After the lockdown it was nice for everyone to be able to race again. Ultra4 Europe in full safety and with a health plan studied with the government of Wales has accomplished the unthinkable: it successfully organized the first international competition in the Covid 19 period. Jim Marsden for the second consecutive year wins the BF Goodrich King of Britain with a perfect race. Allen Sharp wins in the new Winch Challenge class.

Photography and story by Paolo Baraldi

After the Californian King of the Hammers (February 2020), for Ultra4 Europe everything seemed ready for an exciting new racing season. The calendar included 5 races (King of Spain, King of France, King of Britain, King of Poland and the Ultra4 International Invitational Race) but the worsening of the international health situation due to Covid 19 has changed the plans for all the organizers . The pandemic forced Ultra4 Europe to cancel the races scheduled for the first half of the year pending the health situation in Europe to improve for the second half of 2020. Very responsibly, the Ultra4 Europe staff, led by Richard Crossland, has constantly updated its teams and fans on the progress of the situation and on the decisions taken month by month.

Fortunately, in June the pandemic situation was improving and Ultra4 Europe was able to announce, with great enthusiasm in the European offroad world, that the BF Goodrich King of Britain would take place in Wales (Walters Arena) from 31 July to 2 August .

Richard Crossland, Ultra4 Europe Managing Director, began his speech for the awards ceremony by quoting Nelson Mandela's phrase "It always seems impossible until its done" which is particularly indicated on this occasion.

- It always seems impossible until its done -

“This was the mantra used whilst making the BF Goodrich King of Britain a reality.

This was the largest 4 wheel racing event to happen in Europe during 2020 and many factors made it a very special event indeed.

The planning to bring over 50 teams together and race is normally big, but when you have to make that number of people compliant with the Covid 19 regulations of the area you are in, it becomes massive.

Ultra4 did just that.

Adding a new class to the race to allow a whole new segment of the off-road world the chance to get some seat time also adds a lot of pressure.

Ultra4 added the Winch Rallye Raid class for this event.

Managing all the teams into their isolation bubbles and ensuring all Covid 19 measures were being upheld and everyone was safe, took a massive amount of manpower and effort.

Ultra4 managed it.

Realising racing is more than just a bit of fun for a few, but essential to day to day living by being an outlet for many suffering from mental health issues, who are afraid to admit they are facing their own demons – immeasurable!

But this is exactly what came to light in Wales during the BF Goodrich King of Britain.

This race became a massive watershed for many different reasons and hopefully it can be used to inspire many other organisers that racing can be done in the ‘New Normal’, and we can help the race family cope with the way life currently is.

The actual racing and the results of the race whilst majorly important sort of become secondary when you look at the issues tackled above and conquered. However teams still raced over 200km over two days in some of the gnarliest terrain Europe can throw at you.

Many failed to finish, but all left the race feeling a new sense of wellbeing and achievement for just being part of something special that only the off-road family can produce.

This is why we do it. This is why we never quit”. – Richard Crossland -

The Covid 19 pandemic not only changed our lives and habits but also imposed new health rules and precautions that involved all of us. Organizing an international competition in this particular period has not been easy and the work to make the King of Britain possible has been enormous. Ultra4 Europe had to draw up a document with all the health rules imposed by the government of Wales and ban the presence of the public during the race.

The professionalism of an organizer can be seen in the most particular and difficult situations, and Ultra4 Europe has proven to be up to this difficult situation by staging a King of Britain that will enter the annals of the history of the world off-road vehicle not only for having made in safety all the participants thanks to a careful health protocol but also for having organized a very hard and demanding competition.

Thursday 30 July. Sunshine, cloudless blue skies and a temperature of 28 degrees welcomed teams arriving in the Walters Arena to set up the pits and prepare for the race. This meteorological situation, unusual for Wales, pleasantly surprised everyone by warming their bodies and souls.

Friday July 31st. On Friday morning, as the last teams arrived at the Walters Arena, the sun and the blue sky continued to cheer everyone present. This unusual weather was one of the topics of the moment and just when everyone had the illusion that the King of Britain would be a dry race, Wales does not contradict itself and brings everyone down to earth.

