Tag: Classic Touring Car Championship

Classic Touring Car Racing Club to feature at Super Touring Power 3 in 2025

Brands Hatch and the Classic Touring Car Racing Club have confirmed that Super Touring Power will return for a third edition in 2025 on June 28/29.

The event, which transported fans back to a golden era of the British Touring Car Championship, has been a smash hit over the past two years with a bumper programme of racing being complemented by a selection of special displays, demonstrations and guest appearances.

Next year will see competitive action provided by the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and the British Automobile Racing Club, with Saturday’s races taking place on the longer grand prix layout before switching to the Indy track for Sunday.

Classic Touring Car Racing Club Chairman, Stuart Caie, said: “After the hugely positive response to the first two editions of Super Touring Power, we just had to get the band together. 

“A huge amount of work goes into putting this event together, but when you see the comments from fans and feedback from competitors, it just makes you want to do it all over again. And that’s why the Super Touring Power era is continuing into next year. 

“This event has rapidly established itself as a fixture our competitors look forward to and its hugely satisfying to put together. We’re excited to work with David [Willey] and the team at MSV once again, and we’re already counting down the days for what I’m sure will be another memorable weekend for CTCRC competitors across all our grids.”

Classic Touring Car Racing Club adds all-comers race to Thruxton meeting

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club has added another layer to its 50th Anniversary celebrations at Thruxton this coming weekend (September 21/22) in the shape of an all-comers race.

Marking its Golden Anniversary at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club, the CTCRC is poised to showcase legendary tin top machines around the fastest circuit in the country.

Alongside individual races for the likes of the Pre-66, Pre-83, Pre-83, Classic Thunder and more, two further 15-minute races have been added to the schedule for anyone wanting to enter.

A single 15-minute qualifying session will also be staged to decide the starting grid.

Those wishing to enter the all-comers race can do so via the BARC Competitor Entry System HERE.

TOCA support championships soak up the sun at Croft

Croft Circuit saw no shortage of entertainment this past weekend (July 27/28) as the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain took centre stage on the TOCA support package.

Featuring alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for what is one of the biggest events on the calendar at the North Yorkshire venue, each championship served up a feast of edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

One of the stars of the show was undoubtedly the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and its Pre-’66 Touring Car Championship, which was making its first-ever appearance on the support bill of the BTCC.

As part of the CTCRC’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Pre-’66 contingent rolled back the years to a bygone era of tin top racing as they staged three non-championship races around the challenging 2.13-mile circuit.

Former BTCC race winner – and Yorkshireman – Sam Tordoff proved to be the driver to beat over the course of the weekend as he guided his monstrous Ford Falcon to a hat-trick of commanding victories.

David Dickerson and Guy Smith emerged as the closest challengers to Tordoff but both had to settle for the remaining spots on the podium. Also picking up some silverware was former Formula 1 driver Max Chilton, who was competing in a Ford Cortina prepared by Team Dynamics.

Spoils were shared in the latest rounds of the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as EXCELR8 Motorsport team-mates Maximus Hall and Tom Ovenden claimed a win apiece, while Dan Zelos maintained his advantage in the championship.

Hall’s triumph came somewhat unexpectedly as a gaggle of cars ahead of him – including Ovenden, Dominic Wheatley and Nelson King – encountered their own troubles in the latter stages, which led to Hall picking up the pieces for his fourth win of the year.

Ovenden would bounce back from the heartache of losing an almost certain win in race two as he got the better of pole sitter Jamie Osborne and then cruise to victory, reigning supreme ahead of the NAPA Racing UK duo of Osborne and Lewis Selby.

Local driver Max Coates had a weekend to remember as he won two of the three races in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain. Always a popular draw at his home circuit, Coates was near-perfect in the one-make series as he ignited his championship challenge in style.

The Team Omologato with Graves Motorsport driver dominated proceedings in the opening encounter, winning by more than eight seconds, before Sebastian Hopkins came to the fore in race two as he tallied his latest win of the season – with Will Jenkins and Coates not far behind.

