BARC Saloon Series & TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge

BARC publishes COVID-19 guidelines for Competitors and Officials

With the restart to racing in the UK now well underway the British Automobile Racing Club has updated its guidelines on how events will be run for both Competitors and Officials.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to adjust some of our practices and procedures in order to satisfy the requirements laid down by the government and most importantly to provide the safest environment possible for everyone involved.

In line with the guidance provided by Motorsport UK, the BARC will operate their race meetings as follows:-

BARC Competitors Guidance (v3 21 July) – CLICK HERE

BARC Officials Guidance (v2 22 July) – CLICK HERE

These guidelines have been put in place with the well-being of staff, competitors, officials and all potential visitors to our venues and events remaining at the forefront of our considerations at all times.

As it stands, all race meetings and events remain provisional and subject to change in accordance with the latest directives from the UK government.

To view the remaining post-lockdown 2021 events schedule, head to https://www.barc.net/events/.

BARC announces revised provisional 2020 calendar for remainder of the year

The British Automobile Racing Club can today (June 22) reveal its revised provisional calendar for the remainder 2020; kicking off on July 4/5 and running right the way through until November 22.

Following on from the suspension of UK motorsport in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club has worked tirelessly to put together a calendar with the dates available that will suit each individual championship.

Unfortunately, both the British Hillclimb Championship and BARC Connaught Speed Championship have elected to cancel their 2020 campaigns, with the focus now on 2021.

To view the full revised list of 2020 British Automobile Racing Club race meetings, CLICK HERE.

All dates remain provisional and subject to change in line with the current and ever-evolving government guidelines. Spectators are currently not permitted to attend events at this moment in time.

Those wishing to enter a race meeting can do so via the BARC Competitor Entry System.

For those that do not have a Username to access the BARC Competitor Entry System or if you have a general enquiry, please contact BARC Competitors secretary David Wheadon via 01264 882209 or dwheadon@barc.net.

Guidelines for Competitors and Officials have also been published in relation to how BARC race meetings will operate moving forward. They can be viewed by heading to https://www.barc.net/barc-publishes-covid-19-guidelines-for-competitors-and-officials/

Tickets on sale for prestigious BARC Championship Awards Evening in February

Champions, marshals and officials are set to be honoured at the British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening on Saturday 8th February 2020, with the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth confirmed to once again host the prestigious event.

Celebrating the 2019 season in fine style, race suits and overalls will be swapped for black ties and ball gowns as the great and good of UK motorsport come together for what should be another unforgettable night.

Whilst those who emerged victorious from their respective categories over the course of the season will take centre stage, several other ‘secret’ awards will be handed out during the evening as well – adding further excitement to the spectacle.

Hosted by Alan Hyde, the star-studded evening is set to include a three-course dinner and raffle in addition to the customary trophy presentation. Entertainment will come in the shape of popular cover band ‘The Torn Off Strips’.

Tickets for the BARC Championship Awards Evening are priced at £75.00 for BARC Members whilst £85.00 for Non-Members. Click HERE to view and complete the ticket booking form.

For more information regarding the event, please contact: Mandy Curley, BARC Ltd, Thruxton Circuit, Andover, Hants SP11 8PN | Tel: 01264 882202 (direct) | Fax: 01264 882233 | Email: mcurley@barc.net

A limited number of rooms have been allocated at Chesford Grange Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis at Double £112 per room and Single £98 per room.

Once allocation has gone, the full rate may be charged. To book and pre pay for your accommodation with the hotel’s central reservations line, contact 0845 074 0060 and quote ‘BARC event’.

BARC championships make a splash at Cadwell Park

Champions were crowned and title battles intensified at Cadwell Park this past weekend (October 5/6) as the British Automobile Racing Club braved challenging conditions to deliver a blockbuster two days of edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

Wet weather proved to be a constant theme across the weekend at the Lincolnshire-based venue but that didn’t deter those in attendance being treated to a feast of action.

With champions having already been decided prior to its season finale, the Kumho BMW Championship still had plenty to shout about as Garrie Whittaker wrote his name into the series’ folklore after triumphing once again.

Two more races wins around the undulating Cadwell layout completed an unprecedented clean sweep for Whittaker – who has been in a league of his own from behind the wheel of his E36 M3.

The Caterham Graduates Championship crowned its 2019 champions on the same weekend that Barry White, James Gilmour, Stephen Clark and Jamie Ellwood shared the spoils across four spectacular encounters.

Overall, Robin Webb walked away as the victor of the Classic category, Adam Harrison the amalgamated Sigma class, Samuel Wilson in the Sigmax and Kevin Barrett in the Mega category.

