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Britcar

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Britcar
CategoryEndurance
CountryUnited Kingdom
Inaugural season2005
DriversVaries
TeamsVaries
Tyre suppliersGoodyear
Drivers' championEndurance:
Class A:
United Kingdom Marcus Clutton
United Kingdom Hugo Cook
New Zealand Peter Erceg
Class B:
United Kingdom Richard Avery
United Kingdom Nick Hull
Class C:
United Kingdom David Harrison
United Kingdom Nathan Luckey
Class D:
United Kingdom Bal Sidu
United Kingdom Josh Steed
Class E:
United Kingdom Chris Bialan
United Kingdom Simon Mason
Class F:
United Kingdom Adam Thompson
United Kingdom Callum Thompson
Class G:
United Kingdom Jonny MacGregor
United Kingdom Arthur Simondet
Trophy
Class 1:
Italy Marco Anastasi
Class 2:
United Kingdom Rob Ellick
United Kingdom Craig Flemings
United Kingdom Mark Jones
Class 3:
United Kingdom Caleb McDuff
United Kingdom Dom Shore
United Kingdom Bobby Trundley
Clio:
United Kingdom Maurice Henry
United Kingdom Hadley Simpson
Official website[1]
Current season

Britcar is an endurance sports car racing and touring car racing series in the United Kingdom.

It was formed in 1997, as a result of a discussion in a Nürburgring bar between Willie Moore and James Tucker. Folklore has it that James Tucker and John Veness formed the organizing European Endurance & Racing Club (EERC) with a £10 note found on the ground. The foremost aim was the re-introduction of a 24-hour race in Britain.

At the end of the 2015 season, James sold the Britcar rights to Hedley Cowell Events Ltd. For the 2016 season, Claire Hedley re-launched Britcar Endurance as the Dunlop Endurance Championship and Dunlop Trophy Championship. For 2020 the series was invited to support the FIA World Endurance Championship races at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone. The race format was 2 × 60 mins Endurance races and 2 × 50 mins Trophy races.

Britcar's Stand at the 2020 Autosport International show.

Cars and results

There are two separate championships for different types of car; although some cars can run in both, they may be in different categories.

GTs, which include cars like Ferraris, Porsche Cup, Marcos, Moslers and Ginettas over a long-distance race, normally between two and four hours in length with a compulsory pit stop. Normally cars will have two or three drivers, but cars are sometimes driven by one driver, are given a longer time in the pits.

Production, which include cars like Renault Clio Cup, Seat León Supercopa, VW Golf, Porsche Boxster, BMW M3s, Lotus Elise and Mini Cooper S. These races are normally 90 minutes long, featuring a mandatory pit stop. There can be up to two drivers per car.

Drivers normally bring their own cars to Britcar events, where most cars are accepted if safe to race. Cars are assigned to different classes depending on the car, the car's equipment and other fittings the vehicle has.

The Praga R1T (left), a Class 1 car. A Saker RAPX (middle), a Class 2 car. A Ginetta G55 Supercup (right), a Class 3 car.
A CUPRA León TCR (left), a Class 4 car. A Smart Forfour and BMW Z4, two Class 5 cars (right).

Cars & classes

Cars that competed in the Britcar Endurance Championship from 2016 onwards:

