The British Automobile Racing Club is delighted to announce that Mark Turner has been appointed to the role of Sporting Manager and will head up the Club’s Competitions Department with immediate effect, following the semi-retirement of Ian Watson who will continue as Race Director of the BTCC for BARC.

Mark will lead the experienced team, focusing on delivering excellent customer service to club members, competitors, marshals, officials and many others in a comprehensive schedule of events and race meetings.

Boasting a wealth of motorsport experience that spans more than two decades, Mark’s career started as co-ordinator for the SEAT Cupra Championship where he began his affiliation with the BARC.  He moved to working directly for the Club managing both Formula BMW Pacific and the British Schools Karting Championship.

His international career continued as Series Manager for the China-focused Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup.  Mark spearheaded Audi’s inaugural one-make championship for the entire program taking the series across Asia.  At the end of the Audi program, in 2019, Mark became Series Manager for the world’s first production based electric car series – the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY which supported the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Mark Turner, BARC Sporting Manager, said: “I’m delighted to be re-joining the BARC as its new Sporting Manager. I have a great affection for the Club; it’s where I learnt the most about the industry.  Having worked internationally for almost 15 years if I was to return to any national club it was always going to be this one.

“When I started out in motorsport I soon became involved with the Club and have always maintained close ties to it throughout the variety of roles I have held.

“Given the situation we all find ourselves in, this is an unusual time to land a new role but with the fact that everything is changing now is the time to look to the future. The Club has a tremendous history that spans more than 100 years and I’m focused on building on that to ensure that it continues to thrive for the next century.”

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, added: “We are delighted that Mark has joined us and I look forward to working with him to shape the future of this great club. His wide-ranging experience throughout the sport will be invaluable in helping us to evolve the BARC offering and bring it up to date for the benefit of all our existing and future customers.”