Clubman racing returns to Croft Circuit this weekend when the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) makes its second visit of the season to the North Yorkshire track for its Autumn Race Weekend.

The two-day meeting will see a variety of championships in action and marks the countdown to the end of the season for the BRSCC. The weekend programme features a wide range of cars including Ford Fiestas, BMWs and Minis.

The Airtec Motorsport Fiesta ST240 Championship will have a triple-header of racing action as the drivers battle it out in their penultimate event of the season, as will the Vinyl Detail Fiesta ST150 Challenge.

The Super Classic Pre ’99 Formula Ford Championship will offer some exciting racing around the 2.1-mile Croft track with two races featuring the classic and historic Kent-engined Fords going head-to-head.

Read more: Ben Atkinson Action Horses to star at 2023 Stokesley Show

There is the chance to see BMWs battle it out in the Nankang Tyre BMW Compact Cup, which is one of the most cost-effective ways to race a BMW in the UK, while Audi fans can also get their fix as the new Audi TT Cup series, with models tuned to around 250bhp, approaches the climax of its first season at Croft.

Four series will take to the track together in the new Evolution Trophy where the two races will see the BRSCC BMW 1 Series Supercup, pre-2006 Volkswagen, Seat and Audi cars in the Ricci Concept Classic VW Cup championship, the Cooksport Renault Cup for Clios and Megane models and the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Mk4 Trophy all lining up alongside each other on the grid in search for the honours.

Completing a packed line-up, the Mini 7 Racing Club will also be back in action as it brings both the Mini Se7ens and Mini Miglias to compete.

Adult admission is £16 on the gate on both days with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted free. There is also free car parking and paddock access. For further details, visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk or call 01325 721815.

Read more: New painting unveiled to praise work of Stokesley volunteers

The local motorsport community was saddened to learn about the passing of Paul Bird earlier this month at the age of 56.

Bird, from Penrith, was a huge supporter of motorsport in the region over many years and was one of the most successful rally drivers at Croft in recent times with four victories on the Jack Frost Stages and two on the Christmas Stages.

His bike teams tested and competed there on occasions and his son, Frank, was also a regular and successful competitor at Croft.

Bird has left a lasting impression on motorsport both in the region and globally, and the local motorsport community offers its condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.