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The Winter Series 2026

Winter Racing is Back – The Winter Series 2026/27

For most motorsport championships, the arrival of winter signals the end of the season.

For us, it means it’s time to start another one.

The Teesside Motorsports Winter Series is back for 2026/27, taking owner-driver kart racing to four fantastic UK circuits through December, January and February.

This winter we’ll be heading to:

Rowrah – 6th & 7th December

Teesside O Plate – 28th & 29th December

Whilton Mill – 24th & 25th January

GYG – 14th & 15th February

Four weekends. Four very different circuits. One championship.

And plenty of unpredictable British winter weather thrown in for good measure.

Why Race Through the Winter?

The Winter Series has been part of our owner-driver programme for years, originally created to give drivers somewhere to race competitively during the months when much of the normal karting calendar becomes considerably quieter.

It’s become much more than simply something to fill the gap between seasons.

Winter racing creates its own challenge.

The conditions can change from one session to the next. Cold track temperatures, changing grip levels, rain, wind and occasionally a little winter sunshine can all completely transform a race weekend.

A driver who is quick in perfect summer conditions isn’t necessarily going to have everything their own way in December.

Being able to adapt matters.

Set-up matters.

Consistency matters.

And sometimes simply keeping your head while everyone around you is dealing with changing conditions matters most of all.

That’s what makes the Winter Series such good racing.

Four Circuits – Four Different Challenges

One of the things we wanted from the Winter Series was variety.

Rather than racing every round at the same venue, we’re heading to four circuits that each provide a very different test.

Round 1 – Rowrah

We start our winter campaign at Rowrah on 6th–7th December.

Set in Cumbria, Rowrah is a circuit that demands commitment and precision and provides a fantastic place to begin the championship.

It will also be December in Cumbria.

We’re making absolutely no promises about the weather.

Whatever conditions greet us, the first weekend is where the championship begins and where everyone gets their first opportunity to put points on the board.

A strong opening round can set up an entire championship campaign – but with another three circuits still to come, nothing will be decided at Rowrah.

Round 2 – Teesside O Plate

Christmas might technically be over by the 28th December, but we’re certainly not spending the week sitting around eating leftovers.

The Winter Series comes home for the Teesside O Plate on 28th–29th December.

The O Plate has always been a great way to finish one year and head towards the next, bringing drivers back onto familiar Teesside tarmac for a proper post-Christmas race weekend.

For our regular Teesside competitors, this is home territory.

They know the circuit.

They know where the overtaking opportunities are.

They know where time can be found.

Of course, so does everyone else who’s raced here before.

Home advantage might help – but nobody gets an easy round.

Round 3 – Whilton Mill

The new year takes us to Whilton Mill on 24th–25th January for Round Three.

By this stage the championship picture will be starting to become much clearer.

Some drivers will be protecting strong positions.

Others will be looking to recover points.

And the calculators will inevitably start appearing as everyone works out exactly what they need from the final two rounds.

Whilton adds another completely different circuit to the championship and another opportunity for the order to change.

Round 4 – GYG

Then we head into Wales for the finale.

GYG – 14th–15th February.

After three rounds and three very different circuits, everything comes down to one final weekend.

GYG provides a spectacular setting for the championship decider and another circuit where drivers will have to work for every position.

By then we’ve raced through December and January and made it halfway through February.

There will have been good weekends, bad weekends, wet races, cold mornings, mechanical dramas, overtakes, mistakes and probably more than a few stories from the paddock.

Then we’ll finally find out who our 2026/27 Winter Series champions are.

A Full Race Weekend

The Winter Series isn’t just about turning up for a few races on Sunday.

Each round is designed as a proper race weekend.

Drivers will have four 10-minute practice sessions, giving everyone plenty of opportunity to learn the circuit, work on set-up and prepare for racing.

Saturday includes qualifying, before we return on Sunday for warm-up, two heats and the Final, with B Finals used where required.

Friday testing will also be available where offered by the individual circuits and should be booked directly with the relevant venue.

That gives drivers the opportunity to make a full weekend of each round – particularly useful for anyone visiting a circuit for the first time.

Racing for Everyone

One of the strengths of the Winter Series has always been the mix of competitors it attracts.

We have experienced drivers chasing championship titles alongside developing drivers looking to gain more race experience.

