Tag: Classic Touring Car Racing Club

How To Watch BARC LIVE: Silverstone Grand Prix – March 25/26

The British Automobile Racing Club is poised to lift the curtain on a brand-new season of motorsport this weekend (March 25/26) with two-action packed days of wheel-to-wheel racing at the world-famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit – and our cameras will be there to broadcast every race live.

Kicking off what is set to be the biggest year yet for the Club’s live stream platform – where a total 23 race meetings are scheduled to be broadcast online over the course of the year – thousands of fans are expected to flock to Facebook and YouTube to watch what promises to be an entertaining 2023 curtain-raiser.

Taking centre stage around the Home of British Motor Racing this weekend will be the British Endurance Championship, Britcar Trophy Championship, Britcar Prototype Cup and Classic Touring Car Racing Club.

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

Saturday Race Show – Starting from 12:45 – Facebook | YouTube 

Sunday Race Show – Starting from 08:40 – Facebook | YouTube 

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

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

2020 Season Review: Classic Touring Car Racing Club

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club rolled back the years in 2020 as it served up a feast of entertainment, crowning a new set of champions along the way.

Home to some of the most iconic saloon cars that have spanned countless decades, the CTCRC is renowned for producing all-out action where variety is the spice of life, and this past year proved to be no different.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a revised four-event schedule was put in place for motorsport’s restart in July; with visits to Cadwell Park, Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Silverstone setting pulses racing both in the paddock and along the spectator bankings.

In the prestigious Poultec – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars category, Patrick Harris once again reigned supreme as he was crowned champion for the second consecutive season.

Back behind the wheel of his trusty Morris Minor 1000, Harris pieced together a mesmerising campaign made up of consistent points finishes and podiums to narrowly edge out Nathan Williams to top spot and defend his title.

Catering for tin top saloons that were built prior to 1983, the Shell Oil Pre ’83 Touring Car Championship has remained one of the cornerstones of the CTCRC down the years and it underlined its popularity with a stellar string of races.

Having missed out on wrapping up the title last year, Mike Luck made no mistake in his BMW E21 320 this time around to run out as a convincing victor come the final chequered flag falling.

Arguably one of the jewels in the crown of the Classic Touring Car contingent is the Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars Championship. Producing captivating on-track entertainment, the battle for supremacy as the sharp end of the grid was fiercely fought over.

At the wheel of his distinctly liveried BMW E36 M3, David Griffin powered his way to the crown in emphatic fashion.

Fans of more modern machinery were drawn to the Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars Championship and it didn’t disappoint. As he had done in 2019 and despite facing stiff competition, nobody could beat AJ Owen in his Honda Civic Type R as he successfully retained his title.

There was a familiar name at the summit of the Burton Power Products Blue Oval Saloon Series standings too as Piers Grange made it a hat-trick of championship triumphs in his formidable Ford Escort Mk2.

Finally, playing host to some of the most monstrous machines within the CTCRC; the Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship produced a flame-spitting string of contests that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Carrying on his fine form from 2019, Andy Robinson and his trusty Ford Falcon proved unstoppable and it was to be that devastating combination that secured the title for the experienced racer once again.

Classic Touring Car Racing Club to reintroduce prize money in 2021

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club has announced that it will be bringing back prize money for drivers finishing in first, second and third place at the end of the 2021 season in each of its championships.

Providing bumper grids and edge-of-the-seat entertainment at British Automobile Racing Club events for many years, the CTCRC is aiming to give back to its loyal competitors by offering up cash prizes for the top three in each championship next year.

The Poultec – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, Shell Oil Pre ’83 Touring Car Championship, Laser Tools Pre-93 Touring Cars Championship, Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars Championship, Burton Power Products Blue Oval Saloon Series and Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship are set to make up the illustrious list of categories that fall under the CTCRC banner next year.

Stuart Caie, CTCRC Chairman, said: “For many years, it’s been a one-way street financially for club racing; pay this, pay that, renew everything after ten minutes and start again.

