Britcar
Encyclopedia
Britcar is an Endurance Motor Racing series 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
.
through BMW M3
s, Porsche GT3s, a stalwart of the series: the Marcos Mantis GT
, and exotics such as the Mosler
.
2002 was the successful first year of competition, and following tremendous growth in 2003, it attracted Sky Sports
coverage in their Motor Sports section in 2004.
2005 was the first year of the Britcar 24-Hour
Race, it was won by the Rollcentre Mosler of Martin Short, and was followed by packed grids in 2006 season culminating in a capacity field for the 24-Hours.
2007 was the EERC's first year as a Motor Sports Association
(MSA) approved Championship and, as well the now essential 24 hours, it also played a supporting role to the British round of the A1 Grand Prix
. The presenters of the well known British car show Top Gear
took part in the 2007 event, coming third of the five diesel cars, and 39th overall, at the end of the 24 Hours.
Such is its current popularity that over-subscription now means that there are reserves waiting for grid positions.
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
bar between Willie Moore
Willie Moore
Willie Moore was an Irish sportsperson who played hurling with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1950s.Moore first came to prominence as a member of the Cork senior hurling panel in the early 1950s. He came on as a substitute in Cork’s victory over Tipperary to win a Munster medal in 1954...
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
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
.
Cars and results
Competing cars vary from the Renault Clio RSRenault Clio
The Renault Clio is a supermini car produced by the French automobile manufacturer Renault. Originally launched in 1990, it is currently in its third generation...
through BMW M3
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
s, Porsche GT3s, a stalwart of the series: the Marcos Mantis GT
Marcos Mantis GT
The original Marcos Mantis is a sports car produced by the British car company Marcos. It was formally introduced in 1968 though production appears to have got off to a slow start. In February 1971 Marcos announced that the car could now also be purchased in component form, at a domestic market...
, and exotics such as the Mosler
Mosler
Mosler Automotive is an American supercar manufacturer based in Florida. It was founded in 1985 by Warren Mosler as Consulier Industries, and manufactured the now-defunct Consulier GTP, which was later rebranded and updated as the Mosler Intruder/Raptor when the company spun off its automotive...
.
2002 was the successful first year of competition, and following tremendous growth in 2003, it attracted Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
coverage in their Motor Sports section in 2004.
2005 was the first year of the Britcar 24-Hour
Silverstone Britcar 24-Hour
The Silverstone Britcar 24 Hour is a sports car race in endurance racing,organised by Britcar. It is held annually at Silverstone, UK.In 2007 Top Gear took part in this race for a Top Gear Challenge....
Race, it was won by the Rollcentre Mosler of Martin Short, and was followed by packed grids in 2006 season culminating in a capacity field for the 24-Hours.
2007 was the EERC's first year as a Motor Sports Association
Motor Sports Association
The Motor Sports Association , is the official governing body of motorsport in the United Kingdom.-Responsibilities:...
(MSA) approved Championship and, as well the now essential 24 hours, it also played a supporting role to the British round of the A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix
A1 Grand Prix was a 'single make' open-wheel auto racing series. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport"...
. The presenters of the well known British car show Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
took part in the 2007 event, coming third of the five diesel cars, and 39th overall, at the end of the 24 Hours.
Such is its current popularity that over-subscription now means that there are reserves waiting for grid positions.
External links
- Britcar24hr.co.uk official website