Tag: Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup

BARC revved up for Easter extravaganza at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch is set to play host to a blockbuster Easter extravaganza this weekend (April 20/21/22) as the British Automobile Racing Club descends on the Kent circuit with eight championships for three days of door-to-door action.

A traditional fixture on the motorsport calendar for both the Club and the circuit, the Easter race weekend has provided plenty of memorable moments down the years and 2019 is likely to be no different.

Headlining the action with eight races will be the MV Commercial BTRA Championship, which roars back into life for another year. Weighing in at more than five tonnes and producing in excess of 1000bhp, the championship is a favourite among many and boasts a bumper entry list in both Division 1 & 2.

Three-time champion Ryan Smith will be the man to beat in Division 1 as he bids to write his name into the history books whilst both former champions David Jenkins and Stuart Oliver will be keen to halt the MAN juggernaut and get the jump on him early in the year.

Division 2 will see Luke Garrett begin the defence of his title however he faces a stern test from a raft of contenders including Brad Smith, Steven Powell, Simon Cole and Paul Rivett, who has made the switch from the Renault UK Clio Cup to Truck Racing full-time.

At the other end of the scale in terms of size competing at Brands Hatch is the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres. Marking the start of a milestone year for the category as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary, the 5/8 scale machines are set to wow crowds with a host of races, and a big grid all aiming to topple reigning champion John Mickel.

The Pickup Truck Racing Championship will crown a new champion this year with two-time victor Scott Bourne not returning for 2019, and judging by the entry list it is set to be as wide open as ever. A blend of experienced and fresh-faced racers will line up on the grid for the opening event of the year with it all to play for.

Rebranded and running under the SHP Promotions banner, the BARC Super Silhouette Championship will kick off a new era at Brands Hatch. Formerly known as Intermarques, the space-frame machines are set to ensure pulses are racing as a strong entry list dukes it out for honours in the opening event of the season.

Those wanting to take a trip down touring car memory lane will be well catered for as the Classic Touring Car Championship continues. Kicking off the season at Oulton Park in March, the championship once again has another awe-inspiring line-up of cars and drivers, all of whom will be keen to shine at this second meeting of the year.

Brands Hatch will mark the start of new seasons for the BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns and the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup too. Both delighting fans wherever they went in 2018, the two categories are polar opposites from each other however one theme is set to relate them around the Indy circuit and that is that they will deliver non-stop entertainment.

Capping off the action will be further saloon car thrills from the BARC Tin Tops Championship, which is open to a diverse range of machines.

In total, a scheduled 33 races are set to take place over Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Brands Hatch making it an event that is not to be missed. To find out more information on the event as a whole, click here.

Blockbuster Brands Hatch weekend brings BARC year to a close

Brands Hatch provided the backdrop for a thrilling final race meeting of the 2018 season for the British Automobile Racing Club this past weekend (November 17/18) as six championships brought the curtain down on their campaigns.

Despite there being a chill in the air, the BARC basked under the Kent sunshine throughout both days as those in attendance were treated to a feast on-track entertainment.

Racing into the darkness on both nights, the Dunlop Endurance Championship lit up the Indy circuit with a spellbinding array of machines. Honours fell the way of Alan Purbrick and David Brise in the first 50-minute encounter as they piloted their Saker RAPX to victory.

In the longer two-hour endurance race, Ferrari 458 duo Ross Wylie and David Mason were the winners of the Sprint category before the Team HARD duo of Simon Rudd and Tom Barley went on to score victory in the Endurance class.

With the final races being decided, Sarah Moore and Matt Greenwood were declared Endurance champions whilst Jon Watt and Kristian Prosser claimed the Sprint title.

James Hedley wrote his name into the history books as he lifted the coveted Ginetta Junior Winter Series crown. With familiar and new faces duking it out for the final championship on offer from the Yorkshire manufacturer, Hedley made his mark in style.

