Author Archives: Paul McErlean

  1. We’re Hiring – Sporting & Operations Administrator

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    An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Sporting & Operations Administrator to join the British Racing & Sports Car Club (BRSCC) in a role crucial to the efficient delivery of motor racing events across the UK.

    The BRSCC is one of the UK’s leading motorsport event organisers, running over 30 race meetings annually, and administering numerous championships and series, including the British GT Championship and TCR UK Touring Car Championship.

    This is a rare opportunity to become a key part of a team which delivers events at all of the UK’s leading circuits and establish yourself within the national motorsport industry.

    Key roles & responsibilities:

    • First point of contact for general enquiries
    • General admin support to BRSCC Operations Team
    • Processing race entries, memberships, and registrations
    • Liaising with the BRSCC client base on pre-and post-event information
    • Liaising with relevant stakeholders during the planning of BRSCC events as required
    • Liaising with hotels and restaurants for the senior officials team
    • Preparing and allocating event paperwork, including entry lists, final instructions, etc.
    • Assisting with the submission of permit applications to the governing body

    To succeed in this role, you will need to have excellent organisational and motivational ability, comprehensive computer skills, including Word and Excel along with first-class presentation including all documentation produced, and good attention to detail. You’ll be a team player, with a flexible approach and sense of urgency, combined with great energy, enthusiasm and a desire to exceed expectations.

    This role would be ideal for someone looking to develop a career within motorsport with an interest in both the operation and promotion of race events. This is a fast-paced environment, and the role may involve some weekend support at race events.

    Due to the nature of this role, a valid driving licence and access to transport is essential.

    Title: Sporting & Operations Administrator
    Job Type: Full Time
    Salary: £23,500
    Start Date: January 2024
    Reporting to: Sporting Manager / Event Operations Manager
    Location: West Malling, Kent – Office based with the possibility to work remotely after an initial period of training.

    Closing Date for applications is 17th November 2023.

    Apply below by submitting a covering letter along with your CV

  2. BMW 1 Series Supercup Breaks Cover

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    After over a year of technical development, the British Racing & Sports Car Club is delighted to announce the launch of our new for 2022 BMW 1 Series SuperCup.

    Based on the popular BMW F20/F21 1.6 Turbo model, the new car and race series will appeal to drivers attracted to racing in a tightly controlled single make series based on a modern and sophisticated rear wheel drive BMW.

    The new BMW 1 Series SuperCup race car will feature the following:

    ·      3 or 5 door BMW F20/F21 donor cars.
    ·      Engine output of circa 230bhp.
    ·      Control engine map – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      SW Motorsports multi-point bolt in ROPS – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      Proflex 3-way adjustable suspension – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      TTV lightweight flywheel – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      EBC big brake kit – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      Limited slip differential with optimised final drive ratio – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      Race exhaust system – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      Nankang AR-1 tyres.
    ·      17 inch alloy wheels.
    ·      Front splitter and rear aero wing – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      Polycarbonate window kit – Developed specifically for the series.
    ·      Fully adjustable multi-link rear suspension arm kit – Developed specifically for the series.

    As can be seen from the above list of parts, most have been developed by working closely with a carefully selected group of technical partners through 2021. Although various alternative “off the shelf” parts would have been available to the technical development team, careful testing and evaluation dictated that correctly developed bespoke parts were key to ensuring the reliability and durability that the car will require, as well as guaranteeing equal performance of the cars on track.

    To provide ease of supplying all of the key components of the car, and importantly to control their technical equality, BRSCC partners Essential Racing Ltd have been appointed as sole stockist and supplier.

    BRSCC Head of Formulae Development Greg Graham, “The BMW 1 Series SuperCup has been one of the most detailed projects I’ve worked on with the club so far. Our aim from the very beginning was to deliver an aspirational rear wheel drive race series based on a car that will offer great performance and durability. It was never intended to be a “budget” offering, but a fairly sophisticated series that serious club racers would be attracted to. We already have the hugely successful Fiesta ST240 in our portfolio, and the 1 Series SuperCup will deliver a rear wheel drive car that follows that kind of profile.

