24hr race.

Having hosted a wide variety of events since opening in 2001, Rockingham will welcome the Trade Team C1 Challenge for three days of unmissable, wheel-to-wheel action.

Launching in 2017 with just a handful of cars, the C1 Challenge has become a phenomenon in UK motorsport, with grids having grown at a rapid rate. Giving drivers the opportunity to go endurance racing at a low-cost, the series is set for its biggest weekend to date at Rockingham.

A capacity 53-car entry list has been confirmed by organisers with a diverse range of drivers filling the seats across each team. Whilst some o

Notable names taking to the track include FIA World Endurance Championship racer Andy Priaulx, who will share a car with his son Sebastian, Richard Solomans and Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Series Director Alan Gow.

Recent BTCC race winner Josh Cook, former BTCC stars Anthony Reid and Lea Wood and Jade Edwards are just a handful of the other notable names that are competing. In total, 203 drivers will take to the track over the course of what is set to be a memorable 24hrs of competition.

Given the high demand to race in the 24hr race, an additional three-hour encounter is now also set to run on Saturday, with a capacity 35-car entry list confirmed for that as well.

Aside from the C1 Challenge, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship makes its first of four visits to Rockingham. Having raced around the venue for the past 15 years, this weekend will see the championship descend on the same circuit that the BTCC uses instead of the oval.

Boasting a 23-car entry for Saturday’s two races, all eyes will be on Lea Wood and whether he can extend his points lead at the summit of the standings. Winning both races at Brands Hatch and notching another victory at Croft, Wood holds a commanding lead in the standings and will be keen to add to his silverware collection this weekend.

Hot on his heels however will be defending champion Scott Bourne and David O’Reagan, both of whom also triumphed at Croft last time. Throw into the mix the likes of Mark Willis, Dale Gent and Paul Tompkins, to name a few, and it is set to be an intriguing two races around the ISSC configuration.

BTRA headlines blockbuster Brands Hatch bank holiday weekend meeting

The BTRA Truck Racing Championship headlined what proved to be a bumper bank holiday weekend at Brands Hatch (April 1/2) for the British Automobile Racing Club, with a total of seven championships in action.

Tackling the infamous Indy layout of the Kent venue in mixed conditions across both days, a bumper crowd was treated to a feast of wheel-to-wheel battles.

In the heavyweight Truck encounters, Division 1 served up a host of storming races with Stuart Oliver kicking off proceedings with victory in race one, narrowly pipping David Jenkins. Roles were reversed in race two however as Jenkins got the better of Oliver to clinch his maiden win of the season.

Despite joining Mat Summerfield as a late entry reigning champion Ryan Smith showed his class on day two as he romped to a host of victories.

In Division 2, Luke Garrett was in similar form as he set his stall out as an early title contender, triumphing on three occasions. John and Steve Powell were the other victors in the more production-based category.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres was back in action too for their second event of the year and six races being run. Day one saw Miles Rudman notch his first win of the season before 2017 runner-up Ben Power scored wins in race two and the grand final.

Defending champion John Mickel hit the front on day two with a win in race one before Rudman once again underlined his speed with a second triumph of the weekend. Following a high speed crash earlier in the day on the pit straight, Will Gibson bounced back to finish the day on the top step of the podium.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship saw Lea Wood exert his dominance with a near perfect weekend as he romped to a brace of wins. The former BTCC racer scythed his way through the field in the opener before stamping his authority as a serial title contender in race two with an equally impressive performance.

Dominance was the norm in the Kumho BMW Championship and Scrapco/Avon Tyres Intermarque Championship too as Colin Wells and Malcolm Blackman clinched double wins respectively.

Rounding the list of race winners was Rod Birley, who was back on track in his rebuilt Ford Escort RS, and Adrian Bradley – both of whom took to the top step of the podium in the amalgamated BARC Modified Saloon Car Championship and BARC South East Tin Tops Championship races.

For the full classification of results, click here.

BARC championships battle mixed conditions at Oulton Park

The British Automobile Racing Club officially kicked off the 2018 season on track this past Saturday (March 17) with four championships doing battle around Oulton Park.

Marking the start of a new campaign, competitors and spectators were met with all manner of weather conditions as sun and snow battered the Cheshire venue.

