Kumho BMW Championship
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The Kumho BMW Championship is a single make racing series based in the UK. Exclusively for BMW's the championship is run by the BMW Racing Drivers Club in conjunction with the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC). The championship is a BARC registered, BMW-exclusive motorsport seies.
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[edit] Introduction
The Championship is open to any production BMW sold in the UK. It provides close competition in four classes split by a power to weight ratio. The aim of the championship is to provide a closely competitive series for drivers, having a low cost entry class where cars can be competitive running standard engines, and a ladder of increasing cost and performance accommodating the latest vehicles. In 2006, 20 contenders scored points in the championship with the race victories shared between 6 drivers across the four classes.
[edit] History
The championship has existed since 1987, and has proven to be an attractive proposition for those wanting to race rear wheel drive cars on a limited budget. The series is established as the fastest road tyred championship in the country, but it is not necessary to use the latest models, or to run at the front to be competitive.
- Uniquely, the championship has its own driving standards policed by the competitors' own BMW Racing Drivers Club, membership of which is a requirement of entry. This is in an attempt to eliminate the damage caused by modern tactics of blocking, weaving and tapping (or as it used to be known, driving into one another). Do not however think that this makes for a gentle series. Racing is getting ever closer as drivers become confident that these undesirable tactics are removed from the sport, allowing competitors to trust one another to not take out the opposition. Some founder members remain at the club today. These include Evelyne Buanic, who competes in Class B and Trevor Ford, who also competes in class B.
[edit] The Kumho BMW's Today
2007 marks the 20th anniversary for the BMWRDC, and also the 10th Anniversary of successful sponsorship from Kumho Tyres. For 2007, the championship has also obtained new sponsorship from FFE Fire & Security and Hills Motors.
The championship currently competes at many famous circuits in the UK, including Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Snetterton, Thruxton and Croft. The championship has 14-race calendar in 2007, with 6 race weekends being double-headers. The 2007 season opener is at Brands Hatch on the weekend of 21st/22nd April.
Class Structure
The championship is made up of four classes split by a power to weight ratio. These are:
• A, 220 bhp per tonne
• B, 195 bhp per tonne
• C, 175 bhp per tonne
• D, E36 318is M42 & M44 engines
• I, Invitation class, An BMW Model at the discretion of the BMWRDC. Includes BMW Minis.
- Note- Weight of the car includes the driver in full racing gear.
[edit] 2007 Calendar
| Round Number | Circuit | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | Brands Hatch | 21-22 April 2007 |
| 3 | Snetterton | 27-28 May 2007 |
| 4 & 5 | Pembrey | 9-10 June 2007 |
| 6 & 7 | Mallory Park | 1 July 2007 |
| 8 & 9 | Croft | 14-15 July 2007 |
| 10 | Oulton Park | 4 August 2007 |
| 11 & 12 | Thruxton | 16 September 2007 |
| 13 & 14 | Silverstone | 30 September 2007 |
[edit] 2007 Entrants
Class A
- Ian Hill E36 M3
- Ian Crisp E36 M3
- Dominic Evans E36 M3
- Garrie Whittaker E30 M3
- Richard Mallinson E36 M3
- Colin Whitmore E36 M3
- Mikael Walters E36 M3
- Paul Myall E36 M3
- David Garthwaite E46 M3 CSL
- Giovannie Di Gennaro E30 M3
- Martin Webb E36 M3
- Tom Webb E36 M3
- Dan Stringfellow E36 M3
- James Perrott M3 E36
Class B
- Trevor Ford E30 M3
- Adrian Gilbert E36 M3
- Evelyne Buanic E30 M3
- Mark Astall E30 M3
- Karl Cattliff E30 M3
- Rodger Card E30 M3
- James Card E30 M3
- Stephen Pearson E43 M5
- Stuart Laws E30 325i
Class C
- Lea Sandy E30 325i
Class D
- Liam Hamilton E36 318is
Class I
- Kevin Wendt E36 M3
- Mark McLennan 325i
[edit] Notable drivers
Martyn Bell and Rick Kerry are both current competitors in the British Touring Car Championship.
Geoff Steel, ex touring car driver has himself competed in the BMWRDC.
[edit] External links
| Drivers | Ian Hill • Ian Crisp • Domonic Evans • Garrie Whittaker • Richard Mallinson • Colin Whitmore • Mikael Walters • Paul Myall • David Garthwaite • Giovanni Di Gennaro • Martin Webb • Tom Webb • Dan Stringfellow • James Perrot • Trevor Ford • Adrian Gilbert • Evelyne Buanic • Mark Astall • Carl Cattliff • Roger Card • James Card • Stephen Pearson • Stuart Laws • Lea Sandy • Liam Hamilton • Kevin Wendt • Mark McLennan |
|---|---|
| Circuits | Brands Hatch • Snetterton • Pembrey • Mallory Park • Croft • Oulton Park • Thruxton • Silverstone |
