Caterham Graduates Championship – Page 5

BARC championships serve up scorching weekend of racing at Croft

The British Automobile Racing Club’s second race meeting in as many weeks since UK motorsport restarted proved to be a resounding smash-hit this past weekend (July 11/12), as six championships served up a feast of entertainment at Croft.

As the sun beamed down on the North Yorkshire venue across both days, competitors and officials continued to adjust to the ‘new normal’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic; with temperature checks, wearing of face masks and social distancing all being carried out.

Spoils were shared in the opening two rounds of the Dunlop Endurance Championship as a bumper entry list took centre stage around the challenging 2.1-mile circuit.

Race one saw the RAW Motorsport pairing of Steve Burgess and Ben Dimmack power their Radical RXC Coupe to the chequered flag before VR Motorsport’s Danny Harrison did the same in race two at the wheel of his Praga R1T.

The Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres delivered six spellbinding encounters and produced three deserving winners.

Saturday’s action saw Jack Parker take an impressive brace before Sy Harraway closed out proceedings with a win of his own. On Sunday, defending champion Miles Rudman opened his account for the season before Harraway returned to winning ways once again, netting another two victories.

Lewis Saunders maintained his advantage at the summit of the Junior Saloon Car Championship as he bagged another pair of wins. The former champion swept the opposition in the opener before narrowly edging out Charlie Hand in race two to maintain his perfect record.

The Mighty Minis Championship saw a dominant double-winning display produced as well as Neven Kirkpatrick reigned supreme to kick-start his 2020 campaign in fine style; getting the better of Ian Clark and Steven Rideout in both races.

Jon Halliwell completed a fairytale comeback in the Max5 Racing Championship as he also claimed a sensational two wins. Having watched from the sidelines for a few years, Halliwell was back behind the wheel and back at the front to lead Paul Roddison home.

Rounding out the weekend were a trio of races from the Caterham Graduates Championship, which boasted a bumper entry list throughout each of its classes that added up to an impressive 34-car starting grid.

Henry Heaton proved to be the driver to beat throughout the weekend however as he was perfection personified, taking victory in all three races and by some margin as well.

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

Croft set to play host to bumper BARC weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club speeds into North Yorkshire this weekend (July 11/12) with six championships all set to take centre stage at Croft Circuit.

One week on from what proved to be a hugely successful season-opener at Cadwell Park for the Club since lockdown restrictions were eased, a total of 17 races are set to take place around the challenging 2.1-mile circuit across both days – with edge-of-the-seat entertainment guaranteed.

Having taken on a starring role last weekend, the Junior Saloon Car Championship is back in action with another bumper entry list of talented 14 to 17-year-old’s and two high-octane encounters scheduled to be run.

After notching two wins at Cadwell Park, all eyes will be on former champion Lewis Saunders as he bids to extend his early points lead over the rest of the field. Leading the chase for the Mac Tools-backed ace will be the likes of Charlie Hand, Ben Greenhill and Ruben Hage, amongst others.

Kickstarting their campaign at Croft will be the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres. Small in stature but packing a real punch under the bonnet, these 5/8 scale machines are renowned for producing breathtaking wheel-to-wheel moments.

Miles Rudman returns as defending champion but the threats to his throne come from all angles, with multiple title winner John Mickel, Connor Mills and Sy Harraway set to be the lead protagonists across the weekend’s six races.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship boasts a coveted entry list too with all manner of jaw-dropping machines revved up to launch their season with a pair of 50-minute spectacles.

Elsewhere, the Caterham Graduates Championship has continued on its upward trajectory of recent years and with a blend of experienced and new drivers, it is set to be quite the display on-track.

This weekend will also mark the start of a new season for the Max5 Racing Championship, which looks set to showcase one of its biggest grids in some time.

Paul Roddison has proven to be the driver to beat in recent years in the one-make series however the return of Jon Halliwell could well make it an intriguing weekend for the formidable race-winner.

Rounding off what is set to be a blockbuster weekend’s action at Croft will be races from the Mighty Minis Championship, with the usual thrills and spills likely to be delivered.

Please note that this event will be run behind closed doors and spectators will not be permitted to attend.

To view more information on this weekend’s event, such as the full entry list and timetable, click here.

