Tag: KW Automotive Classic VW Cup

Classic VW Cup gains Motorsport UK championship status for 2019

The Classic VW Cup is set to scale new heights in 2019 after being granted championship status by Motorsport UK, the governing body for four-wheel motorsport in the UK.

Home to those wishing to compete in pre-2003 Volkswagen and VAG cars, the series is renowned for delivering high-octane thrills and spills as it travels the length and breadth of the UK year-on-year.

Having flourished in recent years with grid numbers continuing to grow and a raft of household names coming to the fore, the championship will adopt a points system for the new season as part of its new status – the latest step in progressing forward.

Ian Fowler, Classic VW Cup Championship Co-ordinator, said: “Gaining Motorsport UK Championship status for the 2019 Classic VW Cup is a great reward for all the teams and drivers that have supported us since our first season in 2015.

“We must thank the team at the BARC for all there help and assistance over the seasons and we look forward to welcoming drivers and teams, old and new, on the grid for the 2019 season.”

In addition to the Classic VW Cup becoming a fully-fledged championship, the series will also introduce a GT Cup class for the forthcoming campaign – which will feature sporadically throughout the year.

Fowler added: “With the new GT Cup joining us at selected rounds in 2019 we feel we this new class will offer the same friendly and competitive, but for models that can’t race in the original Classic VW Cup.”

The Classic VW Cup will kick off its 2019 season at Silverstone in late April before then visiting Pembrey, Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Anglesey and finally Cadwell Park, which will serve as the venue to coronate a new champion.

Both the BARC Saloon Series and the Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge will also be regular fixtures around the Classic VW Cup this season as they feature at all events.

Brian Roberts scores maiden Classic VW Cup podium finish

The Classic VW Cup saw a breakthrough podium fall the way of Brian Roberts last weekend (August 18/19) at Snetterton as the series’ 2018 campaign continued.

Having joined the Classic VW Cup this year, the disabled racer encountered a tough start to the season after being forced to sit out the opening rounds due to a delay in parts for his Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5.

Making his debut at the Norfolk venue, the former Race of Remembrance racer finished third overall in the second race of the weekend – his highest finish in the series to-date.

Ian Fowler, Classic VW Cup Co-ordinator, said: “Brian has been getting faster all season. He is racing these circuits for the first time so its been a steep learning curve for him.”

Cadwell Park is next on the calendar for the Classic VW Cup contingent on September 8/9.

Snetterton delivers blockbuster BARC weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club underlined that variety is the spice of life at Snetterton this past weekend (August 18/19) as a raft of categories battled it out around its shorter 1.98 mile circuit.

In what was the third visit to the Norfolk venue in the past month, spectators were treated to all-out action across both days as the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship took centre stage as it drew its 2018 campaign to a close.

As has become a tradition in recent years, the Liqui Moly 24-hour race provided the footnote to five-event campaign that was with plenty of high-octane drama taking place along the way.

After a full day’s racing, BNLL 1/GT Racing emerged as the victors after completing a mind-boggling 788 laps around the Snetterton 200 circuit. The team of Thierry de Bonhome, Laurent Jossiaux, Rudy Coppieters and Philippe Courtois proved to be in a league of their own as they underlined their domiance, finishing 24 laps ahead of their nearest challengers.

Second place went the way of Bernard Crispin, Claude Crispin, Andre Blaise and Jean-Marc Louys in the BNLL 2 – BMR whilst Team Misfits rounded off the podium with Steve Rideout, Dave Rees, Connor O’Brien and Paul Ogborn all sharing driving duties.

There was to be another twist in the tail of the Junior Saloon Car Championship at the weekend too as Lewis Saunders and Joel Wren shared the spoils.

Despite rolling his car in practice and having to get behind the wheel of a spare, Saunders took a lights-to-flag victory in the opener – despite coming under constant pressure from Ben Kasperczak and Thomas Ward.

In race two, Wren bounced back from narrowly missing out on the podium earlier in the day to score his latest triumph, little under five seconds ahead of Scott McIntyre whilst Saunders made it a day to remember with a third place finish to add to his race one win.

Benn Tilley was at the double in the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship, however he didn’t have things his own way. Having entered the weekend as the form driver, Tilley showcased his front-running credentials to narrowly pip Rick Morris by little under two seconds in the opening encounter.

Things were to get even closer between the pair in race two as Tilley fended off the advances of Morris all the way to line, emerging as the winner by just 0.047. Mark Armstrong and Stuart Kestenbaum each notched a podium finish apiece too.

