Rockingham to host its first 24-hour race

Rockingham will hold its first 24-hour race in 2018 as the C1 Racing Challenge has added a second long-distance event to its calendar.

The C1 Challenge ran a 24-hour race at Spa last weekend to cap its inaugural year, and adds the May 11-13 event at Rockingham on the track’s 17th birthday.

Meyrick Cox, chairman of the C1 Racing Club, said: “Rockingham has amongst the best facilities of any circuit in the UK, so we are thrilled that Rockingham and East Northants Council has been so supportive.

“The C1 Racing Challenge is going from strength to strength. Our first season saw grids building from eight cars at our first race to over 40 cars at the Spa 24-hour.”

Peter Hardman, chief executive of Rockingham, who will be racing in the event as the circuit team have put in an entry, said: “This is the first 24-hour race to be held at Rockingham, so I am delighted the C1 Racing Club has chosen to hold its UK meeting at our circuit next season.

“The C1 Racing Challenge is one of the most successful new series the UK has seen, and I am proud to be able to be part of its growth.”

Richard Dalton’s Daltonator team won the race at Spa last weekend. Former 2CV champion Dalton had son Jake sharing the car with British GT champion Seb Morris, GT racer James Fletcher and Carrera Cup driver Lewis Plato. British Touring Car racer Josh Cook brought his Fats & Furious team in second, three laps down, sharing with cousin Ollie, Jon Maybin and Joel Shipton.