Britcar is an endurance sports car racing and touring car racing series in the United Kingdom.
51-551: 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
102-523: A bullion shortage, these notes could be exchanged in full, or in part, for an equivalent amount of gold when presented at the bank. If redeemed in part, the banknote would be signed to indicate the amount that had been redeemed. From 1853 printed notes replaced handwritten notes, with the declaration "I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of ten pounds" replacing the name of the payee. This declaration remains on Bank of England banknotes to this day. A printed signature of one of three cashiers appeared on
153-902: A TCR-only class in 2018. Unlike the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Series in the United States, which also is TCR-based for two or four hour races, the World Challenge races are shorter (no more than 50 minutes for a typical event) and are single-driver races. With the separation of classes from the Pirelli World Challenge, WC Vision and the SRO Motorsport Group created the TC America Series , for cars that previously competed in
204-410: A campaign to have a woman on the back of a Bank of England banknote when it was announced that the only woman to feature on the back of a note — prison reformer Elizabeth Fry on the £5 note — was to be replaced by Winston Churchill . Like the £5 note featuring Churchill, the new £10 note is made from polymer rather than cotton paper. It depicts: Winchester Cathedral , where Austen
255-585: A class for TCR vehicles. Since 2017, the organizers of the NLS , formerly VLN, created a separate class for TCR cars. Previously TCR entrants entered the SP3 class. Since 2017 Britcar Endurance, a UK based Endurance Championship running as the Dunlop Endurance Championship have accepted TCR Cars. The current specification Cars run in class 4 and are highly competitive with TCR Cars finishing on
306-670: A consequence of gold shortages caused by the Seven Years' War . The earliest notes were handwritten, and were issued as needed to individuals. These notes were written on one side only and bore the name of the payee, the date, and the signature of the issuing cashier. With the exception of the Restriction period between 1797 and 1821, when the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars caused
357-401: A dashed line, yet forms a single line when held up to the light. The revised Series E £10 note was introduced in 2000. It featured a portrait of Charles Darwin on the back as well as an illustration of HMS Beagle and images of various flora and fauna. The note featured a number of security features in addition to the metallic thread, including raised print, a watermark, microlettering,
408-504: A hologram, and a number ten which only appears under ultraviolet light. An F series £10 note was never issued. In 2013, Mark Carney , Governor of the Bank of England, announced that a newly designed £10 banknote, in polymer, rather than cotton paper, and featuring early 19th-century novelist Jane Austen , would be issued. The date of issue was subsequently confirmed as 14 September 2017. The decision to replace Darwin with Austen followed
459-418: 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
510-614: 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 that competed in the Britcar Endurance Championship from 2016 onwards: Cars that competed in the British Endurance Championship from 2022 onwards: As
561-407: A series popular 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
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#1732783536653612-471: Is awarded on the basis of a points system that gives points to all the different TCR-certified cars competing in all the TCR-sanctioned races of the year. The points are adjusted by coefficients that take into account the level of the competition, the number of cars participating and the number of manufacturers represented. On 6 December 2017, FIA's World Motorsport Council announced the creation of
663-552: Is buried, is depicted in gold foil on the front of the note and silver on the back. The note with serial number AA01001817 was donated to Winchester Cathedral, marking the year of Austen's burial, 1817. Source: Bank of England TCR Touring Car A TCR Touring Car is a touring car specification, first introduced in 2014 and is now employed by a multitude of series worldwide. All TCR Touring Cars are front-wheel drive cars based on 4 or 5 door production vehicles, and are powered by 1.75 to 2.0 litre turbocharged engines. While
714-630: Is confirmed as a category of the Chinese Touring Car Championship in 2016. The series was officially launched in December 2016, ahead of a five-round 2017 championship season, with the slight name change from Chinese to China . On 6 April 2017, initial discussion about a TCR UK Series started between WSC and MSA. The series was given the go-ahead by the MSA on 7 July 2017, the series promoter will be BRSCC . The promoter