Hopkins had looked on course to double up in the weekend’s third and final race however he was hit with a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits late on, which therefore promoted Coates onto the top step of the podium.

In the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, Hugo Ellis and Matthew Rees bolstered there individual seasons by snaring a win apiece. Ellis was in a league of his own in the opening encounter to triumph before Rees came to the fore in a captivating finale. Will Martin continues to lead the standings as the series heads north of the border to Knockhill.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championships that competed at Croft, CLICK HERE.

BARC stars on wet’n wild weekend at Cadwell Park

The British Automobile Racing Club starred at Cadwell Park this past weekend (April 27-28) with a total of 11 different championships serving up a feast of entertainment as they continued their 2024 campaigns.

Marking what is to be the one and only visit to the Lincolnshire circuit this year by the Club, a blockbuster timetable saw all manner of thrills and spills served up for the bumper crowd that had flocked trackside.

While conditions allowed for Saturday to run as planned, heavy rainfall battered the circuit on the Sunday which led to each category being given just one race to take place during the afternoon after track crews had worked to clear standing water all morning.

Hot on the heels of delivering a pulsating season-opener during the Easter bank holiday weekend at Donington Park, the Classic Touring Car Racing Club was back in action – and this time double points were on offer.

Ian Thompson was in a league on his own in his Lotus Cortina as he claimed bragging rights in the Pre-66 Touring Cars while reigning champion Stephen Primett and Nick Williamson scored a win apiece in the Pre-83 Touring Cars.

The amalgamated Pre-93 Touring Cars, Pre-03 Touring Cars and Blue Oval Saloon Series races garnered plenty of attention with an ultra-competitive grid and that shone through in the results as Piers Grange and Stuart Waite shared the spoils.

Capping off the CTCRC action was the monstrous machines of the Classic Thunder which yielded a victory for Josh Lawton in the opener before defending champion Nick Vaughan tallied his first triumph of the year in race two in his Audi A3.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship continued its tenth anniversary season with Harry Smith maintaining his fine start by adding another race win to the two that he claimed at Brands Hatch earlier in the month.

Smith found himself in the right place at the right time in race one as he inherited victory from Josh Selvadorai, who was hit with a time penalty for gaining an unfair advantage. The youngster couldn’t maintain his winning streak in race two however as Jonathan Moore opened his account with a superlative drive to the top step of the podium.

Multiple Adrian Flux Insurance MG Owners Club Championship title Steve McDermid was another to open his account for the season in style as he carved his way from seventh on the grid to claim a hard-fought victory.

The MG ZR driver underlined all of the credentials that have made him a standout performer in the series in recent years by producing a number of jaw-dropping overtakes on his way to taking the chequered flag ahead of Luke Boniface and Henry Sharpe.

Mark Ridout made the perfect start to the new OT Publishing Coupe Cup with Toyo Tires season as he claimed a clean sweep of results, tallying pole position in qualifying before then following it up with two wins.

Ridout came out on top of a captivating battle between himself, Darren Banks and Luca Staccini Anzanello in the opening contest before stamping his authority on race two with a commanding victory ahead of Daniel Munro and Staccini Anzanello.

The 2CV Parts.com Championship meanwhile saw Kristopher Tovey enjoy the perfect start to his title defence as he comfortably reigned supreme. Tovey pulled clear of the chasing pack in commanding fashion to triumph by more than ten seconds come the end of the contest.

Brian Heerey would finish as his nearest challenger, with he himself ended up finishing more than six seconds ahead of Nick Crispin, who was a title contender last year.

In the Dunlop Mini Miglia Challenge, Jeff Smith beat Ben Colburn to outright honours in its only race of the weekend. Unfortunately, the Dunlop Mini Se7en Championship was unable to run any of its races to completion for a result to be declared.

Concluding the weekend’s track action were three races from the high-speed British Superkart Racing Club. Lee Harpham was a convincing winner in race one before repeating the feat in the finale.

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

Donington Park plays host to thrilling BARC 2024 season-opener

The British Automobile Racing Club kicked off its 2024 season in action-packed style at Donington Park this past bank holiday weekend (March 29/30) with no less than 12 different championships taking centre stage on the world-famous Grand Prix circuit.

