TCR/ TCT AND CATERHAM TO HEADLINE BUMPER BRSCC DONINGTON WEEKEND
As we’ve now already reached the business end of this shortened and unique season for the BRSCC, it’s now time to start settling some scores and crowning our first few champions. This weekend, Donington Park forms part of a “finals weekend” of sorts with some series concluding here while others will still have a meeting left to sort it all out. Nevertheless, the National circuit always has a knack for producing fantastic racing no matter what’s in attendance and looking at what’s on the timetable, that’s certainly going to be the case.
Topping the bill will be three races for the combined for the Dunlop Touring Car Trophy/ TCR UK and the Volkswagen Racing Cup. In the touring car segment, it’s their biggest entry of the season as Lewis Kent and Henry Neal are ready to lock horns for the overall title whilst also set to wrap up the individual TCR UK and TCT crowns respectively. New drivers on the grid include VW Cup regulars Jeff Alden and Mark Wakefield, along with current BTCC star Sam Osbourne stepping into one of the PMR/ Trade Price Cars CUPRA TCRs alongside William Butler, as well as regulars Darelle Wilson, Max Hart and Tim Docker. As for the VW Cup, they will be honouring the late Tom Walker with his own Memorial Race amongst their championship finale, celebrating a much loved and missed member of their paddock who was taken too soon. In the championship stakes, Bradley Kent looked to make it a double family celebration, but also watch out for the returns of Martin and Jack Depper as well as Andy Wilmot and Team HARD’s Howard Fuller.
Looking to put on incredible racing across their entire roster, Caterham Motorsport come to a circuit where any of their five championships can produce spellbinding action. This weekend marks the final races for this year’s Caterham Academy, where interestingly neither of the champion-elect drivers from either the Green or White Group will race to preserve their championship-winning position. So, Tom Cockerill and Taylor O’Flanagan will have officially wrapped up their respective titles by Saturday evening, but there’s still set to be many battles to be best of the rest from 2nd place downwards. As usual at this time of the season, the drivers will also combine together onto one large grid of 40 cars for the special non-championship Autumn Trophy race to round off another year of graduation for these freshman drivers.
As for the rest of the Caterham paddock, there’s still one meeting to go after this one, but it’s clear this will be a key weekend to decide in what state each of the four remaining championships will be in heading to Snetterton in a couple of weeks. Tom Wyllys could put the Roadsport title out of reach if he can keep up his amazing form here, while someone will need to break the deadlock currently between Lars Hoffmann and Angelos Alvanos at the top of the Seven 270R standings. James Murphy will be under threat to keep a grip on the points lead amongst the Seven 310R contenders, while someone will be looking to become the first driver to break the dominant streak of John Byrne in the Seven UK championship, as he looks to become the first British champion.
Elsewhere, there’s one more championship still with races left before the month is done. The superb young talents of the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship racing with MRF Tyres are back again with the same 15 drivers that entertained in the sunshine at Silverstone. Joseph Loake is so far unbeaten with four wins from four, but Will Orton, Jake Weston, Dylan Hotchin, Joseph Knight and others have all made progress to keep him honest and close in. Donington will be another great chance for all of them to reel in Loake a little more as these 14-17-year-olds showcase their skills on circuits they’re sure to be competing on for years to come.
The final three races of the 2020 Nankang Tyre BMW Compact Cup will see whether or not three-time defending champion Steven Dailly will add a fourth to his collection. After reigniting his dominant form last time at Brands Hatch, he is now firmly in position to make the most of his current advantage, provided he’s able to hold off some of his fiercest rivals such as Jordan Stilp, Ian Jones, Tom Griffiths, Ben Huntley and top Masters driver Wayne Flint, who will also wish to retain his crown too. With 35 cars lining up, it’s going to be busy but certainly will provide massive entertainment.
Not content with just one great club tin-top series, another one will also wrap up its season here as the Milltek Civic Cup concludes at Donington Park. Bruce Winfield looks as though it’s his title to lose, albeit he knows he’s still going to be pushed all the way by Alistair Camp, David Buky, Jamie Tonks, George Alp-Williams and Paul Taylor among others. They’re also joined by a handful of new Trophy class cars, behind EP3 generation Honda Civic Type Rs in a slightly more Group N-style spec. Top drivers here include club racing regular Tony Hunter and a certain former Civic Cup champion in Lee Deegan who will revel in the chance to get back to a series he dearly loves and excels in.
Last but certainly by no means least, it’s yet another sold-out grid for the increasingly popular and well supported BRSCC Clubsport Trophy. Across five classes, there’s a capacity 40-car entry full of excellent clubman level racing machinery, from Mazda MX-5s and BMWs through MINIs, Honda Civics and even a handful of cars regularly seen in the BRSCC Fiesta Championship enjoying an alternative day of racing. With some cars sporting two driver combos and a mandatory pitstop, this race should live up to the standard the other two from 2020 have produced and be a real cracker!
Scott Woodwiss
