Britcar is an endurance sports car racing and touring car racing series in the United Kingdom.
It was formed in 1997, as a result of a discussion in a Nürburgring bar between Willie Moore and James Tucker. Folklore has it that James Tucker and John Veness formed the organizing European Endurance & Racing Club (EERC) with a £10 note found on the ground. The foremost aim was the re-introduction of a 24-hour race in Britain.
At the end of the 2015 season, James sold the Britcar rights to Hedley Cowell Events Ltd. For the 2016 season, Claire Hedley re-launched Britcar Endurance as the Dunlop Endurance Championship and Dunlop Trophy Championship. For 2020 the series was invited to support the FIA World Endurance Championship races at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone. The race format was 2 × 60 mins Endurance races and 2 × 50 mins Trophy races.
Cars and results There are two separate championships for different types of car; although some cars can run in both, they may be in different categories.
GTs, which include cars like Ferraris, Porsche Cup, Marcos, Moslers and Ginettas over a long-distance race, normally between two and four hours in length with a compulsory pit stop. Normally cars will have two or three drivers, but cars are sometimes driven by one driver, are given a longer time in the pits.
Production, which include cars like Renault Clio Cup, Seat León Supercopa, VW Golf, Porsche Boxster, BMW M3s, Lotus Elise and Mini Cooper S. These races are normally 90 minutes long, featuring a mandatory pit stop. There can be up to two drivers per car.
Drivers normally bring their own cars to Britcar events, where most cars are accepted if safe to race. Cars are assigned to different classes depending on the car, the car's equipment and other fittings the vehicle has.
Cars & classes Cars that competed in the Britcar Endurance Championship from 2016 onwards:
Class Make Model Type Years 1 Ferrari 488 Challenge Cup 2018 458 GTE 2017 Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro 2020–2021 Arrinera Hussarya GT3 2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage 2017, 2020 Audi R8 LMS Ultra 2016 BMW Z4 2016, 2019 Brabham BT62 2019 Ferrari 458 2016–2018 488 2018 Lamborghini Gallardo 2016 Huracán 2016, 2019, 2021 Huracán Evo 2021 MacG Taranis 2016–2021 McLaren MP4-12C 2016 650S 2019, 2021 Mercedes-AMG AMG 2017–2019 Mosler MT900 2016–2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo 2021 Radical RXC 2017, 2020 Renault R.S. 01 2016 Saker RAPX 2018–2019 Praga R1T Superlights 2019 R1S 2019 R1T Evo 2020 2 Ferrari 360 Challenge Cup 2017 458 Challenge 2016–2018 488 Challenge 2018–2021 Ginetta G55 Supercup 2019 Porsche 997 GT3 2016–2018 991 GT3 2017–2018 911 RSR GT2 2016, 2018 McLaren 570S GT4 2019 Volvo S60 Silhouette 2018 Saker RAPX 2017–2019 Praga R1S Supercar 2020 BMW 1M E82 Touring 2016–2021 3 Ferrari 360 Challenge Cup 2017 458 Challenge 2020–2021 Ginetta G55 Supercup 2019 Porsche 997 2019–2020 991 GT3 2019–2020 997 GT3 2019 911 RSR GT2 2020 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 2016–2018 BMW M3 E92 2017 M4 GT4 2018 Chevron GR8 2016 Ginetta G55 2016–2018, 2020 KTM X-Bow 2017–2018 Lotus Europa S 2016 McLaren 570S 2018 Porsche Cayman Clubsport 2017–2018 BMW 1M E82 Touring 2021 M3 E46 GTR 2016–2017, 2019–2021 4 Ginetta G50 Cup 2016–2019 G55 Supercup 2021 Porsche 997 GT3 2019 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 2019–2021 Vantage AMR 2021 BMW M3 E92 2017–2018 Ginetta G50 2016–2019 G55 2020 Jaguar Jaguar F-Type S 2020–2021 Ligier JS2 R 2020–2021 Maserati Granturismo MC 2021 McLaren 570S 2021 Mercedes-AMG AMG 2018–2019 Porsche 718 Cayman Clubsport 2019–2021 Cayman Clubsport MR 2020–2021 Audi A4 NGTC 2018 Toyota Avensis 2017–2018 Alfa Romeo 156 T Production 2019 Holden Monaro 2017 Honda Civic Type R (FK8) 2018 Audi RS3 LMS TCR 2017–2018, 2020–2021 Cupra León 2017–2021 Hyundai i30 N 2021 Vauxhall Astra 2018 Peugeot 308 Racing Cup 2019 SEAT León 2017–2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2018–2021 BMW 1M E82 Touring car 2019–2020 M3 E36 2016–2020 M3 E46 2016–2020 M3 E46 GTR 2016–2017, 2019–2020 BMW M3 E90 2020 5 Mini JCW Challenge R56 Cup 2016–2017, 2019 Ginetta G40 2016–2017 Porsche Boxster 2016 Volkswagen Golf Mk5 2017–2018 Scirocco 2018 CC NGTC 2017 Alfa Romeo 156 T Production 2017, 2019 BMW Z4 2019 Ford Focus 2017–2018 Honda Civic Type R (FK2) 2016–2017 Civic Type R (FK8) 2018 Civic Type R (EP3) 2019 Civic (FK/FN) 2019 Smart Forfour 2017–2019
