Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge – Page 2

TOCA support championship deliver blockbuster entertainment at Silverstone

Silverstone played host to a memorable two days of TOCA support race action this past weekend (September 26/27) as five championships continued their 2020 campaigns around the 1.64-mile National layout.

Sharing centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Home of British Motor Racing, wheel-to-wheel battles were a constant theme across the weekend as each category edged closer towards the business end of the season.

As they have done all season, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship served up a feast of entertainment where there was high drama and a string of notable performances.

Bailey Voisin emerged as the big winner from the weekend as he powered his R Racing G40 to a brace of wins. Georgi Dimitrov claimed the remaining victory, keeping his calm amidst a truncated race two to score his fourth win of the year.

Making their third and final appearance on the TOCA support bill this year, the Protyre Ginetta GT5 Challenge produced a sensational two races with Josh Malin claiming a near-perfect score to claim the championship lead.

Malin powered his Richardson Racing machine to the top step of the podium in both races to put himself in prime position to be crowned champion with just two races remaining.

The Porsche Carrera Cup GB saw redemption fall the way of Harry King as he made a return to winning ways. After seeing two wins slip away at Thruxton, King was back on the top step of the podium in emphatic style, taking a commanding victory ahead of Will Martin and Sam MacLeod in the opening encounter.

Race two would see King reign supreme once again as he powered his way up the order to score victory and in doing so, take a step closer to clinching the title. Matthew Graham settled for second after leading for much of the race whilst Martin rounded off the podium.

Spoils were shared in the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship across three feisty races around the famous Northamptonshire venue. Nathan Harrison converted pole position into a commanding race one victory before Ant Whorton-Eales strengthened his series lead with a win in race two.

Jamsport Racing’s Tom Rawlings then held off race-long attention from Callum Newsham and Ronan Pearson to prevail from a frenetic third encounter.

The weekend was rounded off by three scintillating contests from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. Alex Connor, Zak O’Sullivan and Casper Stevenson each took a win apiece.

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

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support categories now head to Croft Circuit on October 10/11 for the next event of the 2020 season.

BARC publishes COVID-19 guidelines for Competitors and Officials

With the restart to racing in the UK now well underway the British Automobile Racing Club has updated its guidelines on how events will be run for both Competitors and Officials.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to adjust some of our practices and procedures in order to satisfy the requirements laid down by the government and most importantly to provide the safest environment possible for everyone involved.

In line with the guidance provided by Motorsport UK, the BARC will operate their race meetings as follows:-

BARC Competitors Guidance (v3 21 July) – CLICK HERE

BARC Officials Guidance (v2 22 July) – CLICK HERE

These guidelines have been put in place with the well-being of staff, competitors, officials and all potential visitors to our venues and events remaining at the forefront of our considerations at all times.

As it stands, all race meetings and events remain provisional and subject to change in accordance with the latest directives from the UK government.

To view the remaining post-lockdown 2021 events schedule, head to https://www.barc.net/events/.

Knockhill provides latest stop on the calendar for TOCA support championships

It won’t just be the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship that will look to put on a show at Knockhill this coming weekend (August 29/30) as the championships that make up the TOCA support package will also be in action north of the border.

Capping off what has been a busy month with the annual trip to Scotland marking the fourth race meeting in the last five weeks, the battle for supremacy across five categories is only set to intensify around the undulating 1.27-mile layout.

Missing last weekend’s meeting at Oulton Park, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship returns to action with Bailey Voisin in control of proceedings at the standings summit. Winning twice at Brands Hatch, Voisin has the early initiative however he will need to be at his best if he is to hold onto it across the weekend’s three encounters.

Scholarship winner Tom Lebbon and rookie Georgi Dimitrov have both triumphed this year too and neither can be discounted out from standing on the top step once gain. Throw into the mix the likes of Josh Rattican, Zak Taylor and Freddie Tomlinson and you’ll begin to see why it is anyone’s game.

The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge made its first appearance of the season on the TOCA package last week at Oulton Park and is back for more at Knockhill.

Josh Malin, Jonny Wilkinson and James Taylor emerged as the star drivers less than a week ago and the trio will undoubtedly be in the mix this time round once again.

