STEPHEN LICKORISH
“It’s good series aren’t afraid of trying something new”
The Clubmans Sports Prototype Championship and Alfa Romeo Championship are among the longestrunning UK racing series. That organisers of both categories have decided to jump ship and switch organising clubs for 2020 after decades at their previous homes demonstrates there are some major changes going on in the world of club motorsport.
The Clubmans Register has a history with the British Automobile Racing Club that dates back to the 1960s, while the Alfa Romeo series had run with the British Racing and Sports Car Club for the entirety of its 37-year existence. That organisers have decided to end such long associations is not a decision taken lightly. But it perhaps indicates that the two largest clubs no longer have the pulling power they once did.
Increasing sections of the club racing world have shifted to a model where individual series buy track time from the clubs. And that means it is easier for championships to break away and go elsewhere if what they have been offered does not fit their needs. That is what has happened in the case of Clubmans as a switch to a schedule with Motorsport Vision Racing proved more attractive.
Entry fees are another key issue. It is no secret that some clubs have higher entry fees than others and that was one of the factors that led to the Alfa Romeo Championship joining the 750 Motor Club for 2020. At a time when costs are increasing anyway following rises in circuit hire charges and Motorsport UK’S significant hike in event permit fees, this is becoming an ever-more important aspect.
The Alfa Romeos aren’t the only series to swap the BRSCC for the 750MC in recent times. The F1000 single-seater championship made the same decision for 2019 and it has proved to be a good one. While it was averaging 13 cars last year, this season that has been up to 18 – meaning it has lost its long-held yellow warning card from Motorsport UK after its lack of previous entries.
“It’s very pleasing that we are considered to be an attractive paddock to come and race with,” says 750MC competitions manager Giles Groombridge. “There’s a lot of championships that have been struggling for a number of years and continued when maybe there needs to be a bit of reset in the industry in terms of the number of competing championships.”
Categories moving between clubs is certainly nothing new but the fact that two such long-serving series have decided now is the time for a change makes it so significant. Others may well have a change of scenery too, with the Classic Formula Ford 1600 Championship going from BARC to Historic Sports Car Club control. Whether the moves pay off remains to be seen, but it is good to see championships are not afraid of trying something new in a bid to survive and thrive.
Turn to page 22 to find out which were this year’s most popular clubs and series – and which really struggled.