A great season of Motor Racing for Croft Circuit in 2011

2011 presents another great opportunity for viewing the best that British Club Racing can offer. Apart from the featured British Touring Cars and British Superbikes there are three events organised by Circuit owners, BARC, two by local Club, Darlington DMC and, of course, the return of the Nostalgia Weekend organised by HSCC.

The season kicks off with DDMC in the hot seat over Easter Weekend, 23^rd & 24^th April. The Club has attracted Porsche Club (GB) with the Porsche Club championship and the GT3 Cup, the Fun Cup (an endurance race for spaceframed VW Beetle lookalikes) and the ever popular Croft based Northern Saloon & Sports Car Championship.

28^th & 29^th May sees the first of BARC’s visits with Classic FF2000 and FF1600 single seat action, Dunlop Clubmens Cup and Classic Clubmens, Kumho BMW and Legends.

The BTCC hits Croft on the 18^th & 19^th June with support from Formula Renault, Elf Renault Clio, Ginetta GT and Ginetta Juniors.

We go back to sensible budget motor racing in July with BARC over the weekend of 23^rd & 24^th. Classes organised for this meeting include Formula Renault BARC Championship, Northern Saloon & Sports Cars, CNC Heads Sports / Saloon Championship, Honda Vtec Challenge, 2CVparts.com Championship, MG Trophy and Scottish XR2.

A fortnight later and the circuit will reverberate to the sound of the 50s & 60s when HSCC turn up to run the racing for the Nostalgia Weekend. Apart from displays of classic cars, motorcycles, buses, wagons, militaria. A horde of retro stands and shows along with many in period dress will feature but, on track, there will be races for F5000 and F2 in the Derek Bell Trophy, Classic F3, Historic Touring Cars, Classic Racing Cars, FJunior, FF2000, FF1600, Guards Trophy GT & Sports Cars, Historic Road Sports, 70’s Road Sports and 500cc F3. No wonder this is a flag ship event for Croft.

Moving in to September and inexorably closer to the season end and DDMC returns on 10^th & 11^th with MGOC Racing, the Northern Saloon & Sports Car Championship, Ma5da MX5, Equipe GTS and MGCC Cockshoot Cup.

To wrap up the season on 24^th & 25^th September BARC offers the Dunlop Package. This is part of a tour of national motorsport and features Intersteps Championship (no I don’t what it is either!), the final round of the Northern Saloon & Sports Car Championship, Austin Healey Club Championship, Dunlop Production Touring Cars, Mini Miglia, Mini Se7en and Scottish Legends.

But wait, there is one more delight for motorsport fans. The British Rallycross Championship finishes with a flourish at Croft on November 6^th.

And remember, Supporters Club members have Sunday Lunchtime hospitality in the Whitley Room at each of the Club events. What with that, reduced price admittance and a flourishing calendar, Croft Circuit Supporters Club will really have a good 2011.

And don’t forget to wave at the little blue metro no 5 probably somewhere towards the rear in the Northern Saloon & Sports Car Championship.

Hope to see you all at Croft,

Terry Wright