Thruxtons BIG Five ‘0’ & BARC Championships

This year Thruxton race circuit hit the big 5-0, celebrating 50 years of full throttle racing on the UK’s fastest circuit, on two and four-wheels. Thruxton also unveiled it’s brand-new hospitality suite, on the inside of turn 1. Murray Walker and Nigel Mansell had the honours of opening the suite on Sunday, before taking in a couple of laps of Thruxton in a pair of Ferrari’s…

The stars on the track and in the paddock however were provided by the likes of Williams, March, Porsche, Ford, BMW, Honda, Ducati and Norton, as well as a modern day racing truck. Karun Chandhock took the wheel of the famous Williams FW08C, driven by Keke Rosberg and Monaco. A range of other Williams Formula 1 machines were on display, including a Mansell-era active suspension Williams, and a modern-day Martini clad racecar.

Touring cars are an ongoing chunk of Thruxton’s history, and two of this year’s title contenders; Rob Collard in his BMW and Rob Austin in his new for 2018 Alfa Romeo took to the track, along with one of the legendary Super Touring Honda Accords from the 1990s.

Bikes were also on display, this years Ducati Panagale from Moto Rapido sharing the track with a classic John Player Norton.

Over the weekend of the 50th birthday celebrations the circuit also played host to a number of BARC championships, many featuring of the cars that have raced at the famous circuit over the years…

Multiple classes of Mini’s took to the track, with no fear of rubbing body panels or off track endeavours. However on Sunday the racing got a little more serious, with one Mini leaving the track and flipping through the air into a marshal post. Marshals and driver were ok but that ended the Mini racing for the weekend.

Other classic touring cars took to the track, and on Saturday current-BTCC championship leader Adam Morgan drove a very well presented Ford Capri to a dominating victory. Two classes of open wheeled racers were present, with Tiff Needell putting on a display and winning in the classic Formula Ford’s.

Finally the RAC Woodcote & Stirling Moss Trophy cars took to the track, numerous shades of British Racing Green adorning Jaguars and Aston Martins, and driver swaps in the pit lane took Thruxton back to the glory days of British Sportscar racing.

Thruxton played host to a number of BARC championships, many featuring cars that raced in their day at Thruxton. Multiple classes of Mini’s took to the track, with no fear of rubbing body panels or off track endeavours. However on Sunday the racing got a little more serious, with one Mini leaving the track and flipping through the air into a marshal post. Marshals and driver were ok but that ended the Mini racing for the weekend.

Full results can be found here.