Ruben del Sarte scored victory in race one however nobody could stop Hedley on day two as he stormerd to a pair of wins from behind the wheel of his G40 to scoop the title and follow in the footsteps of Adam Smalley.

Wayne Rockett and Steve Kite signed off the Hyundai Coupe Cup season in dominant fashion as they powered their way to a race win, the latter adding cementing his status as the man to beat throughout the year.

Spoils were shared in the BARC South East Tin Tops Championship as Alfie Brooker and Kamran Tunio took a win apiece. Elsewhere Rod Birley was back to his brilliant best as he wrapped up victory in the two BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship races.

Capping off the weekend’s action was two races from the Scrapco Metal Recycling / Avon Tyres Intermarque Championship, with Chris Brockenhurst and Steve Burrows each topping the podium.

For the full classification of results, click here.

BARC set to bring the curtain down on 2018 season at Brands Hatch

Starting the year on a chilly Saturday at Oulton Park in March, the British Automobile Racing Club will bring the 2018 season to an end this weekend (November 17/18) as a host of championships compete at Brands Hatch.

In what has been another memorable year across all BARC categories, the Indy layout of the Kent venue will provide the backdrop for the final set of champions to be officially crowned.

Topping the bill will be the Dunlop Endurance Championship, which will race into the night during the weekend. Home to some of the most illustrious and jaw-dropping cars from around the world, Britcar has once again delivered another spellbinding year of racing.

With a brace of 50-minute encounters as well as the customary longer two-hour race closing the show, there will be plenty of track time over the course of the weekend for the likes of Matt Greenwood & Sarah Moore and Jon Watt & Kristian Prosser – both of whom sit at the summit of the individual standings.

The Ginetta Junior Winter Series will make a triumphant return as the familiar and new faces duke it out for the final title that is awarded by the Yorkshire manufacturer in 2018.

Amongst the bumper entry list includes Ruben Del Sarte, James Hedley, Harry Dyson Lorcan Hanafen and Gus Burton, all of whom competed during the main Ginetta championship this past year.

With a total of two races per day taking place, the battle for supremacy is set to keep fans on the edge-of-their-seats all the way to the final lap of the weekend.

Following a lengthy break, the Hyundai Coupe Cup will bring the curtain down on their season, which has been an overwhelming success, with another feast of entertainment for spectators.

This season has seen Steve Kite at times be in a league of his own in the one-make series and the Misty Racing driver will be keen to add to his already impressive winning tally, whilst Alex Cursley and Wayne Rockett lead the chasing pack.

Capping off a blockbuster two days of action will be races from the BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship, BARC South East Tin Tops Championship and Scrapco Metal Recycling / Avon Tyres Intermarque Championship.

All part of the Club’s South East Centre, titles are up for grabs in all three with Adrian Bradley, Rikki Taylor and Lewis Smith in the pound seats in their respective categories.

However, with an array of talented drivers hot on their heels, nothing is set to be guaranteed at Brands Hatch until the checkered flag is waved for the final time in 2018.

Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge and Hyundai Coupe Cup stars at Croft

Croft Circuit played host to a mesmerising two days of British Automobile Racing Club action this past weekend (September 22/23) as the Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge and Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup both took on starring roles.

In what was the last visit by the Club to the North Yorkshire venue this year, fans were treated to a feast of door-to-door thrills in the autumnal sunshine.

Having made history on numerous occasions this season, the Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge enjoyed another first as it introduced sprint races for the first time. Staging five 20-minute encounters, spoils were shared across the weekend.

Team Viking kicked off proceedings with wins in races one and two before Amigo Motorsport came to the fore in race three, claiming the spoils on offer. TCS Motorsport prevailed in the fourth sprint race of the weekend before Team Viking once again underlined their class with a third race win of the day.

On top of the five short races that were staged, Croft also played host to an enthralling five-hour endurance race on Sunday. Boasting an entry list of more than 30 cars, more than 300 minutes of frenetic tin top action kept those in attendance on the edge-of-their-seats.

