Motorsport in the United Kingdom

Overview of motorsport in the United Kingdom

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7 time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton driving for McLaren at the 2008 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit.

Motorsport is a popular sport in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is a key player in the world of motorsport, hosting rounds of the Formula One World Championship and Grand Prix motorcycle racing, amongst others. It is also the home of many of the current teams in Formula One, such as McLaren, Williams and Aston Martin, while teams such as Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, Alpine and Haas are also based in England. There are also a range of popular national series held such as the British Touring Car Championship and the British GT Championship amongst others. The Motor Sports Association is the official governing body of motorsport in the United Kingdom.

## Formula One

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The United Kingdom has been a major player in the Formula One World Championship since it began in 1950, providing ten different world champions, winning 20 titles between them, more than any other nation. Mike Hawthorn became the first British world champion in 1958, defeating Stirling Moss, labelled by many as "the greatest driver never to have won the world championship".[1] The country won four consecutive titles between 1962 and 1965, with Graham Hill, Jim Clark (twice) and John Surtees. Hill won again in 1968, and was succeeded by Jackie Stewart, who won in 1969, 1971 and 1973. James Hunt was world champion for McLaren in 1976, and was the last British champion until 1992, when Nigel Mansell won for Williams. Damon Hill, son of Graham, was champion in 1996, while Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button won back-to-back titles for the country in 2008 and 2009, with Hamilton becoming the first Briton to win back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015. In 2017 Hamilton became the first Briton to win four titles. He won again in 2018, 2019 and 2020, he became a seven-time champion, equalling Michael Schumacher's record to become the statistically greatest of all time.

Other than the Italian Scuderia Ferrari, the most successful teams in Formula One have been based in Britain. McLaren and Williams are the most successful of these, with former teams Team Lotus and Brabham also winning multiple titles. Of the ten teams currently competing in Formula One, six are based in England.

The British Grand Prix was first held at the Brooklands oval in 1926. The current host is Silverstone Circuit, whereas Brands Hatch last held the race in 1986. The European Grand Prix was held at Brands Hatch in 1983 and 1985, and at Donington Park in 1993. Aintree Motor Racing Circuit has hosted the Formula One British Grand Prix five times, in 1955, 1957, 1959, 1961 and 1962.

## IndyCar

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Silverstone and Brands Hatch hosted USAC National Championship non-points races in 1978, whereas CART visited Rockingham Motor Speedway in 2001 and 2002, and Brands Hatch in 2003.

Dario Franchitti has won four IndyCar titles. Nigel Mansell won one in CART and Dario Resta won one in the AAA. Franchitti also won three time the Indianapolis 500, Dan Wheldon two, Jim Clark and Graham Hill one each.

## Motorcycle racing

[edit]

John McGuinness at the Isle of Man TT

Silverstone Circuit currently hosts a round of MotoGP while Donington Park hosts the Superbike World Championship. Britain's Leslie Graham won the inaugural Grand Prix Motorcycling World Championship in 1949. Geoff Duke, John Surtees and Mike Hailwood all won multiple world titles during the 1950s and 1960s. Phil Read was world champion in 1973 and 1974, while Barry Sheene won back-to-back titles in 1976 and 1977. Britain has struggled in the top 500cc/MotoGP class since then, with only Cal Crutchlow winning any races.

Britain has enjoyed greater success in the Superbike World Championship, with Carl Fogarty winning four titles in the 1990s. Neil Hodgson won the title in 2003, while James Toseland won the title in 2004 and 2007. The United Kingdom is currently well represented in the Superbike World Championship.

The British Superbike Championship is the leading motorcycle racing series in the United Kingdom. Road racing events are popular, with the Isle of Man hosting the Isle of Man TT and Northern Ireland hosting the North West 200.

Motocross, motorcycle trials and enduro are also popular forms of motorcycle sports, with notable riders such as Kurt Nicoll, David Thorpe, Jeff Smith, Dave Bickers, David Knight, Sammy Miller, Arthur Lampkin, Martin Lampkin and Dougie Lampkin.

Speedway in the United Kingdom is also popular, with events like the Elite League, Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain and British Speedway Championship.