Following months of excitement, anticipation and preparation, a bumper crowd flocked to the Leicestershire venue to witness an Easter extravaganza of wheel-to-wheel entertainment and high drama. 

Headlining the two-day meeting was the coveted British Endurance Championship in association with Motorsport UK, which lifted the curtain on its brand-new campaign with a spectacular two-hour contest. 

Boasting a monstrous grid of GT3 and GT4 machines, battles took place up and down the field however there was no denying PB Racing with JMH at the front of it – as Peter Erceg and Hugo Cook teamed up to claim a commanding victory in their Audi R8 GT3.

After coming close to the coveted crown last year, Erceg entered the campaign as one of the title favourites and he duly lived up to the hype as he punched in a superlative lap in qualifying to net pole position. He did so on his own too due to Cook travelling down from Oulton Park at the time of the session. 

Sharing the front row of the grid with the Lamborghini GT3 of John Seale and Jamie Stanley, Erceg wasted no time in making his escape from the chasing pack as the lights went out, carving out a substantial advantage during his stint before handing the reigns over to Cook.

When Cook took over at the wheel, the Audi outfit were relatively untroubled for the remainder of the contest with Seale and Stanley trailing by a lap at the finish. Completing the overall podium was the impressive Xentek Motorsport entry of Josh Steed and Ban Sidhu in their Porsche GT4. 

Further endurance thrills and spills were also provided over the course of the weekend by the Britcar Trophy Championship, which staged two frenetic 50-minute races under the flightpath of East Midlands airport. 

Race one proved to be an all Ginetta affair at the front as Seb Dubois survived a chaotic opening few laps to eventually take a comfortable victory over Datum Motorsport. Avoiding a number of clashing cars on the opening tour, Dubois showcased his talents as he carved his way to the front and ultimately triumph by more than 11 seconds in his G56 GTA. 

Behind, Maurizio Sciglio and Marco Anstasi – two of last year’s benchmark drivers in the series – enjoyed a superlative scrap to round out the remaining positions on the podium.

Britcar Trophy’s second bout proved to be just action-packed as the Sim Dynamics with Jabbasport SEAT Cupra Gen 1 of Chris Bialan and Simon Mason edged out Axel van Nederveen to claim a famous victory. 

Bialan and Mason battled their way to the front of the field from the second row of the grid and looked an irresistible force however all eyes would be focused on van Nederveen as he carved his way from dead-last to finish a couple of seconds away from the top step of the rostrum. 

Action aplenty best characterised the Classic Touring Car Racing Club – which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in association with the BARC this year – across the weekend.

Joe Ferguson made a wheel-perfect start to the new season in the Everard Garage Equipment Pre-66 Touring Cars as he claimed victory by more than eight seconds in race one. Things were a lot closer in race two however as Peter Mutlow Smith triumphed following a time-penalty for Tom Bell. 

Stuart Waite was perfection personified as he claimed overall honours in both amalgamated Pre-83, Pre-93 and Super Tourer races. Back behind the wheel of his BMW M3, last year’s Pre-93 champion reigned supreme in style whilst the Super Tourers in particular faced mechanical heartache.

The Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder showcased another flame-spitting grid once again and two familiar names, Bryan Bransom and Kevin Clarke – tallied a win apiece. Capping off the CTCRC action were a pair of races from the Pre-03 Touring Cars and Blue Oval Saloon Series, both of which were won by Piers Grange.

Concluding the weekend’s action at Donington Park were also races from the Mini 7 Racing Club and British Superkart Racing Championship. 

Former British Touring Car Championship title winner Andrew Jordan was unstoppable in the Dunlop Mini Se7en Championship race to take two wins whilst Jeff Smith and Endaf Owens shared the spoils in the Dunlop Mini Miglia Championship.

In the Super Series by the British Superkart Racing Club, Liam Morley visited the top step of the rostrum twice whilst Tom Rushforth claimed the remaining victory that was up for grabs.

