Tag: BTRC

British Truck Racing Championship stars on BBC Top Gear

The British Truck Racing Championship took on a starring role in the latest episode of BBC’s hit show Top Gear this past Sunday (June 19) as a number of drivers went wheel-to-wheel with presenters Paddy McGuiness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris.

Episode 3 of the current series saw Paddy, Freddie and Chris attempt to qualify as lorry drivers before embarking on a stormy HGV road trip across Britain – which ultimately culminated at Pembrey Circuit.

Arriving at the home of Welsh motorsport after battling Storm Eunice, the trio joined the stars of the BTRC for an epic race with Paddy getting behind the wheel of Michael Oliver’s MAN Truck, Freddie in Steven Powell’s MAN TGS and Chris in Tom O’Rourke’s MAN TGS. 

Lining up alongside the likes of David Jenkins, John Newell, Adam Bint, Mark Taylor and Craig Reid, along with many more, all three presenters got the full truck racing experience as they battled for outright honours in some style – however you’ll have to watch the episode to see who emerged victorious.

Speaking on the experience of being part of BBC’s hit television show, multiple champion Oliver said: “To play a major part in the planning and preparation ahead of the various filming days and then to work with the presenters and film crew during the production was a great and unforgettable experience.

“Having the opportunity to showcase what the British Truck Racing Championship is all about is fantastic too. Hopefully the success of being on the show will see more fans flock trackside and also see more people wanting to get involved in the sport on the whole.”

To watch the episode on demand, head to https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0018kjp/top-gear-series-32-episode-3. 

The British Truck Racing Championship continues its 2022 season at Thruxton Circuit on July 9/10.

BARC basks in Pembrey sunshine to headline Convoy Cymru entertainment

The British Automobile Racing Club basked in the bright sunshine this past weekend (May 7/8) as a number of championships took centre stage at Pembrey Circuit for the inaugural running of Convoy Cymru.

Living up to its promise as being a festival of all things trucking, those that attended Convoy Cymru were 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, tractor pulling and much more.

Headlining the weekend’s track action were five blockbuster contests from the British Truck Racing Championship. Coming off the back off a sensational season-opener at Brands Hatch last month, the heavyweight behemoths served up yet more entertainment.

Division 1 saw reigning champion Ryan Smith stamp his authority on the battle for the title as he stormed to four emphatic wins in his Damiler Truck. Simon Reid was the only driver that could stop the six-time title winner as he piloted his Iveco to the top step in race four, holding off the aforementioned Smith.

In Division 2, Saturday’s spoils were shared between Jock Borthwick and Luke Garrett before Garrett then added a further two wins to his tally on Sunday. Adam Bint was the other victor as he guided his Volvo White Aerodyne to a popular win for the first time this season.

From the titans of truck racing to the 5/8 scale pocket rockets of the Legends Cars National Championship, wheel-to-wheel action was around every turn of the challenging 1.45-mile layout.

Reigning champion Miles Rudman and John Mickel each walked away with a brace of wins whilst there was also a visit to the top step of the podium each for Will Gibson and Marcus Pett.

Elsewhere, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship put on a show with three pulsating bouts which were won by Michael Smith, Mark Willis and Dale Gent. 

Nelson King enjoyed a dream start to the new Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy season as he claimed hat-trick of wins whilst David O’Keeffe was victorious in both Classic 2CV Racing Club contests. 

Rounding out the weekend’s track action were a pair of races from the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship, where Rhys Lloyd and Damian Longotano took a win apiece. 

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.

Where To Watch BARC LIVE: Pembrey – May 7/8

The British Automobile Racing Club makes its first visit of the 2022 season to Pembrey Circuit this weekend (May 7/8) for the inaugural 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 Pickup Truck Racing Championship, MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, 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 11:45 – 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.

BARC championships serve up Easter extravaganza at Brands Hatch

The British Automobile Racing Club produced an Easter extravaganza of track at Brands Hatch this past weekend (April 16/17) as six championships took centre stage.

Basked in bright sunshine and with a bumper crowd in attendance at the Kent venue, the weekend was headlined by the British Truck Racing Championship – which was kicking off making its first appearance of 2022. 

Division 1 began with Ryan Smith underlining his dominance as the reigning six-time champion converted pole position into a dominant victory. That would be to be his only win however as David Jenkins bagged a brace and the duo of Stuart Oliver and Simon Reid also opened their accounts for the year.

In Division 2, John Powell got the best start of the seven competing drivers as he steered his DAF to a hat-trick of wins whilst the returning Luke Garrett and ultra-consistent Brad Smith also triumphed. 

From the titans of truck racing to the pocket rockets of the Legends Cars National Championship, where three drivers shared the spoils to stand on the top step of the podium.

Staging six pulsating races around the 1.2-mile Indy circuit over the course of the weekend, defending champion Miles Rudman kicked off proceedings with a sensational win before going on to podium a further five times.