After completing 138 laps and finishing a whole lap ahead of their nearest rivals, McAttack Racing emerged as the race winners ahead of series regulars MSAR – Old Hat Motorsport and Absolute Alignment.

Elsewhere, Steve Kite continued his dominance in the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup with a further two victories. Having produced a string of dominant performances throughout the season, the Misty Racing driver added a further pair of triumphs ahead of Alex Cursley and Wayne Rockett.

Capping off the weekend’s action was a pair of races from the DDMC Northern Saloon & Sportscar Championship, both of which were won by Matthew Cobb.

For the full classification of results from all sessions and championships, click here.

Bank holiday blockbuster expected at Mallory Park

The British Automobile Racing Club is set for a bank holiday Monday (May 28) to remember as the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and Hyundai Coupe Cup head to Mallory Park for a flat-out day’s reaction.

Making it’s customary visit to the popular Leicestershire circuit, the two categories are set for a bumper day of action as they seek to dazzle those in attendance.

In what is the third meeting of the season for the championship, Classic Touring Cars will be once again out to steal the show as they stage a scheduled eight races in total.

Amalgamating different classes together, a diverse range of machinery will go wheel-to-wheel, all of which span countless decades.

With everything from iconic Mini Cooper’s and Ford Escort’s, all the way up to modern vehicles such as Renault Clio’s there will be something for everyone when the action gets underway.

Notable names to look out for during the day include multiple champion Stephen Primett, Dale Gent, Roger Stanford, James Wilson and Steve Barden, as well as a host more too.

Having continued to go from strength-to-strength in recent years, the Hyundai Coupe Cup is enjoying a period of rude health – and it appears that it is showing no signs of letting up either.

Coming from humble beginnings to benefitting from having its own grid, the series has become one of the most sought after within the BARC to compete in; with its low-cost, tin top thrills proving to be part of its charm.

Arriving at Mallory Park off the back of events at Silverstone, Pembrey and Snetterton, the Coupe Cup is set to shine on bank holiday Monday alongside the CTCRC.

So far this season the narrative has been Misty Racing’s Steve Kite asserting his dominance, winning countless races already. Whilst points are not on offer, bragging rights of who can score the most wins over the course of the season is high on the agenda of many, and Kite is establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.

Whilst Kite will be looking to extend his winning run, the likes of Wayne Rockett, who is the only man to beat Kite to the top step this year, along with Alex Cursley, Neale Hurran and Nick Moore will all be eyeing silverware too.

Two 20-minute encounters from the Coupe Cup category will no doubt set pulses racing.

Croft awaits C1 Challenge & Hyundai Coupe Cup

The British Automobile Racing Club pays its last visit of the 2018 season to Croft this weekend (September 22/23) with the Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge and Hyundai Coupe Cup set to headline.

In what has been another bumper year for the North Yorkshire venue, the BARC’s third and final meeting is likely to be a memorable one.

Going from strength-to-strength over the past two years, the Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge is set to write another chapter in its short history at Croft. Having gone from low numbers to more than 100 cars being built, the series has become on the most popular categories in UK club motorsport scene.

Staging two 24-hour races at Rockingham earlier in the year, the C1 Challenge will now dip into the arena of sprint races around the 2.1 mile circuit during the weekend – the latest element to be introduced to the ever-evolving category.

Saturday at Croft will see the series stage four 20-minute races, whittling the competition down along the way before a final is held later in the day. The customary longer endurance race will be then staged on Sunday with Croft providing the backdrop to what is expected to be an enthralling five-hour encounter.

The Hyundai Coupe Cup has enjoyed another vintage season with grid sizes continuing to grow. Steve Kite has been the man to beat however and despite championship points not being offered, the Misty Racing driver will end the season with the #1 after already notching the most amount of race wins.