In rally raiding, Sam Sunderland became the first British winner of the Dakar Rally when he won the motorcycle classification in 2017.[2]

## Drag Racing

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Drag Racing has its origins in the USA during the 1920s. During prohibition the sellers of illegal alcohol, the Moonshine Boys outran the authorities by making their innocuous runabout cars fast and powerful by hiding bigger and more highly tuned engines inside - the Hot Rod was born! After the end of prohibition the Hot Rodders continued and all over America roads were being used to settle the 'mine is faster than yours argument'. Most towns had a main road running down the middle and junctions controlled by traffic lights, the Hot Rodders would race down the main drag from one set of lights to the other - the beginning of Drag Racing.

Drag Racing took off in the UK during the 1960s when, like in the USA, many of the old disused airstrips around the country were converted to drag strips.

Podington airfield, near the villages of Hinwick and Podington, was formerly a wartime airbase used by the USAAF during the Second World War. In 1966 permission was obtained to use the airfield as a drag racing complex, the ¾ of a mile main runway being used as the drag strip. The track was named Santa Pod after the Santa Ana strip in America, combined with the name of the local village of Podington.

Since then the name Santa Pod Raceway has become synonymous with the sport of Drag Racing in Europe. Today the raceway hosts events throughout the year including the FIA European Drag Racing Championships and the 'Run What You Brung' (RWYB) events where anyone with a valid driving licence can have a go and put their own vehicles and skills to the test.

## Rallying

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Wales Rally GB Lydden Hill Race Circuit

Rallying is a popular form of motorsport in the United Kingdom. The RAC Rally began in 1932, and has since evolved into Wales Rally GB, the country's round of the World Rally Championship. Colin McRae won the World Rally Championship in 1995, and Richard Burns won in 2001, both for the Banbury-based Subaru World Rally Team. Both were recognised as two of the sport's most famous and popular drivers, but Burns and McRae died in 2005 and 2007 respectively. The Ford World Rally Team was also based in England, as is M-Sport.

The British Rally Championship is the national rally championship of the United Kingdom, featuring events such as the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Scottish Rally and Rally Isle of Man. Smaller championships running annually in the UK include the Scottish Rally Championship, BTRDA rally championship, MSA English Rally Championship and the Northern Irish Rally Championship.

The first rallycross event in history was organised at Lydden Hill Race Circuit in 1967. The circuit has hosted rounds of the European Rallycross Championship and currently the FIA World Rallycross Championship. The British Rallycross Championship also races at Pembrey and Croft.

See also: London–Sydney Marathon and World Cup Rally

## Touring cars

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A British Touring Car Championship race at Brands Hatch in 2006.

The British Touring Car Championship is the country's most popular national racing series. Its popularity was highest during the 1990s and the Supertouring era, when it attracted a range of well-known international manufacturers and drivers. Although spiralling costs meant that the series declined during the early 21st century, the series is now regaining popularity.

The United Kingdom also had a presence in the World Touring Car Championship, with Guernsey's Andy Priaulx winning three consecutive world championships between 2005 and 2007. Brands Hatch hosted the UK's WTCC round, the FIA WTCC Race of UK, until 2009. This race was then hosted by Donington Park. Other touring car series in The UK includes TCR UK.

Brands Hatch annually hosted a round of the prestigious German touring car series, DTM, from 2006 to 2013. This series has had a strong representation from UK drivers. The 2005 championship was won by Gary Paffett and the 2010 championship by Scotsman Paul di Resta.

## Sportscars

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Lola-Aston Martin B09/60 Bentley Continental GT3

British teams and drivers have enjoyed many successes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Britain has had more winning drivers than any other nation, including France. Jaguar and Bentley have taken 15 wins between them. Derek Bell won the race five times during the 1970s and 80s, and Allan McNish three times. Brian Redman and Moss won several World Sportscar Championship races as well.

Vic Elford won the 24 Hours of Daytona, 1000 km Nürburgring and Targa Florio. Andy Wallace won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. Derek Warwick won the FIA World Endurance Championship in 1992 and Anthony Davidson in 2014.

Silverstone formerly hosted the 1000 km Silverstone of the FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as rounds of the Le Mans Series and the FIA GT1 World Championship.

The British GT Championship is the major national sportscars series, with Britcar, GT Cup Championship and many other smaller championships also running.

