Best of BARC Audio: BARC Awards Evening 2023

Championship winners, organisers, officials and volunteers converged on the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon this past Saturday (February 3) for the British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Awards Evening – and it proved to be a night to remember.

Celebrating the accomplishments of 2023, we sat down to talk to some of the key personnel from the Club and some deserving winners. Listen here: 

Ben Taylor – BARC Chief Executive: The Club’s Chief Executive sat down to chat about a momentous season 2023 was, honouring the champions of last year and what is to come for the organisation as preparations ramp up for the 2024 campaign.

Mark Turner – BARC Sporting Manager: The Club’s Sporting Manager sits down to reflect on 2023 as a whole as well as a shine a light on some of the highlights that the Competitions Department is set to offer up this year.

Paul Graham-Fielding – BARC Group Head of Marketing & Communications: Now a year into the role, we caught up with the Club’s Group Head of Marketing & Communications to discuss how he’s settled in, what he’s focused on over the past 12 months and what is still to come.

Steve Bemrose – BARC Marshal of the Year: Awarded by the BARC Marshals Core Group, Steve was a standout recipient for this accolade having volunteered for a number of events, as well as also providing critical life-saving medical care at the scene of an accident.

Adam Weeden – Winner of The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy: Awarded to the marshal that completed the most volunteering days in 2023, Adam was a regular attendee to events last year and clocked no less than 36 days in total.

Dan Zelos – Winner of The President’s Cup: Awarded to the most successful BARC member competing under international level, Dan Zelos was unstoppable in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW last year as he lifted the title for the second title.

Louis Sharp – Winner of The Peter Collins Trophy: Awarded to the most promising junior driver, the New Zealander was deemed a worthy recipient having charged to the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA title with Rodin Carlin.

Dave Beecroft – Winner of The Gerry Marshall Trophy: Awarded to the person that the BARC believes epitomises Gerry Marshall’s philosophy of motorsport, Dave has enjoyed a diverse career in the sport and has been the driving force of the Junior Saloon Car Championship for the past decade.

Sonia Gibbons – Winner of The Densley Trophy: Awarded to the female in the Club that has enjoyed a successful year, Sonia has played a pivotal role in the success of the Classic Touring Car Racing Club from an organisational standpoint for a number of years.

Claire Hedley – Britcar Managing Director: It was once again another busy year for Claire Hedley as she ran both the Britcar Trophy Championship and British Endurance Championship. And she’s set to do the same again for 2024.

Additional audio interviews from the British Automobile Racing Club Awards Evening can be found HERE.

BARC enjoys night to remember at Annual Awards

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Awards Evening took centre stage on Saturday 3rd February with deserving champions, volunteers, officials and organisers coming together to celebrate what was a momentous 2023 season. 

Officially drawing a line under last year’s campaign, the glittering evening – which took place at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon – saw more than 230 guests swap race suits and overalls for dinner jackets and ball gowns.

Hosted by the superlative Alan Hyde, guests not only had the opportunity to look back on the year that was but they also heard from BARC Chairman Tony Scott Andrews, BARC Chief Executive Ben Taylor and Motorsport UK Chief Executive Hugh Chambers. 

Those in attendance also had the opportunity to hear from leading Formula 1 journalist and land-speed record competitor David Tremayne, who was a special guest of Tony Scott Andrews for the evening. 

Alongside the customary championship awards – which were handed out to the likes of Daryl DeLeon, Paul Rivett, Stephen Primett, Joe Warhurst and many more – a number of secret accolades were also presented to some unsuspecting winners on the night as well. 

Adam Weeden scooped The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy for conducting the most volunteering days in 2023 whilst Steve Bemrose was announced as the BARC Marshal of the Year, which is named in memory of Dennis Harris.

Two-time MINI CHALLENGE JCW champion Dan Zelos claimed the biggest prize of the night, The President’s Cup, while Louis Sharp’s stellar title-winning ROKiT British F4 season was rewarded with The Peter Collins Trophy – which recognises junior drivers. 