Not featuring since the start of the month, the latest instalment of the MINI CHALLENGE JCW Championship will be played out around the twists and turns of the Fife venue.

At Donington Park, spoils were shared between Ant Whorton-Eales, Nathan Harrison and Max Coates but the depth of talent in the grid means another three drivers could come to the fore this weekend including the likes of Dan Zelos, Lewis Brown and Kyle Reid – to name but a few.

Edge-of-the-seat thrills and spills has been a staple of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this year and arriving at Knockhill, Harry King holds the best hand in the points after three events.

Five wins from six races has been a dream start for King, this year’s Porsche GB Scholarship victor, and it will be hard to bet against him from adding to his tally. Josh Webster, Scott McKenna and Matthew Graham will lead the fight to overhaul the former GT4 Supercup champion.

Rounding out the weekend at Knockhill will be three more races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost.

To find out more information on this weekend’s race meeting at Knockhill, including links to live timing and the event timetable, click here. ITV4 will broadcast live coverage of Sunday’s action from 10:40.

Mixed weather conditions add to the Oulton Park spectacle on TOCA support package

Oulton Park provided the backdrop for the latest chapter of what is turning out to be another thrilling season on the TOCA support package, with five championships taking centre stage amidst challenging conditions.

Joining the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Cheshire venue for what was the third event in four weeks, changeable weather played its part throughout both days to add a further ingredient to the thrills and spills that were already being played out.

Harry King maintained his impressive start to the campaign in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as he extended his lead at the summit of the standings. The Porsche GB Scholarship winner was perfection personified throughout the weekend to clinch two dominant victories ahead of Josh Webster.

In the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Gus Burton scored a double of his own as he reigned supreme in the weekend’s two contests. The Century Motorsport driver led home fellow title contenders Will Burns and Tom Hibbert in a frenetic opener before starring once more in race two.

Burton converted his pole position start into a lead he was never going to lose, powered his way to the chequered flag ahead of Jame Falvey and Adam Smalley

Making the first of three appearance alongside the BTCC this year was the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge, and it didn’t disappoint. Race one would see Josh Malin storm to victory in race one before the Richardson Racing ace put on a wet weather masterclass with Jonny Wilkinson in race two.

Whilst others battled to keep their cars pointing in the right direction, Malin and Wilkinson went wheel-to-wheel for a number of laps however in the end it was to be Malin that prevailed.

Luke Browning proved to be in a league of his own in the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost as he stormed to the top of the standings after claiming a sensational hat-trick of race wins.

Rounding out the weekend’s on track action were two races from the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, which saw Dominic Wheatley and Ben Kasperczak take a win apiece.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championship sessions at Oulton Park, click here.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support package now heads north of the border to Knockhill, for the fourth event in five weeks this coming weekend (August 29/30).

TOCA support championships set to star at Oulton Park

As always, it won’t just be the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship that will serve up the traditional thrills and spills that fans have become accustomed to at Oulton Park this weekend (August 22/23), with five championships from the TOCA support package all in action as well.

In what has been a frenetic first month of the season, with this being the third event in four weeks, the on-track entertainment is only set to intensify around the Cheshire venue as every point will prove crucial in determining who will be crowned champion come the end of the year.

Harry King has set his stall out as the driver to beat in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB so far, winning three out of fours race already. Joining the grid as the Porsche GB Scholarship winner, the Team Parker Racing ace has wasted no time in settling into the series and will undoubtedly be in the mix for more silverware this weekend.

Giving chase to King are a host of contenders, all of which are led by former champion Josh Webster. Triumphing at the season-opener, Webster has been in fine form ever since and a second victory of the campaign will surely propel him firmly back into contention.

Notable names such as Ross Wylie, Lorcan Hanafin, Scott McKenna, Matthew Graham and Esmee Hawkey, amongst many others, can’t be discounted either over the course of the weekend – making the Carrera Cup GB an unmissable attraction.

The Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup has produced blockbuster moments already this year and the latest instalment of the much-loved series sees Tom Hibbert lead the way after taking a double win last time out.