A few hours before the departure of the prologue, scheduled for 5.00 pm, the sky fills with dark clouds, the wind rises and it starts to rain. This is the Wales that I know!

At 16.30 on Friday, the vehicles line up for the prologue's departure. Chris Bowler, U4E Race Director, has planned a 1.1 km prologue which took place mainly on a fast track with the passage uphill along the famous rock cliffs of the Walter Arena.

On the starting grid we find all the Ultra4 classes (Unlimited, Legends, Modified, Stock and UTV) that we well know and the new category for Ultra4 Europe dedicated to lovers of the extreme: the Winch Challenge class.

With a time of 3 minutes and 8.344 seconds, Ryan Jenkins and Dan Richards of the Twotwo Racings team are the fastest in the 4400 Unlimited class followed a few seconds behind by Jim Marsden and James Ayre of Gigglepin Racing team. Mark Dean and Vivienne Veasey (Team Pheonix) are third. 

The Lemon Offroad Team (Joe Seymore Smith / Thomas Evans) is first among the Modified, IRB Developments Race Team (Andrew Brookes / Matt Dillon) is the best among the Stocks, The Diamond Minis team (Mel Pocock / Jack Tittterrell) is the leader in the Legends class and Paul Rowlands with Neil Lloyd (PAR Homes team) are first in the UTV class.

In the Winch Challenge class, Sam Nicholas and Dan Williams (team TheOC 4x4) with a time of 3 minutes and 11,094 seconds are first in front of Tom Hirons and Tom Wilson (Team TNT) and Allen Sharp and Henry Papworth (Team Sharp).

- 4400 Unlimited 

1. Ryan Jenkins / Dan Richards - 03:08,344

2. Jim Marsden / James Ayre - 03:12,297

3. Mark Dean / Viv Veasey - 03:30,500

4. Dan Roderick / Dan Thomas - 03:34,703

5. Bernd Schäfer / Alexander Schonbrunn - 03:35,297

6. Kieran Dunlop / Mick Sagar - 04:20,172

7. Peter Jackson / Giles Hurst - 04:54,531

8. Paul Glasper / Joe Preston - 05:04,891

9. Rob Butler / Paul Lundstrom - 07:58,766

- 4500 Modified 

1. Joe Seymore Smith / Thomas Evans - 10:53,157

DNF. Ryan Dunn / Corillie Dunn     

DNF. Luke Clayton / Andy Frost     

- 4600 Stock 

1. Andrew Brookes / Matt Dillon - 04:15,453

2. Alex Adamczyk / Kuba Majewski - 04:31,141

- 4800 Legends 

1. Mel Pocock / Jack Tittterrell - 04:02,938

2. Chris Mayer / Will Lloyd - 04:43,671

- 4900 UTV 

1. Paul Rowlands / Neil Lloyd - 02:07,547

2. Philon Parpottas / Artgur Arciszekiski - 02:41,703

3. Richard Hopkins - 02:56,968

- Winch Challenge 

1. Sam Nicholas / Dan Williams - 03:11,094

2. Tom Hirons / Tom Wilson - 03:33,547

3. Allen Sharp / Henry Papworth - 03:35,641

4. Leigh Jefferies / Louise Wadsworth - 03:46,235

5. Duncan Smith / Dominic O'regan - 04:29,937

6. Sam Webster / Henry Essam - 05:20,265

7. Simon Ward / Austin James - 05:40,156

8. Adrian Llewelyn / Matthew Rees - 06:32,813

9. Charlie Harper / Colin Worsley - 06:37,938

10. Luke Wakelen / Mike Smith - 06:59,000

11. Jim Bubb / John Poole - 07:23,218

12. John Norton / Zach Dambrauskas - 07:36,953

13. Callum Redpath / Max Redpath - 08:19,750

14. Thomas Britten / Lewis Beale - 10:22,953

DNF. Darren Brooks 

DNF. Raymond Davidson / Rolland Scott   

DNF. Dave Adams / Matthew Creamer

The prologue of the BF Goodrich King of Britain has highlighted some very interesting aspects and stories that, before talking to you about the two days of competition, I want to tell you.