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

Dan Zelos, Louis Sharp & Steve Bemrose top list of special accolade winners at BARC Awards

The British Automobile Racing Club’s annual Awards Evening didn’t just see the championship winners of 2023 celebrated on Saturday (February 3) as a number of other special accolades were bestowed upon hugely deserving winners too.

Leading the list of prestigious recipients was newly-crowned double MINI CHALLENGE JCW champion Dan Zelos who claimed The President’s Cup; which is awarded to the most successful BARC member competing under international level.

Becoming the first driver in the modern era of the ultra-competitive tin top series to clinch the coveted crown for a second time, Zelos chalked up an impressive ten victories and a further two podiums on his way to championship superstardom.

Zelos lauded: “It was totally unexpected and a complete honour to pick it up. We had an amazing year in 2023 and sometimes when your in the middle of getting deals together in the off season you forgot how much you may have achieved – so to be rewarded with a trophy like this has left me lost for words.

“Me, my Dad and the rest of the family have and continue to work incredibly hard to go racing and this is a fantastic accolade to receive. I think I’ve been part of the BARC for more than a decade now too.”

One of the biggest raptures of applause deservedly went the way of this year’s BARC Marshal of the Year, Steve Bemrose. In memory of Dennis Harris and designed to recognise the dedication and special efforts of the Club’s marshals, Bemrose was worthy winner after being selected by the Marshals Core Group.

Attending a multitude of race meetings over the course of last year, his actions in particular at the BTCC season-opener at Donington Park played their part in saving the life of a driver following a high-speed accident.

“It is a complete shock I must admit,” he said. “I’ve always been a fan of motorsport and I remember reading a review about being a marshal, what it entails and I never really comprehended how close you could get to the action, etc. 

“After I had done my taster day my love for it grew and I’ve never looked back. The marshal community is incredibly tight-knit and if there is anyone out thinking about getting involved then do it, because it is just fantastic.”

Elsewhere, Junior Saloon Car Championship and Track Action Coordinator Dave Beecroft saw his diverse and distinguished motorsport career be celebrated as he scooped The Gerry Marshall Trophy, having epitomised the philosophy for motorsport that Gerry once had.

He said: “This award really means a lot to me because Gerry Marshall was a childhood hero of mine; I remember watching him at Oulton Park and was fortunate enough to meet him several times – so it was touching to be this year’s recipient.

“I love everything about this industry and its nice to be kicking off the year like this; especially because we’ll be celebrating our 10th anniversary in the Junior Saloon Car Championship, which is an incredible achievement.”

For the second year in succession, The Densley Trophy – which is bestowed upon the female in the Club that has been deemed to have a successful year – was handed out, with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club’s Sonia Gibbons claiming the prize. 

“I never ever expected to be given this award,” she admitted. “I didn’t even think I would be up for it so I am extremely proud to have won. At the Classic Touring Car Racing Club we are all volunteers but it is a real family. It’s a wonderful Club and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”

Louis Sharp’s charge to the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA title didn’t go unnoticed as he was honoured with The Peter Collins Trophy, which is awarded to the most promising junior drive competing in a BARC championship.

After enjoying a hugely encouraging debut campaign in 2022, the New Zealander lived up to the mantel of being a title favourite by edging out Will Macintyre to the single-seater crown in the final race of the season.

“It came as a complete surprise to me and it’s a massive privilege to receive it so thank you to the BARC for recognising me – it was a nice end to a really special night,” he said. “This award is a fantastic reward for everyone that has supported me. 

“My ambition is to one day get to Formula 1 and while it has been a good start to that journey I’m well aware that there is a long way to go and that it will continue to get more competitive. I’m loving the challenge though and can’t wait to see what is next!”

Rounding out the list of special award winners was Adam Weeden, who completed the most volunteering days to lift The Sir Clive Bossom Trophy, and Zena Wooller who was named BARC Trainee Marshal of the Year.

“I’m delighted,” said Weeden. “This award goes to show how much marshals are appreciated because we give our time, which is very precious to us, to show support to the drivers and the championship.”