Producing a run of stunning performances, Kite has been at the front at almost every turn in 2018 and will be keen to continue that rich vein of form over the weekend. Wayne Rockett and Alex Cursely, Kite’s chief protagonists during the season, will be focused on halting his run of victories.

Also on the billing during the weekend will be two races from the Northern Sports & Saloon Cars, a championship that is packed with a variety of different machines are a popular fixture at Croft.

To find out more information about this weekend’s event, click here.

BARC races into the sunset at Rockingham

The British Automobile Racing Club served up an exciting day of racing at Rockingham this past Saturday (August 4) with three championships racing into the sunset.

Marking the latest visit to the Corby circuit for the BARC, those in attendance ensured they got their monies worth as the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Hyundai Coupe Cup and BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in assoc. with King Henry’s Taverns hit the track.

Topping the bill was the Pickup Truck Racing Championship and they wrote the latest chapter in their 2018 campaign with a pair of 30-lap encounters on the infamous oval circuit.

Paul Tompkins emerged as the winner from race one, narrowly pipping Paul Turiccki and David Weaver to the chequered flag. David O’Regan, Mark Willis and Dale Gent all had their own individual spells of leading at some stage but Tompkins hit the front on the penultimate lap was ultimately never headed.

Reigning champion Scott Bourne underlined his title credentials in the second race of the day which took place as the sun set in the evening. Sitting in fifth place on the opening tour, Bourne enjoyed a steady climb through the field over the course of the race, biding his time in terms of when to strike and make a move.

At the front Turiccki was the man to beat as he led nearly every lap, with Tompkins overhauling him on one lap before being pushed back down the order. As the field entered the final lap it looked as if Turiccki was going to score victory but Bourne was to have none of it, making his move to go on to record his latest triumph in the series. Tompkins and O’Regan rounded off the rostrum.

Clive Wood was perfection personified in the BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in assoc. with King Henry’s Taverns as he notched a pair of overall victories.

Peter Richings led the way in the early stages of race one but the Mallock MK23 2000 of Wood soon muscled his way to the front on lap five and was then never headed, powering his way to the chequered flag by more than 11 seconds.

Race two was a more dominant affair for Wood as he clinched an impressive lights-to-flag victory ahead of Steven Dickens, who was third in race one, and Peter Richings.

Steve Kite was at his brilliant best in the two Hyundai Coupe Cup races at Rockingham, adding another two race wins to his already impressive 2018 resume. Topping the timesheets in both practice and qualifying, Kite was unstoppable in the day’s pair of nine-lap races.

Scorching his way to lights-to-flag wins in both, the #72 machine headed Wayne Rockett and Alex Cursely in both, with the pair taking a second and third place finish apiece.

For the full classification of results from all championships that competed at Rockingham, click here.

Pembrey’s Spring Truckfest proves to be a smash-hit

Pembrey Circuit played host to memorable two day of racing this past weekend (April 21/22) as the British Automobile Racing Club descended on South Wales for Spring Truckfest.

In front of a bumper crowd, a trio of championships from the Club joined a host of other categories to entertain those who turned out in force in searing heat and the occasional rain shower.

Headlining the weekend was the BTRA Truck Racing Championship, which was competing for the second time this season after a frenetic curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch. Arriving as the early point’s leader, reigning champion Ryan Smith produced a mesmerising display in Division 1 to further cement his status as the man to beat.

Having won three races at Brands Hatch, the double title winner was a man on a mission at Pembrey winning four out of the five races, all in commanding fashion. The Smith juggernaut came to an end when David Jenkins notched his second race win of the season, doing so under intense pressure from Smith right the way up the chequered flag.

In Division 2, spoils were shared between a trio of drivers. Luke Garrett and Steve Powell charged their way to a brace of victories each whilst Craig Reid notched what proved to be a popular maiden win in the championship.

Elsewhere, the Hyundai Coupe Cup arguably stole the show as it ran three high-octane races; all of them jam-packed with plenty of bumper-to-bumper moments. Steve Kite continued his impressive run of victories in the opening encounter, narrowly pipping Wayne Rockett.