Edge-of-the-seat thrills were delivered in droves from the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres as a 33-car entry list duked it out across three encounters.

Will Gibson snatched the early advantage as he stormed to victory in the opening race of the day, pipping reigning champion John Mickel and the ever-impressive Jack Parker. Gibson was unable to repeat his performance in the second race however as Steve Whitelegg surged to victory, with Parker and Miles Rudman in tow.

Come the final at the end of the day, Connor Mills proved to be the man to beat as he led home Parker, who made it a trio of podium finishes, and race one winner Gibson to take top spot.

Like Legends, the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship also boasted a bumper grid of more than 30 cars of all makes and models. Just one race instead of the timetabled two was run though and following a restart, Paul Rose emerged as the victor.

At the wheel of his Saker RAPX S1-400, Rose was in a league of his own as he took the chequered flag by more than 20 seconds. The battle for the remaining podium positions proved to be a lot closer though with just three tenths of a second separating David Harvey and Danny Bird.

The APL Health Caterham Graduates Championship also roared into life at Oulton Park with a host of new and old faces going wheel-to-wheel.

In the amalgamated Mega/Classic/Sigma/Sigman VCT races Declan Dolan continued his fine form from 2017 to take a brace of victories. The reigning Mega champion swept his way to a dominant double as Ben Winrow shadowed him in both races. Kevin Barrett and Roger Ford each picked up a third place each too.

Lee Collins was equally as dominant in the two Sigmax/Sigmax VCT races as he topped the rostrum in both. Collins led Oliver Gibson and Jamie Winrow in the opener before Winrow led the charge to try and beat him along with Ben Gillias in the second.

Rounding out action at the weekend was the Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship. In two frenetic races, some of the most iconic machines from the popular brand put on a show for those in attendance.

Piloting his MG ZR, David Mellor picked up victory in race one ahead of Martin Wells and Stuart Plotnek before Simon Kendrick, driving a MG F VVC, took the win in race two ahead of Plotnek and Stuart Philps.

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

Sebastian Loeb wins first-ever rallycross event held at Silverstone

Following months of build up and anticipation, Silverstone staged its maiden rallycross event this past weekend (March 17) with the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship putting on a memorable 2018 curtain-raiser, Sebastian Loeb prevailIng as the winner.

Serving as the new home for the British round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, the Northamptonshire-based venue welcomed a bumper crowd in what proved to be arctic conditions as snow continuously fell throughout the day.

Boasting an entry list of some of the biggest names from British shores, the championship also welcomed a host of FIA World RX drivers, all of whom were keen to get an early taste of the new layout.

Team Peugeot-Hansen fielded a pair of machines for Loeb and Timmy Hansen whilst Andreas Bakkerud flew the flag for EKS. It was to be those three drivers that would prove to be the benchmark throughout the day in the Supercar category.

Bakkerud made his through the trio of heats unbeaten as he hustled his Audi S1 to three wins, placing him in a commanding position. Come the semi-finals however it was to be Hansen and Loeb that came to the fore, each winning their respective races to put them in a strong position for the final.

In what proved to be a frenetic encounter in treacherous conditions, nine-time World Rally champion Loeb produced a sensational drive to fend off his team-mate Hansen and Bakkerud, writing his name into the history books as the first outright winner at the venue.

Whilst the globetrotting world stars locked out the podium, the British contingent ensured that they didn’t all have things they’re own way. Five-time British champion Julian Godfrey, driving a Mitsubishi Mirage, made solid progress throughout the day to finish fourth in the final whilst Steve Hill was fifth.

Other notable performances included Roger Thomas in his Ford Focus whilst Ollie O’Donovan, Kevin Proctor and Mark Higgins all were in the mix too.

In the MSA Junior Rallycross Championship, sponsored by 247cerrajero, Marius Solberg-Hansen clinched victory ahead of Luke and James Constantine. Earlier in the day Morgan Wroot became the first official driver to win a race at Silverstone virtue of clinching top spot in his opening heat.

Jack Thorne fended off Paul Coney and Tristan Ovenden in the MSA Supernational and Super 1600 Championship final to top the rostrum whilst Keifer Hudson was the BMW Mini victor.