BARC announces revised provisional 2020 calendar for remainder of the year

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Caterham Graduates Championship set for blockbuster year after exceeding membership expectations

The Caterham Graduates Racing Club has confirmed that it has already closed its membership for the forthcoming 2020 race season, with more than 90 drivers signed up across its four classes.

Steeped in a rich history that stretches back more than two decades, the popular single-make championship has been one of the cornerstones of the British Automobile Racing Club and has continued to flourish.

Coming off the back of a memorable 2019, the category has seen membership grow by over a third this year, prompting the Club to close membership two months ahead of the seven-round campaign that lies ahead.

Andrew Outterside, Club Director, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the interest in racing with us in 2020 and have taken the unusual decision to close membership this early, to ensure that our members will have the opportunity to race at as many meetings as possible.

“We think our success in retaining existing members and attracting new members is due to a number of reasons. Firstly, our continued focus on having fun in a sociable environment for racers and their families. Safety and driving standards are taken very seriously, with a dedicated Driving Standards Team (DST), made up of experienced and respected members. The DST act on inconsiderate or poor driving and educate drivers on avoiding incidents.

“We have a tried and tested formula which provides a cost-effective ‘level playing field’ approach, where it’s the driver that makes the difference. This is achieved by strictly controlled specifications and a limit of three sets of tyres per season.

“In addition, this season we’ve introduced two new types of membership, which have proved popular. They cater for those drivers that are short on time but would still like to compete in a limited number of rounds (the CGRC Trophy) or just have the occasional outing with the Club during the year.

“Our calendar this year also has a great blend of circuits, including an overseas round at the recently undated Zandvoort GP circuit, and I’m sure that is only going to add to the spectacle.

“Along with the British Automobile Racing Club, we are shaping up to have a busy year ahead and we’re looking forward to the continued growth of the CGRC into 2021.”

In addition to the healthy grid size, the Club has also confirmed that it has selected Mission Motorsport and Purple 4 Polio as its two charities that it will be supporting throughout the coming season.

The 2020 Caterham Graduates Championship kicks off its season around the Silverstone National circuit with its annual pre-season track day on February 29 before returning on March 21/22 for the season-opener.

To find out more information on the Club and championship, visit www.cgrc.co.uk.

Tickets on sale for prestigious BARC Championship Awards Evening in February

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BARC championships make a splash at Cadwell Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Action-packed Anglesey race day sets pulses racing

The Caterham Graduates Championship and Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup continued to head towards the climax of their respective 2019 campaigns this past Saturday (September 7) as the British Automobile Racing Club starred at Anglesey.

On what proved to be a scintillating day of on-track action around the picturesque Welsh venue, an exciting six-race schedule kept fans captivated from start-to-finish – with both categories taking centre stage.

Samuel Wilson extended his advantage in the Caterham Graduates Championship SigMax class as he powered his way to a brace of victories.

Starting from pole position in both encounters, Wilson converted his front row start into a pair of commanding performances – leading from lights-to-flag with relative ease whilst Stephen Clark and Jamie Winrow followed behind.

The amalgamated Classic / Mega / Sigma races saw a double-winning performance from Luke Balmforth, who like Wilson produced a near-perfect display to reigns supreme.

Barry White enjoyed a competitive showing as he clinched a pair of podium finishes whilst Andrew Johnson and Mark Roberts also travelled home with silverware.

Bringing a close to the day’s action was two races from the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup where Wayne Rockett and Mark Dicken emerged as the leading lights.

Having been the benchmark driver for a majority of the season, Rockett added yet another victory to his already impressive tally in race two, making him the most successful driver in the series for 2019.

Before Rockett clinched victory, Dicken made his mark on the one-make series as he swept his way to his first win of the season.

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

The Caterham Graduates Championship will bring the curtain down on its campaign at Cadwell Park on October 5/6 whilst the Carbon8 Hynudai Coupe Cup will also be in action on that same weekend.

Caterham Graduates and Hyundai Coupe Cup set to headline Anglesey race day

The picturesque delights of North Wales and Anglesey Circuit awaits the British Automobile Racing Club this Saturday (September 7) as the Caterham Graduates Championship and Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup continue their 2019 campaigns.

Originally set to include the ever-entertaining Distrigo Parts Distribution Citroen C1 Series, the first of two action-packed race days from the Club at the venue this month is likely to set pulses racing for those in attendance.

