We’re delighted that registration is now open. Our thanks to every competitor who’s kept in touch for being so patient, we really appreciate your support.
NATIONAL COMPETITION RULES (NCR)
As during the 2025 Season, the NCR are continually evolving. Although the Championship organisers will endeavour to provide updates regarding critical amendments, it’s now every competitor’s responsibility to keep up to date with relevant changes. A copy of the latest NCR is always available from the Resource Centre, part of the Motorsport UK website. There is also a Motorsport UK App available from the App Store and Google Play.
CHAMPIONSHIP REGULATIONS
In addition to the changes required to ensure alignment with the latest NCR at time of publication, BARC Midlands is conscious of the ongoing social and financial pressures many people continue to face. So, as in 2025, points accumulated from entry in eight rounds (previously ten) will continue to represent each driver’s final Championship score.
Over the years, there has been much discussion about the Championship Target Times. In response, on 1 January 2026, all class records that had not been bettered for three Championship seasons or more were reset to 0.00 seconds. As a result, Target Times for all effected Championship classes will start the 2026 Season as ‘New’. This process will be repeated on 1 January every subsequent year.
The BARC Speed Championship consists of both sprint and hillclimb events. To be eligible as a Championship, Class, Class Group or Bonus Award winner, competitors must include two sprint rounds and two hillclimb rounds within the season. However, in response to competitor feedback, the inclusion of a Championship Round organised by BARC Midlands is no longer required.
CHANGING FACES
In addition to changes to the Championship Regulations, there have also been a number of departures from the BARC Midlands team, and new arrivals as a result.
Due to other commitments, Liam Matthews, our Championship Eligibility Scrutineer, and his partner Hannah are taking a break from their long standing involvement Motorsport. The BARC Midlands Team sincerely thank them both for all the support they’ve provided and wish them every success for the future.
In response, we’re delighted to welcome back Sue Bateman. A familiar face to some of our established competitors. Sue brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience covering a wide range of motorsport disciplines. An established Kart, Interclub, National and Eligibility Scrutineer, the BARC Midlands team is delighted to have regained Sue’s support.
There have also been changes to our Championship Stewards, with Ian Watson and Fred Bromley joining David Wheadon. Both Ian and Fred bring with them decades of relevant experience, Ian as the long serving Senior Clerk for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, and Fred as a former BARC Chief Marshal and now a prominent BARC Event Steward.
Welcome aboard Sue, Ian and Fred, we’re delighted to have your support.
SPONSORSHIP & AWARDS
Until BARC Midlands believes any sponsorship of the Championship can deliver tangible benefits our competitors and any relevant partners, the Centre will continue to fund the Championship independently.
For 2026 we’re delighted to announce that the Championship prize fund for second and third place has been increased to £250 and £125 respectively. The overall 2026 Winner will receive £500, a trophy, and tickets for the BARC Big Night Out. Here, they’ll also be presented with the coveted Wilkinson Sword in the company of all the other 35 BARC Championship winners, including the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, the British F4 Championship, the British Truck Racing Championship and TCR UK.
In addition to the Queen or King of the Hills and The Course Challenge Cup introduced in 2025, there are now even more opportunities to take home a prize. The three new Class Group Trophies will be awarded to the competitors who have the highest BARC Speed Championship score in their class group.
Unfortunately, Raymond Good Joiners has had to withdraw the Raymond Good Trophy for this season. Everyone at BARC Midlands is sincerely grateful for the support Jim, Will, and the Hunt family have provided for well over a decade. We wish them good fortune for the future and hope that our paths will cross again.
For full details of all the 2026 Championship and Bonus awards, please see sections 1.9 and 1.10 of the Championship Regulations.
CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS EVENT
In response to ongoing competitor feedback, BARC Midlands has always supported a BARC Speed Championship Awards Evening. These events have been hosted at central locations, and held either shortly after the end of the season, or just before the start of the new season.
We’ve endeavoured to make these events as accessible and affordable as is possible, and have always subsidised the tickets price. Unfortunately, due to an ongoing decline in competitor attendance, the cost of these events has become unsustainable.
From 2026, trophies will be delivered directly to all respective winners, and prize money paid by bank transfer. This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, and we’re disappointed to see the loss of what should be a popular and integral part of any Championship.
The BARC Championship Awards evening will be replaced by an alternative, informal event for Centre members and supporters. This includes BARC Speed Championship competitors, who will be more than welcome to join us.
2027 & BEYOND…
During the months to come, Taras, Laura, Sue, and the BARC Midlands Team will continue to review various aspect of the Championship, with the ongoing aim of making improvements that will benefit our competitors by establishing a more structured and enjoyable format.
The BARC Speed Championship is open to all current members of BARC, plus thirty-nine invited motorsport clubs as detailed in Section 1.3.1 of the Championship Regulations.
This season competitors can choose from twenty-eight rounds at some of the best motorsport circuit, sprint and hill climb venues in the UK. As in 2025, points accumulated from entry in eight rounds will represent each driver’s final Championship score.
BARC Midlands will host three Championship rounds, the first at Cadwell Park, followed by a double header at Snetterton Circuit. Our sister BARC Centres and other leading motorsport clubs will deliver the remaining twenty-five rounds. You can enter any BARC Midlands round by visiting our online shop, with booking links for all rounds added to the 2026 Championship Calendar as they become available.
The 2026 BARC Speed Championship regulations are available to download below. There’s also link to our online store, offering the convenience of registering online. This provides the reassurance of an instant email confirmation of your registration, plus the convenience of paying by debit or credit card. Alternatively, for those who prefer to pay by cheque or bank transfer, a printable booking form is also available.
If you would like further information or have questions to ask, please contact:
CHAMPIONSHIP COORDINATOR
Taras Andrusin
Mobile: 07915 564 776
Email: taras@barc-midlands.co.uk
ELIGIBILITY ENQUIRIES
Sue Bateman
Mobile: 07955 230 602
Email: suebmotorsport@gmail.com
As with every member of the BARC Midlands Team, Taras and Sue are volunteers with other commitments. So, if they’re unable to respond immediately, please leave a voicemail or send an email, and they’ll get back to you as soon as is possible. Taras is normally available from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Monday to Friday and 11:00am to 7:00pm at weekends.
Every member of the BARC Midlands team is a volunteer, driven by common goals of delivering great club level motorsport, supported by an excellent customer experience. However, creating the best possible environment for our competitors relies on collaboration, so we encourage everyone who’s equally passionate about ensuring the BARC Speed Championship continues to be a truly enjoyable series to get actively involved.
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