As you have noticed from the prologue, a new category of vehicles dedicated to all those who love impossible “climbs” has been admitted to the King of Britain: the Winch Challenge class. Ultra4 Europe, aware that the desire to race was great among British and European off-roaders of all kinds, decided to open the event also to fans of winch races. The race track for the Winch Challenge was the same as that of the Ultra4 but with the addition of 6 sections, exclusively dedicated to them, to be overcome with the use of the winch. The passage in each of these sections guaranteed them a bonus on the total race time.

Bad Penny is Jim Marsden's new "girlfriend". As we all know, Jim Marsden sold his Little Lady last March; the vehicle that has accompanied him in many successes in the last 5 years. Waiting for a new vehicle, Jim forecast a 2020 no races but fate wanted a different story. His old race vehicle that was with him until 2015 was on sale. Marsden did not miss the opportunity; He brought the car back home in Kent and quickly gave to “her” a new life and ready for the King of Britain. The story of Bad Penny's homecoming will be featured in my next article.

Rob Butler was also without a car. He had long since sold his Eurofighter IFS Single Seater and has not yet built a new vehicle. After the lockdown, even for Rob the desire to race was huge and here is the decision and his challenge for the King of Britain. Rob Butler with Paul Lundstrom participated in the race in Wales with an UTV; not in the 4900 category but he wanted to test himself in the Unlimited class by racing against the big and powerful Ultra4s with the Polaris who saw him compete last February at the UTV King of the Hammers together with Levi Shirley.

On Saturday 1st August, King of Britain got underway with the first day of competition. The event program included a 18.8 km race track to be covered 6 times in a maximum time of 7 hours.

Rain, usual in Wales, accompanied the whole day of competition, making the already tough race track even more difficult, demanding and slippery. The numerous mechanical problems, occurred in all classes, and the hard racing situations that have challenged the teams, were the confirmation of the difficulty of the King of Britain.

Jim Marsden practically flew his Bad Panny over the rocks and the fast tracks of the Walters Arena completing his task of covering the 112.8 km of the race in just 3 hours and 51:54,669 minutes. This Day 1 win with his old new Bad Penny was a great start to the race.

In second place we find Englishman Daniel Roderick, in his first race after the King of the Hammers 2019. Roderick managed the six laps in 6 hours and 17:26.809 minutes. Excellent performance!

Peter Jackson with 5 laps in 4 hours and 26:08.541 minutes is third.

Rob Butler's adventure between Unlimited with a UTV started very well and until halfway through the race. After starting last among the 4400, he was second. Unfortunately, a break in the front suspension made him waste a lot of time repairing the damage. Butler ends the day in 5th position (4 laps in 03: 43:41.390). Excellent result if we think that on board a small Polaris he fought almost on a par with the "big guys" in the top class of Ultra4.

Joe Seymore Smith (3 laps in 06:30:54,478) wins in the Modified class. Andrew Brookes (2 laps in 06:02:20,453) wins in the Stock class. Mel Pocock (5 laps in 05:41:46.139) wins in the Legends class. Paul Rowlands (5 laps in 02:54:21.565) wins in the UTV class.

In the Winch Challenge class, where I remind you that at each pass in the areas exclusively dedicated to them they received a bonus on the total time, the fastest and most performing was Allen Sharp (5 laps in 01:52:12,782) followed by Sam Nicholas (5 turns in 02:51:56,375). Third, more detached, Leigh Jefferies (4 laps in 05:15:04,803). Even among the vehicles of the Winch Challenge there were many breakdowns with the cars which, in addition to having to overcome the normal race obstacles, had to overcome the hard winch areas.

