Tag: BTRC

British Truck Racing Championship partners with MANUP?

Raising funds and awareness for men’s mental health has become a focus for the British Truck Racing Championship this year, with the heavyweight series having today (March 8) announced it will align itself with the charity MANUP?.

Identifying that the stigma around men’s mental health remains a major issue, the MANUP? charity exists to raise awareness on the subject by encouraging openness, which will in turn promote the conversation.

Started in 2019, the organisation has grown exponentially in recent years and that trend looks set to continue throughout 2024 as a raft of fundraising concepts are brought to life through the championship.

The BTRC is no stranger to working alongside charities and the hope is that the heavyweight series will be able to use its sizeable platform – both on and off the track – to raise vital awareness and funds.

“As part of my commitment to breaking the stigma around men’s mental health, I’m proud to be partnering with the British Truck Racing Championship,” said Dan Somers, MANUP? Founder and Chief Executive. 

“At MANUP?, we reach men where they are, and BTRC offers a unique opportunity to amplify this message. Despite the fact that we are competing on the track, we are also driving a crucial conversation that illustrates mental health awareness has no boundaries.”

Gordon Snell, British Truck Racing Championship Manager, added: “We’re excited to have partnered up with MANUP? as the work they have been doing to promote the discussion around men’s mental health so far is to be really commended.

“We are using our platforms to push that conversation further and as has been proven, our fantastic fans are not only passionate about the sport but also supporting great causes. Raising awareness for men’s mental health is extremely important to all of us.”

To find out more information about MANUP? and how you can either donate or become involved in their initiatives, head to https://www.manup.how/.  

British Truck Racing Championship to race at Le Mans in 2024

The British Truck Racing Championship is set to return to mainland Europe for the first time in five years next season following confirmation of the 2024 calendar. 

In what promises to be another captivating campaign for the super-sized series, the Le Mans circuit in France has been added to the schedule on September 28/29.

The addition of the 2.600-mile French venue marks the first time that the championship has ventured outside of the UK since 2019, when it used to frequently compete at the iconic Nurburgring in Germany.

Comprising of seven events and a total of 34 races, next year’s battle for supremacy across Division 1 and Division 2 will begin with an Easter extravaganza at Brands Hatch on 31 March/1 April.

From there the series will make its one and only visit to South Wales and Pembrey in mid-May before then speeding onto the fastest circuit in the country, Thruxton, in early July.

Donington Park will play to what is arguably set to be the biggest event of the season – Convoy in the Park – in August before Snetterton welcomes the titans of truck racing for a pivotal 

The Le Mans Bugatti circuit will provide the backdrop to the penultimate event of the season before a return to Brands Hatch concludes proceedings in early November.

“We’re delighted to be able to share our calendar for the 2024 British Truck Racing Championship and reveal that we will be making a long-awaited return back to Europe,” said Steve Thomas, Truck Sport UK Director.

“Despite not having been able to secure an overseas round in recent years, the appetite to take our championship abroad has always been there so we’re thrilled to be heading to France and the iconic Le Mans circuit.

“Along with the British Automobile Racing Club we’ve worked hard to piece together a schedule that works for our teams, partners and fantastic fans – and I’m really confident that we’ve been able to do this.

“The BTRC continues to get bigger and better every year and this is the next step on our journey, Placing something different into our tried and tested formula is I’m sure only going to add to the spectacle.”

2024 British Truck Racing Championship Calendar

31 March/1 April – Brands Hatch 

18/19 May – Pembrey 

6/7 July – Thruxton 

10/11 August – Donington Park 

14/15 September – Snetterton 300

28/29 September – Le Mans

2/3 November – Brands Hatch

BARC concludes 2023 season with thrilling Brands Hatch title-decider

The British Automobile Racing Club closed out its 2023 season at Brands Hatch last weekend (November 4/5) with an extravaganza of title-deciding entertainment as a number of champions were crowned in front of a capacity trackside crowd.