With six events in the books already, the Caterham Graduates Championship descends on Anglesey for what will be the penultimate event of the season – and with it all to play for in the battle for class title supremacy.

In the Classic class, Robin Webb’s seven wins have powered him to the top of the standings, however the chasing pack of Trevor Harber, Mark Carter, Peter Tattersall and Robert Appleton are all within striking distance and ready to pounce at any time.

Luke Balmforth holds a slender five point lead in the Sigma 150 category but missing the past two events has allowed Chris Dear and Barry White to close the gap. Meanwhile, just six points cover the top three in the Mega class and one little mistake from either Kevin Barrett, Neil Sturgess or Kim Rayment could open the door for the other two contenders to take advantage.

Capping off the weekend’s action will be another two blockbuster performances from the Sigmax class, which is currently led by Stephen Clark. Pairing consistency with his three race wins so far, Clark leads Samuel Wilson and it will be this battle at the standings summit that will be watched with baited breath.

A total of four Caterham Graduates Championship races will be played out around the 1.55-mile circuit and not one of them should be missed.

All eyes meanwhile will be on Wayne Rockett in the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup as he bids to continue his rich vein of form and add another two race wins to his already impressive tally.

Having become a regular front-runner last year, Rockett has been the driver to beat for much of the season so far, wracking up a number of victories

Alex Cursley, Nick Moore, Kevin Smiles, James Goodwin and Mark Dicken are just a handful of drivers that will be bidding to overhaul Rockett during the day’s racing; all of them more than capable of scaling the top step of the podium on any given day.

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

BARC takes centre stage at Brands Hatch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brands Hatch geared to host blockbuster BARC weekend

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Donington Park plays host to memorable BARC weekend

Donington Park welcomed the British Automobile Racing Club this past weekend (June 1/2) for an entertaining two days of racing which saw a total of six championships in action.

Descending on the Leicestershire venue with the Motorsport UK British Superkart GP headlining the weekend’s action, those in attendance were treated to a mouth-watering array of wheel-to-wheel action from start to finish.

Providing a slip-streaming masterclass, the British Superkart Championship offered up huge grids and plenty of thrills along the way too. In the combined F250, F450 & Division 1 races; Liam Morley and Peter Elkmann tasted victory whilst the F125 class saw Kirk Cattermole and Morley triumph.

The coveted Motorsport UK British Superkart GP served up plenty of entertainment as the weekends centrepiece with Elkmann winning the Division 1 race, Paul Platt the F250/F450 National and Morley the F125 Open category.

On Saturday, the Dunlop Endurance Championship took to the spotlight as it staged its latest two one-hour races under the flight path of East Midlands airport. Following a pulsating qualifying session, race one spoils fell the way of the MacG Racing Taranis, driven by Jonny MacGregor.

Having finished as runners-up earlier in the day, VR Motorsport bounced back in the second Britcar encounter to score victory in race two. Tim Gray and Alastair Boulton shared driving duties of the impressive Praga R1T to finish nearly half a minute of their nearest challengers.

The BARC Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns was back in action with another pulsating triple-header. Peter Richings claimed overall honours in the opening race of the weekend as he added to his already impressive 2019 win tally.

Races two and three saw Clive Wood and Steve Dickens come to the fore as they made it three different winners from three races.

Elsewhere, the Caterham Graduates Championship welcomed one of the biggest grids of its already successful season with more 50 cars battling it out over the course of the two days.

Stephen Clark and Samuel Wilson were the victors in the combined Sigmax, Mega & Classic races whilst Luke Balmforth and Jason McCormack did the same in the amalgamated Sigma 125, 135 & 150 class encounters.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship saw honours even between William Sharpe and Steve McDermid as they each took a win apiece at the wheel of their MG ZR’s.

Following on from a ground-breaking inaugural event at Silverstone in April, the UK Sports Prototype Cup was back in action. Encompassing both the Radical and Revolution classes, a healthy grid of 12 competitors battled it out for supremacy.

Rob Wheldon set his stall out as the driver to beat in races one and two as he romped to victory however his chances of competing a sensational hat-trick were halted by James Abbott, who ended the weekend topping the podium.

For the full classification of results from all sessions at Donington Park, click here.