Kite and Rockett emerged as the drivers to watch throughout the weekend as they scrapped for top spot across all three races. Having missed out in race one, Rockett got the better of Kite in the second to score his maiden victory in the series and then backed it up with another in the reverse grid race.

The Max5 Racing Championship kicked into life at Pembrey following a lengthy off-season and there was plenty for Paul Roddison to smile about. Having topped the times in both practice and qualifying, Roddison took a dominant double ahead of Jeremy Shipley and Lee Malin in both races.

There were plenty of jaw-dropping moments in the Dunlop Mini Miglia Championship and Dunlop Mini Se7en Championship too. Aaron Smith scored two wins in the Miglia races whilst Darren Thomas and Max Hunter took a win apiece in the Mini Se7en encounters.

Track Attack Racing Club boasted a bumper and diverse entry list with William Di Claudio piloting his Peugeot 106 GTI to a brace of wins.

Rounding off the action was the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship which saw Chris Everill and Damian Longotano take the top step of the podium each.

For the full classification of results, click here.

Spring Truckfest awaits BARC categories at Pembrey

Pembrey Circuit is gearing up for a blockbuster two days April 21/22) of on-track action as the British Automobile Racing Club descends on South Wales.

In what is the first of several visits the Club and its championships will make to the venue over the course of the season, a bumper crowd is expected to witness a diverse range of machines battle it out in what is set be a scorching weekend.

Topping the bill is the BTRA Truck Racing Championship, which hits the track for the second time this year. Producing a memorable opening event at Brands Hatch at the start of the month, a bumper entry list in both Divisions 1 and 2 is set to

Division 1 sees a host of former champions all vying for early supremacy as they chase down reigning champion Ryan Smith. Submitting a late entry to the season-opener, Smith claimed a hat-trick of victories to springboard himself to the summit of the points and will be keen to build on that this weekend.

Stuart Oliver, David Jenkins and Mat Summerfield lead the charge to dethrone Smith and all are more than capable of doing so.

In Division 2, five podiums – three of them being victories, sees Luke Garrett as the early pace-setter however he too will have his work cut out as challenges come from all angles. John Powell, Steve Powell and Simon Cole are just a few of the drivers that be keen to topple Garrett from the summit.

Continuing to grow in stature year-on-year, the Hyundai Coupe Cup will looking to build on its burgeoning success as they also hit the track for the second time this season.

Billed as one of the cheapest and easiest ways to go motor racing, the saloon-based series once again boasts another bumper entry list this weekend with the likes of Steve Kite, Alex Cursley and Michael Evans as notable names to look out for.

The Max5 Racing Championship roars into life after a lengthy off-season. Split into three classes, the championship is once again is open to Mk1, Mk3 and Mk4 Mazda MX5’s and all at a cost effective price, making it easier than ever to go racing in the UK these days.

Mathew Tidmarsh, Josh Malin, Andrew Pretorius, Lee Hollin and Paul Roddison were just a few of the drivers that shined last year and are back to do it all over again this season to keep an eye on.

Fans will be able to also see racing from the Welsh Racing Drivers Association and Mini Se7en/Miglia Championship as well.

Tickets are available to purchase on the gate from £15 per day with children 14 and under going free when accompanied by a paying adult. For more information, head to www.pembreycircuit.co.uk or call 01554 891042.

Three BARC championships ready to race into the evening at Rockingham

The British Automobile Racing Club is set to race into the night at Rockingham this Saturday (August 4) with the Pickup Truck Racing Championship set to take on a starring role.

Making its latest trip to the Corby venue, the BARC will see three championships take to the track and tackle a somewhat revised format, with action not starting until midday.

Topping the bill will be the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, which takes to the oval layout of Rockingham for two adrenaline-fuelled 30-minute encounters.

