Jenny Thompson - Croft Circuit - The Darlington & District Motor Club’s race meeting 22nd - 23rd August 2026

The Battle of Britain Race Meeting returns to Croft Circuit on 22–23 August, bringing two thrilling days of motorsport to the famous North Yorkshire track.

Fans can look forward to a packed weekend of high-speed action, bumper grids and close, competitive racing, with an exciting mix of machinery taking to the circuit on both three and four wheels.

With plenty of variety and action from start to finish, it promises to be a fantastic summer weekend of racing at Croft.

https://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/ddmc

https://croftcircuit.co.uk/

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SPEAKER_00 0:00

The Battle of Britain race meeting returns to Croft Circuit on the 22nd and 23rd of August, bringing two days of top-notch motorsport on four and three wheels to the famous North Yorkshire track. A packed programme including the Northern Saloon and Sports Car Championship, Scottish Legends, the Focus Cup Championship, and the FRSA F2 Sidecar Championships are all part of the Darlington and District Motor Club weekend. Joining me from Croft to look forward to what promises to be an action-packed weekend is Jenny Thompson. Jenny, the prospect of this weekend is a mouthwatering and tantalising one with a packed programme, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01 0:41

It certainly is. Thanks for having me. Yes, we're really excited once again to have the Darlington and District Motor Club back with their Battle of Britain, which actually has been an annual fixture at Croft for about 60 years.

SPEAKER_00 0:54

I mean, some people may wonder why Battle of Britain, but of course, August 1940 was when all that took place. I can't believe that's 76 years or so ago. Goodness me, how time flies. But what a great way to uh to commemorate uh that weekend with a superb weekend uh of motor racing. Now, I I mentioned what was going on, that was a huge list, so let's go through that so fans know what to expect. The Northern Saloon and Sports Car Championship, what can they see on track?

SPEAKER_01 1:20

There is seriously something for every um fan of Markov Car. Um we've got around 30 cars and a great mixed grid. So Mitsubishi, Subaru, BMW, Porsche, Peugeot, Mazda, Honda, Golf, Fiesta, Westfield, and much more. So, yes, a really exciting grid for people to watch.

SPEAKER_00 1:40

I I think that that could be a quiz question, couldn't it? How many marks aren't represented and there'll be very few? That is tremendous. That provides close racing, but also really varied racing, doesn't it? And I mean, you know, the people who are racing in these championships, they are enthusiastic and competitive.

SPEAKER_01 1:56

And there's also a grid walk on the Sunday from from them as well. So do make sure, you know, if you're coming along on the Sunday, that you get ahead of the racing and you can see the cars up close and meet the drivers.

SPEAKER_00 2:08

Absolutely, that's a fantastic opportunity. Now, on the list I mentioned, Scottish Legends. For people who don't know, what is and or are Scottish Legends?

SPEAKER_01 2:17

If you've never seen the Scottish Legends race, you seriously have missed something. They are quirky cars with about just enough room for a very fast engine in them. Um, they're great to watch, uh, great racing. They're coming to us actually fresh from supporting the British touring car championship at Nock Hill. So we're super excited to have them around, but they're a great watch. Yeah, so first time people to craft, just come along just to watch those. You'll be amazed, really.

SPEAKER_00 2:44

They are quite a spectacle in a sight, aren't they? Because they they almost look like a mini version of a of a big car. And and the drive the drivers only just about get into them, don't they?

SPEAKER_01 2:55

Yes, they do. Yes, they do.

SPEAKER_00 2:57

Somebody described it to me once uh as like uh squeezing a driver on top of an engine and sticking four wheels, uh, one on each corner, and then sending them off around a track. Great close racing, though. Uh really, really good. Now, the focus cup championship. Yes, uh, what's that?

SPEAKER_01 3:12

So, this is an interesting one. So, this is a local championship created by a local businessman from Middlesbrough who has actually built all the cars. So, people arrive and drive. So, they're identical cars, no excuses, and it's down to the drivers really to make a difference. So, again, something a little bit different on the lineup this weekend.