Cars that competed in the British Endurance Championship from 2022 onwards:
Class Make Model Years A Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro 2022–2023 Audi R8 LMS Evo II 2023–2024 Bentley Continental GT3 (2018) 2024 BMW Z4 GT3 2022 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2022 Huracán GT3 Evo 2 2024 MacG Taranis 2022 McLaren 650S GT3 2022 720S GT3 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT3 2022 GT3 Evo 2022–2023 B Dodge Viper Competition Coupe GT3 2022 Ferrari 488 Challenge 2022, 2024 488 Challenge Evo 2022–2023 Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo 2022–2023 Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 2022 Porsche Porsche 992 GT3 Cup 2024 Solution F TC 12 2023 C Audi S3 Saloon 2023 BMW 1M E82 2022 Ferrari 458 Challenge 2022–2023 Ginetta G55 Supercup 2022 Honda Civic Type R (FK8) 2023 Porsche Porsche 991 GT3 Cup I 2023 991 GT3 Cup II 2022 997 Cup 2022–2023 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport 2022 Volkswagen CC 2023 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 2022 Vantage AMR GT4 2022–2023 BMW M3 GT4 2023 BMW M4 GT4 2024 Ginetta G55 GT4 2022 KTM X-Bow GT4 2023–2024 McLaren 570S GT4 2022–2024 Mercedes-AMG GT4 2022–2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport 2022 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport 2022, 2024 Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2021) 2022–2024 Cupra León TCR 2022–2024 León Competición TCR 2022–2024 Mercedes-AMG A-Class (NGTC) 2024 Vauxhall Astra TCR 2022–2023 SEAT León 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR 2022–2023 F BMW M3 GTR 2022, 2024 Jaguar F-Type S 2022–2024 Porsche 997 2022
Focus on diversity The series is known for its diversity in teams, cars and drivers that had regained the attention it lost before its reformation, Britcar were invited to support two WEC rounds, at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone (subsequently cancelled). Britcar stated "we are immensely proud that our endeavours to produce a professionally-run nationally based Championship have been recognised by organisers of one of the biggest Championships in global motorsport."
Reflecting diversity in both the Endurance and Trophy series, among the teams are Team BRIT whose drivers are all disabled, using specially developed hand controls.
Winners
Overall winner in each category, 2002 - 2022.
Year Series Team Car Drivers 2002 Britcar Series BMW M3 E30 Paul Bates 2003 Britcar Series RouseSport Mercedes 190 DTM Andy Rouse Julian Rouse 2004 Britcar Series GTS Motorsport BMW M3 John Hammersley Andrew Dunlop Mark Hammersley 2005 Britcar Series GTS Motorsport BMW M3 E36 Harry Handkammer David Leslie 2006 Britcar Series Hargreaves Motorsport Ferrari 360 Calum Lockie Bo McCormick 2007 Britcar GT Geoff Steel Racing BMW M3 E36 Steve Bell Simon Leith Production S1 Moore Racing BMW M3 E36 Mike Gardiner Paul Fenton Britsports Lovett Sporting Norma M20 Edward Lovett Chris Harris 2008 Britcar GT Neil Garner Racing Porsche 997 Jan Persson Rod Barrett Jay Shepherd Production Cup ING Sport BMW 320i Ian Lawson Mike Wilds Anthony Wilds 2009 GT MJC Ferrari F360 Witt Gamski Keith Robinson Production Intersport BMW M3 Kevin Clarke Wayne Gibson 2010 GT MJC Ferrari 430 Witt Gamski Keith Robinson Production Bullrun SEAT Cupra Richard Adams David Green 2011 GT GT3 Racing with KJ & TG Dodge Viper Craig Wilkins Aaron Scott Production GTN APO Sport SEAT Leon Alex Osbourne James May 2012 MSA British Endurance Bullrun Lotus Evora Richard Adams David Green Martin Byford Production Cup Daniels Motorsport SEAT Leon Edward Cockill Harry Cockill 2013 MSA British Endurance Team Parker Racing Porsche 997 Ian Loggie Chris Jones 2014 Endurance FF