Sonia Gibbons was a worthy recipient of The Densley Trophy for her efforts working with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, with Junior Saloon Car Championship Coordinator Dave Beecroft being bestowed The Gerry Marshall Trophy. 

Special presentations were also made to Kumho BMW Championship stalwart Trevor Ford and Legends Cars Championship Coordinator Phil Cooper, both of whom are moving onto new pastures this coming season. 

“It was once again another fantastic evening,” lauded BARC CEO Taylor. “Although this event is to honour our champions, it’s also for our members and the people that play their part in making the BARC what it is.

“What I really like about this event is that we have taken it from being an awards ceremony to being a sort of a celebration of the BARC as a whole. I wanted to make it feel more than just presenting trophies because those that are involved deserve to be recognised for their efforts behind the scenes just as much.

“Sitting at the start of 2024 you try to take stock of last year and it does feel like a long time ago. It was another successful year for the Group though with competitor numbers being up on our grids, spectator numbers being up at our circuits and the circuits as a whole having strong years. 

“Heading into this season we hope that that all continues in the same vein however you never quite know how things will pan out. I’m sure it will be another fantastic year for everyone.”

Elsewhere, more than ÂŁ1350 was raised during the annual raffle for the BARC Marshal and Rescue Fund – which included prizes such as a Draper Tools Set, tickets to the British Touring Car Championship and Demon Weeks voucher.

BARC Award Winners:

The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy – Adam Weeden

The Peter Harris Trophy – Zena Wooller 

BARC Marshal of the Year – Steve Bemrose

The Densley Trophy – Sonia Gibbons

The Gerry Marshall Trophy – Dave Beecroft

The Peter Collins Trophy – Louis Sharp

The President’s Cup – Dan Zelos

2023 Connaught Competition Engines BARC Speed Champion – Matt Bramall 

2023 2CV Parts.com Champion – Kris Tovey

2023 CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Champion – Ian Bamber

2023 Kumho BMW Champion – Kevin Denwood

2023 OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires Winner – Luca Staccini Anzanello

2023 Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Champion – William Sharpe

2023 Junior Saloon Car Champion – Daire Flock

2023 ROWE Britcar Trophy Champion – Rhys Lloyd & Jack Meakin

2023 Pickup Truck Racing Champion – Reece Jones

2023 Morphmy Caterham Graduates Champion: Sigma 135 – Ben Wheatley

2023 Morphmy Caterham Graduates Champion: Sigma 150 – Harry Senior

2023 Morphmy Caterham Graduates Champion: Sigmax – Daniel Livingstone

2023 Mission Motorsport Caterham 270R Champion – Freddie Chiddicks

2023 Motul Caterham 310R Champion – Jack Sales

2023 Adrian Flux Caterham Academy Champion: Green Group – Nick Highton

2023 Adrian Flux Caterham Academy Champion: White Group – Daniel Neale

2023 Vertex Caterham Roadsport Champion – Ben Timmons

2023 Avon Tyres Caterham Seven UK Champion – Lewis Thompson 

2023 Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Jaguar Challenge Champion – Guy Connew

2023 Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Pre-66 Touring Cars Champion – Billy Kenneally

2023 Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Pre-83 Touring Cars Champion- Stephen Primett

2023 Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Pre-93 Touring Cars Champion – Stuart Waite

2023 Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Pre-03 Touring Cars Champion – Gary Prebble

2023 Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Blue Oval Saloon Series Champion – James Dunkley

2023 Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Classic Thunder Champion – Nick Vaughan

2023 Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Laser Tools Super Tourers Champion – Jason Hughes

2023 Legends Cars Championship with AllGrowth Ltd Champion – Will Gibson

2023 Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM Lubricants Champion – Connor Mills

2023 MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport Winner – Stephen Berry

2023 Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy Champion – Tom Ovenden

2023 Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW Champion – Dan Zelos

2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain Champion – Joe Warhurst

2023 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain Champion – Adam Smalley

2023 British Hillclimb Champion – Wallace Menzies

2023 British Truck Racing Champion: Division 1 – Ryan Smith

2023 British Truck Racing Champion: Division 2 – Paul Rivett

2023 British Endurance Champions – Bradley Thurston & Daryl Deleon

2023 ROKiT F4 British Champion – Louis Sharp

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Champion – Ash Sutton

BARC takes centre stage at star-studded Autosport International

The British Automobile Racing Club lifted the curtain on the 2024 motorsport season in style last week (January 11-14) after taking centre stage at Autosport International in Birmingham. 