Along with Will Burns, Gus Burton and Adam Smalley, the Triple M Motorsport driver has been a regular fixture towards the front of the field and it is likely that the aforementioned names will be the pace-setters once more around the challenging 2.23-mile circuit.

Additional Ginetta action at Oulton Park will come in the shape of the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge, as it fills in for the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship.

Home to aspiring GT racers as it combines close racing with a Pro/Am format, the single-make series is renowned for edge-of-the-seat thrills and if the season-opener earlier this month is anything to go by, it is set to be enthralling. Josh Malin, James Taylor and Jonny Wilkinson were the winners last time out and enter the event as the main protagonists.

Debuting on the BTCC support bill for the first time and making the first of several appearances during the remainder of the season will be the MINI CHALLENGE Cooper Championship. Like the JCW category, expect bumper grids from the one-make tin top category and fraught wheel-to-wheel action across the weekend’s two encounters.

Rounding out the weekend’s on-track entertainment will be three pulsating races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost where Carlin’s Zak O’Sullivan will be looking to maintain his early points advantage.

To find out more information on this weekend’s event, including links to live timing and entry list, click here.

All of Sunday’s action from Oulton Park will be broadcast live on ITV4, with coverage scheduled to begin at 11:50.

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/

TOCA extends Ginetta partnership for further three years

TOCA have confirmed that Ginetta will remain on the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for a further three years, extending the successful partnership between both parties.

With 2019 marking the 12th consecutive season that Ginetta has been a part of the BTCC support package, the Yorkshire company will continue to take centre stage until the end of the 2022 season at the very least.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship has been a mainstay since 2008, while the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup joined a year later in its former incarnation, the Ginetta G50 Cup. This year, the two series have had the largest average grid numbers on the support bill across the season.

Since 2016, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge has also made regular guest appearances. Next season, all three championships will once again entertain the BTCC crowds around the best circuits in the UK including Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Silverstone.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to have extended our partnership with Ginetta for a further three years. Its entertaining and fiercely-fought support championships are a longstanding and valued fixture on the TOCA package.

“The career ladder from the Ginetta Junior Championship into the GT4 SuperCup and beyond is proven and unique in British motorsport, with a host of former Ginetta drivers now competing in the BTCC – it is fantastic to see.”

Lawrence Tomlinson, Ginetta Chairman, added: “Ginetta has been the biggest presence on the BTCC support bill for over a decade now and we are delighted to extend our partnership with TOCA for a further three years.

“With the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup all in action across the season, we’re able to showcase to everyone the Ginetta career ladder we offer drivers.

“Competing on the TOCA package offers our drivers unrivalled broadcast and print media coverage, as well as great exposure to thousands of fans at each of the race meetings for themselves, the teams and their sponsors.

“We are looking forward to seeing our championships continue to flourish on the TOCA package in 2020 and produce captivating racing for the trackside crowds and the live ITV4 television audiences.”

Provisional calendars for the 2020 Ginetta season can be viewed here: https://www.ginetta.com/news/provisional-calendars-announced-for-2020-ginetta-season

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.

TOCA support championships shine at Snetterton

Four TOCA support championships served up an action-packed weekend of racing at Snetterton this past weekend (August 3/4) as the second half of the 2019 season kicked off in sensational style.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Norfolk venue, edge of the seat entertainment took place across each and every race over the course of the weekend – keeping fans captivated.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship enjoyed an exciting two days as it played host to a staggering four encounters. Adding the postponed Croft race to the timetable, this years crop of teenage racers had plenty of opportunity to shine.

Saturday’s two races belonged to in-form driver Will Martin as he powered his Richardson Racing machine to victory on both occasions, the second win being the rescheduled Croft race.

Whilst Martin was the driver to beat on Saturday, Sunday belonged to Zak O’Sullivan who scored a breakthrough Ginetta Junior victory, and then subsequently backed it up with a second later in the day.

There was high-drama in the Renault UK Clio Cup as the battle for supremacy in the championship reached fever-pitch as Jamie Bond and Max Coates scored victory.

Bond’s maiden win in the one-make series came after Jack Young was handed a time-penalty for contact with Coates during the opening encounter of the weekend. As the pair scrapped for the lead, contact from Young dropped Coates down the order and the Northern Irishman was subsequently penalised.