Simon Ovenden continued his imperious form in the Swift Sport Championship to take the win ahead of Rob Shield and Tom Llewellin. James Harrold and Chrissy Palmer rounded off the list of winners as they picked up trophies in the Retro Rallycross and RX150 respectively.

For the full list of results from all classes, click here.

The next round of the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championships takes place on Monday 2 April at Lydden Hill.

British Rallycross ready for blockbuster season-opener at Silverstone

History is set to be made at Silverstone this weekend (March 17) as the 2018 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship bursts into life.

Tackling the Northamptonshire venue’s brand new rallycross circuit for the first time, the adrenaline-filled championship is set to certainly leave its mark come the end of Saturday evening.

Predicting winners in rallycross is usually difficult at the best of times and this year’s season-opener is evermore difficult due a host of different factors being thrown into the mix.

A new track brings with it a host of challenges and many will be keen to get on the pace and gain an advantage early.

Whilst reigning champion Nathan Heathcote is competing this weekend (in the RX150 class) his title is very much up for grabs and there are no shortage of contenders to choose from.

Five-time champion Julian Godfrey leads the way and he will be keen to go one better than last year. One major change for Godfrey this weekend however is that he has swapped his Ford Fiesta for the Spencer Sport-run Mitsubishi Mirage RX.

Kevin Proctor and Ollie O’Donovan know what it takes to win at the highest level and will also be ones to watch as they bid to gain an the upper hand in what is set to be a championship battle full of twists and turns.

Steve Hill, Andy Grant, Mad Mark Watson and Oliver Bennett were regular fixtures on the grid last year and all are back competing at the opening round.

Three-time MSA British Rally champion Mark Higgins will pit himself against some of British RX’s established names too as he links up with Albatec Racing

If the best of British contingent wasn’t enough for the 2018 season-opener, a handful of FIA World Rallycross Championship drivers are also on the entry list as they seek to get to grips with the new circuit ahead of the May event that is being run.

Team Peugeot Total have entered two of their Peugeot 208 machines for nine-time World Rally champion Sebastian Loeb and Timmy Hansen. Andreas Bakkerud will also get his eye in at the wheel of his EKS Audi Sport.

Guerlain Chichent rounds off the list of World RX stars as he pilots a Renault Clio R.S RX, all of which is set to further add to the spectacle.

Throw into the mix the stacked supporting cast from the MSA Junior Championship, MSA Supernational Championship, Retro Rallycross Championship, RX150 Championship, BMW Mini Rallycross Championship, Super1600 Rallycross Championship and Swift Sport Rallycross Championship and you begin to understand how this weekend is one that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Nigel Mansell CBE and Murray Walker OBE to open The Thruxton Centre at 50th Anniversary Celebration

The 1992 Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell and much-loved veteran F1 commentator Murray Walker will inaugurate The Thruxton Centre during the 50th Anniversary Celebration – Sat 2 – Sun 3 June. Plus, Mansell’s title-winning Williams F1 car will also be on display.

The Thruxton Centre – Thruxton Circuit’s new, £2 million state-of-the-art hospitality facility – will be officially opened at 12:00 noon on Sunday, 3 June by 31-time Grand Prix-winner and 1992 Formula 1 World Champion, Nigel Mansell CBE alongside his lifelong friend and semi-retired motorsport commentator and journalist, Murray Walker OBE.

Thruxton’s flagship hospitality building is the latest addition to the venue as part of a comprehensive modernisation programme. The fully-catered facility will comprise a new restaurant and bar, exhibition space, function rooms, hosting suites and outside viewing terrace.

Thruxton’s 50th Anniversary Celebration will take place over the weekend of 2/3 June, featuring 15 races as well as high-speed demonstrations from Williams’ 1983 FW08C and other iconic racing cars and bikes. As the stars of the eagerly-anticipated inauguration of The Thruxton Centre, Mansell and Walker will be amongst the high-profile guests, and both spoke warmly about the popular Hampshire circuit – the quickest in the country.

Mansell said: “I remember Thruxton very fondly from my early racing days, as a very fast, demanding circuit where I enjoyed several exciting and successful races.”

