The British Truck Racing Championship rumbles into the UK’s fastest circuit – Thruxton – this weekend (July 8/9) with the battle for supremacy atop the Division 1 and Division 2 standings set to further intensify at Convoy on the Plain.
Almost two months on from an action-packed second meeting of the season at Pembrey, the heavyweight behemoths are poised to resume their 2023 campaign in front of an expected bumper trackside crowd at the Hampshire venue.
And with it being Convoy on the Plain – which is one of the biggest truck shows in the south of England – the BTRC’s five unmissable contests are set to be one of the many attractions on a weekend that has guaranteed fun for all the family.
Chase is on in Division 1
Division 1 has a familiar feel to things towards the top of the standings with reigning seven-time champion Ryan Smith currently leading the way.
Chalking up six wins across the opening ten races, the Daimler Freightliner racer has been in relentless front-running form and the expectation is that that could well continue over the course of the weekend.
While Smith has claimed more than 50% of the victories so far, he does also arrive at Thruxton coming off the back of two non-finishes at Pembrey which means he only holds a slender six-point advantage.
Leading the chase and sitting firmly within striking distance of Smith is someone that is no stranger to being in a title fight too, ten-time champion Stuart Oliver. At the wheel of his Volvo VNL, Oliver has been a force at the front, scoring two wins and six podiums so far.
David Jenkins, another former champion, may not have won a race yet but his consistency has placed him third whilst Bradley Smith and Craig Reid have punched in a number of superlative performances to sit fourth and fifth.
After enduring a frustrating season-opener, Steven Powell bounced back onto the podium at Pembrey and he’ll be eager to repeat his heroics of 2022 here by opening his win account for the season.
Further down the order Michael Oliver – a winner in South Wales – will be eager to make an impression towards the front of the field whilst John Bowler will also be worth keeping an eye on.
Rounding out the Division 1 contingent is the quartet of Tom O’Rourke, Simon Faulkner, Richard Collett and Simon Cole – all of whom will be eager to record their best results of the season so far.
Two notable absentees from Thruxton will be Jock Borthwick and Simon Reid. Borthwick was a race winner at Pembrey however since then he was involved in a motorcycle accident while attending the Isle of Man TT which has subsequently left him recovering from a leg injury.
Joining Borthwick on the sidelines this weekend is Simon Reid who, due to business commitments, is unable to attend and compete.
Battle lines drawn in Division 2 fight
Over in Division 2, the almighty, multi-truck tussle that has played out across Brands Hatch and Pembrey for outright honours looks set to continue around Thruxton.
Heading into the weekend in the pound seat is former champion Adam Bint, who – aboard his Volvo White Aerodyne – has swapped out the technical issues that have plagued him in recent campaigns for impressive and consistent front-running speed.
Five wins and five third place finishes have provided the backbone to Bint’s charge so far but he’ll crucially need to continue punching in those sort of results due to how competitive the battle for the coveted crown is.
John Powell – who has only finished outside the top three on one occasion this year – sits hot on the heels of Bint in second whilst NAPA Racing UK’s Paul Rivett is riding a wave of momentum following his double win last time out at Pembrey.
Despite still chasing a maiden victory, Craig Evans has demonstrated he has all the characteristics to launch a title challenge and he’ll be focused on getting amongst the fight at the front as the weekend progresses.
Rounding out the Division 2 contingent is the popular Jim Bennett and Neil Yates, who is making his debut in the series at the wheel of an ex-Steven Powell DAF CF.
Ready for a Convoy!
On top of five BTRC races and a bumper support bill, those attending Thruxton this weekend will once again be able to experience a festival of all things trucking thanks to Convoy on the Plain.
Set to be bigger and better than ever, attractions such as Monster Truck Rides, Show Trucks, Transformers, Live Music and a Kids Zone, plus much more, are guaranteed to make it a weekend to remember.
Saturday 8th July | Qualifying: 10:20 / Race 1: 12:45 / Race 2: 15:55
Sunday 9th July | Race 3: 10:55 / Race 4: 14:35 / Race 5: 17:25
All races will be streamed online for free via the British Truck Racing Championship YouTube channel; with Saturday’s broadcast beginning at 12:30 and Sunday’s at 10:30.
Ticket information for the event can be found by visiting HERE.