For younger drivers in particular, winter racing can be incredibly valuable.

Four weekends across four different circuits means learning new layouts, adapting to changing conditions and racing against different competitors.

There isn’t much opportunity to settle into a comfort zone.

And that’s exactly the point.

You have to keep learning.

You have to keep adapting.

You have to race.

Keep Your Number – Existing Members Get First Choice

Before registration opens to everyone, we’re giving our existing members the first opportunity to enter the 2026/27 championship and retain their current race numbers.

General registration officially opens on 1st September.

Until then, current members can register through their Alpha accounts and secure their existing numbers before entries are opened to all competitors.

Once general registration opens, remaining numbers and places will be available to everyone.

If you’re planning to race the full Winter Series, getting registered early is strongly recommended.

Motorsport Doesn’t Stop Because It’s Cold

At Teesside Motorsports, we’ve never really subscribed to the idea that racing has to stop for winter.

Our owner-driver programme has traditionally run throughout the year, with the Winter Series providing competitive racing during the months when opportunities elsewhere can be limited.

And judging by the popularity of the championship over the years, plenty of drivers agree with us.

So clean the kart.

Find the waterproofs.

Pack approximately fourteen different layers of clothing because nobody knows what the weather is going to do.

And get ready to go racing.

Rowrah. Teesside. Whilton Mill. GYG.

The Teesside Motorsports Winter Series 2026/27 is coming.

General registration opens 1st September 2026.

We’ll see you on the grid.

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Every Weekend is an Event Weekend

There’s No Off-Season at Teesside Motorsports

It feels slightly strange to be talking about the end of summer when, from where we’re sitting, nothing appears to be slowing down.

In fact, if there has been one theme running through 2026 at Teesside Motorsports, it has been this:

Every weekend is an event weekend.

Somewhere along the way, the traditional idea of having a motorsport “season” seems to have disappeared.

We have gone from karting to cars, bikes to drifting, sprint racing to endurance racing and from running events at home in Teesside to packing the trucks and taking our team, equipment and championship across Europe.

And we’re still going.

2026 – What a Year So Far

The year began with a calendar that already looked busy on paper.

As it turned out, “busy” might have been an understatement.

At Teesside we’ve welcomed thousands of drivers, riders, competitors, teams and spectators through the gates for everything from arrive and drive karting and corporate events to owner-driver testing, sprint racing, car track days, bike events, drifting and endurance racing.

Our Teesside Owner Driver Sprint Championship has continued throughout the summer, bringing together competitors from across the region and further afield for another season of close racing on the National Circuit.

Alongside the racing, our owner drivers have had regular opportunities to test and practise at Teesside, while the Teesside Academy has continued introducing and developing the next generation of drivers.

Then there is everything happening outside karting.

Our International Circuit has hosted cars, bikes, scooters and more, with track days, testing, car meets and specialist events adding an entirely different dimension to the calendar.

It means that one weekend the paddock might be full of kart awnings and race transporters, while the next it’s filled with motorcycles or cars.

Sometimes we barely have time to change the signs.

And then there are the 24-hour races.

Taking the 24H Championship Across Europe

One of the biggest developments for Teesside Motorsports has been the continued growth of our 24H Karting Championship.

For years, Teesside has been synonymous with 24-hour karting, but the championship has grown into something much bigger than a single race weekend.

In 2026, we’ve taken teams on a European tour.

Our championship began in May under the Spanish sunshine at Campillos, before heading to France in July for the Le Mans 24H.

Le Mans certainly gave us a weekend to remember.

Extreme temperatures meant adapting the event around heat restrictions and creating a very different race format, but teams, drivers, circuit staff and officials worked together to make sure the race could continue safely.

Then in August it was time to come home.

The British 24H

The British 24H at Teesside remains one of the biggest weekends on our calendar.

There is something very different about watching the International Circuit come alive for a 24-hour race.

The paddock fills.

Teams build their temporary homes for the weekend.

Drivers arrive with bags containing enough clothes and equipment for a small expedition.

Mechanics prepare for a race in which they know virtually anything can happen.

Then the flag drops.

Through daylight, darkness and back into daylight again, the race becomes its own little world.