Ken Lark proved to be a tour-de-force in the Classic VW Cup as he powered his Volkswagen Corrado to a pair of wins. Elsewhere, Steve Sawley and Robert Burkinshaw scored a victory each in the amalgamated BARC Saloon Series and Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge duels.

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

BARC categories take on starring role at Pembrey

The Trade Team Citroen C1 Challenge took on a starring role at Pembrey this past weekend (June 9/10) as the British Automobile Racing Club visited South Wales.

Under glorious sunshine, the much-loved tin top category was joined by the BARC Saloon Series, Classic VW Cup, Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge and Welsh Racing Drivers Association – making it a weekend not to be missed.

Boasting a bumper entry list and more than eight hours of track action across both days, the C1 Challenge dazzled those in attendance with lap after lap entertainment.

In the longer five-hour endurance race on Saturday, the McAttack Racing pairing of Declan McDonnell and Joe Wiggin proved too much for their rivals as they triumphed ahead of Old Hat Motorsport by 24 seconds at the flag. The top three all took the chequered flag on the same lap, touring the picturesque Pembrey layout 197 times.

The shorter two-hour race may have had less entrants but no less entertainment as Old Hat Motorsport bounced back on Sunday to take victory. The duo of Callum Hutchings and Daniel Bruce clocked 80 laps to take the chequered flag 15 seconds ahead of their nearest challengers.

Ken Lark proved to be the dominant force in the Classic VW Cup as he took a lions share of the spoils during the weekend. At the wheel of his Volkswagen Corrado, Lark was in a league of his own in races one and two, taking the chequered flag in comfortable fashion.

Had it not been for a retirement in the third and final encounter, Lark may well have completed a sensational hat-trick around the challenging circuit. Instead, Nick Sanderson powered his SEAT Leon Supercopa to the chequered flag, pipping Alex Kite by a mere 0.660s.

It was a similar result in the amalgamated BARC Saloon Series and Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge races too as one driver bagged a pair of race wins. Leading the way in qualifying, Chris Sparks produced a mesmerising display in races one and two at the wheel of his Honda Civic.

James Tracey halted Sparks’ chances of taking a clean sweep in the third encounter as he prevailed from a tense battle with Andrew Mizzi to win.

Rounding off the weekend’s action was two races from the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship, both won by the Westfield SE of Damian Longotano.

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

The next major event at Pembrey will take place on June 23/24 when the Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship rolls into town for two days of thrills ’n’ spills. Discounted tickets are available to purchase online from as little as £12.00, click here for more information.
Learn more

BARC championships battle contrasting conditions at Brands Hatch

Contrasting conditions welcomed the British Automobile Racing Club to Brands Hatch this past weekend (May 12/13) as a host of championships continued their 2018 campaigns around the Indy layout.

Persistent rain on Saturday was swapped for bright sunshine on Sunday at the Kent venue, adding further spice to what already was proving to be a memorable event.

The Michelin Clio Cup Series had a distinctly familiar feel to it as reigning champion Ben Palmer further asserted his dominance at the top of the standings. Entering the weekend with an unbeaten record, Palmer clinched his fifth and sixth wins of the season, extending his points lead in the process.

In the race class, Nic Harrison’s run of wins came to an end, not before he could score a fifth victory of the season however. The defending champion romped to the chequered flag in race one but could do nothing to stop James Colburn in the second.

The Junior Saloon Car Championship produced its third double-winner of the season around the Indy circuit as Frankie Taylor vaulted himself into title contention. On what was a truncated weekend for the 14 to 17-year-old’s, Taylor held his nerve in two tense but entertaining encounters to score victory.

Podium finishes went the way of Lewis Saunders, Scott McIntyre and Steven Chandler too across both races.

Roaring into life for the first time this season, the BARC Clubmans Sport Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns delivered three nail-biting races. Steven Dickens won the opener before Mark Charteris picked up wins in races two and three.

In the 2CV Parts.com Classic Racing Championship, Nick Crispin stormed to a brace of victories in two frenetic races that saw a host of twists and turns along the way.

The BARC South East Tin Tops Championship kicked off the weekend for the Club’s trio of South East Centre categories with Danny Brooker taking victory in race one. At the wheel of his Vauxhall Astra VXR, Brooker narrowly pipped Rikki Taylor whilst Robert Hosier was third. Race two honours went the way of Ford Fiesta driver Taylor.

Malcolm Blackman was in irresistible form once again in the BARC South East Scrapco Avon Intermarque Championship, taking his record to a perfect four wins from four races at Brands Hatch.

