Next weekend (August 20/21st) sees competitors on two, three and four wheels converge on Croft Circuit for the traditional Battle of Britain race meeting organised once again under the expertise of Darlington & District Motor Club.
The historic meeting, which harks back to the 1950s before Croft opened as a race track, is unique in as much that it runs cars, bikes, and sidecars at the same meeting whereby competitors get the chance to race at North Yorkshire’s premier motorsport venue.
The Battle of Britain event is the premier meeting for the circuit’s most local club, Darlington and District Motor Club, and once again this year, variety is very much the order of the weekend as normal. Saturday’s action will see the first races for the Focus Cup, which includes a trio of Teessiders in the field. Series promoters Simon and Abbi Walton will be hoping for success at their home track, as will local journalist and photographer Sarah Hall, whose dad Ken won many races around Croft.
The final round of the popular Northern Sports and Saloon Car Championship has attracted a capacity 48-car grid meaning the races will be split into classes. York driver Mike Williamson leads the series in his Class B Mitsubishi Lancer and a victory will see him crowned 2022 NSSCC champion in the championship’s 25th anniversary season.
As well as a mouth-watering car offering, there will be plenty of action on both two and three wheels also. The meeting plays host to the penultimate round of the ACU/FSRA British F2 Sidecar Championship with another strong grid set to contest the two races. Series leaders Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley have a healthy 56-point lead in the standings and can wrap up the title if things go their way.
Add in the very best club motorcycle racers in the region who will battle it out in the various classes including Unlimited Solo, Formula 600 and Super Twins, and the weekend is sure to be a memorable as well as unique one.
Practice gets underway at 9.30 on Saturday with the first of ten races commencing at 13.35 and another 12 races on Sunday with action from 12.00. Adult admission costs £15.00 per day (plus processing fee if ordered in advance) or £17.00 on the gate with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted free. There is free car parking and free paddock access too. Further details are available from Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 and at www.croftcircuit.co.uk or www.darlingtondmc.com.
Pictures attached: Mike Williamson can wrap up the D&DMC-organised Northern Sports & Saloon Car Championship title and Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley can do likewise in the ACU/FSRA British F2 Sidecar Championship.
Meanwhile, attention is turning to 4th September when the Croft Nostalgia Event takes place. With an increasing number of attractions both on and off track, it’s set to be a fun-filled day for all the family. Further details at www.croftcircuit.co.uk or by calling 01325 721815.
Croft Circuit 2022 Calendar
August 20/21 – Darlington & DMC Battle of Britain Meeting
September 3/4 – Historic Sports Car Club & Nostalgia Event
September 17/18 – British Racing & Sports Car Club Meeting
October 1/2 – Classic Motorcycle Racing Club Meeting
Note To Editors:
Having originally been staged at the track near Darlington when it opened its doors as Croft Autodrome back in 1964, and in deference to Croft’s aerodrome roots and its role as the most northerly Bomber Base in the UK during the Second World War, under the command of the Royal Canadian Air Force, for many years, the traditional August Bank Holiday highlight, was the Battle of Britain race meeting which regularly drew crowds of up to 30,000 who were wowed by the on-track action and captivating aerial displays from the spectacular Red Arrows and a thunderous Lancaster Bomber.
The event raised substantial funds for charity and local heroes always featured prominently, including motorcycling ace Ken Redfern, car racing front-runners Andy Barton and Ron Harper and sidecar stars Mac Hobson and Colin Appleyard. What’s more, the meeting became so well established on the annual motor sport calendar that by the 1970s it was attracting sponsorship from global oil giant Texaco and drivers of the calibre of legendary world champions James Hunt and Barry Sheene as well as multiple grand prix-winner Patrick Tambay to perform demonstration runs and present trophies.
ENDS
Official information compiled and distributed on behalf of Croft Circuit by Cartersport Motorsport Media & Communications © Cartersport 2022. All rights reserved. E&OE.