    It’s been great working with Simon at Essential Racing, as well as all of our much valued technical partners such as EBC Brakes, Proflex Suspension and SW Motorsports to develop a range of parts specifically suited to the car, and many hours have been spent making sure all of the key components have been developed to ensure the best levels of performance, durability and reliability. Through quiet conversations with a number of our existing racing members, we’ve taken their advice and feedback on board to deliver what will hopefully become a key future BRSCC racing series”.

    Managing Director of Essential Racing Ltd, Simon Toolan, “After working closely with the BRSCC on the very successful CityCar Cup Championship, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to help develop the new BMW 1 Series SuperCup car.

    We’ve had the car in development for over a year, and within that time have been given brilliant technical support by some top class companies to ensure the very best end result. As such we’re confident that the final product will offer everything that we have aspired to.

    The plan was always to develop the car for launch in the 2022 season, then aim to give it its own grid in the 2023, so we’re well on track to achieving that. Details of build kit prices will be published in due course, with the first pre-ordered kit deliveries expected to be made in February 2022”.

    For the 2022 race season, the BMW 1 Series SuperCup will race in its own class in the BRSCC ClubSport Trophy, before being handed its own stand-alone one model grid in 2023.

    Register your interest and view the gallery here: BMW 1 Series SuperCup

     

  3. Form test page

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  4. BRSCC launches CityCar Cup

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    They may be small…but it’s going to be BIG!

    In the UK club circuit racing scene we hear much talk about the importance of attracting competitors at a “grass roots” level, of keeping competitor costs low, and for clubs to offer the best value for money racing…however look around the current UK marketplace and it’s hard to find many race series that can truly lay claim to many of those aspects. Add into the mix that motorsport in general is under attack for a perceived lack of “green” credentials and it’s certainly a worrying conundrum.

    Instead of looking at this situation as an impending crisis, the BRSCC have taken these messages fully on board and along with some key partners have committed to delivering a brand new saloon car sprint racing formula that ticks all of the boxes in terms of cost of cars, running costs, attractiveness to new racers, and a series that will deliver some of the lowest emission racing.

    Welcome to the BRSCC CityCar Cup

    The CityCar Cup is a new race series featuring 1.0 litre 3 door models of the 2005-2013 Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1. Under their badges and slightly differing body styling, these cars have exactly the same underpinnings, engines and running gear…all having been manufactured on the same Czech Republic production line in a partnership between Toyota and the PSA Group.

    The specification of the race cars and the carefully designed technical regulations ensure that not only will all cars deliver equal track performance, they will also look, sound, handle and feel like ‘proper’ race cars. Although the cost to buy or build a fully compliant car will be comparatively low, driver safety and driving entertainment will both factor highly, with cars featuring a bespoke ROPS designed by series development partners SW Motorsports, along with adjustable GAZ coilover suspension, Nankang NS-2R tyres, Powerflex Suspension bushes, a remapped ECU and various other mandatory features such as a sports exhaust, 15 inch alloy wheels and a cold air intake, all for only £6,995

    The CityCar Cup race series was officially previewed at Croft Circuit on 9th June, where fully prepared versions of each model were given a full day shakedown prior to the final technical specification being signed off. This will be followed by a full race launch at Cadwell Park Circuit on Sunday 2nd August where a number of race cars will take to the circuit in BRSCC’s ClubSport endurance series.

    The BRSCC have thereafter committed to hosting the CityCar Cup series as a class in the successful Clubsport Trophy races before scheduling its own dedicated calendar for 2021

    For more information: BRSCC CityCar Cup

  5. New lease of life for restructured 2020 BRSCC Porsche championship

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    The future of the BRSCC Porsche championship is looking bright thanks to a radical rethink of the championship structure embracing an expansion  of the range of cars eligible to race, a new meeting format, lower costs and greatly simplified technical regulations.