Will Gibson was arguably the star of the show as he too made it a podium clean sweep, with four of them being victories. Multiple champion John Mickel was the other driver to emerge victorious during the weekend as he won Sunday’s finale. 

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club served up no less than eight races over the course of the weekend, each as captivating as the last. In the two Pre ’66 encounters, spoils were shared between Piers Grange and Alan Greenhalgh whilst Don Hughes won both amalgamated Pre ’03 and Jaguar Challenge contests. 

In the combined Pre ’83 and Pre ’83 Touring Cars races, Dave Griffin proved too much for the opposition as he won twice; Andrew Wilson would go on to do the same in the Classic Thunder and Blue Oval Saloon Series encounters.

George Turiccki enjoyed the perfect start to the defence of his Pickup Truck Racing Championship as he chalked up a pair of race wins. Setting the fastest times in both parts of qualifying, the defending two-time champion didn’t put a wheel wrong to triumph twice.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship was another category that lifted the curtain on a new season, with a bumper grid producing some memorable wheel-to-wheel moments.

After reigning supreme last year, Steve McDermid picked up from where he left off as he powered his way to an impressive pair of race wins whilst Steve Darbey, William Sharpe, Fergus Campbell and Jack Woodcock all scored podiums. 

Rounding out the weekend’s track action were two races from the Kumho BMW Championship. Showcasing some of the most iconic models from the Bavarian marque, Niall Bradley piloted his E36 M3 to the top step of the rostrum.

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.

Where To Watch BARC LIVE: Brands Hatch – April 16/17

The British Automobile Racing Club descends on Brands Hatch for the first time this year with a blockbuster weekend two days of on-track entertainment comprising of a staggering 25 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 we’ll bring every lap live on Facebook and YouTube.

Elsewhere, the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and Kumho BMW Championship’s will continue their 2022 campaigns whilst the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship and Pickup Truck Racing Championship are set to lift the curtain on their own seasons as well.

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 12:15 – Facebook | YouTube

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 10:15 – 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.

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.

Where to watch BARC LIVE from Thruxton this weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club is back in action this weekend (July 3/4) with a titanic two days of track action from Thruxton Circuit.

As part of the inaugural ‘Convoy on the Plain’ – the ultimate festival for all things trucking – two days of frenetic racing around the fastest circuit in the UK will undoubtedly get fans on the edge of their seats, and our cameras will be there to broadcast it all live on Facebook and YouTube.

Those that have opted in for TV coverage and will feature on the broadcast over the course of the weekend include the British Truck Racing Championship, Caterham Graduates Championship, Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship and Carbon8 Coupe Cup.

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 14:15 – Facebook | YouTube

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 10:35 – Facebook | YouTube

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Thruxton, 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.

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.

BARC championships deliver action-packed weekend to remember at Brands Hatch

The British Automobile Racing Club soaked up the sun to produce two days of unmissable, edge-of-the-seat entertainment this past weekend ( June 5/6) at Brands Hatch.

Making the first of several visits to the Kent venue over the course of the 2021 season, a total of eight championships took to the Indy circuit and turned on the style for the enthusiastic crowd that was in attendance.

One of the headline acts during the weekend was the British Truck Racing Championship. Lifting the curtain on a brand new season, the heavyweight behemoths wasted no time in making their presence known as they served up five bruising encounters.

Division 1 saw reigning five-time champion Ryan Smith begin the pursuit of a sixth crown on the right foot as he powered his way to a hat-trick of wins. Martin Gibson and Mark Taylor would go on to end Smith’s winning streak on Sunday as they tallied a win apiece.

In Division 2, defending champion Steven Powell enjoyed an equally impressive start to the season as he, like Smith, scored a trio of victories. Such is the competitiveness throughout the field, Powell was unable to claim a clean sweep as former champion Adam Bint and Craig Reid also stood on the top step of the podium.

It proved to be an emotional weekend for the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres as they paid tribute to Gerard McCosh, a stalwart of the series who passed away earlier this year. A poignant two-lap parade on Sunday saw the entire 34-car grid follow Gerard’s infamous car for the final time before it is retired.

Aside from the tribute, the Legends as ever delivered six pulsating encounters that will live long in the memory. John Mickel, Will Gibson and Steve Whitelegg reigned supreme on the Saturday before Mickel and Gibson added to their tallies on Sunday. Paul Simmons would emerge as the other race winner.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship made its first appearance at Brands Hatch since 2019 and didn’t disappoint with two frenetic races taking centre stage. Current title holder George Turiccki opened his account for the season with a win in race one before Michael Smith did the same in race two.

Hot off the heels of starring at Donington Park on Bank Holiday Monday, the Kumho BMW Championship was back in action with another two races. Brad Sheehan proved to be the driver to beat in his E46 M3, winning both bouts narrowly ahead of James Card.

