British Air Racing: 2025 Season Wrap-Up

A Year of Close Races, New Faces, and Thrills

There’s nothing quite like the buzz of air racing season and 2025 delivered it all. From cross-country ferry flights and weather drama to nail-biting finishes and a championship that went down to the wire, this was a year that truly showcased the spirit of British air racing. With 15 new racers attending race school and 10 officially checked out, our grid was a vibrant mix of seasoned hands and fresh faces, all united by a love for speed, skill, and the magic of flight.

Season Highlights: Race by Race

Sherburn in Elmet (May): The Season Opener

The Ginger Lacey and Bev Snook Trophies kicked off the championship under classic Yorkshire skies, with a strong line-up on the grid: Ben Polwin, David Moorman, Jonathan Willis, Gordon Bellerby, Martin Gosling, Robert Johnson, Matthew Summers, Cliff Hawkins, Bill Leary, Lorenzo Tojada-Orrell, Catherine Ruddick, John Scott, Anthony James Maxwell, and Neil Cooper all ready to get the season underway. Gordon Bellerby took home the Ginger Lacey, while Matt Summers claimed the Bev Snook. Newcomers and regulars alike shook off the winter cobwebs, and the paddock was full of friendly catchups and that familiar sense of anticipation for the year ahead..

Race Gallery: https://adobe.ly/4k2I03U 

 

Leicester (June): Tight Racing & Good Humour

Saturday at Leicester started with practice on Runway 10 as everyone got settled in and ready for the day. Catherine Ruddick led the field out in her Luscombe, setting a steady pace for the rest to follow. With an 18-minute spread between the first and last starters, the pursuit format made for a much tighter pack this time around. The course twisted through villages and past wind turbines, giving navigators plenty to do. Jonathan Willis and Gavin Johns took the City Livery Trophy, just ahead of Dave Moorman and Ben & Sophie Polwin.  The top group finished within seconds of each other, but there were a few hiccups - Catherine missed a turning point on her last lap, John had GPS interference, and Bill missed a few turning points, leaving them all disqualified.

Sunday’s SBAC Cup brought a wind shift and a last-minute switch to Runway 28, so everyone squeezed in a quick scatter practice. Nine racers lined up, ready for another close race. The finish was a real dive for the line - Jonathan and Gordon were neck and neck, with Ben, Martin, and Dave all in the mix. John and Bill ended up with disqualifications for missed turning points, but the rest of the field enjoyed some tight, honest racing and plenty of laughs in the paddock afterwards.

Race Gallery: https://adobe.ly/4n56pZs 

 

Fishburn (July): Tactics & Tight Finishes

Saturday at Fishburn dawned clear, the kind of day where even the grass runway seemed to buzz with anticipation. Seven crews took to the skies for practice - some easing in with gentle sighting laps, others wringing out every lap. With the course’s easy-to-spot landmarks and barely a breeze, the stage was set for a true pursuit classic. The field, tightly matched on speed, launched within a ten-minute window, promising nose-to-tail action from the first lap.

The early laps saw Bill Leary and Ian Scarborough in their Robin R2180 set the pace, but the midfield drama quickly took over as the faster machines - Gordon Bellerby, Martin Gosling, and Dave Moorman - closed the gap. The trio of Vans RV-7s followed, including Bob Johnson making his RV debut, faced a hefty 2.5-lap deficit, but the chase was on. Overtakes came thick and fast, and by the chequered flag, it was Dave Moorman who clinched the Grosvenor Cup on Saturday, with Martin Gosling taking Sunday’s Battle of Britain Trophy after another day of close, tactical flying. Fishburn delivering the kind of tight racing that leaves both pilots and spectators grinning.

Race report: Fishburn Race Report

Race Gallery: https://adobe.ly/450EGSZ 

 

Enniskillen (August): The Championship Battle Intensifies

Saturday’s Merlin Trophy dawned with a strong field of ten, the paddock buzzing despite the absence of series regular Bill Leary (who still showed up to cheer from the ground). The morning’s weather kept most on the ground, but as the wind swung and the clouds began to clear, a sense of anticipation built. Catherine Ruddick returned in her Luscombe, Neil Cooper debuted his twin-engine Baron, and Anthony Maxwell made his first race start - proof that air racing always welcomes new faces. When the race finally launched, Catherine set off with a hefty head start, but the real action was in the midfield: the faster aircraft reeled in the leaders, overtakes stacking up until David Moorman surged through for a flawless win, chased by Ben Polwin and a resurgent Martin Gosling.