    The rethink follows a gradual decline in grid numbers over the past few seasons which had brought into question the whole future of the championship.

    With an objective of growing 2020 grid sizes, the BRSCC and championship officials carried out a far-reaching analysis of the reasons for the downturn of this long-running championship, concluding that the limiting factors have been high costs, the structure of the meetings themselves and restrictive technical regulations.

    The biggest change in 2020 will be in the range of Porsches eligible to race. In the 27 years since the championship was established only Porsche 924s and Boxsters have been included.

    The grid will now be opened up to a far wider range of Porsche sports cars, with championship classes defined by power to weight ratio and not specific models. The current 49 pages of detailed technical regulations will be much abridged and simplified.

    The revitalised championship will be focussed on 7 meetings, 5 being single day meetings, plus two 2-day meetings. The single day meetings will feature a qualifying session and two points scoring rounds, while the 2-day events will include a qualifying session, a 15 minute sprint race and a 40 minute optional two driver race.

    The structure mirrors the format of the most successful championships within the BRSCC’s portfolio, and indications are that it will be much more popular than the previous two day meeting/triple header format.

    This popularity will be enhanced by a significant reduction in entry and registration costs to levels more in line with comparable championships.

    Commenting on these changes, BRSCC Chairman Peter Daly said: “Our Porsche championship has evolved over the years on a platform of high performance, competitive racing and excellent value.
    The reduction in entries experienced over the past couple of seasons, particularly when contrasted with the expansion we have seen in similar championships, has been a great concern, and was the catalyst for an intensive review of our whole Porsche product. It was soon clear that the way forward was via a root and branch restructuring, and the resulting changes will give our Porsche championship a whole new lease of life and put it back on track as a highlight of the UK club racing scene.”

    The 2020 calendar is already under construction, the Power to Weight classes and the simplified regulations are being developed, and we will share news on the new and revitalised championship as soon as possible.

    Photo: Jon Elsey

  6. Autosport 2019 – See us on Stand 2180 in Hall 2

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    We’re all set and ready to go here at the Autosport International Racing Car Show at the NEC in Birmingham this week (January 10-13), with our standing looking bigger and better than ever! With the exhibition taking place in different halls this year, you can find us in Hall 2 on Stand 2180, with the following cars on display:

    • Hyundai i30 N TCR representing TCR UK
    • Ford Fiesta Zetec S representing the BRSCC Fiesta Championship racing with MRF Tyres
    • Ford Fiesta ST150 representing the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship racing with MRF Tyres
    • Mazda MX-5 Mk1 representing the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship
    • Mazda MX-5 Mk3 representing the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 SuperCup and Super Series
    • Honda Civic Type R representing the Civic Cup
    • BMW E36 Compact 318Ti representing the Nankang Tyres BMW Compact Cup
    • Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk2 representing the Teekay Couplings Production GTi Championship
    • Alfa Romeo 147 representing the BRSCC Alfa Romeo Championship
    • MCR sports prototype representing the BRSCC OSS Championship
    • Van Diemen JL13 representing the Avon Tyres Formula Ford Championships
    • Porsche Boxster representing the Toyo Tires Porsche Championship

    Be sure to visit our stand and learn all about what we’re gearing up for in 2019, as well as find out about our brand new website and also how to get involved in our race weekends as a marshal – we’ll see you there!

  7. NATIONAL FORMULA FORD INTRODUCES ROOKIE CLASS FOR 2019

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    The 2019 Avon Tyres National Formula Ford 1600 Championship will feature a Rookie class for the first time in an effort to encourage more young racing talent to compete in the series going forwards.

    Aimed at any driver who has not raced in the iconic single-seater category prior to the start of the current calendar year, it provides an opportunity to be recognised while still learning how to get the most from the cars.