Pre-66 Touring Cars secures spot on Croft BTCC support bill

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club’s Pre-66 Touring Car Championship will make a guest appearance on the support bill of the British Touring Car Championship at Croft Circuit next year.

As part of the CTCRC’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2024, the Pre-66 contingent – which is open for competitors participating in four-seater saloon cars marketed before 1st January 1966 – will stage a number of races at the North Yorkshire venue on July 27/28.

“We’re absolutely delighted that our Pre-’66 championship has been invited to race alongside the British Touring Car Championship at Croft,” said Classic Touring Car Racing Club Chairman Stuart Caie.

“It’s a fitting way for the club to celebrate its 50th anniversary by showcasing the kind of cars that raced in the early years of the BTCC alongside their modern counterparts. It’s fantastic recognition for our club, the drivers and all our volunteers who work hard to provide a home for touring cars of all ages to race.

“It’s also appropriate that it’s at Croft, a BARC circuit, given our long association with the club. The Pre-’66 cars always produce great racing, and we feel sure that the BTCC crowd will love the little-and-large battles of Minis versus big American V8s and everything in between. It should be a wonderful weekend.”

The BTCC’s full support programme for 2024 is due to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Titles decided on spectacular BARC weekend at Donington Park

More titles were decided this past weekend (October 14/15) as the British Automobile Racing Club took centre stage at Donington Park, with both the British Endurance Championship and Classic Touring Car Racing Club delivering full-throttle entertainment right to the very end.

On what proved to be a thrilling showdown on the world-famous Grand Prix layout of the Leicestershire venue, champions were crowned across a variety of categories as the curtain fell on the 2023 season for the majority that were in attendance.

The British Endurance Championship’s sophomore season culminated with the Team HARD. pairing of Brad Thurston and Daryl Deleon holding their nerve to seal title glory in their Porsche 991 Cup.

Heading into the season finale as one of five teams that could clinch the coveted crown, Thurston and Deleon – who has this year also cut his teeth in the British Touring Car Championship – charged to victory in Class C, which was in-turn enough for them to prevail in the overall battle. 

Boasting a bumper grid of monstrous machines for its two-hour finale, qualifying saw two new faces blast their way to pole position as the Team BRIT Invitational entry of Paul Fullick and James Whitley reigned supreme. 

Unfortunately, the McLaren 570S GT4 outfit couldn’t capitalise on their front row start as a safety car period would interfere with their planned strategy. Taking the bull by the horns – as they have done on many occasions this year – instead was the PB Racing team of Peter Erceg and Marcus Clutton.

At the wheel of their Audi GT3, Erceg and Clutton produced a superlative performance however they were kept honest all the way to the chequered flag as the Breakell Racing entry of Ameerh Naran and outgoing champion Tom Jackson claimed second in their McLaren GT3.

The Track Focused KTM GT4 of Mike McCollum and Sean Cooper completed the podium in third, with Team BRIT fourth and the Venture Innovations team of Chris Jones and Matt George completing the top five. Jones and George also secured overall runners-up laurels. 

Blockbuster tin top wheel-to-wheel moments were in full force when it came to the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, which served up no less than ten races over the course of the weekend.

The Poultec Pre-66 Touring Cars, which is home to some of the most iconic saloons, saw James Everard and Barry Sime walk away with a share of the spoils whilst Howard Spooner and Stephen Primett scored a win apiece in the Orange Aero Pre-83 Touring Cars. 

More than 30 cars lined up for the amalgamated Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars, Burty Haulage Pre-03 Touring Cars and Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series contests; and they proved to be a sight to behold as Piers Grange romped to a brace of wins. 

Flame-spitting Holden’s rightfully grabbed the headlines in the Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder as Andy Wilson and Abbie Eaton put on a show for the appreciative crowd. The pair slugged it out for both race wins, with Wilson just edging the former W Series racer on both occasions.

Rounding out the CTCRC entertainment were two races from the Berkshire Jag Components Jaguar Challenge, both of which were won by Guy Connew in his Jaguar XJS.