Serving as the perfect launchpad for what promises to be another year of top-draw racing, tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans and industry leaders descended on the NEC Arena across all four days to soak 

Making a triumphant return to what is dubbed as Europe’s biggest motorsport show, the BARC stood out from the crowd with a striking stand that welcomed drivers, marshals, officials, co-ordinators and fans aplenty. 

Adorning the stand were a multitude of cars too; solidifying the diversity that the Club offers when it comes to going racing in the UK.

Team BRIT’s British Endurance Championship McLaren garnered plenty of attention while last year’s Britcar Trophy title-winning machine, Dragon Sport’s Renault Clio, also proved to be a real head-turner. 

In addition, the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Track Action, Classic Touring Car Racing Club and the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW were also well-represented as well throughout both the trade and public admission days.

Paul Graham-Fielding, BARC Group Head of Marketing & Communications, said: “The bustling BARC stand wasn’t just an exhibition; it was a vibrant hub where the club’s diverse championships came together, showcasing the incredible world of racing opportunities under the BARC banner. 

“Autosport International 2024 wasn’t just a successful showcase; it was a reaffirmation of BARC’s vital role in UK motorsport.”

BARC to kick off new year at Autosport International Show

The British Automobile Racing Club is poised to kick off the new year in style after confirming its presence at the upcoming Autosport International Show. 

Taking place at the NEC Arena in Birmingham between January 11-14, the four-day show will serve as the perfect launchpad for another year of national and international racing, with thousands of industry experts and fans set to attend.

Making a triumphant return to Europe’s biggest motorsport show for the first time since 2019, the Club will be situated in Hall 3 on Stand 3450.

Showcasing a variety of cars as well as an eye-catching stand, information on all of the Club’s championships, marshal initiatives, venues, membership and much more will be able to be discussed at the event.

Paul Graham-Fielding, BARC Group Head of Marketing & Communications, said: “At Autosport International 2024, the British Automobile Racing Club isn’t just about showcasing cars, it’s about celebrating and growing the community that fuels our sport.

“For the BARC, it’s a chance to showcase our rich heritage and our wide variety of championships. We hope to identify new partnerships, new motorsport talent and continue to grow motorsport in the UK.”

2024 BARC race meetings now available to view

The British Automobile Racing Club is poised for a blockbuster 2024 motorsport season, with all race meetings and marshal training days now available to view online.  

Following on from a hugely successful 2023 campaign, the Club has unveiled a bumper bill of race meetings which will see championships undoubtedly deliver edge-of-the-seat entertainment across the length and breadth of the UK between the months of March and November. 

Categories such as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, British Truck Racing Championship, British Endurance Championship, British Hillclimb Championship and Classic Touring Car Racing Club, plus many more, are just some of the series that are set to take centre stage. 

In addition to running more than 50 race meetings, the Club will continue to take up its customary operational and organisational role across all three Goodwood events; the 81st Members’ Meeting, Festival of Speed and Revival. 

BARC launches 2024 Officials Recruitment Drive

Do you work effectively as a leader and/or a member of a team? Are you a good communicator? Do you possess great listening and management skills?

The British Automobile Racing Club is currently recruiting ahead of the 2024 season for the following roles:

Event Secretaries

Event Stewards

Race Phones / Radio Communications Personnel

Chief Observers / Deputy Chief Observers

Chief Incident Officers / Deputy Chief Incident Officers

Chief Marshals / Deputy Chief Marshals

Rescue Crew

Safety Car Observer

Safety Car Drivers

Fire Car Crew

Scrutineers

Clerk of the Course

Do you have what it takes to fulfil these roles?