Concluding what has been a year to remember for the Club’s championships, series, centres and venues; two days of blockbuster racing – in contrasting weather conditions – provided the backdrop to a fitting finale around the Indy layout of the Kent venue. 

Headlining the action was the British Truck Racing Championship, which saw Ryan Smith continue to re-write the history books as he claimed an unprecedented eighth consecutive Division 1 title.

Going into the weekend holding a commanding lead at the top of the standings, Smith mastered both the wet and dry conditions in his Daimler Freightliner to clinch a hat-trick of race wins and with it, the coveted crown for an eighth time.

Unfortunately, incidents on-track meant that the super-sized series only really contested three of its five scheduled bouts. The first race was declared without a result following two red flag stoppages while the finale lasted just a couple of corners before an accident caused barrier damage on the run up to Druids.

Huge credit must be given to all of the volunteer marshals, BARC officials and circuit staff for their tireless and swift efforts over the course of the weekend.

While Smith comfortably cruised to championship glory, there was unbelievably nothing to separate Paul Rivett and Adam Bint in the battle for overall Division 2 honours – with the pair ending the season tied on points. 

Across both days, the pendulum between the title protagonists swung back-and-forth, with each of them scoring wins. Come the final race, both drivers were locked on the same amount of points and due to the race not taking place, the champion was crowned on a count back of wins.

Having been somewhat of a winning juggernaut, especially in recent rounds, NAPA Racing UK’s Rivett was declared the new Division 2 champion ahead of Bint – who had pieced together an incredible campaign from start-to-finish. 

Things were somewhat more straight forward in the ultra-competitive Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy as former rallycross champion Tom Ovenden reigned supreme to wrap up the title.

Entering the weekend as one of six drivers that held a mathematical chance of lifting the one-make series crown, the EXCELR8 Motorsport driver shadowed his title rivals in the opening encounter before then securing the title with a fifth place finish in race two. 

As Ovenden rightly soaked up the spoils of championship glory, the final three race wins of the season fell the way of Alex Keens, Jack Byrne and Nathan Edwards; whilst Maximus Hall punched in an impressive showing by clinching hat-trick of second place finishes. 

Daire Flock turned his dreams of being crowned champion of the Junior Saloon Car Championship into a reality as he came out on top in the final two races of a thrilling 2023 campaign.

The Westbourne Motorsport driver entered the weekend with a healthy advantage in the standings however with double points on offer, he couldn’t afford to make any mistakes – especially as rookie ace Cameron Pratt-Thompson was waiting in the wings. 

Victory in race one put the sophomore racer on the cusp of glory before he wrapped things up with second place in race two, just behind eventual winner Oskar Dix. Pratt-Thompson would settle for the runners-up spot overall, although he did manage to clinch the Rookie Cup.

Third and sixth place finishes proved to be enough for Reece Jones to successfully retain his Pickup Truck Racing Championship title as he became a two-time champion in the popular one-make series. 

Arriving at Brands Hatch in the pound seat, Jones produced a flurry of measured performances to ensure he did enough to hold off Dale Gent and Paul Tompkins – who were his main rivals heading into the weekend. 

Gent would sign off the season with victory in the final race, although he could do nothing to stop former British Touring Car Championship race winner Matt Simpson from triumphing in the weekend’s earlier two contests.

Rounding out the list of newly crowned champions at Brands Hatch was Will Gibson, who – after coming oh-so close last year – was able to secure the Legends Cars National Championship for 2023.

As expected, the 5/8 scale pocket rockets delivered frenetic racing and while he didn’t win any of the heats, Gibson wracked up the points finishes to guarantee himself an unassailable lead in the standings. Jack Parker and Chris Needham would share the spoils in terms of race wins. 

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

British Truck Racing Championship headlines pulsating Pembrey meeting

The British Truck Racing Championship is set for a grandstand finish around Brands Hatch next month after serving up a blockbuster penultimate event of the season at Pembrey Circuit this past weekend (October 7/8).