Corse Ferrari 458 David Mason Calum Lockie 2015 Endurance FF Corse Ferrari 458 David Mason Calum Lockie 2016 Dunlop Endurance Championship (Overall) Tockwith Motorsport Audi R8 LMS Phil Hanson Nigel Moore Dunlop Endurance Championship (GT class) Whitebridge Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Chris Murphy Jonathan Cocker Dunlop Endurance Championship (Production class) Moss Motorsport BMW M3 E46 Mike Moss Tom Howard Kevin Clarke 2017 Dunlop Endurance MJC Furlonger Ferrari 458 GTE Witt Gamski Ross Wylie Joe Macari Dunlop Sprint Track Focused Porsche Cayman Clubsport GT4 Rick Nevinson Brad Nevinson Sean Cooper Matt Cherrington 2018 Dunlop Endurance Tockwith Motorsport Ginetta G50 Sarah Moore Matt Greenwood Dunlop Sprint Moss Motorsport BMW M3 E46 Jon Watt Kristian Prosser 2019 Dunlop Endurance SB Race Engineering Ferrari 488 Challenge Paul Bailey Andy Schulz 2020 Dunlop Endurance VR Motorsport Praga R1T Evo Danny Harrison Jem Hepworth Dunlop Trophy JC Racing BMW M3 E36 Oliver Smith 2021 Goodyear Britcar Endurance Championship (Praga class) Tim Gray Motorsport Praga R1 Richard Wells Alex Kapadia Tim Gray Goodyear Britcar Endurance Championship (Endurance class) Motus One with Moorgate McLaren 650S GT3 Will Powell David Scaramanga Goodyear Britcar Trophy Woodrow Motorsport BMW 1M E82 Simon Baker Kevin Clarke Ollie Reubens 2022 MSUK British Endurance Championship Rob Boston Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Wayne Marrs Tom Jackson Goodyear Britcar Trophy Team BRIT BMW M240i Racing Chris Overend James Whitley Julian Thomas 2023 MSUK British Endurance Championship Team HARD Porsche 991 Cup Bradley Thurston Daryl DeLeon ROWE Britcar Trophy Dragon Sport Renault Clio MkIV Rhys Lloyd Jack Meakin 2024 MSUK British Endurance Championship PB Racing by JMH Audi R8 GT3 Peter Erceg Marcus Clutton Hugo Cook ROWE Britcar Trophy TSR Audi TT Mark Jones Rob Ellick Craig Fleming 2025 Britcar Endurance Championship Amspeed Porsche 991.1 GT3 Cup Dominic Malone Adam Smalley Dan Cammish Charles Rainford
History
The successful first year of competition was in 2002, and following tremendous growth in 2003, it attracted Sky Sports coverage in their Motor Sports section in 2004. The first year of the Britcar 24-Hour Race was 2005 which was won by Rollcentre Mosler of Martin Short. This was followed by packed grids in 2006 season culminating in a capacity field for the 24-Hours.IMI: The Institute of the Motor Industry Information > Britcar 24 hours of Silverstone EERC became a Motor Sports Association (MSA) approved Championship in 2007 as well being the now essential 24 hours. It played a supporting role to the British round of the A1 Grand Prix.
In 2011 it became known as the MSA British Endurance championship.
Such was its popularity in some seasons that over-subscription meant there are reserves waiting for grid positions.
For the 2017 season, the format was changed. Drivers in all races would now accrue points towards the Dunlop Endurance Championship but drivers could choose to do two 50-minute races under the Sprint category, or one 50-minute and one 2-hour race in the Endurance category. Grids were combined and most events were to take place over a single day to save costs. The night race proved so popular in 2016 that a second night race was introduced, to run at Silverstone earlier in the same month.
For the 2019 season the format was changed again, merging Endurance and Sprint categories into a single grid for two 60-minute races per weekend, finishing the season with a single 60- and a single 120-minute night race at Brands Hatch.
For 2020, Britcar introduced a Trophy category and a new series of shorter races named the Britcar Trophy Category for cars under Class 4 performance and the TCR and GT4 cars, for classes 5–7. The majority of these new classes are production cars, such as the Smart Forfour, Mini JCW R56 and the Honda Civic Type R (FK2) which were popular in Class 5. Some Trophy Category events ran alongside Endurance events, whilst other events ran dedicated Trophy cards with no Endurance or Praga rounds at the weekend.