Walker added: “I’ve been commentating at Thruxton since the early 1950s, notably at motorcycle races, the great Formula Two events and the thrilling British Touring Car Championship. I love its friendly atmosphere and am honoured to join my mate Nigel for the opening of this superb new building.”

Mansell’s 1992 Formula 1 World Championship-winning Williams FW14B will also be on display. Penned by legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey OBE and Sir Patrick Head, the FW14B – pioneer of the sport’s game-changing active suspension technology – won ten Grands Prix, achieved 15 pole positions out of 16 and set 11 fastest laps in the hands of the Briton and team-mate Riccardo Patrese. Between them, the pair tallied no fewer than 21 podium finishes that year, with Mansell clinching the coveted Drivers’ crown as early as the Hungarian Grand Prix in August – a record at the time.

“We’re over-the-moon to be able to confirm Nigel and Murray to officially open The Thruxton Centre,” enthused Thruxton Group Managing Director, Bill Coombs. “They are both absolute motorsport royalty, not only in Britain but all around the world, and I am sure they will prove to be a huge draw at our 50th Anniversary Celebration. The new facility will truly enhance the Thruxton offering for race fans, manufacturers and corporate guests.

“For fans to also get the opportunity to see the Williams FW14B – one of the most dominant cars in the sport’s history – in the flesh will be a rare treat, and enhances the team’s presence at the event alongside the FW08C, which we announced last week. Better yet, there’s much, much more still to come – so watch this space!”

The first motorsport event to be held at Thruxton in the venue’s current guise was in March, 1968 and half-a-century on, a whole host of single-seaters, sportscars and saloons from the last five decades will hit the track for a spirited sprint down memory lane at the circuit’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Away from the race programme, there will be a raft of eye-catching demo runs, static displays and car club reunions, as well as a funfair, live music, overnight camping and a fireworks display in evidence of the festival’s family-friendly appeal.

Advance tickets for Thruxton’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on 2/3 June are available from just £12 for Saturday entry and £15 for Sunday – or £24 for both days. Sunday grandstand seats are an additional £5. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge.

Tio Ellinas snatches Porsche Carrera Cup GB title

Two podium finishes for Tio Ellinas was enough for him to snatch the Porsche Carrera Cup GB title at Brands Hatch this past weekend (September 29/30), overhauling season-long rival Dino Zamparelli in the process.

Entering the final event of the season sitting second in the standings, the Slidesports Engineering driver had a deficit of eight points to make up on championship leader Zamparelli around the Kent circuit.

The opening encounter of the weekend proved to be a milestone 300th for the championship since its inception in 2003, and it didn’t disappoint. Starting on the outside of the front row, Zamparelli jumped pole sitter Daniel Harper and began to make his escape from the chasing pack.

Firmly in control of proceedings, the Redline Racing driver soon found himself in strife as he spun on coolant dropped by another car, pitching him into the gravel and tumbling down the order. Managing to get going again, ZamaprellI’s hopes of the title were soon on a knife-edge.

Back at the front, Harper’s hopes of victory dropped away and Lewis Plato came to the fore, taking the lead and ultimately going on to score his second win of the season. Behind the JTR driver was Ellinas who bagged second place and with it, closed the gap to Zamparelli to zero – meaning the pair would go into the final race of the season tied on points.

With it coming down to who finished in front of the other, all eyes were on Ellinas and Zamparelli as they prepared for the final chapter of the 2018 season. As the lights went out, series returnee Michael Caine found himself in strife at Paddock Hill Bend the field streamed round the opening sequence of corners.

As Tom Wrigley vaulted into the lead, Ellinas slotted into second place – a championship-winning position at the time. Further back Zamparelli’s progress had been strong to begin with but as the race wore on, the runner-up the previous two seasons was unable to find a way past Harper.

Second place for Ellinas meanwhile proved to be enough to give him his maiden Porsche Carrera Cup GB title by just two points.

Seb Perez emerged as the victor in the Pro-Am category and Peter Manigon wrapped up the Am class.

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

BARC heads back to Cadwell Park for full-throttle weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club heads north to the undulating curves of Cadwell Park this weekend (September 8/9) with six championships set to continue their 2018 campaigns.