On Sunday, the Schneider Trophy brought classic late-summer conditions and a palpable sense of history to the grid. With the championship on a knife edge, the racing was as close as it gets - Matt Summers carving through the field to claim the coveted trophy, just ahead of the ever-consistent Ben Polwin and a fast-finishing Jonathan Willis. The pursuit format delivered again: the top finishers were separated by mere seconds, and a tough DQ for Anthony Maxwell was a reminder that navigation is as crucial as speed. By weekend’s end, the title fight was tighter than ever, and the camaraderie in the Enniskillen hangar was as strong as the flying.

Race report: Enniskillen Race Report

Race Gallery: https://adobe.ly/3HIt9if 

 

Wellesbourne (September): The Grand Finale

The final weekend of the season at Wellesbourne was buzzing with anticipation as twelve racers - some travelling from as far as Mallorca - gathered to battle for the last trophies of the year. Special mention goes to Gabriel Gomila Frau, who made an epic 16-hour journey from Mallorca in his trusty Jodel DR1050 just to be on the start line.

Saturday’s Stewards’ Cup saw a full grid. Practice was smooth, but the race itself delivered classic air racing drama: the final lap erupted into a 12-aircraft swarm. From the ground, it was impossible to pick a leader until the very last seconds - David Moorman snatched victory, with a dramatic shuffle behind him as the pack jostled for the podium. 

Sunday’s King’s Cup dawned after the black-tie dinner, nerves running high as rain clouds finally gave way to blue skies. The grid launched in true handicap style, with Ben Polwin taking off a full 27 minutes after the first starter. As the laps ticked by, the tension built - then, in a finish that left even the Race Time Controller speechless, all twelve racers hurtled for the line almost as one. Ben and Sophie Polwin managed to pip Dave Moorman by just one second, clinching the King’s Cup and sealing the championship in front of a buzzing crowd.

Race report: Wellesbourne Race Report

Race Gallery: https://adobe.ly/46paQbm 

 

The Points Battle: So Close You Could Feel It

This year’s championship was a masterclass in competitive flying. With every race, the points gap tightened, and the leaderboard shuffled. The chart below tells the story - every pilot fought for every point, and the final standings reflect just how close this season was. All 15 racers this season did a fantastic job with position swaps throughout the year!

Roll of Honour: 2025 Race & Trophy Winners

Venue	Date	Trophy	Winner
Sherburn in Elmet	24/05/2025	Ginger Lacey Trophy	Gordon Bellerby
Sherburn in Elmet	25/05/2025	Bev Snook Trophy	Matt Summers
Leicester	21/06/2025	City Livery	Jonathan Willis
Leicester	22/06/2025	SBAC	Jonathan Willis
Fishburn	26/07/2025	Grosvenor Cup	David Moorman
Fishburn	27/07/2025	Battle of Britain	Martin Gosling
Enniskillen/St. Angelo	23/08/2025	Merlin Trophy	David Moorman
Enniskillen/St. Angelo	24/08/2025	Schneider Trophy	Matt Summers
Wellesbourne	27/09/2025	Stewards Cup	David Moorman
Wellesbourne	28/09/2025	King’s Cup	Sqr Ldr Ben Polwin
Enniskillen/St. Angelo	23-24/08/2025	305 Bruce & Ian Hook   Celebration Trophy	Matt Summers

Take a look at the awards dinner and trophy presentations: https://adobe.ly/48gepkR 

2025 British Air Racing Championship Winners and Trophies

Championship & Trophy	Winner
The British Air Racing Championship Winner – The Jubilee Trophy	Sqr Ldr Ben Polwin
The British Air Racing Championship 2nd place – The Brian McBride Trophy	David Moorman
The Saturday Challenge – The Sonic Challenge Trophy	David Moorman
The Total Points Championship – The Mossey Preston Trophy	Sqr Ldr Ben Polwin
The British Air Racing Navigators Championship – The Gaelic Hunter Trophy	Sophie Polwin
The Mittel Sword awarded to the highest placed pilot who Is serving or has served in HM armed forces	Ben Polwin
The Outram Trophy awarded to the highest placed novice	Catherine Ruddick
The ABC PFA Performance Trophy awarded to the highest placed homebuilt aircraft	Sqr Ldr Ben Polwin
The Bob Ellis Excess Distance Trophy – lowest average excess distance (0.57)	Sqr Ldr Ben Polwin & Martin Gosling
The Handicapper’s Trophy awarded to the pilot consistently the closest to their handicap speed (0.61%)	Cliff Hawkins

Looking Ahead: Join Us in 2026!

As the dust settles on an unforgettable season, we’re already looking forward to next year. Whether you’re a seasoned racer, a new pilot, or just a fan of fast planes and great company, there’s a place for you on our grid.

Mark your calendars for the next Race School at Popham, 18^th & 19^th April 2026 (Facebook: event link). Race dates for the 2026 season will be published soon - watch this space!

To find out more about air racing go to: https://www.royalaeroclubrrra.co.uk/become-a-racer