Tag: TOCA Juniors

The Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship and the new Chevron B1417 car has received a glowing endorsement from British Touring Car Championship title winner Tom Ingram following a recent test day at Pembrey Circuit.

Hot on the heels of narrowly missing out on a second BTCC crown earlier this month, Ingram became the first high-profile name to get behind the wheel of the bespoke rear-wheel-drive machine that is set to power the next generation of racing drivers from 2025.

Joining Championship Director Dave Beecroft and Tommy Watson, the Chief Executive of title sponsors Mairon Freight UK, the 31-year-old clocked a substantial amount of mileage around the Welsh venue and delivered a rave review.

“It’s been really interesting to jump behind the wheel at this stage because we’re in a position where it’s early days and we can therefore take the car in any direction we want to see what does and doesn’t work,” he said.

“As a base car it is very strong, very neutral. It’s fun and easy to drive, you can get to the limit comfortably and it’s also quite forgiving. Importantly, it’s confidence inspiring, which for the young guys and girls that are going to be driving it, is a really big plus point.

“At this stage in the development process it is about providing as much feedback as possible and then make small tweaks to steer things in the right direction. The car is in a great place out of the box and it has all the fundamentals you could ask for.

“Over the next few months we’ll start to push things further and take the car beyond its limit, find out how it reacts to certain things and also see what is what in terms of set-up changes. It’s an exciting time that’s for sure!

Commenting on the championship becoming part of the TOCA package, Ingram added: “I’ve no doubt that this championship will be the foundation for drivers to go on and enjoy careers in professional motorsport. We’re going to see people get involved from a very young age and go on to showcase their talent in front of a huge audience.

“Being on the TOCA package is a hugely important thing for the championship as it’s going to allow young drivers to make their mark and establish themselves. It will come with plenty of pressure, especially when the cameras are rolling and the spectator bankings are packed.

“That being said, I think one of the great things that the exposure of the TOCA package will provide is that it will allow drivers to learn and grow. They’ll become accustomed to everything that goes on alongside the racing and that will put them in good stead.

“Being able to do that in a junior championship that is as promising as this will ensure that when they finally make it to the BTCC or whatever it may be, they feel a lot more comfortable and are more than ready to embark on that next step in their careers.”

The Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship has announced its commitment to using sustainable fuel, appointing Haltermann Carless as its official fuel supplier from the 2025 season onwards.

Following an extensive research process for the supply of a sustainable fuel to the series over a three-year period, organisers have selected a fuel that is substantially more sustainable than that which is being sold to petrol station forecourts throughout the United Kingdom currently.

The fuel – which is also used in the British Touring Car Championship – contains 20% renewable components; comprising 15% second generation ethanol content and 5% of advanced sustainable hydrocarbons.

It is calculated by the manufacturer, Haltermann Carless, to give an 18% reduction in greenhouse gasses when compared to current pump fuel, which is significantly lowering the fuel’s impact on the environment.

A small batch of the fuel has been tested on the Chevron B1417 already, with excellent results being reported and no adverse effects to either engine performance or the fuel system.

Fuel will be manufactured for the TOCA Junior Championship by Haltermann Carless at its refinery in Harwich, Essex, UK and then distributed direct to the teams at each event by Vital Equipment Ltd.

Boasting decades of experience. Haltermann Carless is a pioneer and leading international supplier of high-value hydrocarbon solutions in Mobility, Life Science, Industrial and Energy, with access to renewable resources from strategic partners.

Dave Beecroft, TOCA Junior Championship Director, said: “Since launching the championship back in August we have been pushing the slogan ‘Fuelling The Future’ and this partnership with Haltermann Carless epitomises just that.

“We value the importance of sustainability and the introduction of a clean fuel is the first step in us maximising our impact on the world. We’re looking forward to working with Haltermann Carless over the next few years.”

Adrian Stuart, Head of Performance Fuels Sales UK at Haltermann Carless, added: “We’re excited to support the new TOCA Junior Championship with our Hiperflo® R20 fuel, which contains 20% renewable components.