The British 24H brings together serious competition and the atmosphere that has always made endurance karting special. Rival teams fight for every position on circuit while helping each other solve problems in the paddock.

For our team, it is also one of the biggest operational challenges of the year.

Months of planning eventually become one very long weekend of racing, pit stops, timing, scrutineering, catering, livestreaming, commentary, safety, administration and solving the inevitable unexpected problems that come with running a 24-hour event.

Then suddenly it’s Sunday.

The chequered flag falls.

Everyone goes home.

And we start preparing for the next event.

Every Weekend is an Event Weekend

That probably sums up life at Teesside Motorsports better than anything else.

There isn’t much time for looking back because there’s normally another event coming through the gate – or another truck that needs packing.

We’re finishing August with the NBS 24-Hour Bike Race at Teesside.

Twenty-four hours of bike racing around the International Circuit is quite a way to finish the month.

But once the chequered flag falls, there won’t be much opportunity to put our feet up.

Because the following weekend we’re off to Belgium.

Next Stop: Spa

The first weekend of September sees the Teesside Motorsports team head to **Spa** for the final round of our 2026 24H Karting Championship.

It’s another new challenge for us and another major step in the development of the championship.

Campillos.

Le Mans.

British.

Spa.

Four very different circuits, four very different events and thousands of kilometres travelled by our teams over the course of the season.

Spa will bring the 2026 championship to its conclusion – but it certainly won’t bring our year to an end.

Because we’ll be coming straight back to Teesside for another endurance race.

Eight Hours of Scooters

The weekend after Spa, the British Scooter Endurance Club – BSEC – arrives at Teesside for the 8 Hours of Teesside.

Once again, the International Circuit will look completely different.

The karts disappear and the scooters arrive.

That’s one of the things we love about having a venue like Teesside.

The same piece of tarmac can host international kart racing one weekend, a 24-hour bike race another, scooter endurance racing the next and then cars, drifting or testing.

And September keeps going.

We’ve still got Norasport, NBS at Rowrah and another Teesside Owner Driver Sprint weekend to fit into the calendar.

That’s before we’ve counted all of the normal activity happening around those headline events.

Arrive and drive karting continues.

Corporate events continue.

Testing continues.

The Academy continues.

The workshop continues looking after a fleet of around 200 karts.

And somewhere amongst all of that, the office team is already taking bookings and planning events months – and sometimes more than a year – ahead.

It’s all go.

But that’s pretty much how we like it.

So What Happens When the Summer Season Finishes?

We start the winter season, obviously.

While many championships pack away their awnings and wait for spring, winter has always been an important part of the racing calendar at Teesside.

Our Winter Series has become particularly popular because it gives owner drivers the opportunity to continue racing when much of the traditional karting season has stopped.

And for 2026/27, we’re taking it on the road again.

The Teesside Motorsports Winter Series

Four rounds.

Four circuits.

Four very different challenges.

This year’s Winter Series will visit:

Rowrah

Teesside

Whilton Mill

GYG

It’s a championship that rewards much more than outright pace.

Anyone who has raced through a British winter knows exactly what can happen.

You might arrive in sunshine.

You might qualify in rain.

You might race in temperatures hovering just above freezing.

And sometimes you’ll get all of that before lunchtime.

Conditions change. Grip changes. Set-ups change.

Drivers have to adapt.

That unpredictability is part of what makes winter racing so good.

Rowrah provides a fantastic opening challenge before the championship comes home to Teesside. Then it’s on to Whilton Mill before the series heads to Wales and GYG.

Each circuit asks something different of the driver and kart, meaning consistency across the four rounds could prove just as important as outright speed at any individual event.

The Winter Series has always been about giving drivers something competitive to race for during the months when opportunities can become limited.

But it’s also become a championship in its own right.

There are titles to fight for.

There are rivalries that develop over the winter.

And there are plenty of bragging rights involved.

By the time we reach the final round, everyone will have earned their spring break.

Although we’re not actually giving them one.

A New Teesside Endurance Championship

Because sprint racing isn’t the only thing happening this winter.

November will also see the start of a new three-month Teesside Endurance Championship.

Running across November, December and January, the championship will bring another style of competitive karting to the circuit through the winter.

Endurance racing requires a completely different approach to sprint racing.

Being the fastest driver on circuit doesn’t necessarily win an endurance race.