A nail-biting finish took place in the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup over the course of the week, with Nick Penfold emerging as the inaugural champion in the single-manufacturer category.

Further tin top thrills and spills were produced by the Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series, TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge and the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup.

Wayne Rockett brought the curtain down on a memorable year with two more race wins in the Coupe Cup, whilst Steve Rothery and Mark De’ath triumphed in BARC Saloons.

The destiny of the Junior Saloon Car Championship looks set to go down to the wire at Brands Hatch next month following a rollercoaster race day. Points leader Scott McIntyre put himself on the fringe of the coveted crown with victory in race one but then was forced into retirement in the second encounter.

Reigning champion Lewis Saunders took advantage of the Team HARD driver’s misfortune to record a long overdue win. With double points on offer at the Brands Hatch season finale, McIntyre remains in the pound seat with two races remaining.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Cadwell Park, click here.

Title-deciding weekend lies ahead for BARC categories at Cadwell Park

The British Automobile Racing Club will make its final visit of the year to Cadwell Park this weekend (October 5/6) for an action-packed two days of title-deciding track action.

Having played host to plenty of BARC thrills and spills around its challenging layout already this year, the Lincolnshire-based venue will welcome no less than seven different categories – with the curtain drawing on another season for many.

Despite the fact that they will sign their season off at Brands Hatch next month, the Junior Saloon Car Championship could well be settled over the course of the weekend if things fall the way of Scott McIntyre.

In what has been another ultra-competitive year for the 14 to 17-year-old series, McIntyre has been a tour-de-force since the beginning and enters the weekend in a commanding position at the top of the standings.

Bidding to add the main crown to his Scholarship title from last year, the Team HARD will have to be wary of the likes of Alex Jay and Lewis Saunders, who will be keen to taste success once again.

Titles will be decided in the Caterham Graduates Championship, which has enjoyed another vintage year of multi-class, wheel-to-wheel competition. The Classic, Sigma 150, Mega and Sigmax class titles will all be decided and if the championship has demonstrated anything this year, it is to expect the unexpected when it comes to Caterham racing.

Notable drivers that will be worth keeping an eye on include Robin Webb, Luke Balmforth, Kevin Barrett, Samuel Wilson and Gareth Cordey, amongst many others too.

Garrie Whittaker, Jas Sapra, Trevor Ford and James Card have already wrapped up their respective classes in the Kumho BMW Championship, meaning this weekend’s finale will be more of a coronation of sorts.

For Whittaker, a unrivalled clean sweep could be completed if the E36 M3 driver can triumph twice. Winning every race up until this point, Whittaker could write his name into the history books whilst a whole host of drivers will be keen to halt his momentum.

Outright honours will be battled for in the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup, Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series and the TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge. Having gained championship status by Motorsport UK at the start of the year, the very first VW Cup champion will be crowned.

Capping off the weekend’s action will be two races from the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup. Despite not having a championship up for grabs, overall honours have still been fiercely fought over throughout the year, with Wayne Rockett claiming the mantel of being the most successful driver in the series.

With two more race wins up for grabs around Cadwell’s undulating twists and turns, expect the penultimate meeting of the Coupe Cup campaign to be jam-packed with action.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event at Cadwell Park, including links to live timing and the race meeting timetable, click here.

All-out Anglesey action as BARC shines in North Wales

The British Automobile Racing Club celebrated 21 years of racing around Anglesey in spectacular style this past weekend (September 21/22) as a host of championships served up an entertaining extravaganza of track action.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, the two-day meeting marked more than two decades since the very first event at the Welsh venue, and the milestone was celebrated with frenetic action across both days.

The Max5 Racing Championship brought the curtain down on its 2019 campaign in blockbuster fashion with a trio pulsating encounters. Paul Roddison, who has arguably been the benchmark for a majority of the year, signed off with two more wins as Ian Loversidge also triumphed.

Roddison’s two wins clinched the Class A crown whilst Matthew Tidmarsh and Steve Kite were the champions in Class B and Class C respectively.

Scott McIntyre put himself within touching distance of the Junior Saloon Car Championship title as he powered his way to an impressive brace of race wins. Edging towards the coveted crown in his sophomore season, the Team HARD driver was however forced to work for both victories by Alex Jay.

Having been the driver to beat last time out, Jay continued his front-running momentum with a pair of stunning drives, narrowly losing out to McIntyre on both occasions by a mere six-thousandths of a second.

In the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship, the BARC NW Centre’s flagship multi-class category, Danny Bird proved to be in a league of his own as he piloted his Spire GTR 1000 to a hat-trick of race wins.

