I first started watching British Touring Cars in the late 1980’s when I lost interest in rallying post Group B. These were the days of John Clelland and Frank Sytner, BMW’s versus Vauxhall Cavaliers.
In the world of contemporary circuit racing I think it still offers the closest racing, mix of cars and thrills. Not to mention the occasional punch up and plenty of fist waving. I still go to British Touring Cars, in fact I was at Croft a couple of weeks ago.
As happens in life, the cars I watched in the 80’s and 90’s are now featuring in classic touring cars. So to Croft again for the Classic Touring Car Festival which took place on the 12th and 13th August.
This is nothing like British Touring Cars as there is no queuing to get into the free car park and it was just as easy to get out at the end of the day. There is also no big screen, pop up shops or free hats from Kwikfit. Admission was just £18 about half the BTTC ticket price.
The Sunday race programme is at the end of this article but it starts with some enthusiastic racing by the Jaguars. This was followed by the Caterham Graduates who barely got beyond the first corner before the race was put under a safety car, a situation they repeated in their next race. Then a very mixed grid of Mini’s, Lotus Cortina’s and other classics contested the Pre 66 and Pre 83 touring cars. The star race was the Pre 03 and Pre 93 touring cars. Unfortunately there were only 5 pre 03 cars and this was reduced event further during the race. The Pre 93 cars filled out the grid and an entertaining race was had just as the rain began.
Overall this event provided a good days racing at a very reasonable ticket price. The range of cars on show and in the pits meant that there was something for each generation. Croft is a nice circuit and for these events the car park is easy to get in and out of. Many people favour Silverstone or Donington but ignoring Croft is a mistake. Give it a try next year and support Yorkshires only proper racetrack.
Programme: Sunday 13th.
Race 7 CTCRC Jaguars Championship – Race 1 12:00 15 mins
Race 8 MORPHMY Caterham Graduates – Sigmax & Sigma 150 – Race 2 12:30 20 mins
Race 9 CTCRC Pre-’66 & Pre-’83 Championships – Race 2 13:05 15 mins
Race 10 MORPHMY Caterham Graduates – Sigma 135 – Race 2 13:35 20 mins
Race 11 CTCRC Classic Thunder & BOSS Championships – Race 2 14:10 15 mins
Race 12 Junior Saloon Car Championship – Race 2 14:40 15 mins
Race 13 MORPHMY Caterham Graduates – Sigmax & Sigma 150 – Race 3 15:10 20 mins
Race 14 CTCRC Super Tourers, Pre-’03 & Pre-’93 Championships – Race 2 15:45 15 mins
Race 15 MORPHMY Caterham Graduates – Sigma 135 – Race 3 16:15 20 mins
Race 16 CTCRC Jaguars Championship – Race 2 16:50 15 mins
HSCC are at Croft on 1st and 2nd September with the whole range of historic race cars including racing cars and historic pre-66 Touring Cars. Perhaps you could give this event a mention before then.
Will do.
At old timers gp Nurburgring today watched a field of 52 super touring cars. Superb racing and not just German drivers. Brilliant and no bop interference
Lest hope it grows here. It would be great to see a full field.