Headlining an action-packed British Automobile Racing Club meeting in South Wales, the heavyweight behemoths entertained the masses in attendance by serving up no less than six unmissable races – one of which was being re-run from Thruxton after it was originally postponed.

In Division 1, Ryan Smith’s quest for an unprecedented eighth consecutive title edged closer to becoming a reality as he added two more victories to his impressive season tally. 

The Daimler Freightliner driver was unable to secure an unassailable lead however as his main title rivals all scored big to ensure they remain within striking distance of one of the sport’s most successful drivers. 

Ten-time champion Stuart Oliver blasted his Volvo VNL onto the top step of the podium on two occasions whilst David Jenkins and for the first-time ever Bradley Smith, also triumphed around the Home of Welsh Motorsport. 

Over in Division 2, NAPA Racing UK’s Paul Rivett produced a five-star performance that has now seen him close to within just one point of season-long standings leader Adam Bint.

Despite missing out on pole position in qualifying, the MAN driver was perfection personified as he claimed a clean sweep of victories on Saturday before following it up with a further three triumphs on Sunday.

Those five wins, alongside a third place finish as John Powell tallied a hard-fought victory, has now set up a tantalising title showdown around the world-famous Indy circuit at the start of November.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship signed its season off in style with three pulsating contests and the crowning of a brand-new champion, William Sharpe.

Following two years of domination from Steve McDermid, Sharpe converted his healthy points lead into title glory as he reigned supreme in the Classic Class at the wheel of his MG Midget.

Outgoing champion McDermid didn’t go down without a fight however as he took the battle all the way to wire after claiming all three overall race wins that were on offer over the course of the weekend. 

The battle for supremacy in the Pickup Truck Racing Championship is poised to go down to the bitter end at Brands Hatch following three frenetic bouts on Welsh soil. 

Dale Gent struck first as he narrowly edged out Chris Brockenhurst by two tenths of a second to win race one before reigning champion Reece Jones snared a comfortable victory in race two ahead of Paul Tompkins and Brockenhurst. 

Former British Touring Car Championship winner Matt Simpson then came to the fore in the weekend’s concluding bout as blitzed the opposition, taking the chequered flag by more than ten seconds ahead of Jones and Allen Cooper.

Rounding out the weekend’s track action were three races from the always entertaining Welsh Sports/Saloon Car Championship.

Boasting a bumper entry list that was packed with variety, Chris Everill and Andrew Williams proved too much for their rivals as they shared the spoils.

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

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – October 7/8

It’s set to be an unmissable spectacle at both Brands Hatch and Pembrey this weekend (October 7/8) with both the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and British Truck Racing Championship in action.

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with every lap that is being broadcast:

BRANDS HATCH

Will it be Ash Sutton or Tom Ingram? The destiny of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will be decided on the Grand Prix layout Kent venue this weekend across three blockbuster races.

Titles will also be decided in the Manufacturers’, Teams’, Independents’ and the Jack Sears Trophy too; whilst overall honours will be decided on the TOCA support package as well.

Saturday 7th October // 15:30 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 8th October // 10:45 – WATCH HERE

PEMBREY

At Pembrey, the British Truck Racing Championship will take centre stage in South Wales for its penultimate event of the season – and it’s all still to play for across Division 1 and Division 2.

Also featuring on the bill is the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship and the Welsh Sports/Saloon Car Championship.

Saturday 7th October // 11:50 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 8th October // 09:15 – WATCH HERE

To find out more information about this weekend’s race meetings, CLICK HERE.

BTRC, CTCRC and Britcar delivers Snetterton spectacular

Snetterton played host to a blockbuster two days of wheel-to-wheel entertainment this past weekend (September 16/17) as the British Automobile Racing Club and four of its biggest categories took centre stage in Norfolk. 

On what proved to be a captivating outing around the challenging 300 layout, a bumper crowd flocked trackside to witness action from the British Endurance Championship, British Truck Racing Championship, Classic Touring Car Racing Club,  and the Britcar Trophy.