If the answer is yes then please send a brief email to officials@barc.net using BARC Officials Recruitment Drive as the Subject Line and stating which of the roles you would like to be considered for and why.

The Club does not expect successful candidates to jump into these roles immediately. The relevant training and mentoring will be provided.

BARC HQ 2023 Christmas & New Year closing dates

The British Automobile Racing Club headquarters at Thruxton Circuit will be closed during the following dates over the Christmas and New Year periods.

From: Wednesday 20th December 2023 at 17:00

To: Wednesday 3rd January 2024 at 09:00

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible trackside throughout 2024; be it if you are officiating, marshalling, spectating or competing!

From everyone at the BARC and all of our venues around the country; we wish you a safe, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Champions crowned across all BARC categories for 2023

The British Automobile Racing Club revelled in a momentous year of motorsport in 2023 and with the dust having now settled, we’re delighted to be able to reveal who reigned supreme across our wealth of championships:

2CVParts.com Championship – Kris Tovey

BARC Connaught Speed Championship – Matt Bramall

British Endurance Championship – Bradley Thurston & Daryl Deleon

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 1 – Ryan Smith

British Truck Racing Championship – Division 2  – Paul Rivett

Mission Motorsport Caterham Seven 270R Championship – Freddie Chiddicks

Motul Caterham Seven 310R Championship – Jack Sales

Adrian Flux Caterham Academy Championship – Green Group – Nick Highton

Adrian Flux Caterham Academy Championship – White Group – Daniel Neale

Vertex Caterham Roadsport Championship – Ben Timmons

Avon Tyres Caterham Seven UK Championship – Lewis Thompson

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Poultec Pre-66 Touring Cars – Billy Kenneally

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Orange Aero Pre-83 Touring Cars – Stephen Primett

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars – Stuart Waite

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Burty Haulage Pre-03 Touring Cars – Gary Prebble

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series – James Dunkley

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Berkshire Jag Components Jaguar Challenge – Guy Connew

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder – Nick Vaughan

Classic Touring Car Racing Club: Laser Tools Super Tourers – Jason Hughes

CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship – Ian Bamber

Ginetta GT AcademyNick White

Junior Saloon Car Championship – Daire Flock

Kumho BMW Championship  – Kevin Denwood

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Ash Sutton

Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club ChampionshipWilliam Sharpe

Legends Cars ChampionshipWill Gibson

Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM – Connor Mills

Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship – Freddie Slater

Mini Challenge Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport – Stephen Berry

Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 135 – Ben Wheatley 

Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigma 150 – Harry Senior

Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship – Sigmax – Daniel Livingstone

Motorsport UK British Hillclimb Championship – Wallace Menzies

OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires – Luca Staccini Anzanello 

Pickup Truck Racing Championship – Reece Jones

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain – Adam Smalley 

Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain – Joe Warhurst

Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT Championship – Luke Reade

ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA – Louis Sharp

ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship – Rhys Lloyd & Jack Meakin

Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW – Dan Zelos

Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE TrophyTom Ovenden

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 12 – November 17th 2023

Episode 12 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s official podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

In partnership with BP Fleet Solutions UK, the fortnightly podcast – which is hosted by Alan Hyde and Ian Waterhouse – brings its inaugural series to a close with

Joining Alan – who is in Macau – and Ian on the final episode is former World Touring Car champion and tin top extraordinaire Rob Huff and Driven International’s Matt Birkett.

BARC Event Manager David Wheadon is also back to sign off the season and also help Alan and Ian select some winners for the first-ever BARC’ing Mad Awards.

BARC’ing Mad is available to listen to across all popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

All episodes of the BARC’ing Mad podcast are also available to watch via the Club’s official YouTube channel.

BARC’ing Mad Podcast: Episode 11 – November 3rd 2023

Episode 11 of the British Automobile Racing Club’s official podcast, BARC’ing Mad, is now live and available to listen to.

In partnership with BP Fleet Solutions UK, the fortnightly podcast – which is hosted by Alan Hyde and Ian Waterhouse – is packed with full-throttle news, reviews and captivating interviews.