SPEAKER_00 3:31

Okay, so so these are the where the the the owner, the driver, has had a huge input into creating the car that goes onto the grid.

SPEAKER_01 3:38

Yes, the businessman from Middlesbrough, he's actually created this, and as I say, they're identical cars, so it really is down to how good the driver is to make a difference, actually on the day.

SPEAKER_00 3:49

Now that you see that's that makes it more interesting, doesn't it? Because you can't have a driver saying, Well, you know, the brakes weren't as good. Can't have what do they say about a bad workman blaming his tools? Goodness me. No, none of that, more close racing as well. Now, as for that's four wheels taken care of, but we've got three wheels on the weekend as well, haven't we?

SPEAKER_01 4:09

So the Formula Two sidecar machines are definitely bringing three-wheel madness, I would say, this weekend. They're really quick, they're committed, and they uh make a really, as you know, a great spectacular watch. And I think for children as well who are coming along, just to see the feats that happen from these people who who are driving and riding as a sidecar is just amazing. So, yeah, definitely something to watch.

SPEAKER_00 4:34

Yeah, absolutely. And like a lot of motorsports, Jenny, you only get the full experience if you're track side, don't you? And and the sidecars, particularly, when uh you see the uh the person who's in the actual sidecar not strapped in, moving from side to side to shift their weight. I mean, it almost takes your breath away, doesn't it?

SPEAKER_01 4:52

It certainly does. It certainly does.

SPEAKER_00 4:53

Do you fancy that? Would you like to have a go at that?

SPEAKER_01 4:55

Um no, thank you. I'll pass.

SPEAKER_00 4:58

Oh, I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 4:59

I've seen them in action.

SPEAKER_00 5:01

I think it would be a really good one for you to do a piece on the uh the experience of being in a sidecar. Now, uh it's a really varied programme. Uh so something for for everybody. Um for visitors who uh haven't been to Croft before, and I'm sure there will be many for this weekend. There's great viewing, isn't there? There's lots of places to get really close up to the action.

SPEAKER_01 5:22

There is, there is, and with such a picturesque circuit as well. I think from the moment you drive in, you really do feel like you're in the countryside. So it we know there's a great you know panoramic view, but certainly looking down, you know, from Clairvo or um, you know, uh turn one is a great spectator bank there to actually watch the cars, you know, hitting you know, coming off the start line and taking their first corner, and right round to sunny out and sunny in. So it really does depend, you know, um what you want to see and where, but there's plenty of vantage opportunity points, and they're not too far to get to, as I think that's the other thing as well. We have a cafe, Hangar 50, which will be open all weekend, um, serving everything and you know, the usual ice cream bands and everything for the children, but uh I think yeah, it's easy to get to and a great spot to kind of park yourself up and enjoy the atmosphere.

SPEAKER_00 6:10

Absolutely. And it's good to try out more than one corner, isn't it, over a over a race weekend. But um, I mean you get you can uh get your steps in around a motor circuit, can't you? So it's good exercise as well. It is definitely marvelous. Now, um I know that many people will be wanting to uh come along and obviously book tickets. Uh how do they do that?

SPEAKER_01 6:31

Okay, so uh gates open both days from 9 a.m. And if you head to Croft Circuit to our website, which is www.croftcircuit.co.uk, you can purchase tickets online. They're 18 pounds per person on a Saturday and also 18 pounds per person on the Sunday. Children 16 and under go free, and providing they're accompanied by a responsible adult, and that's um five children per responsible adult.

SPEAKER_00 6:59

Okay, that that sounds good. And and always a big question for visitors car parking.

SPEAKER_01 7:04

Car parking's free, and you'll be um shown those by our marshals. They'll they'll kind of park you up. So car parking free, cafe open, great racing. What more do you want?

SPEAKER_00 7:14

I would agree with you. Uh that sounds like a cracking weekend to me. 22nd and 23rd of August at Croft Circuit, the Battle of Britain race meeting, with a fantastic programme on as well. Jenny, really good to catch up with you. I know you're looking forward to the race weekend, but for now, many thanks.