“In 2021 the Classic Touring Car Racing Club are going to reverse the flow of money out of drivers’ pockets to ensure they benefit directly from the success of their own club. We are a club created by the people for the people run by an extremely dedicated team of volunteers.

“In some cases, club racing has been in a bit of decline for the last ten years, but our grids are strong as we continue to look at new and diverse ways of attracting members. We feel that prize money is the next step forward in that strategy – you only have to look over the fence to oval racing to see that prize money can help to bring large grids and great racing.”

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, added: “CTCRC has been one of the jewels of the BARC stable for many decades. They are constantly innovating and coming up with new ideas to make sure that their members get great value for money in their racing. We are delighted to work with them and together I am sure that 2021 will be an even bigger success.”

To find out more information about the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, visit www.classictouringcar.com.

Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Saloon & GT Championship joins BARC ranks for 2021

The British Automobile Racing Club is delighted to announce that the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Saloon & GT Championship will join its ranks and race alongside the Classic Touring Car Racing Club from the start of the 2021 season.

Having been a crowd favourite on the UK racing scene since the late 1990’s, the JEC was established over 21 years ago and has since become renowned for producing classic club racing with its bumper grids of XK Series machines and Saloon & GT Championship.

After reaching an agreement with the BARC and CTCRC, the one-make championship will now look to continue moving forward and flourishing, as well as adding to its storied history.

Chris Robinson, JEC Racing Competition Secretary, said: “After eighteen successful years with CSCC we felt to grow our numbers it was important for us to have our own grid for our Saloon’s & GT’s”.

“The CTCRC have been running highly successful classic touring car racing with BARC for many years and we felt with Jaguar’s great history in touring car racing and with what CTCRC and BARC have achieved that this was the perfect platform for us to race with.”

Colin Porter, JEC Racing Coordinator, continued: “We are excited to be racing with CTCRC and BARC in 2021 and look forward to the commercial opportunities that the excellent media coverage that Classic Touring Car Racing Club enjoys could bring us.”

Ben Taylor, BARC Group Chief Executive, added: “While this has been a truly challenging year for everyone, I am very proud of the way the BARC has responded to it. The team has worked extremely hard to deliver a meaningful calendar of events for all our championships and we have had great feedback from everyone.

“To be able to add a new championship to the fold for 2021 is great news. We look forward to welcoming the Jaguars to the BARC and they will fit perfectly into the CTCRC package which continues to flourish thanks to the unstinting efforts of Stuart Caie and the committee.”

Blockbuster BTRA headlines Thruxton weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club delivered two blockbuster days of thrilling track action at Thruxton this past weekend (October 31/November 1).

Taking centre stage around the fastest circuit in the UK were the heavyweight behemoths of the BTRA British Truck Racing Championship – and they certainly made their mark on the Hampshire venue over the course of both days.

Going wheel-to-wheel in challenging conditions, Division 1 saw reigning four-time champion put himself in the box seat to clinch a fifth consecutive title by storming to a sensational hat-trick of race wins. Martin Gibson would prove to be the only driver that could beat Smith, winning the remaining race.

In Division 2, Steven Powell demonstrated similar levels of dominance as he too moved himself to within touching distance of championship silverware as he scored an impressive trio of race wins too. Two-time champion Luke Garrett picked up the other victory behind the wheel of his MAN.

Despite the curtain having fallen on their season at Silverstone last month, the Classic Touring Car Racing Club jumped at the chance to run two non-championship races and they took those in attendance on a spirited trip down memory lane.

Showcasing tin top cars from years gone by, the CTCRC boasted a bumper entry list of desirable machines and it was to BMW E36 M3 of Bryan Bransom that reigned supreme in race one, winning by nearly 30 seconds.

The Ford Lotus Cortina of Bob Bullen then came to the form in the categories second race, taking an emphatic victory.

Back for the second successive weekend at Thruxton, the BARC’s Open Sports/Saloons races initiative proved to be a smash-hit once again as a variety of machines duked it out for overall honours.

Clive Wood would emerge as the benchmark driver in both contests, winning in his Mallock.