David Kirkpatrick and Neven Kirkpatrick shared the spoils in the Mighty Minis Championship whilst the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup, Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series and TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge amalgamated together also, giving tin tops enthusiasts plenty to cast a keen eye over.

Steve Rothery and Chris Sparks proved too hot to handle for the rest of the competition in the end and ran out winners, taking a win apiece.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action from the picturesque venue in North Wales were a host of races from the Motorsport UK British Superkarts Championship; with Lee Harpham, Liam Morley, Matt Robinson and Mark Bramhall all scoring victory.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions over the course of the weekend, click here.

The BARC is set to pay one last visit to Anglesey in 2019 on November 8/9/10 as it once again joins forces with Mission Motorsport for Race of Remembrance. Click here for more information.

Anglesey to play host to pivotal weekend of racing for BARC categories

The picturesque delights of Anglesey Circuit is the destination for six British Automobile Racing Club categories this weekend (September 21/22). with the fight for championship glory set to continue.

Organised and run by the Club’s North West Centre, this latest visit to North Wales will undoubtedly serve up two days of full-throttle entertainment, with it still all to play for across the board.

Bringing the curtain down on their 2019 campaign, the Max5 Racing Championship will sign off its year with a trio of 20-minute encounters and all three class titles being decided. In what has been another vintage season for the one-make series, more twists and turns are predicted.

Paul Roddison, Matthew Tidmarsh and Steve Kite find themselves in the pound seats at the summit of each class as it stands but with 150-points up for grabs, it could all change within a blink of an eye around the International layout.

In the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Scott McIntyre will look to take a crucial step closer to being crowned champion. With one round to go following this weekend, the tin top series for drivers aged between 14 to 17 is heading towards a nail-biting finale and it is McIntyre who holds the advantage.

Being the form driver for a majority of the season, the former Scholarship winner is on the cusp of glory but the likes of reigning champion Lewis Saunders and Alex Jay will undoubtedly have something to say before the final chequered flag flies.

Anglesey will also provide the backdrop for the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship’s penultimate event of the season. As the North West Centre’s flagship series, the multi-class championship is open to all manner of machinery and has become staple of the UK motorsport landscape.

Notable names to look out for include Danny Winstanley, Luke Armiger, Rob Burkinshaw, Paul Dobson and Dave Harvey; all of whom have been in the thick of the action towards the sharp end of the grid.

Small in stature but packing a real punch on-track, the British Superkart Championship will also be in action with several encounters its variety of classes, all of which are based on engine capacity.

Rounding out the weekend’s running on track will be amalgamated races from the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup, Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series and the TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge.

Showcasing some of the best saloon car machines, from Volkswagen and Honda in particular, all three categories are set to take centre stage as they battle for overall honours.

For the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup in particular, this weekend will be pivotal in deciding the outcome of crowning a first-ever champion after championship status was granted at the start of the year.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event at Anglesey, including entry lists and the race timetable, click here.

Pete Sparrow crowned champion as 2CV Championship stars at Snetterton

The 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship brought the curtain down on its 2019 campaign in sensational style at Snetterton this past weekend (August 16/17/18) as Pete Sparrow was crowned champion for the second year in succession at the Liqui Moly 24-hour season finale.

Taking centre stage at the Norfolk venue following another vintage year of on-track action at some of the UK’s top circuits, the iconic one-make series marked its 30th anniversary with a pulsating race.

Following a staggering 758 laps being completed, the European entry of BNLL 2 recorded a memorable victory as they ran out winners following 24 gruelling hours of racing. Having started the race on the outside of the front row, the outfit powered their way past stablemates BNLL 1 and cantered to victory by four laps at the chequered flag.

Team Gadget Racing proved to be the best of the British contingent as Tom Perry, Lien Davies, Simon Clarke and Ainslie Bousfield teamed up to finish fourth overall.

Sparrow, who was part of 2CV Team Lion 1, held his nerve to finish seventh overall and crucially ahead of title protagonist Nick Crispin – gifting him a second title in as many years.

There was plenty of action during the weekend’s two Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup races too as Wayne Rockett once again exerted his dominance in the single-make series. Having been the form driver so far this year, Rockett continued his rich vein of form with another unstoppable performance as he romped to a brace of victories.

Spoils were shared in the weekend’s two Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series races, which showcased a wide variety of tin top machinery. Mark De Ath triumphed in the opening encounter in his Subaru Impreza before Steve Rothery reigned supreme in his Peugeot 308 later in the day.

