Tag: BARC Red

Convoy on the Plain delivers Thruxton thriller

Thousands of enthusiastic spectators flocked to Thruxton Circuit this past weekend (July 3/4) for what proved to be an action-packed Convoy on the Plain spectacle.

In what was the inaugural running of the trucking festival, fans flocked to the high-speed Hampshire venue to soak up both the on and off track entertainment – of which there was plenty.

Headlining the two-day schedule were five colossal contests from the British Truck Racing Championship. Weighing in at more than five tonnes and producing in excess of 1000bhp each, the heavyweight behemoths provided unmissable action around Thruxton’s sweeping curves.

Reigning Division 1 champion Ryan Smith strengthened his position at the summit of the standings as he was perfection personified, powering his Mercedes to four commanding victories. John Newell proved to be the only driver that could stop Smith as he claimed the remaining win.

Division 2 saw a trio of drivers stand on the top step of the podium with Craig Reid leading the line with an impressive hat-trick. Current title holder Steven Powell and former champion Adam Bint also charged to victory over the course of the weekend too.

From the titans of truck racing to the pocket rockets of the Mighty Minis Championship, where sensational slipstreaming had fans on the edge of their seats. Following an almighty scrap for outright honours, Greg Jenkins edged Stuart Coombs to score victory in race one before Steven Rideout came to the fore in race two to triumph.

Additional single-make thrills and spills were provided by the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires, where Alex Cursley claimed a commanding win to the tune of more than 13 seconds.

Cursley was the driver to beat in race on Sunday, however this time it was by the reduced margin of five seconds ahead of Wayne Rockett and Matt Mitter.

The Caterham Graduates Championship wrote the latest chapter in their 2021 campaign with four pulsating bouts. In the Sigmax/Sigma 150 bout, Jamie Ellwood charged to victory before Harry Senior did the same in the Sigmax/Sigma 135 race.

Jamie Winrow then proved too much for the opposition in the Sigma 150/Sigma 135 race before Ben Winrow powered his way to the front of the non-championship encounter on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere, William Sharpe and Fergus Campbell shared the spoils in the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship, each taking a superlative victory apiece. BARC Red was back on track too, with local ace Jamie Sturges piloting his Volkswagen Golf TCR to victory.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action were two races from the Welsh Sports/Saloon Car Championship, both of which were won by the Ginetta G55 of Chris Everill.

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

Thruxton revved up for inaugural Convoy on the Plain spectacle

Thruxton Circuit is gearing up to stage the ultimate festival for all things trucking this weekend (July 3/4) as the inaugural Convoy on the Plain takes centre stage for an expected bumper trackside crowd.

In what continues to be one of the most popular events on the Thruxton calendar each year, the British Truck Racing Championship will descend on the Hampshire venue to headline what is set to be a blockbuster two days of track action around the fastest circuit in the UK.

The passion for ‘big rigs’ doesn’t stop there either, with fun for all the family on offer at Convoy on the Plain. Show truck displays, a trade village, skid pan rides, food stalls, free camping and much more will make it a weekend to remember.

Coming off the back of blockbuster season-opener at Brands Hatch last month, the heavyweight behemoths of the British Truck Racing Championship will do battle in five scheduled contests across both days.

Division 1 has a familiar feel to things as reigning champion Ryan Smith sits atop the standings after claiming a hat-trick last time out. Aiming to clinch a sensational sixth consecutive crown, Smith enters the weekend as the driver to beat however the likes of Stuart Oliver, David Jenkins and Mark Taylor are just a handful of names hoping to take the fight to the Mercedes ace.

Over in Division 2, defending champion Steven Powell and Craig Reid find themselves tied at the top of the points after both enjoying a strong start at Brands Hatch. Throw into the mix Adam Bint, Simon Cole, Brad Smith and Craig Evans and you will see it can be just as wide open in class two.

will also be hoping to extend his early advantage in the championship after enjoying a strong start to this title defence. Adam Bint, Brad Smith, Simon Cole and

It won’t just be the titans of truck racing that will have fans on the edge of their seats either as a bumper supporting cast of championships will also be in action.