- 4400 Unlimited 

1. Jim Marsden / James Ayre – 6 laps in 03:51:54,669

2. Dan Roderick / Dan Thomas - 6 laps in 06:17:26,809

3. Peter Jackson / Giles Hurst - 5 laps in 04:26:08,541

4. Mark Dean / Viv Veasey - 5 laps in 06:31:39,630

5. Rob Butler / Paul Lundstrom - 4 laps in 03:43:41,390

6. Shabs Piercy / Si Sagar - 4 laps in 05:53:37,873

7. Paul Glasper / Joe Preston - 3 laps in 03:25:58,465

8. Kieran Dunlop / Mick Sagar - 3 laps in 06:20:04,515

9. Ryan Jenkins / Dan Richards - 3 laps in 06:35:26,364

10. Bernd Schäfer / Alexander Schonbrunn - 2 laps in 02:28:51,277

- 4500 Modified 

1. Joe Seymore Smith / Thomas Evans - 3 laps in 06:30:54,478

2. Ryan Dunn / Corillie Dunn - 2 laps in 06:37:23,108

3. Luke Clayton / Andy Frost - 07:00:00,000

- 4600 Stock 

1. Andrew Brookes / Matt Dillon - 2 laps in 06:02:20,453

2. Alex Adamczyk / Kuba Majewski - 1 lap in 01:06:24,577

- 4800 Legends 

1. Mel Pocock / Jack Tittterrell - 5 laps in 05:41:46,139

2. Chris Mayer / Will Lloyd - 3 laps in 04:18:58,365

- 4900 UTV 

1. Paul Rowlands / Neil Lloyd - 5 laps in 02:54:21,565

2. Richard Hopkins -5 laps in 05:02:13,339

3. Philon Parpottas / Artgur Arciszekiski - 1 laps in 00:40:59,913

- Winch Challenge 

1. Allen Sharp / Henry Papworth - 5 laps in 01:52:12,782

2. Sam Nicholas / Dan Williams - 5 laps in 02:51:56,375

3. Leigh Jefferies / Louise Wadsworth - 4 laps in 05:15:04,803

4. Charlie Harper / Colin Worsley - 3 laps in 04:12:33,333

5. Jim Bubb / John Poole - 3 laps in 04:48:05,660

6. Luke Wakelen / Mike Smith - 3 laps in 04:59:51,362

7. Sam Webster / Henry Essam - 3 laps in 05:23:55,298

8. Tom Hirons / Tom Wilson - 2 laps in 03:50:20,342

9. Simon Ward / Austin James - 2 laps in 05:18:28,158

10. John Norton / Zach Dambrauskas - 06:35:00,000

11. Thomas Britten / Lewis Beale - 06:35:00,000

12. Adrian Llewelyn / Matthew Rees - 06:40:00,000

13. Duncan Smith / Dominic O'regan - 07:00:00,000

14. Callum Redpath / Max Redpath - 07:00:00,000

15. Darren Brooks - 07:00:00,000

16. Raymond Davidson / Rolland Scott - 07:00:00,000

17. Dave Adams / Matthew Creamer - 07:00:00,000

18. David Webb - 07:00:00,000

Sunday in Wales, at least in Neath, it did not rain. The clouds above the Walters Arena initially only covered the sun and then let a few rays of light pass until they disappeared in the early afternoon.

For the second day of race, the King of Britain schedule included the same track of Saturday of 18.8 km to be covered 5 times in a maximum time of 5 hours. Although without rain, the race was very tough with many twists in each category.

Jim Marsden after an amzing race on Saturday where he dominated over the others, he competed without sparing himself but thinking about securing the victory in this first race of 2020.  With a time of 3 hours and 7:46.875 minutes, Jim won race 2 followed by a handful of minutes by Mark Dean. In third position, more detached, Kieran Dunlop.

Rob Butler's challenge continued on Sunday and at the end of the first lap he was in third position. Then, the rocks have been relentless with his small Polaris, causing the breakdown of a front CV. Another repair in the race and more lost time that made him close the day in 5th position in the 4400 class.

Joe Seymore Smith (3 laps in 04:15:48,228) wins in the Modified class. Alex Adamczyk (4 laps in 03:54:32,674) wins in the Stock class. Mel Pocock (4 laps in 03:53:30,175) wins in the Legends class. Paul Rowlands (4 laps in 01:49:21,851) wins in the UTV class.

In the Winch Challenge the ranking on Sunday compared to Saturday has changed leaders and protagonists. Jim Bubb (4 laps in 01:30:07.193) won Day 2 followed by Tom Hirons (4 laps in 01:58:28.587). Third Sam Nicholas (4 laps in 02:13:08,054).

