KUMHO BMW CHAMPIONSHIP – www.bmwrdc.com
The KUMHO BMW CHAMPIONSHIP is open to any production BMW sold in Europe. It provides close competition in 4 classes, split by power to weight ratio.
The aim of the championship is to provide a closely competitive series for drivers, having a low cost entry cost and performance accommodating the latest vehicles.
Street legal control tyres are supplied for purchase by KUMHO, and with only 1 compound and pattern available, costs are kept to a minimum. A minimum weight of 1050kg and chassis lightening prohibited, the cars are strong, fast and reliable and cost effective to run.
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 tyre championship in the country, but it is not necessary to use the latest models, or to run at the front to be competitive. Previous seasons have seen Class C cars provide the overall Champions, using cars from the 80’s.
Classes
- A, 220 bhp per tonne, with min weight restriction on BMW models
- B, 195 bhp per tonne, with min weight restriction on BMW models
- C, 175 bhp per tonne, with min weight restriction on BMW models
- D, 318is, with min weight restriction on BMW models
Uniquely, the championship has its own driving standards policed by the competitors own BMW Racing Drivers Club Driving Standards Advisors. This is 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.
The championship is organised by the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC).
HISTORY of the BMW Racing Drivers Club
The BMW Car Club Championship was started in 1987 by a husband and wife team. The championship was an essentially amateur club series, for the BMW owners who wanted to race their BMW’s at the national circuits in the UK.
The championship continued under BMW Car Club banner until late 1999, where the Championship changed its name to BMW Racing Drivers Club. The championship became the “Drivers Club” where the drivers all had a say in how the club / championship was run.
In 1997, KUMHO tyres became the clubs’ title sponsor and has carried on supporting the championship since then. This season will be their 11th season of supporting the championship.
2009 KUMHO BMW CHAMPIONSHIP DATES
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Round |
Date |
Venue |
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4th & 5th April |
Silverstone, Northamptonshire (Double Header) www.silverstone.co.uk |
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3 + 4 |
10th May |
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5 + 6 |
13th & 14th June |
Pembrey, South Wales (Double Header) www.barc.net |
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7 + 8 |
25th & 26th July |
Croft, North Yorkshire (Double Header) www.croftcircuit.co.uk |
 |
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9 + 10 |
9th August |
Donnington Park, Derbyshire (Double Header) www.donnington-park.co.uk |
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11 + 12 |
22nd & 23rd August |
Brands Hatch, Kent (Double Header) www.brandshatch.co.uk |
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13 + 14 |
5th & 6th September |
Rockingham, Northamptonshire (Double Header) www.rockingham.co.uk
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15 + 16 |
26th September |
Oulton Park, Cheshire (Double Header) www.oultonpark.co.uk |
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17 + 18 |
11th October |
Thruxton, Hampshire http://www.thruxtonracing.co.uk |
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How are Championship Points Awarded?
Position Points
1st 10 Points
2nd 9 Points
3rd 8 Points
4th 7 Points
5th 6 Points
All Other Finishers 5 Points
Non-Finishers 1 Point