In what will be the latest visit to the picturesque circuit in Lancashire, the demanding layout of Cadwell is set to produce close-quarter action across the variety of categories competing.

A spirited trip down memory lane will be in order for the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship as they stage their penultimate event of the season. Showcasing the glory years of single seater racing, the open-wheeled series has been rife with high-octane moments throughout the year – and this weekend is set to be no different with two races set to be run.

Benn Tilley has proved to be the benchmark driver in recent rounds but the likes of Mark Armstrong, Stuart Kestenbaum and Ben Tinkler, amongst a host of others, will all be out to haunt his momentum.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship has served up another enthralling season of racing this year and shows no sign of slowing up heading to Cadwell. With all manner of models from the marquee manufacturer being represented on the grid, the multi-class series has proven to be a haven for entertainment.

Series veteran Jim Baynam finds himself leading the way in the standings however his lead could come under further threat if the likes of Stephen McDermid and Martin Willis score big points.

There has been a fair share of memorable moments from the Max5 Racing Championship this year which has largely been dominated by Paul Roddison. Holding a near-perfect record, Roddison will be keen to continue his winning ways whilst the likes of Jeremy Shipley bid to halt his progress.

Elsewhere over the course of the weekend will be a feast of tin top action from the Classic VW Cup, BARC Saloon Series and Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge.

Bringing together some of the most iconic machines from the German marque, the Classic VW Cup has flourished in its maiden season of having its own grids. A diverse range of machines will also been seen across the BARC Saloon Series and Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge -each of them likely to take on a starring role.

In addition to the feast of BARC action, on-track thrills will also come from the Mini Se7en Championship and Mini Miglia Championship, both of whom starred at Thruxton’s 50th Anniversary Meeting in early June.

Fans of all things Ford will be well-catered for too as a pair of races from the Racing Fords series will also take place.

For more information on this weekend’s event at Cadwell Park, including a timetable and links to live timing, click here
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‘King of Croft’ leads BTCC battle into Yorkshire

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship reaches the half-way point of the 2018 season this weekend (June 23/24) at Croft Circuit, with Team BMW’s Colin Turkington leading the charge as the series heads to North Yorkshire.

Marking its 60th Anniversary this year, the BTCC has once again hit new heights with the usual mix of wheel-to-wheel thrills being produced and nine different drivers picking up race wins along the way.

Celebrating 50 years since first hosting a BTCC event also, Croft has become a popular fixture on the calendar and one that is favourite amongst drivers and spectators alike.

Nobody undoubtedly has a greater love for the North Yorkshire-based venue than series leader Turkington, who enters the weekend with a 12-point advantage. Well-suited to rear-wheel-drive cars, Croft has become a happy hunting ground for the West Surrey Racing driver down the years.

Scoring 12 wins, 19 podiums, five pole positions and eight fastest laps, Turkington has earned himself the moniker of being called the ‘King of Croft’ and many expect him to be on top form once again. Winning last time out at Oulton Park, the Northern Irishman could well add to his impressive strike rate, despite carrying 75kgs of success ballast into qualifying and race one.

Hot on the heels of the BMW driver are a quartet of young guns, all of which are leading the fight against the established guard. Adam Morgan and Jack Goff sit tied on points in second place whilst two-time race winners Tom Ingram and Josh Cook are also in the mix.

Matt Neal, a winner at Thruxton, sits on the fringe of the top five and should go well in the Honda Civic Type R, as will Andrew Jordan and Rob Collard. Both sit behind the wheel of a BMW 1-Series and both will be highly confident of scoring big around a circuit which has delivered success for WSR in the past.

Tom Chilton edged closer to a taking his maiden Motorbase Performance race win at Oulton Park, bagging two podium finishes and he too will have his tail in the air.

Four of the 32 drivers on the BTCC grid are proud Yorkshiremen and each would count themselves as potential race winners heading into next weekend as they look to leave their mark in front of their home crowd.

Daniel Cammish, Sam Tordoff, Senna Proctor and Daniel Lloyd have all at some stage underlined their credentials in the BTCC and all four will be keen to sign off the first half of their campaigns with silverware in front of what is expected to be a bumper turnout of fans.