“It achieves an 18% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, well-to-wheel (WtW), compared to standard pump fuel. We look forward to the next three years of working closely with TOCA Juniors, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable fuel innovation and powering the next generation of talent.”

The Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship has announced that Goodyear has been named as its exclusive tyre supplier for the 2025 season and beyond.

Ahead of the series’ eagerly anticipated debut next year, the global tyre manufacturer has collaborated with the championship to supply tyres to all entrants, as well as provide their on-site expertise at every event.

Goodyear will provide teams and drivers with the latest Direzza Race tyres, with restrictions being placed on the number of tyres that are allocated at each event to ensure parity and to also contain costs. 

The TOCA Junior Championship is the latest high-profile category to align itself with Goodyear, with the British Touring Car Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship both working closely with them on and off the track in recent years.

Vickie MacClinton, TOCA Junior Championship Operations Director, said: “Goodyear is a world leader in racing and has a proud and proven history in the sport which spans multiple decades and championships.

“The unrivalled knowledge and experience they have amassed, as well as the working relationship we have have built with the brand on other projects, made it a logical and simple decision to ensure that all cars will run on Goodyear rubber from next year.

“From a brand awareness perspective, it’s great to be able to showcase the iconic Goodyear name, just like the British Touring Car Championship has been doing so for the last few years.”

Mickey Butler, Goodyear UK Racing Manager, added: “As the Goodyear family enters its 22nd consecutive year as the partner to the BTCC, we are proud to extend our support to the championships that form important and credible rungs on the junior racing ladder.

“Goodyear has a long history of supporting junior motorsport and to be an official partner of the Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship is a natural step.”

The 2025 Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship will feature on the support bill at all ten British Touring Car Championship race meetings next year, with the season-opener taking place at Donington Park on the 26-27 April.

Preparations for the 2025 Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship took another step forward earlier this week (26 September) as the Chevron B1417 car completed a successful first day of testing at Anglesey Circuit.

Commencing what is poised to be an extensive test programme for the new machine over the coming months, the car enjoyed a trouble-free shakedown at the Welsh venue with Championship Director Dave Beecroft completing more than 300 laps. 

Little over a month on since the bespoke rear-wheel-drive car was launched to the world and with the UK’s governing body, Motorsport UK, having given its seal of approval of the car recently, the maiden track test marked a historic moment for the new series.

Running through planned preparation and installation checks to begin with, the car soon emerged from the pit lane in the morning and went on to complete its maiden laps around the 2.100-mile circuit in overcast conditions.

Recording solid mileage as the day wore on, the car – which boasts a number of industry leading safety features — ran faultlessly straight out of the box. Meeting all of the targets and goals that were set out beforehand by Beecroft, and the team responsible for building the car, further testing for the Chevron B1417 is now expected to continue in the coming weeks.

“It’s an extremely proud moment for everyone involved in the TOCA Junior Championship,” said Beecroft. “This project has been two years in the making and to have now completed our very first track test with the car is both special and historic. 

“To be the one to driving it out of the pit lane for the first time was outstanding; I’d had this idea of the car in my head for a number of years so to actually get behind the wheel of it was the culmination of a lot of hard work and long nights. 

“Since we launched the car we’ve been meticulously planning what the aims and objectives of our first test would be. With it being a new car there are the inevitable teething issues but thankfully the car ran faultlessly all day, which is a testament to everyone’s hard work behind the scenes.

“Our plan was to carry out a full systems check and then complete a number of short runs, all with the aim of finding out what does and doesn’t work. It’s been so far so good and we’ve gathered plenty of data that provides us with a solid baseline to move forward from.

“It won’t be too long until we start putting other drivers in the hot seat and allow them to turn the wick and push the car to its limits. Having as much feedback as possible is important to ensure we provide the best product to our customer teams and drivers.”

Further updates on the Chevron B1417 test programme will be provided in due course as the countdown continues to the opening round of the 2025 Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship, which is scheduled to begin at Donington Park on the 26-27 April.

The Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship has today (September 11) announced the full calendar for its inaugural season in 2025.

Following ratification from series organisers TOCA, the new one-make series takes its spot on the support bill of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at all ten race meetings next year, with each meeting comprising of a single qualifying session and three races.

