Tag: BARC Awards

Former BARC Chief Executive Dennis Carter was the recipient of the highest award presented by the Club and its Council, a BARC Gold Medal, at the annual Awards Evening this past weekend (Saturday 26th February).

On what proved to be a memorable night at the Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook where champions, officials and volunteers were honoured for their 2021 achievements, Dennis took centre stage to be commemorated for the contribution he has given not only to the BARC but international and national motorsport.

Not given out every year, the accolade is awarded by the Council of the BARC for outstanding achievement in motor racing by British subjects, with an impressive roll of honour dating back to 1955 already in place.

Predecessors of Dennis that have been awarded a BARC Gold Medal include seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Former McLaren boss Ron Dennis and three-time Le Mans 24-hr winner Allan McNish, to name but a few. 

Joining the BARC in 1988 as Competitions Director, he became Chief Executive within a couple of years and went on to hold the position for more than two decades. During that time he played a vital part in the global success of the BTCC, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival as well as playing an integral part in ensuring Formula 1 visited Donington Park in 1993. 

Despite retiring from his CEO status in 2013, Dennis has continued to be involved in the sport as BTCC Race Director and also National and International Race Director and stewarding roles. Recently he has been confirmed, once again, as Race Director for W Series.

Commenting on the award, Dennis said: “It has been a fabulous evening and I enjoyed it for obvious reasons having been awarded the BARC Gold Medal. I was given an award at the Motorsport UK Night of Champions in January so I think people are trying to tell me it is time to retire.

“The BARC means an awful lot to me and it is a privilege to be the recipient of a Gold Medal. I love the sport, particularly the grass roots end of it and it is great to see a lot of up and coming drivers attend the BARC Awards – they’re the future and we need to find a way to ensure we make it cheaper for them to get into the sport.”

Listen to the full interview with the latest BARC Gold Medal recipient, Dennis Carter, HERE.

The British Automobile Racing Club Awards Evening made a triumphant return this past weekend (Saturday 26th February) as champions, officials and volunteers were honoured for their achievements during the 2021 season.

Rolling out the red carpet for the first time in two years – with the event last taking place just prior to the country going into lockdown in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic – more than 250 guests descended on the Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook for a momentous night of celebrations.

Swapping race suits and overalls for dinner jackets and ball gowns; drivers from the likes of Britcar Endurance, Classic Touring Cars, Ginetta, Caterham Graduates, Legends, British Truck Racing, Porsche GB – plus many more categories – were all in attendance and awarded prizes throughout the night.

Hosted by the superlative Alan Hyde, guests not only had the opportunity to look back on the year that was but also hear from BARC President The Duke of Richmond and Gordon, BARC Chairman Tony Scott Andrews and BARC Chief Executive Ben Taylor.

Both the Club’s President and Chairman played their part in a very special presentation to former Chief Executive Dennis Carter, who was awarded a BARC Gold Medal for his contribution to international and national motorsport, as well as the Club.

Presentations to Vickie MacClinton, Ian Watson and Dale Wells also took place before rapturous applause filled the room as the late Robert Foote was announced as the BARC Marshal of the Year.

Alongside the customary championship awards, a number of secret accolades were presented to unsuspecting winners on the night too.

Alex Tuson was the inaugural winner of the Trainee Marshal of the Year in memory of Peter Harris award whilst fellow marshal Chris Davenport scooped The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy after completing the most volunteering days in 2021.

Charlie Hand was a deserving winner of The Peter Collins Trophy, which is awarded to the most promising newcomer competing in a BARC championship, with Stuart Caie picking up the coveted Gerry Marshall Trophy.

Two-time Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres title winner Miles Rudman was the final secret award recipient as he was handed The President’s Cup after a flawless season which included 17 victories.

Finally, a grand total of £1680.00 was raised on the night for the raffle and donated to the BARC Marshal and Rescue Fund.

The British Automobile Racing Club rolled out the virtual red carpet this past Saturday (February 6th) as the champions of 2020 were honoured in a unique Awards Presentation on social media.

Whilst this time of year is normally awash with Black Tie events, the current government guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic meant that this year’s BARC Championship Awards Lunch was cancelled.

Originally scheduled to take place at the Thruxton Centre as a low-key replacement for what is traditionally one of the biggest prize-giving evenings of the year, the annual ceremony took on a very different look for 2021 online.

Celebrating the achievements of drivers, marshals and officials via Facebook and Twitter, each champion was honoured with their own individual post, recognising the triumphs they had during the last year.

In addition, the Club also announced the winners of its four secret awards; The Peter Collins Trophy, The Densely Trophy, The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy and the BARC Marshal of the Year.

Tom Lebbon capped off a memorable first season in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship by being the worthy recipient of the coveted Peter Collins Trophy.

Awarded to the most promising newcomer competing in a BARC championship, Lebbon made history in the one-make TOCA support series by becoming the first Scholarship winner to take the overall title in their maiden campaign, chalking up five victories along the way.

Having not been presented last year, The Densely Trophy made a welcome return and it saw Esmee Hawkey’s name be the latest to be engraved onto its famous silverware. Bestowed upon the most successful female driver competing in a BARC championship, Hawkey proved to be a deserving winner.

Competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, the Team Parker Racing driver produced a near-perfect season-long performance to clinch the Pro-Am title and score an overall podium finish as well.

For the second year in succession, The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy was shared between two winners. Awarded to the person that completes the most volunteering days over the course of the season, 2020 saw couple Alan Stalker and Nikki Hazelwood tally the most to share the prize.

They weren’t the only marshals that have been commended for their dedication and pivotal work during last season as Mark Trimby was announced as BARC Marshal of the Year.

Boasting a rich history, Mark was one of the standout candidates for the award after he bravely helped a driver escape their car as a fire broke out at Thruxton in September.

Look back over our Awards thread on our Twitter page HERE.

To view the full list of British Automobile Racing Club award winners, CLICK HERE.

The British Automobile Racing Club regrets to announce that this year’s BARC Awards Lunch – scheduled to take place at the Thruxton Centre on Saturday 6th February 2021 – has had to be cancelled as a result of the current government guidelines regarding the COVID-19 situation.

The February date was itself already a low-key replacement for one of the biggest black tie prize-giving events of the year, celebrating the achievements of drivers, officials and marshals during the previous season.

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, said: “We knew that weekend events and hotel stays would be out of the question this year, so a lunch event at the new Thruxton Centre seemed to offer the perfect solution to honour the 2020 achievements of our members.

“As with so many plans, however, we have little option but to cancel that as well and have done so as soon as possible to give people a month’s notice. We will do our best to make sure that all those who would have been honoured will get their moment of glory in due course.

“In the meantime, we will continue our preparations for the 2021 season with a great deal of optimism about the new campaign.”