The performance of Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton in the PB Racing Audi R8 GT3 was a sight to behold as they chalked up yet another victory in the Motorsport UK British Endurance Championship.

Having been the team to beat when it comes to outright victories this year prior to the penultimate meeting of the campaign, Erceg and Clutton were arguably in a league of their own as they romped to a comfortable lights-to-flag victory.

Blasting their way to pole position in qualifying, the duo converted their front row start into a commanding lead over the course of the opening stint of the two-hour bout, and from there they continued to build an advantage over the chasing pack.

As the race wore on, Erceg and Clutton extended their lead further and ultimately went on to lap the entire field at least once on their way to claiming the chequered flag.

Behind, Track Focused’s Mike McCollum and Sean Cooper produced a superlative drive at the wheel of a KTM GT4 to clinch second overall whilst the Venture Innovations Mercedes AMG GT4 of Chris Jones and Matt George completed the podium in third.

That result for Jones and George ensured they remain firmly in contention for the overall title as the series heads to Donington Park in October, with main protagonists Team HARD’s Brad Thurston and Daryl Deleon having banked solid points.

Also taking centre stage around the 300 layout were two enthralling 50-minute contests from the ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship. Like the British Endurance Championship, Snetterton marked the penultimate stop on the calendar for the multi-class series and the battle for supremacy proved to be just as intense.

Race one saw a captivating duel for top spot play out, with Simon Clark fending off the race-long advances Axel Van Nederveen in his Porsche 997 Carrera S to clinch victory by a little over a second.

Assetto Motorsport’s Julian Wantling and Jim Edwards completed the podium in their Ginetta G56 GTA in third. That wasn’t to be the only piece of silverware the duo claimed on the day either as they went on to repeat the feat in race two.

Geoff Steel Racing’s Lee Goldsmith – who was running out of the Invitation Class in a BMW M3 E90 – claimed victory in Britcar’s second bout however he was certainly made to work for it as Datum Motorsport’s Marco Anastasi closed to within half a second in the latter stages.

Five colossal contests from the British Truck Racing Championship took place, and with the series entering the home stretch of its 2023 campaign, every point was crucial in deciding the battle for title supremacy. 

In Division 1, reigning seven-time champion Ryan Smith took another step closer to retaining his crown for an eighth successive year as he maintained his unbeaten pole position streak in qualifying and then followed it up by a hat-trick of race wins. 

The Daimler Freightliner driver could well have left Snetterton with four wins however officials deemed he had gained an unfair advantage on his way to the chequered flag and was hit with a five-second time penalty. 

David Jenkins – who prior to Snetterton hadn’t stood on the top step of the podium this year – inherited victory in race four, adding that success to the maiden one that he had claimed just a few hours earlier in the weekend’s third bout.

Over in Division 2, NAPA Racing UK’s Paul Rivett bolstered his own championship challenge with another near-perfect performance – all of which has seen him further close the gap to Adam Bint at the top of the standings. 

Like he did at Donington Park in August, the MAN TGX driver charged to pole position and four commanding race wins. John Powell emerged as the only driver that could stop Rivett, with the DAF driver triumphing in race four.

Variety was the spice of life when it came to the Classic Touring Car Racing Club as some of the most iconic and nostalgic tin tops from down the years provided an abundance of edge-of-the-seat thrills across six unmissable races.

Jonathan Corker was in imperious form at the wheel of his Datsun 510 as he claimed a brace of wins in the amalgamated Poultec Pre ’66 Touring Cars and Orange Aero Pre ’83 Touring Cars races; which boasted a bumper grid in excess of 30 cars.

Elsewhere, Nick Vaughan and his Audi A3 proved too much for the opposition in the combined Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder and Berkshire Jag Components Jaguar Challenge as he tallied a pair of narrow victories.

The CTCRC clean sweeps continued in the Laser Tools Pre ’93 Touring Cars, Burty Haulage Pre ’03, Touring Cars and Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series as Martin Reynolds guided his stunning Ford Escort Mk2 to victory twice. 