Rounding out the weekend’s British Automobile Racing Club entertainment were two races from the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup and TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge, which had amalgamated together once again.

Luke Schlewitz emerged as the driver to beat across the weekend’s two race as he piloted his Honda Civic to victory in both encounters, by more than 40 seconds in each too.

Those wanting to look back on some of the best bits from the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship 24-hour race can do so by heading to www.barctv.net/

To view the full classification of results from all categories that competed over the course of the weekend in East Anglia, click here.

2CV Championship to headline Snetterton weekend with 24-hour title showdown race

The destiny of the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship will be decided at Snetterton this weekend (August 16/17/18) with reigning champion Pete Sparrow and Nick Crispin set for a final showdown to see who will lift the coveted title for 2019.

In what is the 29th edition of the much-loved event, the Liqui Moly 2CV 24-Hour race will bring the curtain down on what has been another vintage year of on-track action for the iconic category.

This year in particular has been one of celebration for the championship with 2019 seeing the 100th anniversary of Citroen, the 70th anniversary of the 2CV and the 30th anniversary since the inaugural 2CV race taking place.

Touring the UK – stopping off at Silverstone, Cadwell Park, Mallory Park and Brands Hatch along the way – the destiny of the title has boiled down to just two drivers.

Entering the year donning the mantel of defending champion, Sparrow has proven himself to be a tour-de-force. Scoring five wins, including braces at the first two events, Sparrow heads to East Anglia with a 66-point advantage over Crispin and on the cusp of becoming a back-to-back champion.

Whilst Sparrow has visited the top step of the podium, Crispin is yet to do so as it stands. Putting together an ultra-competitive run of results, the lead protagonist has tallied the points as the year has progressed – placing him within touching distance heading into the finale.

Brian Heerey, Lien Davies, Alec Graham, David O’Keefe and Tom Perry have all scored victories at one stage during the season and they too will be one’s to watch as they bid to triumph one more time before the season is out.

The 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship may be the headline act over the course of the weekend in Norfolk but there will be plenty more British Automobile Racing Club action taking place as well.

Fans of all things tin tops will be well-catered for virtue of the Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series, KW Automotive Classic VW Cup and the TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge, all of which will duke it out for the latest honours around the 2.97-mile circuit.

Further thrills and spills are expected to come in the shape of the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup. Having enjoyed bumper grids throughout the year already, the popular one-make series is set to write another illustrious chapter in its history with two more pulsating encounters.

Full coverage of the Liqui Moly 2CV 24-Hour race from Snetterton will be screened live on www.barctv.net.

To find out more information about the event, including the full timetable and links to live timing, click here.

BARC takes centre stage at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch played a host to a memorable two days of British Automobile Racing Club action this past weekend (June 22/23) as the sun shone on the Kent venue and the five categories in action.

Celebrating 30th Anniversary of the production of the Mazda MX-5 and 25 years since the inception of the MX-5 Owners Club, the MAX5 Racing Championship had plenty to celebrate around the Indy circuit over the course of the weekend.

Whilst there was plenty to see away from the track in the paddock, on it there was a familiar feel to things as Paul Roddison continued his dominance. Entering the weekend having won every race to date in 2019, Roddison enjoyed another a perfect performance as he scored another victory double.

Race one proved to be a frenetic affair as Roddison held off a charging Ian Loversidge to win by a mere tenth of a second whilst Andrew Pretorius rounded out the podium in the third. Race two proved to be a carbon copy results as Roddison led the same two drivers to the chequered flag.

The penultimate round of the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship had its own fair share of drama as drivers battled for supremacy. Alec Graham served up a storming drive in race one to record his first win of the season after narrowly edging out former multiple champion Lien Davies.

Keen to bounce back from failing to finish the opener, reigning title holder and points leader Pete Sparrow underlined his credentials as the man to beat as he powered his way to yet another win, little under a second ahead of Graham.

In the Caterham Graduates Championship, some familiar names found themselves at the summit of the leaderboards once again. Firstly, spoils were spilt between Samuel Wilson and Stephen Clark in the Sigmax races whilst the combined 135/150/Mega/Classic encounters saw Barry White dominate.

Capping off the weekend was an abundance of tin top thrills from the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup, TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge and Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series.

The amalgamated VW Cup and VTEC Challenge races saw Ben Rushworth rule the roost as he scored a pair of wins in his Honda Integra whilst Craig Rainer did the same in the BARC Saloon Series, notching a double of his own in his Ford Escort RS2000.

The view the full classification of results from all sessions at Brands Hatch from the weekend, click here.