Wheel-to-wheel entertainment from the Caterham Graduates Championship, which will compete four times, and a feast of slip streaming from the Mighty Minis Championship will undoubtedly set pulses racing too.

Elsewhere, further one-make competition will come in the shape of the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship and Carbon8 Coupe Cup, as well as BARC Red and the Welsh Sports/Saloon Car Championship cap what will be an unmissable spectacle.

Tickets for this weekend’s unmissable spectacle are on sale at https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/trucks at discounted prices currently. Programmes will be available to purchase during the course of the weekend from £3.00.

Fans will also be able to watch all of the action on the BARC’s YouTube channel HERE.

Oulton Park provides backdrop to blockbuster BARC curtain-raiser

The British Automobile Racing Club kicked off its 2021 season in sensational style at Oulton Park this past Saturday (April 17) with the Caterham Graduates Championship, CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, BARC Red and British Superkart Racing Club all starring.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the one-day meeting saw the picturesque Cheshire venue basking in bright sunshine, albeit without spectators in attendance due to current government guidelines. 

Boasting a bumper entry list, the Caterham Graduates Championship served up a feast of edge-of-the-seat entertainment as they kick-started a new year with a handful of pulsating encounters.

New CGRC member Simon Shaw enjoyed a dream debut as he stormed to victory in the opening Sigma race before James McCall race two where the top three were covered by little over a tenth of a second.

Harry Senior and Ben Winrow were tipped as drivers to watch prior to the meeting and the duo reinforced that fact as they took a win apiece in the Sigmax class. Elsewhere, Jamie Ellwood was perfection personified as he bagged a brace of race wins in the Sigma 150 category.

In the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, former title winner Paul Rose enjoyed a perfect start to the new season as he produced a dominant drive to claim victory and set his stall out as the driver to beat.

At the wheel of his Saker RAPX S1-500, Rose converted pole position into a lead that he never looked like relinquishing as he powered his way into the distance to take the chequered flag by nearly 30-seconds, lapping all but Jon Woolfitt and Paul Dobson who finished second and third respectively.

Having enjoyed a memorable debut in 2020, BARC Red kicked off its sophomore season with a pair of frenetic encounters. Open to competitors who drive open/closed roof Sports & Saloon cars, regardless of what championship or racing club they compete in, the series garnered a healthy entry for the start of the new campaign.

Jasver Supra – who has made a name in the Kumho BMW Championship in recent years – piloted his BMW E46 to victory in race one before Anthony Bennett claimed race two honours at the wheel of his Caterham R300.

Rounding off the day’s action were a trio of races from the British Superkarts Racing Club where Lee Harpham, Sam Moss and Paul Platt shared the spoils.

To view the full classification of results from all of Saturday’s sessions, click here.

BARC set to kick off 2021 season at Oulton Park

After months of excitement and anticipation, the British Automobile Racing Club is set to lift the curtain on its 2021 season this coming Saturday (April 17) with what will undoubtedly be a blockbuster race day at Oulton Park.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the one-day meeting at the Cheshire venue will mark the start of a busy year for the BARC, with events scheduled to run all the way through until the middle of November.

The CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, the North West Centre’s flagship category, boasts a healthy grid for the new campaign where variety is very much the spice of life. Playing host to a number of different machines, the multi-class category has proven a smash-hit down the years and 2021 looks to be no different.

Notable names to keep an eye across both races include reigning champion Jamie Cryer, Danny Bird, Paul Rose, Paul Woolfitt and Guy Carter, amongst many others.

Despite not crowning any champions last year, the Caterham Graduates Championship proved to be one of the star attractions in 2020 and the much-loved single-make category is aiming to pick up where it left off at Oulton Park.