The penultimate episode of the inaugural series sees Alan and Ian joined by legendary commentator and the voice of the British Touring Car Championship on ITV, David Addison. The duo also delve into some possible ‘End of Season’ Awards Categories.

BARC’ing Mad is available to listen to across all popular podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

You can also watch each episode via the Club’s official YouTube channel.

Tickets for BARC Championship Awards Evening now on sale

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Championship Awards Evening takes place on Saturday 3rd February 2024 at the stunning Crowne Plaza riverside venue in Stratford upon Avon – and tickets are now on sale.

The evening – hosted by Alan Hyde – will celebrate the great and good of UK motorsport; the BARC community will come together to honour drivers, marshals and officials for their endeavours this season.

The glamorous black-tie evening includes a drinks reception and three-course dinner, followed by the awards presentations and evening entertainment.

MEMBERS – BUY HERE

NON-MEMBERS – BUY HERE

MARSHALS – BUY HERE

Accommodation: The Crowne Plaza Hotel offers an impressive range of accommodation, including access to the state-of-the-art health club and spa facilities. We have secured a limited number of rooms on a Bed & Breakfast basis at a discounted rate of £145/£155 per room (Single/Double).

In order to obtain this reduced rate, you must book direct with Crowne Plaza on 01789 279988 quoting ‘BARC event’.  Please note these rates will only be valid until the original allocation is taken up,  after which the best available rate will apply.

If you want to stay for more than one night, we have secured preferential rates for Friday night (ÂŁ145/155) or Sunday night (ÂŁ120/130)

Thruxton Circuit announces full-throttle 2024 calendar

Thruxton Circuit is delighted to reveal its calendar for the 2024 season, which will see visits from both the Kwik British Touring Car Championship and Bennetts British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli once again headline in Hampshire.

Coming off the back of an action-packed 2023 campaign, the fastest circuit in the UK is set to play host to the some of the biggest championships and clubs over the course of next season, staging a total of seven race meetings from May through to September.

The season will start in early May with a blockbuster race day from the 750 Motor Club – which makes its first visit to the circuit in more than a decade – before the Classic Sports Car Club makes its annual pilgrimage a fortnight later. 

Following that, the UK’s premier motorsport series – the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – takes centre stage for what promises to be three frenetic contests on June 8/9.

In addition to the BTCC, the weekend will also see the likes of the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA and the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE feature on the support race programme, further cementing it as an event that is not to be missed.

Fans will be able to step back in time at the Thruxton Historic towards the end of June with both the Historic Sports Car Club and Classic Sports Car Club having already confirmed grids for the two-day event.

The super-sized machines of the British Truck Racing Championship will follow in July and the full-throttle thrills are poised to continue into August as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli hits the track, with some of the best riders in the world battling for outright honours at speeds of more than 190mph. 

Concluding the 2024 campaign at Thruxton will be the return of the British Racing & Sports Car Club, which is poised to bring the TCR UK Championship to the venue for the first-ever time.

Also complementing the BRSCC bill will be the four races from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, which celebrates its 50th year of working alongside the British Automobile Racing Club. 

Pat Blakeney, Thruxton Operations Manager, said: “I’m delighted to be able to present our 2024 events calendar, which is once again packed with a fantastic mix of two and four-wheeled action, both old and new.

“Over the past few months we’ve been working hard to ensure we can provide the most complete schedule, both for competitors and spectators alike, and I think we’ve done that with no less than seven different meetings locked in.

“As always, the likes of the BTCC, BSB and our ever-expanding Historic meeting will prove popular and we’re excited to be welcoming back both the 750 Motor Club and British Racing & Sports Car Club; they’ll be well worth checking out. 

2024 Thruxton Circuit Calendar

4 May – 750 Motor Club

18 May – Classic Sports Car Club 

8/9 June – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

22/23 June – Thruxton Historic

6/7 July – British Truck Racing Championship 

9/10/11 August – Bennetts British Superbike Championship

21/22 September – British Racing & Sports Car Club