Spoils were shared in the BARC South East Quaife Modified Saloon Car Championship, with veteran racer Rod Birley winning the opener at the wheel of his Ford Escort WRC. Birley was unable to replicate his performance later in the day however as Malcolm Wise powered his Ford Escort Cosworth to the top step of the podium.

Rounding out the action was the BARC Saloon Series, Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge and the Classic VW Cup, all of which amalgamated their grids.

Brad Kaylor and Ken Lark took a win apiece in the Classic VW Cup, however a notable performer was Daniel Rose in race two, charging from ninth on the grid to the front within the first lap. Ben Rushworth was the final race winner of the weekend, sweeping to both victories at the wheel of his Honda Integra in the BARC Saloon Series/VTEC Challenge races.

Ten championships head to Brands Hatch for BARC bonanza

The British Automobile Racing Club is set for a blockbuster weekend (May 12/13) of racing at Brands Hatch as a total of ten different championships write the latest chapter in their 2018 campaigns.

The Michelin Clio Cup Series hits the track for the third time this season with reigning champion Ben Palmer firmly in control of the standings. Perfection personified so far, Palmer has won all four races and has shown no signs of letting up in the Race class. Simon Freeman and Ben Colburn are the champion’s nearest challengers and both will be looking to bring his winning run to an end.

In the Road category, Nic Harrison has enjoyed a similar level of dominance and he is also bidding to retain the title he won last year. Four wins from four races leaves James Joannou and Darren Geeraerts needing to fightback in Kent.

Providing a cost effective first step on the motorsport level for drivers aged between 14 to 17-years-old, the Junior Saloon Car Championship is set to dazzle those in attendance over the weekend. Already visiting Silverstone and Rockingham, the one-make tin top category sees Joel Wren leading the way after scoring a dominant double last time out, however Ben Kasperczak, who also netted a pair of wins at the curtain-raiser, is hot on his heels.

Peter Sparrows will look to extend his slender lead in the 2CV Parts.com Championship as the much-loved category heads to Brands Hatch. Emerging as the man to beat at Cadwell Park, Sparrows will look to further cement his status as the early pace setter, with reigning champion Lien Davies and Tom Perry in close proximity.

The BARC Clubmans Sport Prototype Championship in association with King Henry’s Taverns will kick off a five-event season this weekend, with a healthy grid of cars. Front-engined sports racing cars that originated in Britain in 1965, the championship has become a stable of the BARC and this year’s crop of racers are set to put on a memorable show. Notable names to keep an eye on include Barry Webb, Peter Richings and Ben Mallock.

All three of the BARC South Eastern Centre championships will be in action over both days too, with it all to play for after their Easter season-opener. The BARC Modified Saloon Car Championship sees Adrian Bradley and Steve Rothery tied on points at the top of the standings whilst Rikki Taylor holds a slender advantage over Daniel Fisher in the BARC South East Tin Tops Championship. Expect fireworks from both categories as some of the most much-loved saloon cars do battle.

Elsewhere, Malcolm Blackman will be looking to continue his strong start to the year in the Scrapco Metal/Avon Tyres Intermarque Championship. Blackman swept his way to a pair of wins at Brands Hatch last month and is shaping up to be a formidable force at this early stage in the year.

Rounding off the bumper programme of racing around the Indy layout will be the BARC Saloon Series, Honda VTEC Challenge and Classic VW Cup. Amalgamating grids between themselves, this trio of categories have enjoyed a strong start to the 2018 campaign with bumper grids and a diverse range of cars competing.; all of which is set to continue here.

Rockingham serves up BARC weekend to remember

It was all-out action at Rockingham this past weekend (April 14/15) as the British Automobile Racing Club produced a blockbuster two days of racing, with a host of championships coming to the fore.

On what was the first of what are set to be many visits that the Club will make to the Corby circuit over the course of the 2018 campaign, wheel-to-wheel edge-of-the-seat thrills were on order from the get-go.

The Dunlop Endurance Championship roared into life for a new season with another jaw-dropping array of cars and drivers making up the entry list. In the shorter 50-minute sprint race, Richard Neary powered his Mercedes AMG GT GT3 to victory ahead of the Ferrari 458 GT3 pairing of David Mason and Ross Wylie.

Neary notched a second sprint race win later in the day as the longer two-hour endurance race began to unfold. Following a total of 79 laps being completed, Andreas Demetriou and Luke Williams of Black Mamba Racing stormed to take the chequered flag, a mere three seconds ahead of the KTM X-Bow duo of Mike McCollum and Sean Cooper.