765-666: Is expecting about six or seven events for 2018, also confirming that there will be no grid limit. The 2018 seven round calendar was confirmed on 13 September 2017, with the series starting at the Silverstone Circuit , before going on the visit, Knockhill , Brands Hatch , Castle Combe , Oulton Park , Croft and Donington Park . In 2019 TCR UK Touring Car Championship merged with the Stewart Lines organized Touring Car Trophy with TCR UK as its subcategory. On 30 November 2017, WSC Asia and J's Consulting announced
816-631: 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. 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
867-778: The Campionato Italiano Turismo Endurance , also competing for the general classification of the championship. On 12 September 2015, the TCR Italian Series was relaunched as a stand-alone category for 2016. In December 2014 the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium (RACB) and Kronos Events announced the formation of the TCR Benelux Touring Car Championship. The inaugural season is set for 2016 with one-off event planned for 15 October 2015 at
918-680: The Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet . The schedule consists of seven rounds in the Benelux region, across Belgium , Netherlands and Luxembourg . Each round includes five races: a 60 minutes endurance race, with mandatory pit stop, and four 20 minutes sprint races. The starting grid for the endurance race is established by a popular vote via Facebook , through the Making the Grid application (later changed to aggregate score from
969-563: The Silverstone GP circuit. The presenters of the well-known British car show Top Gear , namely Jeremy Clarkson , Richard Hammond and James May - together with ' The Stig ' - took part in the 2007 event , in a BMW 330d , coming third of the five diesel cars, and 39th overall, at the end of the 24 Hours. At the end of the 2015 season, the rights for the Silverstone 24 hour endurance race were sold to Creventic to become
1020-732: 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. 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
1071-541: The ADAC TCR Germany promoters which will see all 7 rounds of the 2019 ADAC TCR Germany Touring Car Championship part of the 2019 TCR Swiss Trophy calendar. On 23 April 2019 it was announced by Auto Sport Switzerland that the TCR Swiss Trophy will be postponed until 2020 due to lack of entries. On 23 September 2015 ADAC Nordrhein and WSC Ltd. announced that the 2016 Nürburgring 24h Race will feature
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#17327835366531122-457: 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
1173-559: The International Series. The new category will run in the same events as ADAC GT Masters and ADAC Formula 4 as well as Deutscher Tourenwagen Cup (formerly ADAC Procar). On 15 February 2016, the Campeonato de España de Resistencia confirmed that they would introduce a TCR class in their championship. The championship calendar included five race weekends held across Spain. On 15 November 2016, WSC announced that
1224-535: 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
1275-604: The TCR Ibérico Series was disbanded. It was later reinstated as two-event season with events from the Portuguese and European Series. On 20 December 2018 it was announced that the series would be re-launched as standalone series. On 23 July 2016, the organizers of the 1000 kilometrų lenktynės held on the Lithuanian Palanga circuit confirmed that they would add a TCR class to the event. With
1326-638: The TCR regulations under the name of WTCR for usage in the World Touring Car Cup. The specification is identical, however it is frozen until the end of 2019, and cars are required to obtain an FIA passport after going through TCR homologation. Since 2017, TCR organisers World Sporting Consulting (WSC) have awarded the TCR Model of the Year award for the most successful TCR car across a year. The title
1377-556: The UK edition of their FIA " touring car " Endurance Series - although this round was then dropped in 2019. For this event's history, see Silverstone Britcar 24-Hour Bank of England %C2%A310 note The Bank of England £10 note , also known informally as a tenner , is a sterling banknote . It is the second-lowest denomination of banknote issued by the Bank of England . The current polymer notes, first issued on 5 June 2024, bears
1428-542: The ambition of establishing a proper championship beyond 2017, racing in the Baltic countries and Poland. The TCR Baltic Trophy was then introduced as part of the Baltic Touring Car Championship with TCR cars also participating in the supporting NEZ 6H Endurance Championship. On 12 January 2015, Marcello Lotti announced also a Chinese series planned for 2016. As for December 2015, a TCR class
1479-454: 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. Overall winner in each category, 2002 - 2022. 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