Class Make Model Type Years
1 Italy Ferrari 488 Challenge Cup 2018
458 GTE 2017
United Kingdom Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro 2020–2021
Poland Arrinera Hussarya GT3 2017
United Kingdom Aston Martin V12 Vantage 2017, 2020
Germany Audi R8 LMS Ultra 2016
Germany BMW Z4 2016, 2019
Australia Brabham BT62 2019
Italy Ferrari 458 2016–2018
488 2018
Italy Lamborghini Gallardo 2016
Huracán 2016, 2019, 2021
Huracán Evo 2021
United Kingdom MacG Taranis 2016–2021
United Kingdom McLaren MP4-12C 2016
650S 2019, 2021
Germany Mercedes-AMG AMG 2017–2019
United States Mosler MT900 2016–2018
Japan Nissan GT-R Nismo 2021
United Kingdom Radical RXC 2017, 2020
France Renault R.S. 01 2016
Netherlands Saker RAPX SP 2018–2019
Czech Republic Praga R1T Superlights 2019
R1S 2019
R1T Evo 2020
2 Italy Ferrari 360 Challenge Cup 2017
458 Challenge 2016–2018
488 Challenge 2018–2021
United Kingdom Ginetta G55 Supercup 2019
Germany Porsche 997 GT3 2016–2018
991 GT3 2017–2018
911 RSR GT2 2016, 2018
United Kingdom McLaren 570S GT4 2019
Sweden Volvo S60 Silhouette 2018
Netherlands Saker RAPX SP 2017–2019
Czech Republic Praga R1S Supercar 2020
Germany BMW 1M E82 Touring 2016–2021
3 Italy Ferrari 360 Challenge Cup 2017
458 Challenge 2020–2021
United Kingdom Ginetta G55 Supercup 2019
Germany Porsche 997 2019–2020
991 GT3 2019–2020
997 GT3 2019
911 RSR GT2 2020
United Kingdom Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 2016–2018
Germany BMW M3 E92 2017
M4 GT4 2018
United Kingdom Chevron GR8 2016
United Kingdom Ginetta G55 2016–2018, 2020
Austria KTM X-Bow 2017–2018
United Kingdom Lotus Europa S 2016
United Kingdom McLaren 570S 2018
Germany Porsche Cayman Clubsport 2017–2018
Germany BMW 1M E82 Touring 2021
M3 E46 GTR 2016–2017, 2019–2021
4 United Kingdom Ginetta G50 Cup 2016–2019
G55 Supercup 2021
Germany Porsche 997 GT3 2019
United Kingdom Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 2019–2021
Vantage AMR 2021
Germany BMW M3 E92 2017–2018
United Kingdom Ginetta G50 2016–2019
G55 2020
United Kingdom Jaguar Jaguar F-Type S 2020–2021
France Ligier JS2 R 2020–2021
Italy Maserati Granturismo MC 2021
United Kingdom McLaren 570S 2021
Germany Mercedes-AMG AMG 2018–2019
Germany Porsche 718 Cayman Clubsport 2019–2021
Cayman Clubsport MR 2020–2021
Germany Audi A4 NGTC 2018
Japan Toyota Avensis 2017–2018
Italy Alfa Romeo 156 T Production 2019
Australia Holden Monaro 2017
Japan Honda Civic Type R (FK8) 2018
Germany Audi RS3 LMS TCR 2017–2018, 2020–2021
Spain Cupra León 2017–2021
South Korea Hyundai i30 N 2021
United Kingdom Vauxhall Astra 2018
France Peugeot 308 Racing Cup 2019
Spain SEAT León 2017–2021
Germany Volkswagen Golf GTI 2018–2021
Germany BMW 1M E82 Touring car 2019–2020
M3 E36 2016–2020
M3 E46 2016–2020
M3 E46 GTR 2016–2017, 2019–2020
BMW M3 E90 2020
5 United Kingdom Mini JCW Challenge R56 Cup 2016–2017, 2019
United Kingdom Ginetta G40 2016–2017
Germany Porsche Boxster 2016
Germany Volkswagen Golf Mk5 2017–2018
Scirocco 2018
CC NGTC 2017
Italy Alfa Romeo 156 T Production 2017, 2019
Germany BMW Z4 2019
United States Ford Focus 2017–2018
Japan Honda Civic Type R (FK2) 2016-2017
Civic Type R (FK8) 2018
Civic Type R (EP3) 2019
Civic (FK/FN) 2019
United Kingdom Smart Forfour 2017–2019

Cars that competed in the British Endurance Championship from 2022 onwards:

Class Make Model Years
A United Kingdom Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro 2022–2023
Germany Audi R8 LMS Evo II 2023–2024
United Kingdom Bentley Continental GT3 (2018) 2024
Germany BMW Z4 GT3 2022
Italy Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2022
Huracán GT3 Evo 2 2024
United Kingdom MacG Taranis 2022
United Kingdom McLaren 650S GT3 2022
720S GT3 2022
Germany Mercedes-AMG GT3 2022
GT3 Evo 2022–2023
B United States Dodge Viper Competition Coupe GT3 2022
Italy Ferrari 488 Challenge 2022, 2024
488 Challenge Evo 2022–2023
Italy Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo 2022–2023
Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 2022
Germany Porsche Porsche 992 GT3 Cup 2024
France Solution F TC 12 2023
C Germany Audi S3 Saloon 2023
Germany BMW 1M E82 2022
Italy Ferrari 458 Challenge 2022–2023
United Kingdom Ginetta G55 Supercup 2022
Japan Honda Civic Type R (FK8) 2023
Germany Porsche Porsche 991 GT3 Cup I 2023
991 GT3 Cup II 2022
997 Cup 2022–2023
718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport 2022
Germany Volkswagen CC 2023
GT4 United Kingdom Aston Martin Vantage GT4 2022
Vantage AMR GT4 2022–2023
Germany BMW M3 GT4 2023
BMW M4 GT4 2024
United Kingdom Ginetta G55 GT4 2022
Austria KTM X-Bow GT4 2023–2024
United Kingdom McLaren 570S GT4 2022–2024
Germany Mercedes-AMG GT4 2022–2024
Germany Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport 2022
718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport 2022, 2024
TCR Germany Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2021) 2022–2024
Spain Cupra León TCR 2022–2024
León Competición TCR 2022–2024
Germany Mercedes-AMG A-Class (NGTC) 2024
United Kingdom Vauxhall Astra TCR 2022–2023
Spain SEAT León 2024
Germany Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR 2022–2023
F Germany BMW M3 GTR 2022, 2024
United Kingdom Jaguar F-Type S 2022–2024
Germany Porsche 997 2022