Single-seater thrills rounded off the weekend’s track action and they came in the shape of the Monoposto Reprise I.T. Tiedmen Trophy. Bryn Tootell powered his Van Diemen to victory in the opening encounter before Edward Falkingham did the same at the wheel of his Jedi in race two.

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

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 champions begin to be crowned as 2019 season heads towards its finale

September; the start of the autumnal season and for the British Automobile Racing Club, a month that marks the start of the title run-in for several of its championships – and several champions having already been crowned.

With the business end of the motorsport season seeing nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat entertainment being provided around the country, a host of BARC categories have already brought the curtain down on their 2019 campaigns.

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club, where variety is the spice of life, served up another exciting season and finished with a flourish at Cadwell Park. Patrick Harris reigned supreme in the Paul Inch – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars whilst CTCRC Group 1 Touring Car Championship honours fell the way of Alan Wilshire.

Envirotec Hygiene Services Pre-93 Touring Cars spoils went to Graham Myers with AJ Owen triumphing in the Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars. In the Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship and Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series, Josh Barber and Piers Grange were the respective victors.

Rounding out the CTCRC winners was Andy Robinson, who was crowned champion in the Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship.

Pete Sparrow was the driver to beat in the Classic 2CV Racing Championship once again as he recorded an unprecedented eighth title triumph. Entering the season as defending champion, nobody could ultimately stop Sparrow from writing his name further into the history books.

The Max5 Racing Championship delivered another captivating year of racing too with Paul Roddison, Aaron Bunning and Steve Kite triumphing in Classes A, B and C respectively.

Ginetta’s raft of different categories have wowed crowds wherever they have competed, with both the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and Ginetta G40 Cup going down to the wire. Scott McKenna did enough for GT5 spoils whilst Chris Salkeld was the winner in the G40 Cup.

Whilst the Ginetta Racing Drivers Series is not recognised as a championship, Michael Kidson was declared as the winner for achieving the most successful run of results across the six-event calendar. 

Outright honours in the BARC Connaught Speed Championship meanwhile went to James Hunt.

Finally, the British Schools Karting Championship once again saw another ultra-competitive year of racing however nobody was able to stop Brentwood School from scooping a fourth consecutive title.

With plenty more motorsport action taking place over the next month and a half, championship triumphs are set to come thick and fast before another year of motorsport draws to close.

To stay up-to-date with all the latest news and reports from the British Automobile Racing Club, visit www.barc.net.

In addition, you can also follow the BARC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Trio of championships star at Donington Park

The British Automobile Racing Club served up an action-packed day of tin top thrills at Donington Park this past weekend (August 24) as three categories continued their journey towards crowning 2019 champions.

With the sun shining on the challenging Leicestershire venue and the business end of the season fast approaching, the need to succeed was as great as ever.

Ronan Pearson did just that in the Michelin Clio Cup Series as he closed the gap to Simon Freeman in the battle for Race Class honours, winning twice. Having been the benchmark drivers at the front of the field up until now, the pair continued their scrap under the flightpath of East Midlands airport.

In the Road Class, Nic Harrison produced another flawless performance to further extend his points lead after scoring another two wins – edging him closer to a third successive title triumph in the process.

The Classic Touring Car Championship meanwhile boasted plenty of variety as some of the most iconic saloon cars went wheel-to-wheel across six enthralling encounters.

Both the Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series and Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship amalgamated together for an action-packed pair of races which saw spoils shared between Andrew Wilson and Mathew Evans.

Elsewhere, Stephen Primett and Mike Luck were the victors in the Paul Inch – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars and CTCRC Group 1 Touring Car Championship races.

The Envirotec Hygiene Services Pre-93 Touring Cars, Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars and Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship also came together for two races over the course of the day, with Ray West reigning supreme in both.

Garrie Whittaker capped off the day’s action with another superlative performance in the Kumho BMW Championship, extending his winning streak with another two lights-to-flag drives.

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

Classic Touring Cars and MG Owners Club revved up for Castle Combe event

The Classic Touring Car Racing Club and Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship will continue their 2019 campaigns at Castle Combe this weekend (July 6/7) as they fly the flag for the British Automobile Racing Club.

