The British Truck Racing Championship has a need for speed this weekend (July 5-6) as the fastest circuit in the country, Thruxton, plays host to what promises to be a full-throttle third meeting of the 2025 season.
Off the back of events at Brands Hatch and Pembrey, the high-speed Hampshire venue – which boasts flat-out sweeping curves and unforgiving kerbs – is a fitting setting for the latest all-action instalment from the heavyweight behemoths.
Up in Division 1 the battle for supremacy is guaranteed to put fans on the edge of their seats as Stuart Oliver and Ryan Smith get set to renew their rivalry while Jake Evans will be looking to consolidate his advantage at the summit of the Division 2 standings.
With it being Convoy Thruxton, those in attendance will also be able to soak up a stunning display of Show Trucks, Monster Truck Rides, Tractor Pulling, Extreme Bike Battles, Live Music and more in addition to the racing.
Giants of the sport ready to renew battle
As already mentioned, two of the most successful drivers to ever compete in the championship – Stuart Oliver and Ryan Smith – go into Thruxton this Saturday and Sunday separated by just a handful of points at the top of the Division 1 standings.
Ten-time title winner Oliver has hit the ground running this year and with three wins to his name already, the Volvo VNL driver will be a formidable force to go up against over the course of the weekend’s five scheduled races.
Leading the chase for Oliver is the man who has enjoyed nearly a decade of dominance in the premier class, Ryan Smith. The reigning nine-time champion has been as rapid as ever at times this year and he’ll be a man on a mission after facing mechanical issues last time out at Pembrey.
Of course it isn’t just the two multiple title winners that will be worth keeping an eye on. John Bowler has been the epitome of consistency so far while David Jenkins has tallied multiple podiums across the opening two meetings.
Michael Oliver, son of Stuart, and his Team Oliver Racing team-mate Martin Gibson have also been regular front-runners this season and both have pedigree around Thruxton too. Elsewhere, another driver that has been amongst the podium positions this year is DS Racing’s David Smith.
Further down the field, Tom O’Rourke has punched in a number of eye-catching performances in his International Navistar, whilst former Division 2 champion Adam Bint will be riding high after clinching a maiden top-flight win at Pembrey in mid-May.
Also lining up in Division 1 this weekend will be the 333 Motorsport duo of Neil Yates and Steven Powell, the latter of which has so far endured a frustrating start to the season but will be hopeful of turning things around at a track that has been a happy hunting ground for him in the past.
Completing the entry list is last year’s Division 2 champion John Powell who should be debuting his brand-new DAF and fan favourite Richard Collett, who will be eager to build on the momentum of making his first appearance of the year back at Pembrey.
Race is on to catch Evans
Down in Division 2 things have been just as exciting across the opening two events of the season and going into Thruxton sitting atop the pile is impressive debutant Jake Evans in his trusty MAN TGX.
Wasting no time in getting to grips with the hustle and bustle of truck racing, Evans has tallied a number of race wins and podiums already. He should be a front-runner once again however he’ll need to keep an eye over his shoulder as his main rivals are hot on his heels.
Simon Cole was last year’s runner-up and he’s all business this year as he aims to go one better in 2025. Multiple wins have provided the backbone to his charge thus far although a few mechanical woes in South Wales mean that there is work to be done.
Bidding to close the gap to Evans, Cole and his trusty IVECO will need to be at their brilliant best, especially as two more rookie drivers, WDE Motorsport’s Callum Eason and Weaver Motorsport’s Bradley Harvey, are breathing down his neck.
Both Eason and Harvey have been in the thick of the action so far and as they continue to gain experience, they’re set to become greater threats to the front-runners. Three other drivers that can’t be discounted either are Archie Handy, Finnish ace Sami Ojanen and Graham Poole.
Thruxton: Timetable, Live Stream & Tickets
Saturday 6th July | Practice – 10:10 / Qualifying – 11:25 / Race 1 – 13:10 / Race 2 – 16:05
Sunday 7th July | Grid Walk – 10:15 / Race 3 – 10:45 / Race 4 – 13:00 / Race 5 – 15:30
All races will be streamed online via the official British Truck Racing Championship YouTube channel for free across both days. Action from the support categories will also be broadcast.
Ticket information for the event can be found by visiting the Thruxton website HERE.