Focus on diversity

As a series popular for its diversity in teams, cars and drivers that had regained the attention it lost before its reformation,[according to whom?] Britcar were invited to support two WEC rounds, at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone (subsequently cancelled). Britcar stated "we are immensely proud that our endeavours to produce a professionally-run nationally based Championship have been recognised by organisers of one of the biggest Championships in global motorsport."[1]

Reflecting diversity in both the Endurance and Trophy series, among the teams are Team BRIT[2] whose drivers are all disabled, using specially developed hand controls.

Winners

Overall winner in each category, 2002 - 2022.

Year Series Driver 1 Driver 2 Driver 3 Driver 4 Team Car
2002 Britcar Series Paul Bates James Palmer BMW M3 E30
2003 Britcar Series Andy Rouse Julian Rouse RouseSport Mercedes 190 DTM
2004 Britcar Series John Hammersley Andrew Dunlop Mark Hammersley GTS Motorsport BMW M3
2005 Britcar Series Harry Handkammer David Leslie GTS Motorsport BMW M3
2006 Britcar Series Calum Lockie Bo McCormick Hargreaves Motorsport Ferrari 360
2007 Britcar GT Steve Bell Simon Leith Geoff Steel Racing BMW M3
2007 Production S1 Mike Gardiner Paul Fenton Moore Racing BMW M3
2007 Britsports Edward Lovett J C Harris Lovett Sporting Norma M20
2008 Britcar GT Jan Persson Rod Barrett Jay Shepherd Neil Garner Racing Porsche 997
2008 Production Cup Ian Lawson Mike Wilds Anthony Wilds ING Sport BMW 320i
2009 GT Witt Gamski Keith Robinson MJC Ferrari 430
2009 Production Kevin Clarke Wayne Gibson Intersport BMW M3
2010 GT Witt Gamski Keith Robinson MJC Ferrari 430
2010 Production Richard Adams David Green Bullrun SEAT Cupra
2011 GT Craig Wilkins Aaron Scott GT3 Racing with KJ & TG Dodge Viper
2011 Production GTN Alex Osbourne James May APO Sport SEAT Leon
2012 MSA British Endurance Richard Adams David Green Martin Byford Bullrun Lotus Evora
2012 Production Cup Edward Cockill Harry Cockill Daniels Motorsport SEAT Leon
2013 MSA British Endurance Ian Loggie Chris Jones Team Parker Racing Porsche 997
2014 Endurance David Mason Calum Lockie FF Corse Ferrari 458
2015 Endurance David Mason Calum Lockie FF Corse Ferrari 458
2016 Dunlop Endurance Phil Hanson Nigel Moore Tockwith Motorsport Audi R8 LMS
2016 Dunlop GT Chris Murphy Jonathan Cocker Whitebridge Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT4
2016 Dunlop Production Mike Moss Tom Howard Kevin Clarke Moss Motorsport BMW M3 E46
2017 Dunlop Endurance Witt Gamski Ross Wylie Joe Macari MJC Furlonger Ferrari 458 GTE
2017 Dunlop Sprint Rick Nevinson Brad Nevinson Sean Cooper Track Focused Porsche Cayman Clubsport GT4
2018 Dunlop Endurance Sarah Moore Matt Greenwood Tockwith Motorsport Ginetta G50
2018 Dunlop Sprint Jon Watt Kristian Prosser Moss Motorsport BMW M3 E46
2019 Dunlop Endurance Paul Bailey Andy Schulz SB Race Engineering Ferrari 488 Challenge
2020 Dunlop Endurance Danny Harrison Jem Hepworth VR Motorsport Praga R1T Evo
2020 Dunlop Trophy Oliver Smith JC Racing BMW M3 E36
2021 Praga Richard Wells Alex Kapadia Tim Gray Tim Gray Motorsport Praga R1
2021 Goodyear Britcar Endurance Will Powell David Scaramanga Motus One with Moorgate McLaren 650S GT3
2021 Goodyear Britcar Trophy Simon Baker Kevin Clarke Ollie Reubens Woodrow Motorsport BMW 1M E82
2022 MSUK British Endurance Championship Wayne Marrs Tom Jackson Rob Boston Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
2022 Goodyear Britcar Trophy Chris Overend James Whitley Julian Thomas Team BRIT BMW M240i
2023 MSUK British Endurance Championship Bradley Thurston Daryl DeLeon Adam Hatfield Alex Sedgewick Team HARD Porsche 991 Cup
2023 ROWE Britcar Trophy Rhys Lloyd Jack Meakin Dragon Sport Renault Clio