Donington Park’s National circuit will provide the setting for what will be a historic first-ever event in late April before the series then moves on to compete at Brands Hatch Indy and Snetterton during the month of May.

Visits to Thruxton, which is the fastest circuit in the country, and Oulton Park are next in the order during June, prior to a summer break which will see the championship press pause for five weeks.

Racing will re-commence at the end of July with Croft kick-starting the second half of the campaign before the series heads north of the border to Knockhill and back to Donington Park – this time on the Grand Prix circuit – in August.

The Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, stages the penultimate event of the season in September before champions are crowned at the all-important finale, which will play out around the famous Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in early October.

Dave Beecroft, TOCA Junior Championship Manager: “It’s great to finally formally announce our calendar for next season; there is no bigger stage in UK motorsport than the British Touring Car Championship and we’re hugely excited to be racing alongside it at all ten events next year.

“Following the same weekend format and competing at all of the same circuits as the BTCC is something we were keen to establish as it further enforces that TOCA Juniors is shaping up to be the perfect launchpad into professional motorsport.”

2025 TOCA Junior Championship
Rounds 1/2/3 – Donington Park (National) – 26-27 April
Rounds 4/5/6 – Brands Hatch (Indy) – 10-11 May
Rounds 7/8/9 – Snetterton (300) – 24-25 May
Rounds 10/11/12 – Thruxton – 7-8 June
Rounds 13/14/15 – Oulton Park (Island) – 21-22 June
Rounds 16/17/18 – Croft – 2-3 August
Rounds 19/20/21 – Knockhill – 16-17 August
Rounds 22/23/24 – Donington Park (Grand Prix) – 30-31 August
Rounds 25/26/27 – Silverstone (National) – 20-21 September
Rounds 28/29/30 – Brands Hatch (Grand Prix) – 4-5 October

The Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship officially launched this evening (13 August) with the covers coming off the car that will power young drivers in the brand-new series from 2025 – the Chevron B1417.

As part of an exclusive event at the Mercure Daventry Court Hotel, the rear-wheel-drive machine took centre stage in front of almost 125 invited guests including those prospective teams and drivers, championship partners, suppliers and media.

Attendees not only had the opportunity to get a first-look at the car, but they were also provided with further insight into the series as it prepares to take its place on the support bill of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) next year.

Hosted by Alan Hyde, guests first heard from BTCC Chief Executive Alan Gow before Tommy Watson, the Chief Executive of title sponsors Mairon Freight UK, took to the microphone. Championship Director Dave Beecroft and Operations Director Vickie MacClinton then took to the stage before formerly revealing the car.

The event was the culmination of almost two years hard work and marked the birthplace of a category that is set to develop and prove talent between the ages of 14 to 17 for many years to come.

Putting safety first

The Chevron B1417 has been designed and built from the ground up as an entry-level machine that has safety at the core of its ethos, allowing young drivers to make the transition from karting to cars as seamlessly as possible.

Built to the highest FIA standards and regulations, the car’s chassis boasts a number of industry-leading features, one of which is the Roll Over Protection System that has been designed in accordance with the latest FIA Homologation Regulations for Safety Cages including utilising a 16mm main hoop.

Side-impact panelling has also been built into the chassis while the driver’s door is filled with energy-absorbing materials; both of which increase the structural integrity of the car and dissipate the force of impacts.

Significant safety features continue inside the cockpit with every car being fitted with a Corbeau ARS-6 (AS.090.21) seat homologated to FIA 8862-2009 standard. The seat is used in conjunction with a six-point harness and FIA 8863-2013 Racing Net; a vital component that protects drivers by preventing debris from entering the cockpit and safeguarding them in a collision.

Inspired by the BTCC, the Chevron chassis also boasts front and rear removable subframes for easy maintenance and repairability, while aerodynamics come in the shape of a front splitter and adjustable rear wing.

Other key features include adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars and sealed two-way suspension dampers with controlled springing. Adjustable functionality has also been built into the steering position and the brake, throttle and clutch pedals.

