Words by: Andy Lloyd – Head of Media
Images by: Bernice Bradley – Lead Photographer, Chloe Berryman – Brooklands Technical College
The 2026 SMo Competition hits its definitive mid-point in North Yorkshire, oushing teams through their first proper three -race weekend of the season.
The 2026 Student Motorsport Competition, running within the BRSCC Nankang Tyre CityCar Cup Championship, shifts into high gear over the weekend of July the 11th and 12th as it returns to the fast, technical demands of Croft Circuit.
Unlike previous race weekends where a three-race schedule featured split groupings, Croft marks the season’s first true triple-header. Across three intense 15-minute sprints around the deceptively demanding 2.127-mile North Yorkshire track, teams, staff and students will face a demanding timetable against which to test their mechanical, engineering, organisational and leadership skills.
An 11-car grid will tackle the challenge, with four squads opting to sit out the journey North. Work commitments and student availability have meant that the two-car entries for both City College Norwich (CCN) and East Surrey College (ESC) will not be competing while Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) have decided to step back until later in the season while they re-structure their programme. NSCG intend to return in time for the season finale at Silverstone in October.
Finally, Paddock Speedshop will not be participating in Rounds 7, 8 and 9 as driver Aby Bennett has racing commitments elsewhere.
Croft’s Significance: Looking Back to Move Forward
Croft occupies a legendary chapter in the history of the Student Motorsport Competition. It was here, in 2022, that the Competition celebrated its first-ever overall CityCar Cup victory, when Ben Creanor drove the #38 Barracksport Citroën C1 to stand of the top step of the overall podium on a weekend that saw the Scottish pilot take three overall podium finishes. It was not until nearly two years later that the feat was repeated after Team Northbrook Racing’s Richard Jepp took his first overall win at Oulton Park in May 2024.
Croft is also one of only two circuits where Competition teams have locked out the overall podium. Anglesey in June 2025 was the first occasion when Lee Crisp’s Boston College Racing entries took first and third place with Andrew Dyer and Stuart Bliss while TNR’s Richard Jepp split the BCR stranglehold. However, Croft Circuit in September last season was the second circuit where the same three drivers shared the overall podium.
In 2023, Croft saw the debut of a now-regular Competition entrant who has expanded back to a two-car team for 2026; QE Motorsport (QEM). Three years ago, the team fielded French Texan pilot Arthur Simondet who went on to score QEM’s first podium on their race debut. 2023 was also the debut for Emilia Vincent in the Student Motorsport Competition, then racing for Wiltshire College and University Centre. Coincidently, Vincent now races for QEM, alongside her partner Alex.
The Title Tilt: Team Northbrook Racing vs Boston College Racing
Despite the missing entries, Croft still promises to offer some fascinating competition with both teams at the top of the standings in attendance with their two-car lineups. Richard Jepp, driver of the #65 Team Northbrook Racing (TNR) Gen II Peugeot 108, leads the standings on 61 points after dropped scores, three points ahead of Boston College Racing 1’s (BCR1) #15 Toyota Aygo piloted by Andrew Dyer. Jepp’s five out of a possible six class wins in 2026 have shown TNR to be early season favourite to win the title they have held three times previously.
Above: Boston College student working on the BCR car – Croft Circuit – September 2025 (Photo: Bernice Bradley)
BCR, the reigning Competition title holders, have shown themselves more than capable of rising to a challenge and Andrew Dyer, who won the class twice at Croft last season, will be looking to repeat that performance this weekend. Dyer’s teammate Alex Foden is no slouch and, with a class win and three further Competition podiums in 2026, will be fighting hard to move up the standings.
Paddock Growth & Academic Excellence
Beyond the front runners, the grid shines with emerging talent. Waltham Forest College Racing (WFC Racing) enters with high momentum after driver Harry Sutton claimed two podium finishes at Silverstone. For the Croft rounds, WFC Racing will be fielding Luke Sawyer in the re-numbered #34 entry. Sawyer, who previously drove for NSCG, and WFC Racing line up against consistent podium-finishers JAS/HW Motorsports, a progressing Pitlane Development (PLD) squad with Reuben Lowe and the two-car Brooklands Technical College Racing (BTCR) squad.
QE Motorsport (QEM) returns to Croft full of confidence after Emilia Vincent’s spectacular drive through the field in Race 2 at Silverstone last time out. QEM has form at Croft and will be looking to leave North Yorkshire having climbed the Competition standings in the reduced field.
Above: QE Motorsport pupils receiving training on suspension adjustment – Croft Circuit – September 2025 – Photo: Bernice Bradley)
BTCR arrives fresh from hosting their inaugural BTC Racing Student Awards. Held on the 119th anniversary of the opening of the historic Brooklands Motor Circuit, the evening recognised outstanding student achievements and was hosted by Team Principal Marios Katzis. With speakers including Brooklands Technical College COO Allan Tyler, alumnus and driver George Antoniou and Student Motorsport Head of Media Andy Lloyd, the high-profile event drew industry sponsorship from major entities including JLR, Student Motorsport, Forward Sim Racing, Double R Racing and the Brooklands Museum. You can read more about the event in their press release here.
Above: Brooklands Technical College Racing Student Awards 2026 with (C) Team Principal Marios Katzis – Brooklands Technical College – June 2026 – Photo: Chloe Berryman
The Student Motorsport Competition paddock at Croft will be home to 55 students and learners enjoying hands-on trackside experience. The learners will be supported by 21 college staff and trainers, all giving up their time on a voluntary basis to support the next generation of motorsport professionals. Over 14% of the students will be female, demonstrating the welcome increase in diversity of motorsport and engineering education. Students working within the teams will be studying for a range of qualifications, ranging from City and Guilds T Level Engineering through to BSc Motorsport Technology Level 6.
A Collaborative Paddock Community Looks to 2027
The trackside experience will be anchored by the expanded Student Motorsport awning, overseen by Paddock Support and Hospitality Operations Manager Emma Brown. The hub will feature its new premium flooring, first introduced at Silverstone and made possible with the support of valued partner Tuff-Tile Ltd. The Media Team will be providing social media reporting and video production and will be hosting the Competition podium presentations. The awning will also be hosting visitors and guests to the Competition paddock throughout the weekend.
Above: SMo Paddock Operations and Hospitality Manager Emma Brown (L) with QE Motorsports driver Emilia Vincent – Croft Circuit – September 2025 – Photo: Bernice Bradley
The long-term growth of the Student Motorsport Competition grid heavily relies on a dedicated network of partners, with the organisers extending sincere thanks to the BRSCC, Motorsport UK, MHR Teamwear, Raceparts (UK) Ltd and Bernice Bradley Photography.
With the 2026 calendar reaching its mid-point, eyes are already turning towards the future. Registrations are officially open for the 2027 season. Student Motorsport founder and series organiser John Paul ‘JP’ Latham will be available throughout the Croft weekend to meet prospective schools. colleges, universities and drivers looking for team to map out their entry strategies for next year.
Weekend Schedule
On-track action for Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the 2026 Student Motorsport Competition doesn’t just start on the Saturday. Many teams will be testing on Friday July the 10th in order to make sure their cars are dialled in to the demands of the fast, flowing and deceptively technical driver’s track that is Croft Circuit. Qualifying gets underway at 10.25am on Saturday July the 11th with the lights going out for the first race at 3.05pm. Race Two starts at 1.10pm on Sunday July the 12th with the final contest getting underway at 3:30pm.