History

The successful first year of competition was in 2002, and following tremendous growth in 2003, it attracted Sky Sports coverage in their Motor Sports section in 2004. The first year of the Britcar 24-Hour Race was 2005 which was won by Rollcentre Mosler of Martin Short.[3] This was followed by packed grids in 2006 season culminating in a capacity field for the 24-Hours.[4] EERC became a Motor Sports Association (MSA) approved Championship in 2007 as well being the now essential 24 hours. It played a supporting role to the British round of the A1 Grand Prix.

In 2011 it became known as the MSA British Endurance championship.

Such was its popularity in some seasons that over-subscription meant there are reserves waiting for grid positions.

For the 2017 season, the format was changed. Drivers in all races would now accrue points towards the Dunlop Endurance Championship but drivers could choose to do two 50-minute races under the Sprint category, or one 50-minute and one 2-hour race in the Endurance category. Grids were combined and most events were to take place over a single day to save costs. The night race proved so popular in 2016 that a second night race was introduced, to run at Silverstone earlier in the same month.

For the 2019 season the format was changed again, merging Endurance and Sprint categories into a single grid for two 60-minute races per weekend, finishing the season with a single 60- and a single 120-minute night race at Brands Hatch.

For 2020, Britcar introduced a Trophy category[5] and a new series of shorter races named the Britcar Trophy Category for cars under Class 4 performance and the TCR and GT4 cars, for classes 5–7. The majority of these new classes are production cars, such as the Smart Forfour, Mini JCW R56 and the Honda Civic Type R (FK2) which were popular in Class 5. Some Trophy Category events ran alongside Endurance events, whilst other events ran dedicated Trophy cards with no Endurance or Praga rounds at the weekend.

Also in 2020, the Endurance grid saw several new Praga sportscar prototype R1 and R1T entries balanced into the existing Endurance class system. In 2021 these entries were given a dedicated class.

In 2020 Britcar ran as a support event for the FIA World Endurance Championship for the first time, at the 2020 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps event, with two non-championship races consisting of Endurance and Trophy cars plus non-Britcar cars with one-off entries made under class 1 through class 7 specifications.[1] WEC had additionally extended the invite to support the 2020 Silverstone event, but that entire event including the WEC round was later cancelled.

(This marked the introduction of the relationship with WEC specifically; Britcar has raced outside the UK, including at Spa-Francorchamps, in many earlier years.)

In 2021 the title sponsor changed from Dunlop to Goodyear (the parent company) in line with the BTCC.[citation needed]

For 2022, Motorsport UK granted permission for Britcar to run their Endurance Championship with the title "British" and to increase the race duration from 1-hour to 2- and 3- hour, with the aim of running even longer races in the future. A new website and new social media channels were launched to support this change. Praga split off from Endurance to have grids of their own, run under the Britcar/BARC umbrella while the Trophy Championship continued unchanged.

Silverstone Britcar 24-Hour

Britcar traditionally hosted an endurance race on the Silverstone GP circuit.

The presenters of the well-known British car show Top Gear, namely Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May - together with 'The Stig' - took part in the 2007 event, in a BMW 330d, coming third of the five diesel cars, and 39th overall, at the end of the 24 Hours.[6]

At the end of the 2015 season, the rights for the Silverstone 24 hour endurance race were sold to Creventic to become the UK edition of their FIA "touring car" Endurance Series - although this round was then dropped in 2019.

For this event's history, see Silverstone Britcar 24-Hour

References

  1. ^ a b Wood, Steve. "Britcar Supports FIA WEC at Spa 2020". Britcar Endurance. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Changing Motorsport". Team Brit.
  3. ^ "24hr_ August 05". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  4. ^ IMI: The Institute of the Motor Industry Information > Britcar 24 hours of Silverstone Archived October 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Trophy Category 2020 Season Review". Britcar. Britcar Endurance. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  6. ^ http://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=eerc/2007/73663.pdf Britcar 24hr results 2007