    Those with aspirations of building a career in the sport will still be eligible for points in the Pro section of the National Championship where, for those under 25, there is the opportunity to earn a place in the end of season Road to Indy Shootout for the chance to win a scholarship worth US$200,000 to compete in the following season’s USF2000 Championship – a prize which went to 18 year old Australian Formula Ford 1600 Champion, Hunter McElrea, in 2018.

    Rookie drivers who race for fun, meanwhile, can also earn points towards the National Clubman Championship which has been streamlined for 2019 into a single class structure – previously there were separate categories for Post89 and Pre90 chassis.

    The BRSCC believes the Rookie Class provides a fabulous opportunity to anyone new to Formula Ford 1600 to stand-out as they build up their experience, especially those stepping up from karting. This will also allow young drivers to compete in a cost effective single seater championship fresh out of karting or while making a switch from an existing formula.

    The National Formula Ford Championship begins at Snetterton in Norfolk on the TCR UK support package on April 20/21.

  8. BRSCC GETTING SET FOR AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL 2019

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    It’s that time of year again – the beginning of January means one thing and one thing only in the motorsport world – another pilgrimage to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham for the annual Autosport International Racing Car Show, this year being held between January 10-13.

    Every year, the great and the good of the motorsport industry turn out to use the show as something of an unofficial start of the season, where drivers, teams, suppliers, sponsors and more come together to catch up, strike deals, rub shoulders and generally see in the beginnings of another 12 months of motorsport.

    As per usual, the BRSCC will be out in force with our very own stand and thanks to the decision by the organisers to switch halls for this year onwards, the Club will be benefitting from an even bigger stand compared to last year. We will be located in Hall 2 on stand number 2180. The championships set to be represented across all four days are:

    – TCR UK Touring Car Championship
    – BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship
    – BRSCC Mazda MX-5 SuperCup
    – BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Super Series
    – Avon Tyres National & Northern Formula Ford Championships
    – Nankang Tyres BMW Compact Cup
    – Civic Cup
    – BRSCC OSS Championship
    – BRSCC Alfa Romeo Championship
    – BRSCC Fiesta Championship racing with MRF Tyres
    – BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship racing with MRF Tyres
    – Toyo Tires Porsche Championship
    – Teekay Couplings Production GTi Championship

    You’ll also be able to find cars and stands for the likes of the Fun Cup, Ferrari Challenge UK, British GT and the new W Series located on the show floor, meaning that overall our roster of championships is well represented!

    As usual, anyone who is a BRSCC club member, be it a regular or racing membership, can claim a free ticket to the show on any one of the four days they wish. All members have been e-mailed details on how to claim their free ticket. If you are having trouble claiming yours, then be sure to contact us where we will be able to assist you further. Please note that you must be a valid and paid-up member of the BRSCC at the time of the show in order to be eligible for a free ticket.

    We look forward to seeing everyone in Birmingham as we play our part in giving birth to what’s set to be yet another incredible year of racing!

  9. 2018 SEASON REVIEW: BRSCC FIESTA CHAMPIONSHIP RACING WITH MRF TYRES

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    The ever-competitive BRSCC Fiesta Championship rolled into the 2018 season ready for another year of door-to-door tin-top action, with reigning champion Jamie White ready to defend his crown against all comers across four classes. An added element for the new season was the switch to Indian tyre supplier MRF Tyres after a long standing relationship with Dunlop. With that in mind, the opening rounds at Brands Hatch were certainly going to be interesting.

    Class D
    White aimed to pick up where he’d left off at Brands Hatch in March and while he didn’t take a clean sweep of class wins, two out of three was satisfactory enough with rival John Cooper taking the other. Also featuring on the podium that weekend was newcomer Zachary Lucas, a name that would end up being a key figure in the battle for the title. This was further emphasised when White’s absence from Cadwell Park allowed Lucas to claim his first two Class D wins, but his own absence next time out, coupled with the return of the #1 at Rockingham (a place where a year before he’d ended up on his roof), gave White all the advantage he needed to make up points with another three wins. He did it again at the next rounds at Snetterton, but not without an awkward incident with fellow Daniels Motorsport driver Cooper in Race 2 that saw him retire from it and also Race 3. This allowed Lucas to bag more points as a result in his title bid.