The ROWE Britcar Trophy Championship crowned new champions in the shape of Rhys Lloyd and Jack Meakin, who delivered an exemplary performance in their Dragon Sport Renault Clio.

Setting the pace in the Clio Class for much of the campaign, Lloyd and Meakin produced a faultless performance as they charged to a pay of category wins to clinch the overall title.

Whilst they reigned supreme in the championship fight, Datum Motorsport’s Marco Anastasi claimed overall victory in race one before the Intersport duo of Bryan Bransom and Jas Sapra triumphed in race two in their BMW M3 E46.

The destiny of the Junior Saloon Car Championship is poised to go down to the wire at Brands Hatch next month after the ultra-competitive series dished up two frenetic races under the flightpath of East Midlands airport.

Daire Flock and Cameron Pratt-Thompson will duke it out for the prestigious crown however neither of them could do anything to stop Oskar Dix who took a clean sweep of results; pole position and two race wins. 

Pacing the opposition in qualifying, the Westbourne Motorsport driver pipped Flock to victory in race one by just 0.030 seconds before then leading home Jonathan Moore by a little over six tenths in race two.

Concluding the weekend’s track action, and their first year with the BARC, were a trio of races from the MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport. 

Staging two sprint races and a 45-minute endurance encounter, the single-manufacturer series culminated with a scintillating showing from Stephen Berry, who charged to a hat-trick of race wins. 

To view the full classification of results from Donington Park, CLICK HERE. 

You can also watch all the best bits from Saturday and Sunday at Donington Park via BARC TV on YouTube HERE.

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – October 14/15

More titles will be decided this weekend (October 14/15) as the British Automobile Racing Club takes centre stage at Donington Park.

On what promises to be a momentous two days of track action around the famous Grand Prix layout, championship battles are poised to conclude and it’s not to be missed.

The destiny of this year’s British Endurance Championship crown looks set to go down to the wire whilst a number of titles in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club are still up for grabs as well.

Also on the bill and closing out its season is the ROWE Britcar Trophy whilst the Junior Saloon Car Championship and MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport will also feature on the bill.

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

Saturday 14th October // 12:20 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 15th October // 09:30 – WATCH HERE

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

Classic Touring Car Racing Club reveals 2024 calendar

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club has today (September 19th) announced its calendar for the 2024 season, which will mark 50 years of being in association with the British Automobile Racing Club.

The popular tin top club, which caters for all eras of iconic saloon cars, will kick off the new campaign in late March with a trip to Donington Park’s GP layout before heading onto Cadwell Park and Mallory Park. 

One of the undoubted highlights of the year will come at Brands Hatch on June 29/30 as the CTCRC takes centre stage in Kent for Super Touring Power 2; which is once again poised to celebrate one of the most revered periods of the British Touring Car Championship.

Saturday will see competitors tackle the world-famous Grand Prix circuit before switching to the Indy layout for Sunday’s track action.

Following Brands Hatch, the CTCRC will make its annual visit to Snetterton in August ahead of bringing the curtain down on the season in September around the fastest circuit in the UK, Thruxton. 

Stuart Caie, CTCRC Chairman, said: “The Classic Touring Car Racing Club are proud to announce our 2024 calendar. Next year marks 50 years of racing as a BARC club and we look forward to yet another successful season with their support and guidance.”

“The BARC is delighted to extend the historic 49-year relationship with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club into its 50th year with the club in 2024,” added Mark Turner, BARC Sporting Manager.

“We have worked closely with the CTCRC Chairman, Stuart Caie, to pull together an exciting calendar with a variety of circuits, including the much-loved Super Tourer event on the Brands Hatch GP circuit.”

Before preparations can ramp up for the 2024 season, the Classic Touring Car Racing Club is poised to bring the curtain down on its 2023 campaign at Donington Park on October 14/15.

2024 Classic Touring Car Racing Club Calendar 

March 29/30 – Donington Park (GP)

April 27/28 – Cadwell Park 

May 18/19 – Mallory Park 

June 29/30 – Brands Hatch (GP/Indy)

August 17/18 – Snetterton (300)

September 21/22 – Thruxton

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.