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

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – September 16/17

The British Automobile Racing Club is entering the home stretch of its 2023 season and this weekend sees two unmissable race meetings take place.

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with all the action that is being broadcast over the course of this weekend: 

SNETTERTON

Snetterton will play host to an action-packed two days of epic proportions as the British Truck Racing Championship writes the latest chapter of what is proving to be another captivating campaign.

Tin top thrills and spills will be served up in the shape of the Classic Touring Car Racing Club whilst the British Endurance Championship and ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship will also star.

Saturday 16th September – 12:30 // WATCH HERE

Sunday 17th September – 10:30 // WATCH HERE

SILVERSTONE 

At the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, a number of championships are poised to take centre stage on the National circuit.

Featuring on the billing around the 1.64-mile layout includes the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, Junior Saloon Car Championship, Track Attack Race Club, Kumho BMW Championship, OT Publishing Coupe Cup and Lancaster Insurance MGOC Championship.

Saturday 16th September – 14:00 // WATCH HERE

Sunday 17th September – 09:40 // WATCH HERE

To find out more information about this weekend’s race meeting, CLICK HERE.

Bumper crowd savours blockbuster Convoy on the Plain at Thruxton

Thruxton Circuit provided the setting for an unmissable two days of on and off-track entertainment this past weekend (July 8/9) as the British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage on home turf for Convoy on the Plain. 

Living up to its promise of being a festival for all things trucking, a bumper crowd flocked through the gates of the Hampshire venue to soak up everything from wheel-to-wheel racing and dazzling show trucks to real life transformers and live music – plus much more. 

Whilst there was plenty to see and do off-track, edge-of-the-seat thrills were in full force on it as no less than seven championships tackled the fastest circuit in the UK; with the British Truck Racing Championship topping the bill.

Returning to action after a near two-month hiatus, the heavyweight behemoths left a lasting impression as they produced four blockbuster contests around the 2.356-mile layout.

Division 1 spoils were split between Ryan Smith, Stuart Oliver and John Bowler while Paul Rivett and John Powell claimed a pair of wins apiece in Division 2. Those triumphs however were somewhat overshadowed by a scary incident that took place in the weekend’s fourth race on Sunday afternoon.

Approaching mid-distance in the contest, series newcomer Neil Yates suffered a throttle pedal jam upon entry into Allard which resulted in his DAF hitting the armco barrier and rolling over the catch fence. 

Thankfully, nobody was injured in the incident however the lengthy clean up operation resulted in the BTRC’s final bout – as well as the Pickup Truck Racing Championship’s third race – being cancelled.

Prior to the Pickup Truck Racing Championship’s finale being canned, the series had enjoyed a memorable outing with defending champion Reece Jones bolstering his title charge with a near wheel-perfect double-winning performance.

In the Kumho BMW Championship, Jason West and Michael Vitulli chalked up a win each whilst Ross Alexander and Freddie Hewitt did the same in the MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport. 

Elsewhere, Scott Bugner and Steve McDermid’s captivating back-and-forth battle for supremacy in the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship further intensified as the pair enjoyed a share of the spoils on Sunday. 

Fine margins proved to be the difference when it came down to the Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship. Richard Groom and Ben Wheatley scored a victory each in the two Sigma 135 bouts whilst Amanda Anderson and Harry Senior topped the rostrum in the amalgamated Sigma 150/Sigmax races.

The weekend also saw a triumphant return for OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires stalwart Wayne Rockett. Having previously announced he was stepping back from the popular single-make series, a resurgent Rockett reigned supreme around his home track to win twice.

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

All of the weekend’s action from Thruxton is also available to watch on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

BARC enjoys fun in the sun at Pembrey and Convoy Cymru

Pembrey Circuit provided the backdrop for a blockbuster two days of track action this past weekend (May 20/21) as a number of British Automobile Racing Club championships took centre stage at Convoy Cymru.