Like the CNC Heads, the Caterham contingent has an ultra-competitive grid primed for action and with the class structure condensed down to just three – Sigma 135, Sigma 150 and Sigmax – edge-of-the-seat entertainment is all-but guaranteed.

Robin Webb, Adam Harrison, Jamie Ellwood, Jonathan Curry, Oliver Gibson, Harry Senior and Ben Winrow are just some of the drivers that will undoubtedly be in the mix for the top step of the podium.

After breaking new ground in 2020, BARC Red returns for its sophomore season. Open to competitors who drive open/closed roof Sports & Saloon cars, regardless of what championship or racing club they compete in and providing they met current Motorsport UK safety regulations, the series of races garnered plenty of attention from the outset last year and duly delivered.

Now back for a second year, BARC Red looks set to grow in stature with a variety of cars set to battle it out for overall honours around the challenging 2.26-mile layout. 

Rounding out the days action will be a number of races from the full-throttle British Superkart Racing Club. Renowned for producing jaw-dropping wheel-to-wheel entertainment whilst sitting mere millimetres from the tarmac, the Superkarts will be keen to kick off the new campaign in fine style.

Saturday’s race meeting will include the national minute of silence in honour of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

To find out more information on this Saturday’s Oulton Park curtain-raiser – including links to live timing, timetable and final instructions – click here.

Please note that this event is being run in accordance with government guidelines and will therefore take place behind closed doors, without spectators being permitted.

BARC Red Sports & Saloons confirmed for sophomore season

After breaking new ground in 2020, the British Automobile Racing Club can confirm that its popular BARC Red Sports/Saloons format will return for its sophomore season, with three events currently scheduled to take place over the course of 2021.

Open to competitors who drive open/closed roof Sports & Saloon cars, regardless of what championship or racing club they compete in and providing they met current Motorsport UK safety regulations, the series of races garnered plenty of attention from the outset last year and duly delivered.

Formatted to feature a 20-minute qualifying session and two 20-minute races over the course of a weekend, entries are accepted with a pre declared lap time for the specific circuit upon which competitors have entered into. Classes are then changed post-qualifying and post-race if competitors ran two or more laps faster in a qualifying session or race than their nominated class allowance stipulates.

Now, with experience from last year and interest building, a total of three events will be run during the forthcoming season.

BARC Red will feature at Oulton Park on April 17, Knockhill on May 29/30 and Thruxton on July 3/4.

Those interested in competing should contact BARC Competitions Secretary David Wheadon via dwheadon@barc.net.

2020 Season Review: BARC Red Sports/Saloons

The British Automobile Racing Club broke new ground in 2020 with the launch of an innovative set of Open Sports/Saloon Car races at three different race meetings.

Open to competitors who drove open/closed roof Sports & Saloon cars, regardless of what championship or racing club they compete in and providing they met current Motorsport UK safety regulations, the format garnered plenty of attention from the outset and duly delivered.

Formatted to feature a 20-minute qualifying session and two 20-minute races over the course of a weekend, entries were accepted with a pre declared lap time for the specific circuit upon which competitors have entered into.

A variety of classes were structured and the format guaranteed that everyone raced against those doing similar lap times, irrespective of the car they are driving, leading to much closer competition. Classes were changed post-qualifying and post-race if competitors ran two or more laps faster in a qualifying session or race than their nominated class allowance stipulates.

Blasting into life at Mallory Park, Joss Ronchetti became the inaugural race-winner as he powered his Talbot Sunbeam Lotus to a brace of victories before the category then traveled to the fastest circuit in the UK, whilst continuing to grow in stature as well.

Back-to-back weekend’s at Thruxton then followed with Jamie Sturges triumphing twice before  Clive Wood would dominant proceedings during the second event around the fastest circuit in the UK, piloting his Mallock to victory on two occasions.

With more races planned for 2021, the Club’s Open Sports/Saloon races and its unique format look set to flourish even further.