BTRA Championship & Legends At Brands

The British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) graced Brands Hatch over the weekend (03-04/11/2018) with two days of spectacular motorsport, action packed, a buzzing atmosphere, a monster crowd, and where championships needed to be decided.

The BTRA Championship (British Truck Racing Association) Ryan Smith in the MAN TGA became Division 1 champion for the third time. The first race for the Division 1 Trucks took place on Saturday. Ryan Smith lined up with championship rival David Jenkins alongside. From the off Smith had to hold off continuous pressure from Jenkins during this grueling 16 lap race. Going on to win, Smith also wrapped up the title Division 1 title. Jenkins brought his truck home in 2nd while Stuart Oliver took the final step of the podium.

Jamie Anderson in a MAN TGX went on to win the second outing for the Division 1 trucks while newly crowned champion Smith was handed a 10 second penalty for a false start but still managed to finished in 2nd place. David Jenkins brought his MAN TGX home in 3rd.

Stuart Oliver in his Volvo won the 3rd Division 1 race of the weekend managing a welcome return to the top step of the podium having not won a race since the season opener way back in March.

The final race of the weekend was won by John Newall and his MAN TGS, a fitting end to a fantastic year with Simon Reid and Oliver Janes finishing in 2nd & 3rd.

Ryan Smith BTRA Champion 2018

In Division 2 Luke Garrett took two wins at the Kent circuit to secure his first Division 2 title. With 17 trucks on the track, this was going to be a rough ride. Garrett could only put the MAN TGX 9th on the grid in qualifying while his closest rival Brad Smith, piloting a DAF CLF qualified on pole. Smith took victory in the first Division 2 outing, Garrett could only manage 8th.

In Division 2’s 2nd race, Garrett from 8th on the grid put in a sterling drive, slicing his way through the field to take the chequered leaving Smith languishing down in 8th, but still keeping his championship hopes alive.

In the third of the weekends D2 races Dutch racer Erik Frosstrom in the mighty Sisu RSM left the Volvo of Adam Bint in his exhaust smoke and stormed to victory leaving Bint 2nd on the podium while John Powell in his MAN TGS 3rd. Garrett and Smith found themselves disqualified from the final results which handed Garrett the title.

The final race for the Division 2 trucks, the title now out the way Garrett went on to finish his year on a high and a 1st place to end his season. John Bowler and his Foden M11 took 2nd and Steve Powell, also in a MAN TGS, taking the last step of the podium.

Luke Garrett Division 2 Champion 2018

In the Legends Cars National Championship with MRF Tyres with 6 races over the weekend the Legends never disappoints. These 5/8 scale racers race close and hard. Legend racer John Mickel also made history by becoming the first Legends driver to win four consecutive championship titles and a career best of five.

With three races on Saturday, Race 1 win went to Miles Rudman in a Ford Coupe beating Sean Smith also driving a Ford and Sebastian Kluyskens in a Chevy Sedan by a Gnats whisker.

Race 2 and the racing was just as close, the win going to Legend Coupe driver Marcus Pett beating Ford Coupe driver Jack Parker by 0.144. Stephen Whitelegg crossed the line 3rd.

Race 3 and again Miles Rudman topped the results beating Guy Fastres by just under 4 seconds and Kluyskens by 8.5 seconds.

A mammoth crowd on Sunday witnessed some fantastic racing from the days three legends Cars outings where wins were shared by Miles Rudman, Marcus Pett and Will Gibson.

John Mickel 5 Time Legends Cars Champion

American Legend racer and Legends Cars double world champion Jordan O’Brien received an invitation from Matt Roach Racing to race at the Brands Hatch event, never driven the circuit before until the Friday practice. The weekend for O’Brien was not a successful one with the car suffering many minor problems.

American Legend Star Jordan O’Brien had a weekend plagued with issues

In the Pickup Truck Championship the racing was close and fast throughout the field. Scott Bourne retained the title fending off his championship title rivel and ex BTCC racer Lea Wood.