    Not even the substantial rain at Castle Combe could stop White’s winning streak with three more flawless victories, nor did a new venue in Thruxton where collected two more, but he was made to work for the latter two by Lucas as the pair enjoyed a fantastic back and forth battle all weekend that eventually saw White come out on top both times. More wet weather followed them to Silverstone for the penultimate rounds, but this time White only clinched two of the three wins on offer, as the other fittingly went to the returning Cooper who ran as #42 in tribute to friend and fellow driver John Bateman, who sadly passed away the previous weekend – a fitting result.

    On the return leg to Brands Hatch at the Formula Ford Festival, White did what he needed to do and nothing more. Once again taking two class wins with Cooper claiming the other, it was enough to claim another Class D crown as well as securing back to back overall Fiesta titles. That weekend also saw the return of 2016 champion Alastair Kellett, who did well on his comeback to claim three podiums, but scored no points due to his guest status.

    Class C
    At the head of the overall field, the fastest cars were again the Mk6 Ford Fiesta ST150s as expected. Danny Harrison went three times as better as he had at Brands Hatch 12 months ago by taking a clean sweep of wins ahead of 2016 Fiesta Junior champion Harry Gooding. On the championship’s visit to Cadwell Park up next, defending Class C champ David Nye got back to winning ways with the former BTCC ace claiming a brace for himself, while at Rockingham a couple of weeks later it was Jam-Sport’s turn to steal the limelight. Ryan Faulconbridge took a long awaited first win ahead of teammate Myles Baker and Richard Ashmole, followed by Gooding’s first two senior circuit victories to enhance his title chances further.

    Snetterton turned out to be another JamSport racing demonstration, however it was the turn of team boss Jamie Going to put his best foot forward as he bested his young charge Gooding twice out of three races to claim two wins, with Gooding taking the other. Nye got back to winning ways in the first of three incredibly wet races at Castle Combe before Gooding took two more for himself again with Going in tow, before making it three in a row in the first race at Thruxton a few weeks later. That weekend would also see the returns of Specialized Motorsport boss Simon Horrobin, who was forced to start at the back of Race 1 due to a technical irregularity, but drove through to 4th before an epic duel with old sparring partner Jamie Going in the second race that eventually saw him victorious.

    Silverstone’s contrasting weather conditions saw Welshman Samuel Watkins claim a win in the wet on Saturday, followed up on Sunday by two more Harry Gooding victories on a substantially drier track on Sunday, to further move him into line for a potential overall title shot. Alas, it wasn’t to be at the Brands Hatch finale, as S. Watkins and Faulconbridge shared the final Class C honours between them, while Gooding couldn’t best a 7th place all weekend. No matter, as it was enough to see him crowned Class C champion, followed by Going taking runner up spot and and Nye in 3rd place.

    Class A
    With no Class B cars featuring all season, maximum attention further down the field was on the season long duel between Class A drivers Mark Court and Colin Newbold. Court struck first at Brands Hatch in March with three wins, before his absence from the following three race weekends allowed Newbold to maximise his points hauls at Cadwell Park and Rockingham. Neither driver made the trip to Snetterton, meaning battle lines were drawn again at Castle Combe where Court picked up three more class honours.

    Another came his way at Thruxton where he and Newbold shared a win and a DNF each, before Court did another hat-trick at Silverstone to set the title fight up nicely for the Brands Hatch return. Court’s win in Race 1 help him hold the advantage, however his exclusion from the second race coupled with Newbold’s retirement meant it all came down to the final race. In the end, Court won again to incredibly clinch the Class A championship by just one single point – proof that even just two cars can make a very close title battle!


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