Amidst the news that 2014 FIA F3 European champion Esteban Ocon will be graduating to F1 with Manor, the Zandvoort F3 Masters couldn't have come at a much better time. As the name suggests, it's one of the staple events on the junior single-seater calendar, which everybody worth their salt wants on their CV; not least because of the esteemed winners list, including Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Valterri Bottas and Max Verstappen. The race will be Live as Lance Stroll, Maximillian Gunther, George Russell and more go wheel-to-wheel in pursuit of the illustrious crown.
When former WTCC boss Marcello Lotti created his breakaway TCR series in 2014, few envisioned it having the kind of success it is presently experiencing. While the International Series has taken up the lion’s share of column inches, the TCR Asia Series has also been making giant strides and will take in Shanghai for Rounds 5-6. With SEAT, Honda and VW all proving relatively evenly-matched in the opening two rounds, who will come out on top in China?
If there were prizes awarded for the best backdrop to a motorsport event, the beautiful archipelago of Madeira would certainly be in the mix. The second round of the all-new Tour of European Rally Championship (TER) held on fast, flowing tarmac, the Rally Madeira has attracted 69 entries, including R5 DS3s, Fiestas and a handful of Porsche R-GTs, including one driven by Le Mans winner Romain Dumas. The biggest challenge for viewers is knowing where to look!
But if you think rallying is spectacular, just wait until you’ve watched a Supercar Challenge event. It’s not every day that you see a fully-fledged Ligier LMP3 prototype take on a souped-up Volvo S60, Renault RS01, Mosler MT900, Ferrari 458 GT2 and Wolf GB08, but this Dutch-based series has never been known to do things by halves. Sit back and marvel as these wacky racers tackle Assen, while trying not to trip over the many Porsche Cup and track-ready Radicals that complete the field.
Next it’s over to Snetterton for a traditional clubbie double-header, with action from the GRDC+ and VAG Trophy series. Proving that it’s not always the size of the engine that counts, but the driver behind the wheel, the single-make series for Ginetta and VWs are popular fixtures on the British GT support bill and always produce spectacular racing. Expect more of the same in the Norfolk Countryside, now with the Turn 2 hairpin re-named in honour of the late Justin Wilson.
Last but by no means least, we head to Toronto for the latest round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada. It may only have 11 turns, but the vicious bumps and unforgiving concrete walls lining the circuit make Toronto one of North America’s most formidable street courses, providing the Porsche field with a true test of nerve and skill. With just eight points separating Scott Hargrove, Daniel Morad and Zach Robichon coming into the weekend, this could prove to be a pivotal turning point in the title battle, so what are you waiting for?
Saturday 20th August
09:35 – MX Nationals UK, Rd 4, Canada Heights11:35 – ADAC GT Masters, Rd 5, Nürburgring14:45 – IMSA Sportscar Championship, Rd 9, Road America15:45 – TCR Asia Series, Rd 5-6, Shanghai17:20 – Ginetta GRDC+, Snetterton17:50 – VAG Trophy, Snetterton18:25 – Caterham Racing, Oulton Park19:25 – Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada, Rd 4, Toronto21:35 – Supercar Challenge, Rd 5, Assen
Sunday 21st August
13:10 – Delayed-as-Live Zandvoort F3 Masters Qualifying13:45 – LIVE Zandvoort F3 Masters15:20 – BRDC British F3 Championship, Rd 7, Snetterton