Matt Simpson scored a popular breakthrough pole position and race win in Cheshire a few weeks ago and the Type R racer will be eyeing further success too.

One team that will be looking for a change in fortunes is Adrian Flux Subaru Racing. Enduring performance issues that have hampered their chances of fighting towards the front, the trio of reigning champion Ashley Sutton, Jason Plato and Josh Price will all be hoping to take a step in the right direction at a circuit that has treated them well in recent seasons.

With rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship marking the half-way point of the season, expect to see everyone fighting to head into the annual summer break on a high.

Tickets will be available to purchase on the gate on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, priced at ÂŁ15 for Saturday, ÂŁ30 for Sunday and ÂŁ38 for the full weekend. Children 15 and under go free when accompanied by an adult whilst gates open at 08:00 both days.
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Thruxton Circuit geared up to celebrate 50th Anniversary in style

Thruxton Circuit is set to mark its 50th Anniversary in style this weekend (June 2/3) with two days of iconic races, mesmerising displays, jaw-dropping off track attractions and famous faces all set to feature.

The first motorsport event to be held at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club in its current guise took place in 1968 and since then, the Hampshire venue has welcomed all manner of machinery, all of them making an indelible mark.

One of the very few circuits in the UK that has remained untouched, all five decades of Thruxton will be showcased during the weekend on what is set to be a spirited trip down memory lane.

Part of that visit to yesteryear will come from the bumper 13-race programme that has been put together which encompasses a wide range of illustrious machines that have starred at the venue down the years.

Action from the Historic Touring Car Challenge/Tony Dron Trophy, Spirit of Thruxton Single-Seater Race for the Jochen Rindt Memorial Trophy, RAC Woodcote Trophy/Stirling Moss Trophy, Ian Taylor Trophy Race for HSCC Historic Formula Ford Championship, HSCC Guards Trophy, M7RC Mini Se7en Championship and M7RC Mini Miglia Championship are set to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Away from the racing there will be a host of eye-catching demonstration runs, all of which will be out to steal the show. Formula 1 will return to Thruxton for the first time since 1993 to top the demo run billing as Karun Chandhok takes the reins of the flame-spitting Williams FW08C, the 540kg, 530bhp Ford Cosworth DFV V8 powered car that Keke Rosberg drove in 1983.

The last time a Formula 1 car tackled the sweeping bends of Thruxton was when Damon Hill drove the title-winning Williams FW15C 25 years ago, clocking a stunning average speed of 147.25mph.

Other machines that will take to the track include a Lola T70, March 721g, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford GT and a host of motorcycles from different eras.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will also have a presence too with old and new machines turning a wheel; Rob Austin and Rob Collard in the machines they currently compete in whilst James and Anita Dodd pilot a Honda Accord and Nissan Primera, two icons of Super Touring.

The array of stunning machines don’t just stop on the track however with a wealth of much-loved static cars on display. In addition to the Rosberg Formula 1 machine, Williams will also showcase the famous ‘Red 5’ of Nigel Mansell that powered him to championship glory in 1992, the unique six-wheeled FW08B and the FW38 – the teams 2016 car.

Porsche’s last hurrah in the FIA World Endurance Championship – the stunning technical marvel that is the 919 Hybrid Sports Prototype – will join the likes of the Aston Martin GTE, Ford GT40 and much more.

Mansell himself will be in attendance too and will be joined my Murray Walker as they both officially open the brand-new, state-of-the-art ÂŁ2 million Thruxton Centre at 12:00 noon on Sunday.

Beyond all of the track and paddock attractions there is set to be even more entertainment taking place around the venue across both days.

Coach rounds around the circuit, car club reunions, live music and fireworks on Saturday, as well as a funfair will ensure there is fun for all of the family. One eye should also be fixed on the skies on Sunday morning as the world-famous British Army parachute display team the Red Devils will perform their thrilling, adrenaline-fuelled aerial choreography over the circuit.

It is set to be a fitting way to mark five decades of Thruxton and it will also serve as the perfect start to the next 50 years as well.

Tickets will be available to purchase on the gate from ÂŁ15.00 on Saturday, ÂŁ20.00 on Sunday and ÂŁ24.00 for the whole weekend.
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