1530-416: The bodyshell and suspension layout of the production vehicle is retained in a TCR car, and many models use a production gearbox, certain accommodations are made for the stresses of the racetrack including upgraded brakes and aerodynamics. Competition vehicles are subject to balance of performance (BoP) adjustments to ensure close racing between different vehicles. The project to develop the TCR specification
1581-544: The calendars for 24H Series, Touring Car Endurance Series (renamed 24H TCE Series) and 24H Proto Series were unified and touring cars were only eligible to enter and score points in the 24H TCE Series championship. TCR touring cars are used as part of the Touring Car Cup of the FIA Motorsport Games. On 31 January 2015, Automobile Club d'Italia announced the TCR category as the third division of
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1632-625: The class podium every time they have raced. TCR cars are eligible to compete in the Super Taikyu Series starting from the 2017 season. TCR cars are eligible to compete in the Benelux-based Supercar Challenge , running in the Supersport 1 category with the cars being highly competitive. The Pirelli World Challenge allowed TCR-based cars in their TC class for the 2017 season, and will introduce
1683-859: The creation of the TCR Korea Series. The series will host a test day in June 2018 before beginning the season in July 2018, the series will conclude in October 2018. The TCR South America Series debuted in 2021, with races held in Argentina , Brazil and Uruguay . In 2018, Auto Sport Switzerland will organize the TCR Swiss Trophy. The inaugural season consisted of five rounds, held together with TCR Europe (Zandvoort, Assen and Monza), TCR Italy (Imola), and ADAC TCR Germany (Red Bull Ring). On 20 December 2018 Auto Sport Switzerland entered into agreement with
1734-788: The creation of the TCR Middle East Series. The series will be officially launched on 2 December 2016 at the Bahrain International Circuit , where a media and test day will be held. The series will visit the Dubai Autodrome , Yas Marina Circuit and the Bahrain International Circuit . On 9 June 2016, the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship confirmed that they would switch to the TCR regulations for 2017 after racing with Silhouette cars since 2013. In 2017
1785-665: The driver) Minimum overall length: 4.2 metres Maximum overall width: 1.95 metres Engine: Turbo-charged petrol or diesel up to 2 litre Torque: 420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft) Power: 355 PS Lubrication: Wet sump Exhaust: Homologated catalytic converter using production parts Traction: On two wheels Gearbox: Production or TCR International Series sequential; production paddle shift accepted Front Suspension: Production lay-out; parts free design Rear Suspension: Original design of production car with reinforced components Brakes: Wheels: Maximum dimensions of rim: 10″ x 18″ Aerodynamics: The FIA licensed
1836-590: The endurance race was determined by a qualifying session instead. All races were held alongside Clio Cup Benelux, but with standalone classifications for both. At the end of the season Kronos Events withdrew their support for the series. Later it was announced that the series will support the TCR Europe Series bill at five of the seven rounds. On 16 September 2015, the German Series was launched by ADAC and Engstler Motorsport , who already run in
1887-644: The first £10 notes to feature an image of the monarch on the front, and unlike the previous "White" notes they had a reverse; in this case featuring a lion. The C series was replaced by the D series beginning in 1975, with the new notes having a portrait of Florence Nightingale on the back. The tradition of portraying historical British figures on the reverse continued with the E series, first issued in 1992, with an image of Charles Dickens appearing. Series E notes are multicoloured, although they are predominantly orange-brown. From series E onward Bank of England £10 notes feature "windowed" metal thread; this thread appears as
1938-414: The images of King Charles III and the late Queen Elizabeth II first issued on 14 September 2017 on the obverse, and the image of author Jane Austen on the reverse. The final cotton paper note featuring a portrait of naturalist Charles Darwin , first issued in 2000, was withdrawn from circulation on 1 March 2018. Ten pounds notes were introduced by the Bank of England for the first time in 1759 as
1989-592: The invite to support the 2020 Silverstone event, but that entire event including the WEC round was later cancelled. (This marked the introduction of the relationship with WEC specifically; Britcar has raced outside the UK, including at Spa-Francorchamps , in many earlier years.) In 2021 the title sponsor changed from Dunlop to Goodyear (the parent company) in line with the BTCC . For 2022, Motorsport UK granted permission for Britcar to run their Endurance Championship with
2040-641: The long waited FIA World Touring Car Cup. The new series has been officially confirmed after a deal was reached to bring the World Touring Car Championship, the TCR International Series and the European Touring Car Cup together. TCR Asia Series was announced on 14 August 2014 by the organisation behind the TCR series under the name TC3 Asia Series - later changed to TCR Asia Series along with
