Autosport’s Top 10 Club Racing Rivalries of 2024

There are plenty of championship battles taking place every year in the world of club motorsport, yet some are remembered more than others for different reasons.

Whether it’s because the racing was particularly close – and at times fierce – or the title outcome was a complete tie, here are some of the biggest national rivalries from last season.

insight: How club racing faces a difficult 2024

10. Carl Bordley vs. Adam Shepherd

Reigning TCR UK champion Carl Bordley faced a new challenge this year from Adam Shepherd, who switched to Cupra Leon, putting the pair in matching machinery. While Bordley was hampered by early season set-up issues, Shepherd took the points lead with four wins in the first three weekends.

There was no love lost in the rapidly growing competition as they collided at Snetterton, Oulton Park and Silverstone, before Shepherd’s challenge settled down with a series of reliability problems.

9. Chris Ingram is in high quality BRC territory

The British Rally Championship had one of its best seasons for many years, with Chris Ingram adding the title to his impressive record.

But it was never easy for Ingram, facing quality opposition throughout the season. Ingram went on to face William Creighton, Keith Cronin and Ocean Pryce in the finale of the Cambrian Rally, and it was Creighton who battled Ingram. Only in the final stages when Creighton turned around was the fight resolved after a drive that was a major boost to the British rally.

8. Shawn Traynor vs. Adam Lockwood

The Toyota MR2 Championship featured a rematch of last year’s battle between Adam Lockwood and Shawn Traynor, and again there was nothing to separate the pair. Lockwood began the defense of his crown with four wins from the first six races, before Traynor responded with seven wins on the bounce.

Despite winning ahead of his main rival in the final stages of the decider, Traynor (left) ended his four-year streak of finishing as runner-up by winning his fifth title by eight points.

7. Doug Watson vs. Dylan Popovich

After a tumultuous season, one point separated spirited Castle Combe GT fighters Doug Watson and Dylan Popovic. Equipped with a Ferrari 488 Challenge, Watson won eight of the nine rounds he started. Popovic, whose huge seven-litre Ginetta G55 was destroyed by another driver’s mistake in May, came back stronger.

Popovic won once, but received the fastest lap bonus in six of the 12 events. Watson’s two spins and a scratch in the finale showed his determination. The pair remain great friends!

6. Thomas Langford vs. Adam Sparrow

After coming close to title success last year, Adam Sparrow finds himself in a similar situation in 2024 as he battles Thomas Langford for the Mazda MX-5 championship.

Langford won five of the opening six races, before Sparrow fought back to ensure the two were level at the final round, and an eventful Brands Hatch decider was played. Two wins and one off for Sparrow ensured Langford’s victory.

5. Craig Pollard vs Tom Gad vs Rob Welham

Another F1000 battle that reached the final round. There was a little extra spice this season as heroes Craig Pollard and Rob Welham came together at Silverstone. Pollard remained consistent and finished all 16 races, including four wins against Welham’s three.

An engine failure while leading at Silverstone and a subsequent double non-score left defending champion Tom Gadd in second place despite five wins at the end of the year.

4. Harry Cook vs. Taylor O’Flanagan

One of the most closely contested championships between the Caterham Motorsport categories featured Harry Cook and Taylor O’Flanagan in the 310Rs. Cook took five wins to seize the initiative before the series visited Brands Hatch in August, but a hat-trick at the Kent track helped O’Flanagan reach the top of the standings on a low score.

Cook then picked up the right time to secure his treble in the Donington Park finale, helping him snatch the crown by one point.

3. Brittker Trophy impossibly close title contenders

It is not uncommon for two participants to be tied on points, with only a countback determining a champion. But that was not the case at the Britcar Trophy this year, when the first two teams could not be separated and hence the title could not be shared.

The Audi TTs of Mark Jones/Rob Allick/Craig Fleming and Maurice Henry/Hadley Simpson Renault Clio did not compete on the track, but you can’t get a closer points rivalry. Incredibly, it was almost as tight as in the top class, with Marco Anastasi defeating Maurizio Sciglio on countback!

2. Marcus Littlewood vs. Sam Shaw

Sam Shaw started the season as the Radical SR1 driver, but the tables were turned on Paul Ricard with Marcus Littlewood scoring a treble. There was then Silverstone controversy when Littlewood lost the race to Shaw on appeal over alleged passing in the run-off.

A similar Brands Hatch appeal by Littlewood was rejected. Littlewood won the final race and led the final before Shaw’s Clearways challenge was deemed unfair. He was punished and the title belonged to Littlewood.

1. Ben Powney vs. Craig Land

Ben Powney, twice Ma7da runner-up, finally came out on top this year, but was completely overtaken by Lowcost winner Craig Land. Five wins for Pawnee, including a double in the opener at Donington Park, put him on course, but two wins in the last three races by Land secured grandstand finishes.

Pony’s runner-up finish at Silverstone, with the top six covered by less than two seconds, left him just two points behind race winner Land, who went down to the final lap in a thrilling finale.

Submissions by Paul Lawrence, Mark Liberator, Stephen Licorish, Stephen Maclay, Mark Paulson, Marcus Pye, Peter Sherer and Steve Whitfield