Notable British sports car racing teams include Aston Martin Racing, Jaguar Racing, Drayson Racing, Ecurie Ecosse, Richard Lloyd Racing, RML Group, Strakka Racing, Spice Engineering and Tom Walkinshaw Racing.

## Junior formula

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The British Formula Three Championship was regarded as one of the most important series below Formula One, with former champions including Nelson Piquet, Mika Häkkinen, Ayrton Senna and Emerson Fittipaldi. Due to the emergence of successful junior formulae in mainland Europe, the series does not attract the quality of drivers it once did, but is still the most important of the national Formula Three series.

In the later 20th century, the British Formula Renault Championship and British Formula Ford Championship were the two main entry level formula series. They were replaced by the F4 British Championship, launched in 2015. The Formula Ford Festival is also known for producing talented young drivers.

## Club racing

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The United Kingdom has a large 'club racing' scene, with a wide range of series for amateur drivers, with each containing a diverse range of drivers and cars. Clubs include the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC), British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) and Classic Sports Car Club (CSCC). Each club holds a range of meetings throughout the year, with each meeting consisting of races in several different categories.

## Historic racing

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The start of a Masters Endurance Legends race at Brands Hatch, consisting of Le Mans Prototypes.

Historic racing is popular in the United Kingdom. Major events include the Goodwood Revival, Silverstone Classic, Brands Hatch Masters Historic Festival and Donington Historic Festival. Notable historic racing clubs include the Vintage Sports-Car Club and Historic Sports Car Club.

## Circuits

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Current venues

* Aintree Motor Racing Circuit
* Anglesey Circuit
* Brands Hatch
* Bedford Autodrome
* Cadwell Park
* Castle Combe Circuit
* Croft Circuit
* Donington Park
* Goodwood Circuit
* Knockhill Racing Circuit
* Lydden Hill Race Circuit
* Mallory Park
* Oulton Park
* Pembrey Circuit
* Silverstone Circuit
* Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
* Thruxton Circuit
* Santa Pod Raceway

### Former venues

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* Birmingham Superprix
* Brooklands
* Crystal Palace
* Longridge Circuit
* Rockingham Motor Speedway
* Ibsley Circuit
* Llandow Circuit
* Ruffoth Circuit

## See also

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* Sport in the United Kingdom
* Kart racing in the United Kingdom

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Grandprix.com
2. ^ "Dakar Rally: Sam Sunderland becomes first British rider to win famous race". bbc.co.uk. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.

## External links

[edit]

* Motor Sports Association (MSA)

* v
* t
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Motorsport in Europe

Sovereign states|

* Albania
* Andorra
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Georgia
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
*   * Italy
* Kazakhstan
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom

States with limited
recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Kosovo
* Northern Cyprus
* South Ossetia
* Transnistria

Dependencies and
other entities|

* Åland
* Faroe Islands
* Gibraltar
* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey
* Svalbard

* v
* t
* e

Motorsport in the UK

International|

* Formula racing
* Formula One (British Grand Prix, European Grand Prix)
* Formula E (London ePrix)
* A1GP
* Superleague Formula (SF round UK)

* Sports car racing
* FIA WEC (6 Hours of Silverstone)
* ELMS
* Blancpain GT (Endurance Cup, World Challenge Europe)
* IGTO
* 24H Series (24H Silverstone)
* FIA GT1 Championship (RAC Tourist Trophy)

* Touring car racing
* FIA WTCC (WTCC Race of UK)
* 24H TCE Series (24H Silverstone)

* Stock car racing
* NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (American Speedfest)

* Rallying
* FIA WRC (Rally GB)
* FIA WRX (World RX of Great Britain)

* Motorcycling
* MotoGP (British motorcycle Grand Prix)
* WSBK (Donington Park)

* Motorcycle speedway
* Speedway Grand Prix (Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain)

* Radio-controlled racing
* IFMAR Worlds (1:12 Elec. Track, 1:10 Elec. Off-Road, 1:8 IC Off-Road)
* EFRA Euros

Open Wheel|

* BRDC British Formula 3
* Monoposto Racing Club
* F4 British Championship
* MSV Formula 3 Cup
* British Formula One Championship
* British Formula 3000
* British Formula 3
* Formula Ford
* Walter Hayes Trophy
* Formula Renault UK
* Formula BMW
* Formula Palmer Audi