Weighing approximately 850kg, the car is powered by a custom built four-cylinder naturally aspirated 1898cc engine. Serving as a stepping-stone to professional motorsport, championship competitors will have the benefit of utilising that power through a five-speed manual gearbox and a limited slip differential, both of which will be sealed.

The series will use Goodyear Direzza Race tyres, with restrictions being placed on the number of tyres that are allocated at each event to ensure parity and to also contain costs.

To view the full specification of the Chevron B1417, click here.

Chevron name returns to the track

At the heart of the TOCA Junior Championship is the triumphant return of Chevron Cars to the modern racing scene.

Founded by the late Derek Bennett in 1965, the British manufacturer was once a motorsport powerhouse as it went from humble beginnings in Bolton to enjoying worldwide success across the likes of Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula 5000, Formula Atlantic and Sports Cars.

Unfortunately, the untimely passing of Derek in 1978 led to the company subsequently enduring instability over the next four decades – that was until when the iconic marque recently partnered with the TOCA Junior Championship.

With Championship Director Dave Beecroft having aligned the two brands, the car that will place the next generation of racing drivers behind the wheel will bare the prestigious Chevron badge, and in-doing so pay homage to the company’s engineering credentials at the same time.

Registration process set to open

Applications for the supply of the 2025 TOCA Junior car will be open to teams and drivers from Thursday 15th August, and early indication points towards their being very strong demand.

The series’ inaugural campaign will see the grid capped at 26 cars, with the option to expand on this number in the future. All applications to purchase cars will be evaluated by the organisers of the championship, with teams permitted to field no more than four cars.

Dave Beecroft, TOCA Junior Championship Director, said: “This is a ground-breaking moment for not only the TOCA Junior Championship but also UK motorsport as a whole; and it’s something that myself and the team are all immensely proud of delivering.

“Since being entrusted this project by Alan Gow we have set out on a vision to deliver the safest possible car that also provides a perfect platform for young drivers to thrive and progress – and I’m confident that we have done just that.

“It’s important that I acknowledge and thank every single person and supplier for their outstanding work. It has been a massive undertaking to design and build a new car and we shouldn’t underestimate for a moment everything that went into this.

“I feel that we have a championship that covers all bases for those that are going to be taking their first steps onto the ladder of motorsport: the highest of safety standards, high performance, parity in all the key areas and of course, value for money.

“We’re excited to open up registrations and then go on to showcase the car to the fans. A thorough testing programme is in place and with the build of more cars and many more exciting announcements still to come, we’ve got lots to be looking forward to.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added: “It’s great to see the TOCA Junior Championship coming to life and we’re looking forward to the championship joining the package next season.

“This is a fantastic stepping-stone for young drivers in the UK – a vital bridge between karting and moving into the professional ranks of motorsport. Junior categories in this country have produced Formula 1 race winners and many drivers have gone on to have successful careers in open-wheel, touring car and GT racing – we look forward to the TOCA Junior Championship helping to continue that great tradition.”

Next for the TOCA Junior Championship is the public debut of the Chevron B1417, which is scheduled to take place at the upcoming Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship event at Donington Park on the 24-25 August.

Mairon Freight UK, a trusted worldwide freight management company, has today (12 August) been announced as the title sponsor of the new TOCA Junior Championship.

In what is an exciting multi-year deal that begins with immediate effect, the highly-anticipated young driver series will be now known as the Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship.

Mairon Freight UK’s sponsorship will include branding on the windscreen of all cars, as well as on official clothing, paddock infrastructure and digital collateral, which will come in the shape of a variety of media platforms.

Founded in 1998, Mairon Freight UK has established itself as a trusted provider of freight services across the globe that specialises in seamless logistical solutions for air, sea and road freight movements.

Boasting extensive experience and industry expertise, the company is a go-to partner for dependable and cost-effective freight solutions, with an emphasis firmly on customer service and competitive pricing.

Racing fans in the UK will be no strangers to the Mairon Freight UK name either with the brand having been partnered with British Touring Car Championship race winners Tom Ingram, Ronan Pearson and EXCELR8 Motorsport for a number of seasons.

