The penultimate race weekend of the 2024 Milltek Sport Civic Cup takes place at Thruxton (21-22 September), with a double-header of races set to play a crucial role in the championship.
The fearsome 2.36-mile Hampshire circuit provides a high-speed challenge like no other, and its return to the Civic Cup calendar for the first time since 2020 has been eagerly anticipated.
Just one of the drivers who took part in that event four years ago will be on the grid this weekend, making it an almost level playing field as the racers get to grips with Thruxton’s ultra-fast sweeps.
The odd one out is Alistair Camp, the 2021 champion. Camp himself will be in different machinery, so even he has limited experience to draw upon. The Area Motorsport racer has switched to the FN2 model Civic Type R this year and has already taken it to three wins to lie third in the championship standings.
But Camp is still a long way shy of his EP3-mounted team-mates Max Edmundson and Josh Files, whose duel for the crown looks set to go to the wire. Reigning champion Edmundson leads the way by 29 points from international touring car star Files.
But Files is much better off in terms of dropped scores in his back pocket, making for an intriguing contest as they head to Hampshire. While Edmundson has six wins to Files’s three, the young charger cannot afford any zero scores this weekend having suffered a non-finish at both the previous two events.
The six-strong Area Motorsport line-up is completed by Harvey Caton – who took a maiden win last time out – two-time TCR UK champion Lewis Kent, and Liam McGill who returns to action this weekend.
Leading the line for Ben Sharpe Racing is Spencer Stevenson, who scored a sensational podium on his debut at Brands Hatch but hasn’t quite managed to reach the same heights since. Stevenson holds an advantage of more than 100 points in the Paul Winfield Trophy for rookies and less experienced drivers.
With budget limitations sadly sidelining Will Redford, BSR is down to two cars this weekend, with former Fiesta racer Adam Durant making his second appearance for the squad.
Stevenson’s nearest rival in the Paul Winfield Trophy standings is former MG racer Josh Bromley. The Derby driver, who runs his car in conjunction with AMW Motorsport, will be looking to build on a breakout weekend at Silverstone last month when he achieved two seventh-place finishes.
Dave Marshall is another who arrives on the back of his best weekend of 2024. The hard-working north-easterner took his FN2 to three top-five finishes at Silverstone, including his first podium of the year. It lifted the DMR with KA Car Sales driver to eighth overall in the standings, best of those from outside the Area and BSR camps.
The six-car Pro Alloys Racing line-up is headed by the experienced Alex Kite. But while Kite has been out of luck in recent events, it is young gun Wesley Swain who has shown the best form.
Swain, who like fellow rookie Harry England drives an FN2, is knocking on the door of his first top-six finish. Aydan Hassan completes the team’s trio of teenagers. In contrast, former TCR UK man Garry Townsend brings bags of experience to his challenge for Goodyear Diamond Award honours.
Owen Hillman returns to the Civic Cup ranks after making his debut in TCR UK last time out at Silverstone, driving the Lynk & Co 03 TCR. Hillman is back with his regular EP3 for this event.
With GDA points leader Mark Hughes skipping this round, Townsend will battle with Simon Welch (Team Squelch) and Anthony Gannon (Detail Car Care Racing) for the class honours at Thruxton.
Brothers Daniel and Jamie Petters are back with the family Team Petters Racing squad after contrasting fortunes at Silverstone. Dan had his best weekend yet, with top-10 pace throughout.
But on the back of a terrific showing at Croft, his younger brother came down to earth with a bump, leaving the Northamptonshire venue without adding to his tally.
It’s set to be a busy weekend for MJB Motorsport’s Jack Ruddell. The young gun will combine his Civic Cup duties with Classic Touring Car action in his father’s mighty Ford Mustang.
Scott Smith (DH Racing), Jordan Brennan (One Day Motorsport) and Will Butt (privateer) continue their campaigns, with each looking to break into the top 10 for the first time.
Completing the field this weekend, it’s a big welcome back to Charlotte Birch and her Vinna Sport squad. The former GT racer endured a tough opening round at Brands Hatch but is back with the aim of showing the kind of form that has taken her to plenty of past success.
There are two races for the Milltek Sport Civic Cup this weekend. Track action for the 230+bhp pocket rockets begins with their qualifying session on Saturday morning at 1045hrs.
Round 14 of the championship follows that afternoon, with a scheduled start time of 1540hrs. Round 15 takes places on Sunday, lights-out timetabled for 1150hrs.
Racing action will take place on the Saturday and Sunday with both days livestreamed on the official TCR UK YouTube channel.
You can purchase tickets for the next event of the 2024 season, at Thruxton, from their website: https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/brscc
To find out more about the Milltek Sport Civic Cup visit https://civic-cup.co.uk/ for more info and how to get involved.
To find out more about the events on the 2024 Milltek Sport Civic Cup Calendar, visit https://civic-cup.co.uk/2024-season-calendar/ for more info.
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