Pete Sparrow continued his fine start to the 2CVParts.com Championship as he bagged another brace of wins. Having won at their Cadwell Park season opener, the former multiple champion arrived at Brands Hatch keen to extend his advantage in the points – and he did just that.

Storming to pole position for both races, Sparrow didn’t put a wheel wrong in either contest to stretch his legs out front and take the chequered flag comfortably.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship boasted a bumper entry list however Steve McDermid wasn’t to be denied from claiming his fourth straight win of the year in race one. William Sharpe finally halted his momentum however in race two, as he claimed a win of his own to cap off a memorable second event for the magnificent MGs.

Steve Burrows and Ray Harris were victorious in the CMMCS Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes whilst the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy rounded out the weekend’s action, with wins going the way of Matt Hammond and Joe Wiggin.

To view the full classification of results from Brands Hatch this past weekend, CLICK HERE.

You can watch all the action back too by heading to our YouTube channel HERE.

Blockbuster weekend awaits the BARC at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch beckons for the British Automobile Racing Club this weekend (June 5/6) for what should be an unmissable race meeting around the Indy circuit, headlined by no less than five races from the British Truck Racing Championship.

In what is one of the must-see events on the UK motorsport calendar, the titans of truck racing will lift the curtain on a brand-new season whilst a number of other championships will also take centre stage to continue their 2021 campaign.

Having not raced at the Kent venue since 2019, this weekend’s BTRC opener is a homecoming of sorts and the expectation that neither Division 1 or Division 2 is going to disappoint those in attendance and watching live online.

Boasting an ultra-competitive entry list throughout, many eyes will be on Ryan Smith in Division 1 as he bids to clinch a sixth consecutive title. Cementing his status as the driver to beat in the premier class over the past five years, Smith has his sights set on making more history however he faces stiff competition.

Former champions David Jenkins and Stuart Oliver are stalwarts of the championship and know what it takes to win. Having run Smith close in recent years, both will be confident that they can string together a season-long challenge to dethrone the current king.

In Division 2, Steven Powell will don the mantel of defending champion. Having narrowly missed out on the crown on a number of occasions, Powell made no mistake in 2020 as he stormed to the title in style.

Now aiming to clinch back-to-back crowns, Powell will be eager to pick up where he left off last year however he too faces competition from a raft of challengers. Former champion Adam Bint, Brad Smith, John Powell, John Bowler and Paul Rivett have all triumphed in the past and will be worth keeping an eye on.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres has proven to be a fan favourite down the years and they will look to steal the show as always. Former champion Miles Rudman holds the early advantage as the pocket rockets descend on the Indy circuit however he will need to be in top form to remain there.

As always, the battle for supremacy is as fraught as ever and with the likes of John Mickel, Daniel Clark, Jack Parker, Steve Whitelegg and Nick Bridgeman, to name but a few, all racing, all bets are off.

Towards the end of the lunchbreak on Sunday there is to be a special two-lap parade in memory of late Legends racer Gerard McCosh. The popular competitor, who tragically lost his life in February after a battle with cancer, will be celebrated by all of his friends within the paddock.

After a year on the sidelines, the Pickup Truck Racing Championship made a popular return at Mallory Park last month and is now revved up to produce more edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

Two pulsating encounters around the Mallory Oval saw Reece Jones triumph to grab the early initiative and he will be hoping for more of the same at Brands. With two races scheduled to play out though, the likes of George Turiccki, Dale Gent, Michael Smith, Daniel Petters, Dean Tompkins and Mark Willis will all undoubtedly be in contention towards the front.

Vintage thrills will be offered up by the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship as they write the latest chapter in their season. Steve McDermid scored a sensational hat-trick at the MGOC curtain-raiser and he will be keen to continue his fine form.

Meanwhile, Simon Kendrick, Stephen Amphlett, Stuart Plotnek and Chris Millard have underlined their credentials towards the sharp end of the grid in the past and any one of them could stake their claim around the Indy circuit.

Also taking fans on a spirited trip down memory lane will be the 2CVParts.com Championship. Steeped in more than 30 years of history, the championship has established itself as one of the most exciting single-make categories that runs today.

Multiple champion Pete Sparrow has his sights set on regaining the crown he lost to Alec Graham last year and he made the perfect start by tallying a brace of wins around the undulating twists and turns of the Lincolnshire-based venue. Whether or not he can continue his fine form remains to be seen.

Fresh off the back of their Bank Holiday Monday showing at Donington Park, the Kumho BMW Championship has a quick turnaround to return to the action. Home to all models that run the iconic Bavarian brand logo, the series enjoyed a superlative start a few days ago and

Rounding out the weekend’s track action at Brands Hatch will be contests from the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy and Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes.

To find out more information on this weekend’s two-day event at Brands Hatch, such as the Entry List and Timetable, CLICK HERE.