Brands Hatch geared to host blockbuster BARC weekend

Brands Hatch will play host to a blockbuster two days of British Automobile Racing Club action this coming weekend (June 22/23) as several categories write the latest chapter of their 2019 campaigns around the Indy circuit.

In what is latest visit to the Kent venue by the Club, the 1.2 mile configuration is set to play host to a frenetic 12 races.

The Max5 Racing Championship is set for a milestone weekend as a bumper grid will play its part in some special anniversary celebrations. This year marks 30 years of production of the iconic Mazda MX5 whilst it is also 25 years of the MX5 Owners Club, and both will be recognised over the course of the weekend.

On track, Max5 racers from a variety of different championships have been invited to join in on the celebrations, further adding to the exhilarating racing that is usually produced by the championship anyway.

Notable names to look out for during the weekend’s two races include Paul Roddison – who has won every race so far this season – Matthew Tidmarsh, Jeremy Shipley and Ian Loversidge.

The Caterham Graduates Championship will also be in action with its multi-class grid brimming with scintillating talent. Having starred at several events already this year the one-make series is expected to take on a starring role across its four scheduled encounters.

This year has seen Samuel Wilson, Mark Carter, Robin Webb, Kevin Barrett and Luke Balmforth all star so expect the usual protagonists to be in the mix.

Fans of all things saloon car racing will be well catered for too across both days as the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup, TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge and Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series take to the track for a series of races.

Showcasing all manner of tin top machines, all three categories boast a wealth of drivers and different models of car – all of which trade place at nearly every turn.

This weekend will see the KW Automotive Classic VW Cup and TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge amalgamated together whilst the Uncle Luke’s BARC Saloon Series will run on its own.

To find out more information on the event, including links to live timing and the timetable, click here.

Sun shines on memorable weekend at Pembrey for Spring Truckfest

Pembrey Circuit served up a captivating two days of track action this past weekend (May 11/12) as several British Automobile Racing Club championships continued their 2019 campaigns.

Basking in bright sunshine throughout both days, a bumper crowd descended on the picturesque Welsh venue for one of the biggest events of the year – Spring Truckfest.

Making the first of two visits to South Wales to headline the action was the MV Commercial BTRA Championship, and all seven races didn’t disappoint. Division 1 saw the ongoing duel between reigning champion Ryan Smith and David Jenkins take another turn, as the pair squabbled for supremacy.

Smith struck first with victory in the opening encounter before Jenkins bounced back with a win of his own in race two, albeit narrowly ahead of the three-time title winner.

A stunning last lap overtake in the third encounter handed the advantage back to Smith before the three-time title winner capped off his weekend in style by completing his hat-trick in the combined finale.

In Division 2, Luke Garrett continued his march towards securing back-to-back titles with another superlative performance. Storming to pole position, the MAN driver clinched a lights-to-flag victory in the opener before doing the same in race three.

Paul Rivett scored a hugely popular first win in the series also whilst Steve Powell also tasted success by powering towards the top step of the podium in the final race of the weekend.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship served up plenty of unpredictability once more as a trio of races were played out around the 1.49 mile layout. Paul Tompkins edged out a nail-biting battle for victory in the opening race ahead of Michael Smith and Mark Willis before Reece Jones came to the fore in race two to prevail.

The third and final race from the Pickup Trucks saw Dale Gent charge towards the summit to become the third different race winner in the series.

Malcolm Blackman continued his dominant start to the year in the BARC Super Silhouette Championship with a further three wins at Pembrey. Having topped the podium twice at the Brands Hatch season-opener, Blackman extended his unbeaten start to the season with a commanding performance.

As Blackman starred Chris Brockenhurst, Steve Burrows and Danny Hunn all also picked up podium finishes.

There was further dominance in the Max5 Racing Championship as well as Paul Roddison notched two wins to extend his perfect start to the 2019 campaign. Coming off the back of claiming a sensational hat-trick of wins at Croft, Roddison underlined his credentials as the man to beat in superlative circumstances.

Roddison battled back from fourth to head Ian Loversidge and Andrew Pretorius in race one before then doing the same in race two, this time doing so from lights-to-flag.

The BARC Saloons Series, TDi North Honda VTEC Challenge and KW Automotive Classic VW Cup amalgamated together once again to give fans of all things tin tops plenty to get excited about.

William Casswell piloted his Honda Civic to the top of the rostrum in race one before the eye-catching Ford Sierra XR4i of Ashley Shelswell triumphed later on.

Rounding out the weekend’s action were a pair of races from the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship which were both won by Keith Butcher.

For the full classification of results from Pembrey across the weekend, click here.