2091-569: The other announced series. David Sonenscher , boss of the company Motorsport Asia , will be maintaining the series. He has previously run the Asian Touring Car Series and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia . Initially seven races were planned for 2015 , but later were reduced to 5 and the final calendar was with 4. The Singapore and Thailand rounds were run together with the TCR International Series, while
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2142-466: The printed notes, though this was replaced by the signature of the Chief Cashier from 1870 onwards. The ability to redeem banknotes for gold ceased in 1931 when Britain stopped using the gold standard . The £10 note ceased to be produced by the Bank of England in 1943, and it was not until 1964 with the advent of the series C notes that the denomination was re-introduced. These brown notes were
2193-573: The rest supported the GT Asia Series calendar. On 15 October 2015, Marcello Lotti revealed plans for a European Series including one round from each TCR European championship (Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Russia and Benelux), starting from 2016. On 26 February 2016, the European Trophy was launched, with six rounds (Spanish championship was excluded for not having an own series and Benelux series had two rounds). Subsequent change
2244-890: 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
2295-655: The series will only race in Sweden, but a future expansion into the other Scandinavian countries is possible in the near future. On 8 November 2016, it was announced that the TCR Portuguese Series and TCR Spanish Series would merge, creating the TCR Ibérico Touring Car Series. The series will visit Portugal four times and Spain three times. Along with an overall title, two separate national titles were also awarded. On 20 January 2018
2346-555: The title "British" and to increase the race duration from 1-hour to 2- and 3- hour, with the aim of running even longer races in the future. A new website and new social media channels were launched to support this change. Praga split off from Endurance to have grids of their own, run under the Britcar/BARC umbrella while the Trophy Championship continued unchanged. Britcar traditionally hosted an endurance race on
2397-405: The votes and the fast lap practice session with fan voting having bigger weight); sprint race 1 uses the best lap of after pit during long race to determine the starting grid, race 3 uses the best lap of before pit during long race; races 2 and 4 include a rolling start using the finishing order, respectively, of race 1 and 3. For the 2017 season the fan voting was dropped and the starting grid for
2448-567: The weekend. Also in 2020, the Endurance grid saw several new Praga sportscar prototype R1 and R1T entries balanced into the existing Endurance class system. In 2021 these entries were given a dedicated class. In 2020 Britcar ran as a support event for the FIA World Endurance Championship for the first time, at the 2020 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps event, with two non-championship races consisting of Endurance and Trophy cars plus non-Britcar cars with one-off entries made under class 1 through class 7 specifications. WEC had additionally extended
2499-640: Was known as TC3, to indicate its intended position at the entry-level end of the touring car pyramid. However, upon being approved by the FIA in December 2014, the specification was renamed TCR. On 15 September 2014, technical regulations for the category were announced. On 22 January 2016, minor changes were applied. Eligible cars: 4/5-door vehicles Body shell: Reinforced production body shell; wheel arch modifications allowed to accommodate tyres Minimum weight: 1250 kg for cars with production gearbox, 1285 kg for cars with racing gearbox (both including
2550-552: Was made during the course of the season to include additional round from German series. For the 2017 edition was adopted the one-off event format with two races. For 2018 it was upgraded to TCR Europe Series with 7 events, five of which would support International GT Open . TCR cars are allowed to compete in 24H Series alongside the GT cars. Initially the two series had their separate calendars and TCR entires were eligible to enter and score points in both championships until 2017. In 2018
2601-588: Was spearheaded by former World Touring Car Championship manager Marcello Lotti. All TCR cars have a common forefather; the SEAT León Cup Racer racing car which was introduced as successor to the SEAT León Supercopa used in several successful single-make series. The 2.0L engine formula was derived from this car, as well as the standardised front splitter and rear wing . Initially, the specification and accompanying international series
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