Coming off the back of pulsating weekend at Donington Park last time out, the title battle in the series is set to further intensify as Lea Wood and reigning champion Scott Bourne renew their fight for the prestigious crown.

A mere 23 points separate the pair at the summit of the standings and both will be looking to gain the upper hand around the fast banking’s this weekend. Also in the mix and not to be discounted is David O’Reagen, Michael Smith and Paul Tompkins – all of whom have been running towards the sharp end of the field this year.

The Hyundai Coupe Cup brings its annual mid-season break to an end too with a bumper entry list set to serve up a feast of entertainment.

Renowned for putting the fun into racing, the Coupe Cup has gone from strength-to-strength this year with entries continuing to grow. As it stands, all eyes are set to be focused on the Steve Kite, Alex Cursley and Wayne Rockett – all of whom have been at the sharp end of the grid at almost every turn.

While those three will be ones to watch, the likes of Dan Fletcher, Kevin Smiles, Simon Miles, Darren Holmes and many more will also be keen to thrust themselves into the podium conversation.

Rounding off the day’s racing will be action from the BARC Clubmans Sport Prototype Championship in assoc. with King Henry’s Taverns.

Split into a variety of classes depending on the specification of cars, Clubmans have been wowing crowds since 1965 and that is set to continue at the Corby venue on Saturday.

Events at Brands Hatch and Donington Park produced mesmerising racing earlier in the season, setting the scene for what should be a tense duo of 20-minute bouts.

Clive Wood has been the man to beat in class CSP1 so far this season but series veteran Peter Richings is hot on his heels and will be looking to close the gap at Rockingham. Yet to win so far, Richings will be highly motivated to overhaul

Elsewhere in CSP2, Michelle Hayward has been perfection personified so far with eight wins from nine races. Morris Hart is the one to have prevented Hayward from taking a clean sweep thus far and Hart will need to be on top form once again to prevent the #87 from extending her points lead.

Pippa Tanner-Wood is the pace-setter in CSP3 with John Lambert bidding to close the gap too.

BARC descends on Silverstone for bumper weekend of racing

The British Automobile Racing Club returns to Silverstone this weekend (March 24/25) for the first bumper two-day club meeting of 2018 with no less than seven championships competing.

Taking to the National layout of the Northamptonshire-based venue, the curtain is set to be lifted on a host of categories as the battle for the coveted titles begins.

More than 75 cars from the Classic Touring Car Racing Club are set to provide unmissable action over both days with their eight classes hitting the track.

With a diverse range of machines, ranging from Pre-66 all the way up to Pre-05, there is set to be something for everyone. Notable drivers to keep an eye on include Stephen Primett in his Ford Escort Mk1, Richard Askham in his Jaguar XJR and Dale Gent in his Subaru Impreza, to name just a few.

A record grid is expected for the Hyundai Coupe Cup, which is once again set to go from strength-to-strength. Boasting an entry list of 24 cars, the popular one-make series is set to put on quite the show with two races set to be run.

Alongside a host of new faces that are joining the fray, series stalwarts such as Alex Cursley and Steve Kite are back in their own bids to rule the roost once again.

The Michelin Clio Cup Series will begin over the course of the weekend too with defending champion Ben Palmer lining up and looking to make it back-to-back triumphs. Palmer broke all sorts of records in 2017 and enters this weekend as a favourite amongst many, although the likes of Ben Colburn, Tyler Lidsey and Finlay Robinson will have something to say about it.

There will be additional action from the French manufacturer too virtue of the Renault UK Clio Cup Junior Championship. Coming off the back of its inaugural season last year, the latest crop of youngsters are set to do battle for a standout prize – free entry into the senior Clio Cup.

On-track thrills ’n’ spills for drivers aged between 14 to 17 are also set to come from the Junior Saloon Car Championship. With champion Will Dyrdal moving on to new pastures, a new name is set to be etched into the history books of the Citroen Saxo category – and there are no shortage of contenders with likes of Jemma Moore, Ben Kaseperczak and Ethan Rogers.