On what proved to be a weekend to remember, a bumper crowd flocked to the South Wales venue for a festival of all things trucking – which included an eye-catching Show Truck display, live music, freestyle motocross stunt show, truck drifting and much more.

Whilst there was plenty to see and do off-track, high-octane thrills and spills played out on it as a number of categories continued their 2023 campaigns in style.

Topping the bill were five colossal contests from the British Truck Racing Championship, where there was action aplenty across both Division 1 and Division 2.

As was the case at Brands Hatch last month, reigning seven-time champion Ryan Smith emerged as the driver to beat on the Saturday as he snared pole position and then converted it into a pair of commanding victories. 

Smith also triumphed in the reverse grid third race – charging from eighth – however that was to be as good as it got as damage and mechanical issues scuppered his chances of a clean sweep. Instead, Jock Borthwick and Michael Oliver came to the fore to tally their first wins of the season.

In Division 2, Adam Bint and John Powell strengthened their title charges by chalking up more wins however the weekend arguably belonged to NAPA Racing UK’s Paul Rivett. After finishing second in the first three races, the former Renault UK Clio Cup champion put on a clinical display in races four and five to triumph in style.

Oskar Dix maintained his strong start to the season in the Junior Saloon Car Championship as he extended his lead in the points with a victory in race three. Daire Flock – who remains second overall – had been the driver to beat with two wins to his name before a non-finish in the third halted his charge.

One of the closest finishes over the course of the weekend came 2CV/Mini Endurance bout. After 67 laps of the picturesque Welsh track, just over half a second separated winners Sandro and Luca Proietti from the duo of Pete Sparrow and Nick Crispin.

Despite losing out in the endurance race, Crispin did stand on the top step of the podium as he triumphed in one of two Classic 2CV Racing Club races. After blasting to pole position, last year’s runner-up charged to victory in race before Kris Tovey came to the fore to win in race two.

Elsewhere, the Track Attack Race Club saw a variety of cars duke it out but it was Lee Currie and Adam Croft that claimed bragging rights as they left Wales with a victory apiece. 

Rounding out the weekend’s track action were a pair of races from the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship on Sunday, both of which were won by Wayne Spiller and Damien Longotano.

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

You can also re-watch all of the action from Saturday and Sunday by heading to the British Automobile Racing Club YouTube channel HERE.

How To Watch BARC LIVE: Pembrey – May 20/21

The British Automobile Racing Club makes its first visit of the 2023 season to Pembrey Circuit this weekend (May 20/21) for the hugely popular Convoy Cymru event – and it’s not to be missed.

Billed as what is set to be a festival of all things truck at the Welsh venue, those in attendance will be able to see some of the best trucks in the country on display as well as soak up the atmosphere from the funfair, all-action arena and much more.

Whilst there will be plenty to see and do off-track, the same can be said on it as the British Truck Racing Championship headlines the live coverage with five blockbuster races scheduled to play out across both days.

In addition to the heavyweight behemoths, viewers will also be able to watch action from the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Track Attack Race Club, Classic 2CV Racing Club and Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship over the course of the weekend.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 12:30 – Facebook | YouTube

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 09:30 – Facebook | YouTube

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Pembrey, including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.

Sun shines on Brands Hatch as BARC serves up Easter extravaganza

The British Automobile Racing Club served up an Easter extravaganza at Brands Hatch this past weekend (April 8/9) as seven more championships lifted the curtain on their 2023 seasons in spectacular fashion.

Basking in the warm Spring sunshine at the famous Kent venue, a bumper crowd were treated to 21 blockbuster races across Saturday and Sunday – each of which were packed with their own thrills and spills. 

Headlining the weekend’s action around the 1.2-mile Indy circuit were five contests from the British Truck Racing Championship and they certainly didn’t disappoint; with a near capacity grid of heavyweight behemoths delivering an unmissable show.

In Division 1, two of the series’ most successful drivers staked an early claim to the title by sharing the spoils. Reigning seven time-champion Ryan Smith – who was armed with a brand-new Daimler Freightliner – bagged a hat-trick of wins whilst ten-time champion Stuart Oliver scored a brace of his own.

