SIB Sport

About

Sibsport was formed in 2007 when Simon Blanckley, a financial advisor from Durham, decided to enter the British Touring Car Championship as an independent entry.

Simon purchased a Honda Integra from Team Dynamics in January of ’07, a car which won the overall BTCC championship in both 2005 and 2006.  The car filled Sibsport’s need perfectly – it had proven success, was fast and most importantly, it had reliability.  It was the perfect choice for Sibsport’s BTCC debut.

The car was prepared by Graham Hathaway Racing who, 10 years previously, had prepared Rob Gravett’s Total Independents’ Cup championship winning Honda Accord in the BTCC.

The 2007 season started well for Sibsport, with a triple finish at Brands Hatch followed by an overall championship point at Rockingham – a superb result for a small independent team. 

The high-speed Thruxton followed next and again the team did well despite a tricky beginning to the weekend.  It was then the team’s local event at Croft which everyone enjoyed, with massive local support and a terrific atmosphere.  Mixed races followed with only one strong finish, but it was still a positive weekend.

A wet Oulton Park started well, with a good battle with Martyn Bell’s BMW.  Then a massive startline accident in the second race caused major damage, and the team just failed to get the car out for race three.  The rain then played a major factor at Donington with heavy rain throughout race day.  An encouraging first race was ruined after a collision with Matt Neal, then a non-points finish was followed by retirement in the final race.

A triple race finish at Snetterton was more positive, with some good battles with independent rivals.

Following the Snetterton meeting, Simon got an offer for the Honda that he couldn’t refuse from current BTCC racer Alan Taylor and sold the car, meaning Sibsport’s season was over.

In 2008 Simon purchased an ex-Seat Cupra Cup Leon and mixed the team’s racing between the Northern Saloons and LMA Euro Saloons series.