Both Mairon Freight UK and the TOCA Junior Championship will hope this partnership attracts even more fans as preparations continue to take centre stage on the support bill of the UK’s premier motorsport series ahead of the inaugural 2025 campaign.

Tommy Watson, Chief Executive of Mairon Freight UK, said: “We are thrilled to be the title sponsor of the new TOCA Junior Championship. Having been involved in motorsport for a number of seasons, seeing this championship come forward for the 2025 season is so exciting, and to be part of it with Mairon Freight is an honour.

“To be in a position to support a championship that has the overriding goal of giving younger drivers a huge platform to build upon is so exciting to see. I’m sure the close racing the series will promote will set them in good stead as they one day embark on the next steps in their careers.”

Vickie MacClinton, TOCA Junior Championship Operations Director, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Mairon Freight UK into the TOCA Junior fold. This collaboration will undoubtedly enable us to introduce thousands more people to the championship – which is hugely exciting.

“Mairon have underlined that they are industry leaders in the logistics sector and being able to connect with them is something that can benefit us just as much off the track as on it. Aligning with a brand-new championship allows them the opportunity to grow their brand further too.”

Organisers of the TOCA Junior Championship have today (Monday 22nd July) announced the venue and date for its official launch, as well as where fans will be able to get a first look at the car that will be competing in the new 2025 one-make category.

With the build process of the car approaching its conclusion and an extensive testing programme scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, a strictly invite-only event will be held at the Mercure Daventry Court Hotel on the evening of Tuesday 13th August.

Prospective teams and drivers, as well as media and partners, will be invited to attend as the covers come off the machine – which bares the Chevron name – that drivers aged 14 to 17 will compete against each other in next year.

Information on the championship will also be provided to those in attendance before the registration process formerly opens two days later on Thursday 15th August, with teams and drivers that have legitimate interest to join the series can secure their spot on the entry list.

For the inaugural season of the TOCA Junior Championship, the size of the grid will be capped to a maximum of 26 cars. Spaces will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

A little over a week on from the invite-only launch, spectators will have the opportunity to get up close with the official TOCA Junior car at Donington Park on the 24-25 August as one will be on display in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship paddock.

Dave Beecroft, TOCA Junior Championship Director: “It feels great to finally be able to announce that we will be officially launching the TOCA Junior Championship in less than a months’ time.

“Since the concept of the Championship was first announced we have been inundated with teams and drivers expressing their interest to be on the grid; which has been truly fantastic to see and a testament to the appetite that there is for junior racing in the UK.

“Behind the scenes our team has been working tirelessly to put the finishing touches on the car. Taking the covers off the car to prospective teams and drivers first is something that is important to us and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Mercure in Daventry.

“To then head to Donington Park afterwards and display the car in the British Touring Car Championship paddock – whereby we will become a fixture on the support bill next year – is just as exciting as the public will be able to give us their reactions.

“Obviously these launches officially mark the countdown to our inaugural race however there is a lot more to look forward to, especially as we have plenty more announcements to make over the coming weeks and months.”

Organisers of the TOCA Junior Championship have earmarked an upcoming round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship as the setting for its all-new car to be launched.

Following the successful completion of all mandatory Motorsport UK chassis stress tests, the forthcoming series – which is aimed towards young drivers – is set to stage a public launch this summer, offering fans and industry stakeholders the opportunity to get up close with the new machine.

With the critical step of casting and assembly of all vehicle moulds having now been finished, track testing is poised to begin in the coming weeks.

Behind the scenes, the championship has locked in a number of collaborations which includes Curley Motorsport undertaking all interior vehicle panelling while Haltech, who are renowned for their expertise in motorsport electronics, will supply all vehicle electronics and ECUs.

Elsewhere, Corbeau will equip all cars with the latest championship-specification seats, harnesses and safety nets, with Questmead Ltd providing essential AP Parts and Mintex friction materials. Vehicle funding will be available from Bute Finance.

In recognition of the teams and drivers that have already registered their interest in the new-for-2025 series, an exclusive invite-only launch event is being eyed for early August.

More information on the TOCA Junior Championship will be provided in due course.