Home to some of the most iconic saloon cars that have spanned countless decades, the Classic Touring Car Championship is renowned for producing all-out action; and this weekend should be no different.

Boasting a rich history which spans more than three decades, the championship has become a cornerstone of the British Automobile Racing Club and continues to deliver bumper grid and exhilarating competition.

Those in attendance during the weekend will be able to see the Paul Inch – Classic Race Engines Pre ’66 Touring Cars, CTCRC Group 1 Touring Car Championship, Envirotec Hygiene Services Pre-93 Touring Cars, Simply Serviced Pre-2003 Touring Cars, Toyo Tyres Pre-2005 Production Touring Car Championship, Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series and Edmundson Electrical Classic Thunder Saloons Championship all in action.

Notable names to cast a watchful eye over include Stephen Primett, AJ Owen, Patrick Harris, Mark Osborne, Richard Wood and Piers Grange, amongst others.

Kicking off the second half of their season in Wiltshire, the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship is primed to set pulses racing with two races scheduled to be run around the 1.85-mile circuit.

Having already produced show-stopping performances at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Oulton Park, the category will continue its campaign this weekend with it all still to play for in the championship battles.

Spanning several decades, variety is the spice of life when it comes to the MGOC with an eclectic mix of models representing the iconic manufacturer, all of which go wheel-to-wheel in the battle for supremacy.

Split into multiple classes, race-winners come throughout the field with drivers such as Jim Baynam, Simon Kendrick, Steve Darbey and Stuart Plotnek just a handful of drivers to keep a close eye on as the weekend progresses.

Alongside both categories will be action from a host of Castle Combe Racing Club championships as well as the Monoposto Championship, all adding up to a memorable two-day spectacle.

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

CTCRC & Max’s shine at Brands Hatch

There were further title celebrations for a host of drivers at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 27/28) as the British Automobile Racing Club brought the curtain down on more championships.

As the 2018 motorsport season continues to draw to a close, the first of several visits to the Kent circuit by the BARC served up a feast of entertainment, with the Classic Touring Car Championship and Max5 Racing Championship taking centre stage.

The combined Class & Historic Thunder and Burton Power Blue Oval Saloon Series races showcased what the CTCRC is all about as Dave Cockell reigned supreme, taking a pair of wins in his striking Ford Escort Cosworth.

Spoils were shared between Mini drivers Barry Sime and Paul Inch in the Pre 66 Classic Saloon and Historic Touring Cars encounters whilst David Howard and Stephen Primett did the same in the Pre 83 Touring Cars category.

Fans of more modern machinery would have been glued to the amalgamated Pre 93 Touring Cars, Pre 2003 Touring Cars and Pre 05 Production Saloon Cars, both of which delivered unrelenting thrills and spills throughout. Come the end of the weekend, Ray West and Alexander Own took a win apiece.

With Brands Hatch proving to be the footnote of the Classic Touring Car Championship season, it also meant that champions would be crowned; Stephen Primett, Steve Barden and Anna Barden just some of them.

In the Max5 Racing Championship, two wins for Paul Roddison meant that he asserted himself as the man to beat in the series whilst also wrapping up the title in Class C. Roddison was at his brilliant best around the Indy circuit and couldn’t be matched, despite the best efforts of Ian Loversidge.

Variety was the spice of life in the BARC South East Tin Tops Championship where Rod Birley and Bradley Lane scored one win each. Birley was in superlative form across the weekend as he also scored victory in the BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship too, with Andy Thompson also triumphing.

Lewis Smith meanwhile wrapped up the weekend’s BARC action in the Scrapco Avon Intermarque Championship as he romped to a pair of race wins.

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

BARC championships serve up thrilling Donington Park race day

The British Automobile Racing Club served up a breathtaking day of racing at Donington Park on Saturday (September 29) as three championships continued on the road towards the end of the season.

Tackling the challenging Leicestershire venue, the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Classic Touring Car Championship and CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship were all in action.

