Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit in Kent reverberated to the glorious sound of packed grids featuring the world’s finest and fastest racing cars over the weekend, as the European Endurance and Racing Club staged a superb two days of action.The ever-popular Britcar Championship, the fastest growing series in the UK, teamed with continental cousin the Belgium-based Belcar series, to offer spectators a one-off opportunity to witness two Europe’s two best and most exciting endurance categories at the same venue.With well in excess of 40 cars taking part in the Belcar race, the category’s only round outside the Netherlands this season, the start had to be seen to be believed, as millions of pounds worth of machinery roared through Paddock Hill Bend and eventually out into the countryside along Brands’ famous 2.6 mile Grand Prix Circuit.The outright race victory went to Jos Menten and Frederic Bouvy in their Porsche GT2-R, a full lap ahead of their nearest rivals Pertti Kuismanen and Vincent Vosse in the Chrysler Viper GTS-R.Of the four other classes within the Belcar race, notable success went to Franz Lamot and Rudi Penders in the GTB class in their Porsche 996 GT3 RS, while victory in class G went the way of fellow Porsche drivers Ian Khan and Richard Westbrook. Britcar, meanwhile, is growing in stature all the time, much like winner of both of the weekend’s rounds, Adam Sharpe. Fresh from his superb success at the Le Mans 24 Hours Race, where he became the youngest ever driver to achieve a podium finish in the endurance classic, Sharpe dominated Britcar in his Ford Falcon V8.Along with partner Mark Cole, the duo revelled in two stunning victories, having led the way throughout qualifying too. In Saturday’s race, the Class 2 win went to the BMW M3 E36 of Harry Handkammer and David Leslie with Class 3 success taken by another BMW, this time the car of Paul Fenton and Mike Gardiner.Sunday’s round saw Marcus Fothergill and Dave Bennett earn Class 2 victory in their BMW M3 E36 with Class 3 spoils going to the BMW Mini 53 of Aaron Scott and Nigel Greensall. Had there been an award for the busiest driver of the weekend though, this would have gone to Britcar regular Calum Lockie hands down.Not only did he pilot his Ferrari 360 Challenge alongside Bo McCormick in both of the weekend’s Britcar rounds – finishing third overall in Saturday’s race and 15th overall in Sunday’s race – he also entered the car into the Belcar race, finishing 14th overall and second in class.Production S1, Britsports and GoldArtsFor high drama and unpredictable action, Production S1, Britsports and GoldArts didn’t disappoint – but for Andreas Demetriou it was a weekend he’ll probably want to forget after blotting his copybook with an ill-judged blocking attempt on fellow competitor Mark Smith during Saturday’s encounter.After searching for a way past Demetriou and Chris Nicolas’ Honda Integra Type R for the entirety of the final lap of the race, Smith managed to pull alongside his rival as they headed for the chequered flag but Demetriou simply forced Smith’s BMW E30 M3 off the circuit on the outside, causing a major spin.

As expected, Demetriou was excluded from the results for careless driving while Smith and Nigel Stephens won, having crossed the line 0.042 seconds ahead. Michael Symons and Andre D’Cruze won Class A in their BMW M3 E36 and Natasha Firman and Mark Ticehurst took Class C victory in their works-backed Mazda RX8.Sunday’s race saw Demetriou and Nicolas make amends with second place behind overall winners Mark Lemmer and Simon Graves in the Spoon Honda Civic Firman and Ticehurst again tasted success with the Class C win, and seventh position overall, while Clarke and Povey’s BMW M3 won Class A.Saturday’s Britsports race saw Doug Hart and Alex Buncombe take victory in their Chiron with the GoldArts win taken by Graham Booth. Sunday, however, would see unpredictable action in the closing stages – and the red flags produced after a heavy collision on the exit of Paddock Hill Bend.Austin Kinsella, in his Radical SR8, led the Prosport L3000 of Ian Flux but as the cars approached Paddock Hill Bend on lap 51, Doug Newman’s Caterham Hi Busa – which was leading the GoldArts runners – was ahead and about to be lapped.As Kinsella attempted to move past Newman on the left, the GoldArts ace – in his attempts to move out of the way of the quicker cars – also moved left without realising what the outright race leader was doing, and Kinsella hit Newman’s car.Not only did Flux get past into the lead, the smash also eliminated Newman from the race but with the Caterham sitting prone on the kerbs on the run-up to Druids, officials had no option but to issue the red flags.With the result counted back a lap, Kinsella and Richard Ince took victory with Flux and Michael Christopher finishing in second position overall. Gary Ward and Bryce Wilson won Class 2 in their Radical SR3 with GoldArts success falling to Booth once more - Newman un-classified at the red flag.Commenting on a hugely successful weekend, event organiser and EERC boss James Tucker said: “It was an absolutely stunning event and we’re delighted with how successful the weekend was. We had phenomenal cars, fantastic drivers and exciting races – who could ask for more from a race meeting?“Our aim now is to continue building awareness of Britcar and the other classes and while we’re looking ahead to the Snetterton round next month, we’re also got one eye on the Silverstone 24 Hour race which will be massive.”The fifth meeting of 2005 for the EERC will see the Britcar, Production S1, Britsports and GoldArts categories return to Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk on 16th July.