A tin top masterclass is set to be given by the Mighty Mini Championship too as they also roar into life for what will be their third full campaign with the BARC. Last year saw a blockbuster season in which Alice Hughes and Scott Kendall won their respective classes, and with Kendall returning this year, the same levels of excitement can be expected.

Rounding out what is gearing up to be a blockbuster weekend is the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship. Catering for fans of single seaters from yesteryear, the Classic Formula Ford series has continued to grow and a packed-out entry list are ready to duke it out at Silverstone.

Seven championships kickstart campaigns in Silverstone thriller

Seven championships from the British Automobile Racing Club kicked off their 2018 seasons this past weekend (March 24/25) at Silverstone.

Tackling the National layout of the popular venue, high sped edge-of-the-seat thrills were on order in contrasting conditions of rain and sun.

Battling the wet weather on Saturday, the Hyundai Coupe Cup roared into life with a record 24-car entry list. Now entering what is it’s third full season as a standalone series, the one-make tin top category produced a memorable two encounters around Northamptonshire venue.

Like he did on countless occasions last year, Steve Kite proved to be the man to beat as he stormed to a brace of victories, both by more than three seconds. Kite fended off Alex Cursley and Wayne Rockett in the opener before then leading Rockett and Neil Hurren in race two.

The theme of dominant doubles continued in the Michelin Clio Cup Series as Ben Palmer kickstarted his title defence in fine style. With the number one adorning his car for this year, Palmer underlined why he is the benchmark by romping to victory by more than 19 seconds in race one ahead of Simon Freeman and John Hamilton.

Both Hamilton and Freeman locked out the podium in race two but both could only watch on again as Palmer took the chequered flag, this time by just two seconds. In the Road class, Nic Harrison also enjoyed a strong start to the defence of his crown by picking up a pair of wins.

In the Renault UK Clio Cup Junior Championship, Nick Reeve had a dream debut as he took a clean sweep, claiming a pair of pole positions and then converting them into wins.

A five-car entry produced plenty of thrills ’n’ spills with Gus Burton winning on the road in race one after making a robust move on Reeve on the penultimate lap. Following a review, the positions were swapped by officials, giving Reeve the win.

The Specialized Motorsport driver proved to be in a league of his own in race two as he led Lorcan Hanafin and Burton to vault himself to the top of the championship standings.

Ben Kasperczak was in similar form in the Junior Saloon Car Championship, another one-make series that caters for drivers 14 to 17-years-old. At the wheel of his brightly coloured Citroen Saxo, Kasperczak stormed to a brace of victories to establish himself at the helm of the points.

Jemma Moore, Steven Chandler, Tony Rodriguez and Lewis Saunders all also picked up silverware across the two races too.

In the Mighty Minis Championship, Scott Kendall kicked off the defence of his title in style with an impressive victory in race one, taking the chequered flag ahead of Neven Kirkpatrick by four tenths of a second – a sizeable gap in Mini terms.

Race two proved to be a much tighter affair with a host of cars all dicing for top spot. In the end, Jo Polley made it a debut to remember as she took the win ahead of Greg Jenkins, Kendall and Kirkpatrick – a mere tenth of a second covering the four of them.

A diverse range of tin top thrills were also provided by the Classic Touring Car Racing club, which boasted more than 80 cars competing in a range of classes.

The amalgamated Classic, Historic Thunder Saloons & Blue Oval Saloon Series races brought outright victories the way of Dale Gent and Dave Cockell. The Pre 66 Classic Saloon & Historic Touring Cars saw Jonathan Lewis emerge victorious in both races at the wheel of his Mini Cooper S.

Rounding out the action at Silverstone was two races from the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship. Catering for fans of single seater machines from yesteryear, Mike Gardner and Benn Tilley were the drivers to beat as they shared the spoils, taking a win apiece.

For the full classification of results from all championships, click here.