- 4400 Unlimited 

1. Jim Marsden / James Ayre - 5 laps in 03:07:46,875

2. Mark Dean / Chris Roberts - 5 laps in 03:22:53,873

3. Kieran Dunlop / Mick Sagar - 5 laps in 04:02:29,733

4. Dan Roderick / Dan Thomas - 5 laps in 04:24:30,885

5. Rob Butler / Paul Lundstrom - 4 laps in 04:18:10,113

6. Ryan Jenkins / Dan Richards - 4 laps in 04:47:41,915

7. Shabs Piercy / Si Sagar - 2 laps in 03:55:04,364

8. Peter Jackson / Giles Hurst - 07:00:00,000

9. Paul Glasper / Joe Preston - 07:00:00,000

10. Bernd Schäfer / Alexander Schonbrunn - 07:00:00,000

- 4500 Modified 

1. Joe Seymore Smith / Thomas Evans - 3 laps in 04:15:48,228

2. Ryan Dunn / Corillie Dunn - 3 laps in 04:43:41,886

3. Dean Mason / Deena Mason - 07:00:00,000

- 4600 Stock 

1. Alex Adamczyk / Kuba Majewski - 4 laps in 03:54:32,674

2. Andrew Brookes / Matt Dillon - 2 laps in 01:47:47,331

- 4800 Legends 

1. Mel Pocock / Jack Tittterrell - 4 laps in 03:53:30,175

2. Chris Mayer / Will Lloyd - 2 laps in 01:24:57,003

- 4900 UTV 

1. Paul Rowlands / Neil Lloyd - 4 laps in 01:49:21,851

2. Philon Parpottas / Artgur Arciszekiski - 4 laps in 02:15:52,395

3. Richard Hopkins - 3 laps in 01:42:01,341

- Winch Challenge 

1. Jim Bubb / John Poole - 4 laps in 01:30:07,193

2. Tom Hirons / Tom Wilson - 4 laps in 01:58:28,587

3. Sam Nicholas / Dan Williams - 4 laps in 02:13:08,054

4. Allen Sharp / Henry Papworth - 4 laps in 02:22:45,748

5. Sam Webster / Henry Essam - 4 laps in 02:51:18,930

6. Duncan Smith / Dominic O'regan - 4 laps in 03:52:48,569

7. Luke Wakelen / Mike Smith - 4 laps in 04:05:07,655

8. Charlie Harper / Colin Worsley - 3 laps in 02:25:28,701

9. John Norton / Zach Dambrauskas - 3 laps in 02:57:17,270

10. Leigh Jefferies / Louise Wadsworth - 2 laps in 01:25:14,120

11. David Webb - 2 laps in 03:40:34,645

12. Thomas Britten / Lewis Beale - 1 laps in 01:20:51,744

13. Raymond Davidson / Rolland Scott - 1 laps in 02:42:56,069

14. Dave Adams / Matthew Creamer            - 1 laps in 03:16:51,193

15. Adrian Llewelyn / Matthew Rees - 06:40:00,000

16. Simon Ward / Austin James - 07:00:00,000

17. Darren Brooks - 07:00:00,000

18. Callum Redpath / Max Redpath - 07:00:00,000

Sunday at 2.00 pm the BF Goodrich King of Britain ends. Ultra4 Europe has shown that it is possible to organize an international competition in this particular period. It was difficult and almost unthinkable before this weekend to consider organizing an event with the Covid 19 pandemic. Great organizational work in collaboration with the Government of Wales and the health authorities has allowed Richard Crossland and his staff (10 people in the Core Team and 50 Marshals) to make this event possible. For this reason goes all my admiration for Ultra4 Europe which has managed to do what many have not even thought of trying.

That said, let's get to the winners of this first Covid 19 era race.

In the 4400 Unlimited class Jim Marsden and James Ayre (Gigglepin Racing) practically dominated the whole weekend with a superb performance (11 laps in 06:59:41.544) which allowed him to win for the second consecutive year and for the third time the BF Goodrich King of Britain.

Very deserved the second place of Daniel Roderick. Together with Marsden, Roderick is the only one to have covered all 11 laps of the race.

Mark Dean, after a nice race weekend, is third among the Unlimited.

Joe Seymore Smith and Thomas Evans (6 laps in 10:46:42,706) win the Modified class.

Alex Adamczyk and Kuba Majewski (5 laps in 05:00:57,251) win in the Stock class.