Saloon/Sports Car|

* British Touring Car Championship
* British GT Championship
* Britcar
* Ginetta GT4 Supercup
* Ginetta GT5 Challenge
* Ginetta Junior Championship
* Kumho BMW Championship
* MaX5 Racing Championship
* Renault Clio Cup
* Pickup Truck Racing
* Porsche Carrera Cup GB
* TVR Tuscan Challenge
* Welsh Sports and Saloon Car Championship
* BRDC Sportscar Championship
* SEAT Cupra Championship

Motorcycle|

* British Superbike Championship
* British Supersport Championship
* Isle of Man TT
* North West 200
* Thruxton 500

Rally|

* British Rally Championship
* British Rallycross Championship
* Scottish Rally Championship

Hill Climb|

* British Hill Climb Championship
* Goodwood Festival of Speed

Endurance|

* Britcar (Silverstone Britcar 24-Hour) • Willhire 24 Hour • 2CV 24 Hour Race

Karting|

* British Schools Karting Championship
* British Universities Karting Championship
* Formula A
* ICA
* Junior ICA

Stock Car (Full/Short Oval)|

* ASCAR Racing Series
* BriSCA F1
* BriSCA F2
* Banger racing
* National Hot Rods
* Superstox
* V8 Hotstox

Grass Track|

* Autograss
* Grasstrack Speedway
* Lawn mower racing

Drifting|

* European Drift Championship
* British Drift Championship
* JDM Allstars

Historics|

* Goodwood Revival
* Oulton Park Gold Cup
* Silverstone Classic
* VSCC

Motorcycle speedway|

* British Speedway Championship
* British Speedway Under 21 Championship
* British Speedway Under 18 Championship
* Speedway Elite League
* Elite League Knockout Cup Craven Shield
* Speedway Elite League Riders' Championship
* Elite League Pairs Championship
* Speedway Premier League
* Premier League Knockout Cup
* Speedway Premier Trophy
* Speedway Premier League Riders' Championship
* Speedway Premier League Pairs Championship
* Speedway Premier League Four-Team Championship
* Speedway Conference League
* Speedway Conference League Riders' Championship
* Speedway Conference League Four-Team Championship

R/C racing|

* BRCA National Championships

Defunct championships / races are indicated in italics

* v
* t
* e

Automotive industry in the United Kingdom

* Manufacturing in the United Kingdom
* Economy of the United Kingdom

Companies and
marques

Commercial
vehicle
producers

| Current|

* Alexander Dennis
* Plaxton
* Arrival
* BEDEO
* Dennis Eagle
* IBC Vehicles
* JCB
* Leyland Trucks
* Multidrive Vehicles
* London Electric Vehicle Company
* Mellor Coachcraft
* Optare
* REE Automotive
* Wrightbus

|

Former|

* AEC
* Albion
* Alternative Chassis Engineering
* Aveling-Barford
* AWD
* Bedford
* Bristol
* British United Traction
* Carlyle Works
* Charles H Roe
* Clough, Smith
* Commer
* Crossley
* Daimler
* Dennis
* Duple
* East Lancashire
* Eastern
* ERF
* Foden
* Ford
* Southampton
* Guy
* Honda
* Hallford
* Jensen
* Karrier
* LDV
* Leyland Bus
* Leyland DAF
* Leyland Motors
* London Taxi Company
* Longwell Green
* Marshall
* Maudslay
* Metro Cammell Weymann
* Modec
* Morrison-Electricar
* Northern Counties
* Park Royal
* Reeve Burgess
* Scammell
* Seddon Atkinson
* Sentinel
* Shelvoke & Drewry
* Smith EV
* Stevens
* Straker-Squire
* Sunbeam
* Thornycroft
* Tilling-Stevens
* Vulcan
* Wadham Stringer
* Wales & Edwards
* Walter Alexander
* Willowbrook

Motorsport|

* Advanced Engine Research
* Alpine F1 Team
* AMR GP Limited
* Arena Motorsport
* Carlin
* Chevron Cars
* Cosworth
* Driftworks
* Engine Developments
* Ford World Rally Team
* Fortec
* Gibson Technology
* Hewland
* Kahn Design
* Ilmor
* Lola Cars
* McLaren
* Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains
* Mercedes AMG
* M-Sport
* Munchi's
* Prodrive
* Radical
* Red Bull Racing
* RML Group
* Roger Dowson Engineering
* Sumo Power
* Team Dynamics
* Triple Eight Racing
* Van Diemen
* Williams
* Wirth
* Xtrac

