There’s a big weekend of motorsport ahead with many of the UK’s premier championships coming out of hibernation over the Easter break. 

The British GT and GB3 Championships burst back into action at Oulton with races on both Saturday and Monday – note, there will not be any racing on Sunday. 

Further south in Kent both the British Rallycross 5 Nations Trophy and British Truck Racing Championships shake off their winter slumbers at Lydden Hill and Brands Hatch respectively. 

At Lydden, Team UK driver Patrick O’Donovan will kick off his quest for a hat-trick at titles. The 19-year-old, who had a 100 per cent record in the rounds he contested last season, is back in his 2022 title-winning Ford Fiesta Supercar having switched to a Peugeot 208 WRX to win his second crown in 2023. 

“I’ve got a lot of good memories from racing the Fiesta,” said O’Donovan. “It will be interesting to see what we can do because it is far from the most modern car on the grid and it’s going to be a very competitive year. I always aim to win, though!” 

The British Endurance Championship also blasts off on Good Friday at Donington Park. The 2024 grid once features a number of modern GT3 and GT4 sportscars from illustrious marques such as Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Mercedes AMG plus a mixture of top end touring cars.  

Johnny Mowlem is one of the familiar names on this year’s entry list. A veteran of ten Le Mans starts, he is reunited with Bonamy Grimes to spearhead Red River Sport’s challenge in a Ferrari 458 Challenge. 

“It will be a joy to team up with Bon again in the BEC,” admitted the ever-enthusiastic Mowlem. “We’ve have raced together across the world in so many different cars and championships with a lot of success, but we have had some of our happiest and most successful times together in this championship, so it will be great fun to come back. Especially as Bon has moved on massively as a driver since we last competed here.” 

Since being sanctioned by Motorsport UK, the British Endurance Championship has gained in popularity in recent years. This year’s six round series will benefit from further enhanced live coverage via BARC TV, which will be streamed on Motorsport UK TV, before then being published on the official Britcar YouTube channel shortly afterwards. 

“We’re delighted to be able to showcase BEC live and for free for everyone once again this year,” said Claire Hedley, Britcar Managing Director. “Over the past few years we’ve seen some fantastic coverage captured on our races and I’m confident that 2024 will be no different, especially as we are making a further investment around delivering more behind-the-scenes access, too.”