Mel Pocock and Jack Tittterrell (9 laps in 09:35:16,314) win in the Legends class.

Paul Rowlands and Neil Lloyd (9 laps in 04:43:43,416) dominated and won in the UTV class.

Last but not least, the participants in the BF Goodrich King of Britain 2020 in the Winch Challenge class appreciated this new race formula and demonstrated that these two offroad specialties can coexist together and give great emotions to the participants and to the public (for this time from home thanks to live shows).

Allen Sharp and Henry Papworth (9 laps in 04:14:58.530) competed flawlessly and largely deserved the victory. In second position we find Sam Nicholas and Dan Williams (9 laps in 05:05:04,429) while Jim Bubb and John Poole (7 laps in 06:18:12,853) are third.

- 4400 Unlimited 

1. Jim Marsden / James Ayre - 11 laps in 06:59:41,544

2. Dan Roderick / Dan Thomas - 11 laps in 10:45:57,694

3. Mark Dean / Viv Veasey - 10 laps in 09:54:33,503

4. Rob Butler / Paul Lundstrom - 9 laps in 08:46:12,026

5. Kieran Dunlop / Mick Sagar - 8 laps in 10:22:34,248

6. Ryan Jenkins / Dan Richards - 7 laps in 11:30:08,279

7. Shabs Piercy / Si Sagar - 6 laps in 09:48:42,237

8. Peter Jackson / Giles Hurst - 5 laps in 04:26:08,541

9. Paul Glasper / Joe Preston - 3 laps in 03:25:58,465

10. Bernd Schäfer / Alexander Schonbrunn - 2 laps in 02:28:51,277

- 4500 Modified 

1. Joe Seymore Smith / Thomas Evans - 6 laps in 10:46:42,706

2. Ryan Dunn / Corillie Dunn - 5 laps in 11:21:04,994

3. Dean Mason / Deena Mason - 0 laps - 14:00:00,000

4. Luke Clayton / Andy Frost - 0 laps - 14:00:00,000

- 4600 Stock 

1. Alex Adamczyk / Kuba Majewski - 5 laps in 05:00:57,251

2. Andrew Brookes / Matt Dillon - 4 laps in 07:50:07,784

- 4800 Legends 

1. Mel Pocock / Jack Tittterrell - 9 laps in 09:35:16,314

2. Chris Mayer / Will Lloyd - 5 laps in 05:43:55,368

- 4900 UTV 

1. Paul Rowlands / Neil Lloyd - 9 laps in 04:43:43,416

2. Richard Hopkins - 8 laps in 06:44:14,680

3. Philon Parpottas / Artgur Arciszekiski - 5 laps in 02:56:52,308

- Winch Challenge 

1. Allen Sharp / Henry Papworth - 9 laps in 04:14:58,530

2. Sam Nicholas / Dan Williams - 9 laps in 05:05:04,429

3. Jim Bubb / John Poole - 7 laps in 06:18:12,853

4. Sam Webster / Henry Essam - 7 laps in 08:15:14,228

5. Luke Wakelen / Mike Smith - 7 laps in 09:04:59,017

6. Tom Hirons / Tom Wilson - 6 laps in 05:48:48,929

7. Charlie Harper / Colin Worsley - 6 laps in 06:38:02,034

8. Leigh Jefferies / Louise Wadsworth - 6 laps in 06:40:18,923

9. Duncan Smith / Dominic O'regan - 4 laps in 10:52:48,569

10. John Norton / Zach Dambrauskas - 3 laps in 09:32:17,270

11. Simon Ward / Austin James - 2 laps in 05:18:28,158

12. David Webb - 2 laps in 10:40:34,645

13. Thomas Britten / Lewis Beale - 1 laps in 07:55:51,744

14. Raymond Davidson / Rolland Scott - 1 laps in 09:42:56,069

15. Dave Adams / Matthew Creamer - 1 laps in 10:16:51,193

16. Darren Brooks - 0 laps - 07:00:00,000

17. Callum Redpath / Max Redpath - 0 laps - 07:00:00,000

18. Adrian Llewelyn / Matthew Rees - 0 laps - 13:20:00,000

BF Goodrich King of Britain 2020 Gallery