Passenger car
producers

| Current|

* Ariel
* Aston Martin
* Lagonda
* Volkswagen Group
* Bentley
* Crewe plant
* BMW
* Mini
* Oxford plant
* Swindon plant
* Rolls-Royce
* Goodwood plant
* Brabham Automotive
* Briggs
* Caterham
* David Brown
* Electric Car Corporation
* Ginetta
* Jaguar Land Rover
* Jaguar
* Land Rover
* Castle Bromwich plant
* Gaydon Centre
* Halewood plant
* Solihull plant
* Whitley Engineering Centre
* Lightning
* Lister
* Geely
* Lotus
* McLaren
* McLaren Technology Centre
* SAIC Motor UK
* MG
* Eco Concept
* Morgan
* Nissan UK
* Noble
* Overfinch
* Radical
* Spyker
* Toyota UK
* TVR
* Vauxhall
* Ellesmere Port
* Westfield
* Zenos

Kit cars
Caterham
Davrian
GKD
GTM
JBA Motors
Marc Nordon Racing
Onyx
Quantum
Sylva
Ultima Sports
Westfield

|

Former|

* Allard
* Alvis
* Armstrong Siddeley
* Ascari
* Austin
* Austin-Healey
* Belsize
* Bond
* Bristol
* BMC
* BMH
* British Leyland
* Caparo
* Clément-Talbot
* Daimler
* Eagle Cars
* Fenix
* Ford
* Frazer Nash
* Gilbern
* Jensen
* Jowett
* Lanchester
* Marcos Engineering
* Melling
* MG Rover
* MG
* Longbridge plant
* Morris
* Peel Engineering
* Reliant
* Riley
* Rootes
* Ryton plant
* Rover Company
* Rover Group
* Standard
* Sunbeam
* Sunbeam-Talbot
* Triumph
* Trojan
* Wolseley

Suppliers and
consultancies

| Current|

* Cosworth
* Cummins UK
* Dunlop Tyres
* GKN
* GKN Driveline
* Grayson Thermal Systems
* Johnson Matthey
* Kahn Design
* Lotus Engineering
* Millbrook
* MIRA
* Perkins Engines
* Pilkington
* Quaife
* Ricardo
* Tata Steel Europe
* Tickford
* Transport Research Laboratory
* Unipart
* WMG
* Wipac
* Zytek Automotive

|

Former|

* Abbey Panels
* Caparo Vehicle Technologies
* Dunlop Rubber
* Ferodo
* Gardner
* Hardy Spicer
* Henry Meadows
* Laycock Engineering
* Lucas Industries
* LucasVarity
* Tomkins
* White and Poppe

Dealerships|

* Arnold Clark
* Carcraft
* Ford Retail Group
* Group 1 Automotive
* Inchcape
* Jardine
* JCT600
* Lookers
* H.R. Owen
* Jack Barclay Bentley
* Perrys
* Robins & Day
* Stoneacre
* Sytner
* Vertu

Other services|

* ATS Euromaster
* Autoglass
* Auto Windscreens
* British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
* Constellation Automotive Group
* Green Flag
* Halfords Autocentre
* Halfords
* HiQ (tyres)
* Kwik Fit
* LeasePlan
* Lex Autolease
* Millbrook Proving Ground
* National Tyres and Autocare
* Pinewood Technologies
* RAC
* The AA
* We Buy Any Car

Government and
regulatory bodies

* Automotive Council UK
* Department for Transport
* Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency
* Driving Standards Agency
* Vehicle Certification Agency
* Vehicle & Operator Services Agency

Related topics|

* AM Magazine
* Autocar
* Autosport
* Auto Trader
* Auto Express
* Buses
* Car
* Classic & Sports Car
* Coach & Bus Week
* Commercial Motor
* Evo
* Fast Car
* Fifth Gear
* Institute of Advanced Motorists
* Motor Sport
* Octane
* Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
* Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
* Top Gear (magazine)
* Top Gear (TV series)
* What Car?

* Category
* Commons

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