Race two would see Bond take the chequered flag on the road however he would find himself in trouble with officials too as he was adjudged to have made a false start, picking up a ten-second penalty and dropping him to fourth.

Young therefore inherited the victory afterwards but he once again was hit with another post-race penalty after making further contact with Coates, thus handing the latter a crucial victory in the overall title battle.

The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge made its second appearance on the TOCA support bill this season and with the business end of the year approaching, a frenetic battle between the main protagonists took place.

Scott McKenna reigned supreme in the opener after starting on pole position whilst Geri Niscosia left it until the very last lap before snatching victory in race two ahead of Josh Malin and Gordie Mutch.

Rounding out the weekend action were three pulsating races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. Sebastian Alvarez enjoyed a return to form with a double-winning performance whilst Tommy Foster had a share of the spoils as he claimed his maiden victory in the single-seater category.

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

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, Renault UK Clio Cup and returning Porsche Carrera Cup GB and Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, along with the F4 British Championship, will all be in action in less than two weeks as the TOCA package returns to Thruxton on August 17/18.

Advance tickets to the seventh TOCA event of the season are available to purchase by heading to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc-aug or by calling 01264 882200 (Option 1).

TOCA support bill set to roar back into life at Snetterton

Snetterton will not only play host to the return of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this weekend (August 3/4) but also the TOCA support package, with five one-make categories primed and ready to take centre stage.

Never short of delivering edge-of-the-seat entertainment, each championship will continue their 2019 campaigns at the Norfolk venue in front of what is expected to be a bumper trackside crowd.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship will enjoy an exciting start to the second half of the season as it stage four races over the course of the weekend. Adding the postponed race at Croft to the timetable, the championship for 14 to 17-year-olds is likely to set pulses racing across all four encounters.

James Hedley holds a healthy advantage at the top of the standings after scoring nine podium finishes across the first 11 races of the season, and the Elite Motorsport driver will be looking to extend his lead further in East Anglia.

Four races give the chasing pack behind Hedley every opportunity to close the gap in the points and leading the hunt will be four-time race winner Will Martin and Zak O’Sullivan, both of whom make up the top three. Throw into the mix Casper Stevenson, James Taylor and Tom Emson, among others, and all bets could be off in the Junior category.

The captivating battle for supremacy in the Renault UK Clio Cup is set to continue too as Max Coates and Jack Young gear up for the latest two rounds of the season. Virtually nothing has separated the pair so far

Jamie Bond enjoyed a star performance at Oulton Park last time out and could well be one to watch, as too will usual protagonists Jade Edwards, Ethan Hammerton, Ben Colburn and Brett Lidsey.

Following on from their appearance at Thruxton earlier in the season, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge will makes its second outing of the year on the TOCA support bill at Snetterton.

Scott McKenna heads into the weekend as the championship leader after enjoying a stellar outing at Zandvoort and holds a 49-point lead. Challengers come thick and fast in the series however with former Ginetta Junior champion Adam Smalley, Gordie Mutch, Josh Malin and Geri Nicosia all firmly in contention.

Capping off the weekend’s action will be a trio of races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost; the country’s leading single-seater series.

To find out more information ahead of this weekend’s event, including links to live timing, timetable and entry lists, head to https://www.barc.net/event/btcc-snetterton/.

TOCA support championships serve up Thruxton thriller

The ultra-fast sweeping corners of Thruxton Circuit proved to be a fitting challenge for the TOCA support package this past weekend (May 18/19) as four championships served up a feast of entertainment.

In what was a slightly different look to the supporting cast of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in Hampshire, a bumper crowd lined the spectator bankings to witness the latest chapter of each category unfold.

As expected, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship served up a breathless two races with Will Martin and James Hedley taking a win apiece. Martin was the teenager to beat in race one as he survived an early challenge from a raft of drivers to break clear of the pack and power towards a commanding victory.

With two wins to his name already, Hedley added to his tally in a back-and-forth second race as he scrapped with impressive rookie Zak O’Sullivan, ultimately getting the better of him to take the chequered flag by a mere three tenths of a second.

The Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge made the first of its two appearances on the TOCA package and didn’t disappoint. Geri Nicosia continued his love affair with the ultra-fast Hampshire venue as he enjoyed further success.

Storming to the front of the field after starting seventh, Nicosia powered on to his third win in five races at Thruxton – heading the duelling duo of Scott McKenna and Ruben del Sarte.

Last year’s Ginetta Junior champion Adam Smalley offered up a reminder of what can do behind the wheel on the TOCA package in race two as he clinched his third win of the season to round out the weekend’s action.

Taking centre stage over the course of the weekend was the Mini Se7en Racing Club, which wowed crowds across all four races on its guest appearance. Providing exhilarating door-to-door thrills at every opportunity, the iconic tin tops of yesteryear rolled back the years in sensational style.

In the Dunlop Mini Se7en Challenge supported by Mini Spares, Darren Thomas claimed victory in the opening encounter ahead of Joe Thompson and Dom Burger. Thomas made it two from two in the second race of the weekend live on ITV4, narrowly pipping Burger and Andrew Deviny.

The faster Dunlop Mini Miglia Challenge supported by Mini Spares also had fans on the edge of their seats with Chris Morgan pipping Kane Astin and Aaron Smith to overall honours in race one.

Having just missed out on the podium in race one, Nick Padmore bounced back in the second encounter to top the podium as he led Morgan and Lee Deegan across the line.

Capping off the weekend’s action was a trio of races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – Powered by Ford EcoBoost with the spoils shared between Luke Browning and Zane Maloney, the latter winning twice.

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

The TOCA support package will return to full strength on June 15/16 as the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Renault UK Clio Cup and Porsche Carrera Cup GB are all back in action alongside the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship and F4 British Championship certified by FIA – Powered by Ford EcoBoost at Croft.

Tickets for the fourth event of the season, held in North Yorkshire, are available to purchase online from http://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc.

TOCA support championships speed into ultra-fast Thruxton

Thruxton Circuit will welcome the TOCA package this weekend (May 18/19) where four championships will look to steal the show on the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship support bill.

Following on from two entertaining events at Brands Hatch and Donington Park, the supporting cast to the BTCC looks slightly different in Hampshire as two championships join the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship and F4 British Championship.

With the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Renault UK Clio Cup and Porsche Carrera Cup GB all set to fixture at Thruxton in August, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and the Mini Se7en Racing Club are set to join the fray

Producing relentless entertainment across the opening two events, the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship has once again underlined its pedigree for showcasing some of the brightest teenage talents in UK motorsport.

James Hedley arrives at the ultra-fast venue in control of the points although the two-time Donington Park winner has a host of challengers hot on his heels. James Taylor, Zak Sullivan, Roman Bilinski and Theo Edgerton are just four on a long list of names that are in the mix towards the sharp end of the grid.

The Ginetta fun won’t stop at the Juniors as the Protyre Motorsport GT5 Challenge features on the TOCA package for what will be the first of two events this season. Suitable for all ages and levels of experience, the GT5 Challenge uses the G40 machine as its car of choice and the racing is nothing short of spectacular.

Last year’s Junior champion Adam Smalley and Gordie Mutch were the winners at the season-opener however Geri Nicosia finds himself leading the way after three encounters. All three find themselves as the favourites this weekend although the likes of Katie Milner, Scott McKenna and Ruben del Sarte can’t be discounted either.

Small in stature but packing a real punch is the Dunlop National Mini Miglia and Mini Se7en Championships supported by Mini Spares. Making a welcome visit to the BTCC support bill, Mini racing is nothing short of entertaining and the flat-out sweepers of Thruxton is set to promote plenty of wheel-to-wheel action and overtaking.

With a total of four races taking place across both days from the Mini contingent, notable names to look out for include Aaron Smith, Lee Deegan, Joe Thompson and Rupert Deeth – amongst many more.

Rounding out the weekend’s support race action as always will be three races from the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost, which sees Louis Foster in control of proceedings having scored three wins from the first six races.

Tickets to Thruxton’s first BTCC race meeting of the season will be available to purchase on the gate. For more information on pricing, head to http://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc.

To find out further information on the event such as the full timetable as well as links to live timing, click here.