There was a similar theme in Division 2 as two drivers split the wins; Adam Bint and John Powell. Former champion Bint made one of his best starts to a season in recent years with three emphatic victories whilst championship stalwart Powell reigned supreme in the remaining two bouts.

Three different drivers stood on the top step of the podium in what was an action-packed start to the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy. Widely regarded as one of the most competitive one-make categories in the UK, no quarter was given throughout the 30-car grid.

Second-year driver Tom Ovenden kicked off proceedings with an impressive victory before Jack Byrne scampered into the distance to win race two, all while an almighty scrap for second place played out behind him. Alex Solley then rounded out proceedings by clinching his maiden win in a shortened third race.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship also saw three different drivers claim victory. Renowned for producing high-octane wheel-to-wheel moments, the category had everyone on the edge of their seats as they debuted their new two heats and a grand final format.

Pre-season title favourites Matt Simpson, Dale Gent and reigning champion Reece Jones proved to be the class of the field as they led the way out front – taking a win apiece to set up what promises to be an exciting remainder of the season.

Elsewhere, the Morphmy Caterham Graduates Championship served up no less than four races during the weekend, each of them proving to be as captivating as the one that went before it. 

Harry Senior and Harry Cramer shared the victories on offer in the amalgamated Sigma 150 and Sigmax races whilst Richard Groom and Ben Wheatley emerged victorious from the two thrilling Sigma 135 bouts that were on offer.

Scott Bugner made a flying start to life in the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship as he opened his 2023 account with two wins. 

At the wheel of his MG ZR, Bugner edged out Jack Chapman and multiple champion Steve McDermid in a close opening race before then doubling up for the day with a more comfortable victory ahead of McDermid and Andy Heitman in race two.

Wayne Rockett showcased why he has established himself as one of the most successful drivers to ever compete in the OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires by taking a clean sweep of race victories.

Hot on the heels of finishing the 2022 campaign with the most race wins, Rockett picked up where he left off as he produced a pair of measured drives to lead home Luca Staccini Anzanello and Mark Ridout in both encounters.

Rounding out the weekend’s action was two races from the Kumho BMW Championship, the single-manufacturer series which boasts more than three decades of history and is home to some of the most iconic models that run the badge of the Bavarian brand.

Donning the mantel of defending champion after a sensational 2022 campaign, James Card picked up from where he left off last year with an assured performance in the weekend’s opening contest as he guided his E46 M3 to victory ahead of Jason West.

Roles were reversed in race two however as West staked his claim as one to watch over the course of the year with a somewhat dominant win; leading home Card and Paul Wood to the chequered flag by more than ten seconds.

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

Watch all of the action that was streamed live across both days on the BARC’s official YouTube channel HERE.

How To Watch BARC LIVE: Brands Hatch – April 8/9

The British Automobile Racing Club makes its first visit of the 2023 season to Brands Hatch this weekend (April 8/9) with a blockbuster two days of on-track entertainment comprising of a staggering 21 races.

Five races that are guaranteed to have fans on the edge-of-their-seats – both trackside and watching online – will come from the British Truck Racing Championship as they blast into life for a brand new season.

Weighing in at more than five tonnes and producing in excess of 1000bhp, there is nothing quite like seeing the heavyweight behemoths of Divison 1 and Division 2 go wheel-to-wheel, and BARC LIVE is poised to bring every lap live across Facebook and YouTube.

Elsewhere, the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, Kumho BMW Championship, Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship, OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires and Caterham Graduates Racing Club will all kick-start their campaigns.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the on-track entertainment by using the key timings and links below:

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 11:50 – Facebook | YouTube 

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 10:10 – Facebook | YouTube

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Brands Hatch, including the official entry lists and timetable, CLICK HERE.

Don’t miss any future BARC LIVE events either by subscribing to our YouTube channel HERE.