Ben Palmer continued his dominance of the Michelin Clio Cup Series, making it four wins from four races with another double at Rockingham. Living up the mantel of defending champion, Palmer once again swept his way to the top step of the podium in both races, further strengthening his position at the top of the points. The road class saw Nic Harrison win twice too.

The Renault UK Clio Cup Junior Championship saw similar levels of dominance with Gus Burton propelling himself to the top of the point’s standings after notching two wins.

In the Junior Saloon Car Championship, Joel Wren staked his claim as a credible title contender with a double of his own. In what turned out to be another frenetic weekend for the Citroen Saxo category, Wren made a lightening start in race one to take a commanding lights-to-flag victory.

Despite finishing second on the road in race two, Wren was declared the winner following a post-race exclusion for Ben Kasperczak, making it a dream weekend for him. Kasperczak picked up a rostrum finisher in the opener with Steven Chandler. Frankie Taylor and Charlotte Birch meanwhile scored silverware in race two.

Scott Kendall and Nevan Kirkpatrick shared the spoils in the Mighty Minis Championship whilst the Lancaster Insurance MG Owners Club Championship saw two wins go the way of Lee Sullivan in his MG ZR.

The curtain lifted on a new season for the Classic VW Cup with a variety of different models from the German brand doing battle. In what proved to be two thrilling encounters, Daniel Rose and Ken Lark proved to be in a league of their own, with Rose narrowly getting the better of Lark in his Golf to take both wins.

Rounding out the action at Rockingham was the new-for-2018 BARC Saloon Series, which also encompassed the Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge. Open to all manner of saloon cars, the latest series to align itself with the Club enjoyed a strong first showing.

Robert Burkinshaw claimed race honours both in the overall and the VTEC Challenge classifications whilst Alistair Lindsey and Jacob Carter took a win apiece in the BARC Saloons classification.

For the full race results from every championship, click here.

Contrasting conditions add to the BARC spectacle at Cadwell Park

The British Automobile Racing Club showcased a wet and wild visit to the picturesque Cadwell Park with five championships continuing their 2018 campaigns.

Mixed weather throughout the weekend provided tricky track conditions, adding further spice to the action, especially in the amalgamated BARC Saloons Series & Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Series races – both eventually won by Robert Burkinshaw.

Starting from pole, the Honda Integra driver produced an effortless performance to gap William Casswell, Phil Wright and Ashley Shelswell before taking the chequered flag. Race two mirrored the opener in what proved to be a race of attrition for the top positions.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship has provided some excellent racing all year and that was underlined throughout the breadth of the field during the weekend too. A narrow victory for Martin Wills ahead of Simon Kendrick in race one aided his solid points haul over the weekend, later adding with a second victory in race two.

The Classic VW Cup returned to action with Ken Lark in his Corrado 2994 taking victory over Toby Absolom’s Golf 3200. A tight battle between Alex Kite and Nick Sanderson for third on track gave the fans plenty to put them on the edge of their seat, with both serving up an enthralling show despite the treacherous conditions. Race one winner and pole sitter Lark suffered a non-finish in race two, leaving the path to victory win wide open for Absolom, who gratefully prevailed.

The penultimate event of the year for the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600s saw Benn Tilley extend his championship lead with a win in race one. A non-finish for Tilley in race two however allowed his rivals to strike with Nigel Lingwood notching his maiden victory ahead of Ted Pearson and former champion Stuart Kestenbaum.

Paul Roddison continued his winning streak in the Max5 Racing Championship as he added to his impressive win tally with another pair of triumphs. Roddison asserted himself in the opener to beat Ian Loversidge by nine seconds before turning the wick up in race two to take the chequered flag by more than 20 seconds.

Capping off the weekend at Cadwell Park was host of races from the Dunlop Mini Miglia Championship and Dunlop Mini Se7en Championship. Kane Astin and Rupert Deeth shared the spoils in the Miglia category whilst Scott Kendall reigned supreme in the Se7en class. Paul Nevill rounded out the long list of race winners in the Ford Saloon Series.

For the full classification of results, click here.

BARC heads back to Cadwell Park for full-throttle weekend

The British Automobile Racing Club heads north to the undulating curves of Cadwell Park this weekend (September 8/9) with six championships set to continue their 2018 campaigns.

In what will be the latest visit to the picturesque circuit in Lancashire, the demanding layout of Cadwell is set to produce close-quarter action across the variety of categories competing.