Showcasing the next generation of racing drivers, the Junior Saloon Car Championship delivered its customary blend of wheel-to-wheel thrills and excitement with spoils being shared between two drivers.

With the title battle set to go down to the wire, Joel Wren maintained his recent run of front-running form with a fourth consecutive victory. Starting from fourth on the grid, Wren charged to the front of the field and was declared the winner after five laps following a red flag stoppage. Thomas Ward and Lewis Saunders joined Wren on the podium, finishing second and third respectively.

Saunders made a triumphant return to the summit of the rostrum in race two as he narrowly edged out Wren to continue his charge towards the championship title.

In the Classic Touring Car Championship, six high-octane encounters left fans sitting on the edge-of-their-seats. The amalgamated Pre 93 Touring Cars, Pre 2003 Touring Cars & Pre 05 Production Saloon Cars races saw a dominant display by Ian Bower in his BMW M3, winning both races.

Stephen Primett produced a similar dominating performance in the combined Pre 66 Classic Saloon & Historic Touring Cars & Pre 83 Group 1 Touring Cars races as he piloted his Ford Escort Mk1.

The CTCRC action came to a close with the Classic & Historic Thunder Saloons & Blue Oval Saloon Series sharing the track, with Dave Cockell prevailing, sweeping to two victories in his Ford Escort Cosworth.

Rounding out the BARC action was the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship which saw series leader Paul Rose and Danny Bird take a win apiece.

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

Brands Hatch beckons for BARC championships

The British Automobile Racing Club will head to Brands Hatch this weekend (October 27/28) where two days of enthralling championship-deciding action will be staged around the Indy circuit.

In what is the first of a host of visits to the Kent venue in the coming weeks as the 2018 season draws to a close, a total of five BARC categories will duke it out for supremacy.

Headlining the action will be no less than eight races from the Classic Touring Car Championship. Home to some of the most iconic and eye-catching saloon cars from down the years, the series has produced memorable action throughout this past season and champions are set to be crowned in pulsating fashion.

Luc Wilson, Patrick Harris and Andy Meesham will battle it out for the Paul Inch Race Engines CTCRC Pre-66 Touring Car crown whilst there will be no such trouble for Stephen Primett in the CTCRC Group 1 Pre-83 Touring Cars, the Ford driver having already successfully retained his title.

The Envirotec Hygiene Services Pre 93 Touring Car battle is set to boil down between Ian Bower and David Hunt, the two having been near inseparable all-year long.

Steve Barden and Anna Barden find themselves in the fortunate position of having an unassailable lead in the YourITMan Pre-03 Touring Cars and Toyo Tires Pre-05 Touring Cars respectively, therefore meaning they can look ahead to signing their campaigns off in style over the course of the weekend.

Capping off the racing from the series will be a pair of encounters from the Burton Blue Power Oval Saloon Series and the Hammerite Classic Thunder Touring Cars, both of which have champions already decided in the shape of Piers Grange and Ilsa Cox.

With big grids and some titles still to be settled, this weekend’s Classic Touring Car Championship action is not to be missed, with entertainment guaranteed all the way.

The Max5 Racing Championship will also round out their 2018 season at Brands Hatch with titles to be decided in two of the three classes.

Class A has seen an enthralling three-way fight play out throughout the year and heading into the finale, Josh Malin finds himself in the pound seat. Holding a 27-point advantage over Matthew Tidmarsh, Malin will be keen to add to his nine race wins to seal the title whilst Andrew Pretorius can’t be discounted from making his mark too.

Richard Smith’s consistency means he is out of touch of his rivals in Class B however a head-to-head battle in Class C between Paul Roddison and Jeremy Shipley is sure to get pulses racing.

Also on the billing will be the BARC South East Centre’s trio of championships; the BARC South East Tin Tops Championship, BARC South East Modified Saloon Car Championship and Scrapco/Avon Intermarque Championship.

With all manner of machinery competing in these three categories, variety really is the spice of life and regulars to Brands Hatch will be well acquainted with them.

Joining the BARC will be two races from the Reprise IT Tiedeman Trophy Championship, both of which will be run on Saturday.