A spirited trip down memory lane will be in order for the Luna Logistics Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship as they stage their penultimate event of the season. Showcasing the glory years of single seater racing, the open-wheeled series has been rife with high-octane moments throughout the year – and this weekend is set to be no different with two races set to be run.

Benn Tilley has proved to be the benchmark driver in recent rounds but the likes of Mark Armstrong, Stuart Kestenbaum and Ben Tinkler, amongst a host of others, will all be out to haunt his momentum.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship has served up another enthralling season of racing this year and shows no sign of slowing up heading to Cadwell. With all manner of models from the marquee manufacturer being represented on the grid, the multi-class series has proven to be a haven for entertainment.

Series veteran Jim Baynam finds himself leading the way in the standings however his lead could come under further threat if the likes of Stephen McDermid and Martin Willis score big points.

There has been a fair share of memorable moments from the Max5 Racing Championship this year which has largely been dominated by Paul Roddison. Holding a near-perfect record, Roddison will be keen to continue his winning ways whilst the likes of Jeremy Shipley bid to halt his progress.

Elsewhere over the course of the weekend will be a feast of tin top action from the Classic VW Cup, BARC Saloon Series and Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge.

Bringing together some of the most iconic machines from the German marque, the Classic VW Cup has flourished in its maiden season of having its own grids. A diverse range of machines will also been seen across the BARC Saloon Series and Dream Automotive Honda VTEC Challenge -each of them likely to take on a starring role.

In addition to the feast of BARC action, on-track thrills will also come from the Mini Se7en Championship and Mini Miglia Championship, both of whom starred at Thruxton’s 50th Anniversary Meeting in early June.

Fans of all things Ford will be well-catered for too as a pair of races from the Racing Fords series will also take place.

For more information on this weekend’s event at Cadwell Park, including a timetable and links to live timing, click here
Learn more

Bumper two days of action lie ahead at Rockingham

Rockingham is set for a blockbuster weekend (April 14/15) as the British Automobile Racing Club as a host of championships descend on the Corby venue for two days of flat-out action.

Marking the first of several visits the Club will make to the circuit during the course of the 2018 season, fans are set to be treated to a diverse range of pulsating races over the course of the event.

Boasting a variety of jaw-dropping machinery, Britcar’s Dunlop Endurance Championship is back for another season and the curtain will raise on the 2018 campaign at Rockingham.

With marques such as Ginetta, Ferrari, Porsche, Radical and BMW, to name a few, being represented on the grid, there is something for everyone as the championship roars into life with a 50-minute sprint race and two hour endurance encounter.

The Renault UK Clio Cup Junior Championship continues at Rockingham with rounds three and four taking place. A four-car grid will duke it out this weekend with Nicholas Reeve the man everyone is chasing after enjoying a dream debut at the season-opener.

Bagging both victories, Reeve and the Specialized Motorsport squad enter the event as the ones to beat however Lorcan Hanafin, Louis Doyle and Gus Burton will all be hoping to topple the youngster.

There will be tin top action for drivers aged 14 to 17 in the Junior Saloon Car Championship this weekend too. Renowned for how cost effective it is and giving drivers the perfect stepping stone from karting, the JSCC has long been a proving ground for racers to go on to big and better things.

With some familiar names and returning faces making up the class of 2018 this year, it is all to play for however the early title contender is Ben Kasperczak, who bagged a pair of wins at Silverstone in late March. Whilst the likes of Jemma Moore, Tony Rodriguez and others will be aiming to beat the rapid youngster, Kasperczak sits in the box seat as it stands.

Reigning Michelin Clio Cup Series champion Ben Palmer finds himself in a similar position too after coming off the back of two wins at Silverstone. Securing a late deal to be on the grid, Palmer asserted his dominance early on and will be a favourite for sure at Rockingham.

The Lancaster Insurance MG Owner’s Club Championship is another series that is hitting the track for a second time this season at the weekend. Bringing together some of the most iconic cars that the illustrious brand has produced over countless decades, there is something for everyone during

Iconic is one word to describe the Mini brand and in the Mighty Mini Championship, the popular car is celebrated with edge-of-the-seat thrills ’n’ spills. Pitting the Mighty and Super Mighty classes together on the same grid, wheel-to-wheel battles are the norm with notable names such as Scott Kendall and Jo Polley being drivers to look out for.

Capping off what is set to be a frenetic two days of racing this weekend is the BARC Saloon Series, Honda VTEC Challenge and Classic VW Cup. Sharing grids throughout Sunday, these trio of categories are set to provide some of the best saloon races around, with a diverse range of cars and models going head-to-head with each other.