Teams need consistency.

They need strategy.

They need to manage traffic.

They need to decide when to make their moves and when fighting over a position is costing both drivers more time than it’s worth.

Driver changes, pit strategy and teamwork all become part of the result.

One mistake can undo an hour of hard work.

One good strategy call can completely change a race.

For established endurance teams it provides another championship to fight for.

For drivers who have watched our bigger endurance events and thought they’d like to have a go, it also creates another route into this side of karting.

And perhaps, for some of those teams, it might eventually lead somewhere even bigger.

Because while we’re still racing through the final months of 2026, we’re already planning our biggest championship for next year.

The 2027 24H Championship

Following the growth of the championship, we’re making an important change for 2027.

The full 2027 24H Championship will be limited to a maximum of 46 championship entries.

Those 46 teams will form the championship grid across our international rounds.

The provisional calendar takes us back to:

Campillos – Spain

Le Mans – France

British 24H – Teesside

Spa – Belgium

The aim is to create a stronger championship identity, with the same core group of teams competing against each other throughout the year.

Instead of individual races simply sitting alongside one another, we want every round to feel like part of one championship journey.

Points earned in Spain matter in France.

What happens at Le Mans matters when everyone arrives at Teesside.

And by the time we reach Spa, every result throughout the season could matter.

With the championship limited to only **46 teams**, places will be significantly more restricted than they have been previously.

The British 24H will remain slightly different.

As our home event – and one of the biggest races of the year – we will make an **additional ten places available for the British round**, beyond the 46 championship entries.

Owner Drivers will also continue to form part of our 24-hour programme.

Owner Driver teams will be able to compete at Campillos and the British 24H, with plans for an additional Owner Driver endurance event later in the year.

It means there will still be different ways to become part of our 24-hour racing programme, while allowing us to protect the quality and consistency of the main championship.

From Teesside to Europe – and Back Again

When we changed from Teesside Karting to **Teesside Motorsports**, it wasn’t simply about changing the name above the door.

It reflected what the venue – and the team behind it – had already become.

Karting will always be at the heart of what we do.

But today a weekend at Teesside might involve karts, cars, motorcycles, scooters or drift cars.

Our team might be working at our own circuit in Middlesbrough or loading equipment into trucks to run an event hundreds of miles away.

Our drivers might be racing at Teesside one month and in Spain, France or Belgium the next.

At the same time, someone could be climbing into a kart for the very first time at an arrive and drive session while, elsewhere in the paddock, an experienced racing team is preparing for its next championship.

That’s what Teesside Motorsports has become.

And we’re still developing.

The Next Few Months

So while the summer holidays might be coming to an end, we’re certainly not winding down.

First we’ve got a 24-hour bike race to finish.

Then we’re going to Spa.

Then we’ve got eight hours of scooter racing.

Then Norasport.

Then NBS.

Then another Sprint weekend.

Then the Winter Series begins.

Then the Teesside Endurance Championship begins.

And while all of that is happening, entries and preparations for the 2027 24H Championship will be getting underway.

At some point, we might even find a quiet weekend.

We just haven’t spotted one on the calendar yet.

Come and Be Part of It

Whether you want to race, test, join a championship, bring a team to an endurance event, try karting for the first time or simply come along and watch, there is always something happening at Teesside Motorsports.

Keep an eye on our website and social media for individual event information, regulations, entry details and announcements for the remainder of 2026 and the 2027 season.

The summer might nearly be over.

Our season definitely isn’t.

 

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About NBS Endurance Racing

Why We Started NBS

NBS Endurance Racing was created by riders, for riders — born out of a passion for endurance racing and a desire to build something simple, fair, and transparent. We were tired of complicated systems, hidden costs, and confusing rulebooks, so we set out to create a championship where the focus is exactly where it should be — on the racing.

Our aim has always been to bring together riders who love long-distance racing and give them a professional-level experience without the professional-level price tag. From the start, we’ve made sure that every team gets what they need to compete: live timing, professional media coverage, and a well-run event at quality circuits across the UK.

And yes — the name NBS is a little tongue in cheek. It stands for No Bull Sht*, because that’s exactly how we run things: no gimmicks, no games, and no hidden extras. Just honest racing, great people, and long hours in the saddle.

That same spirit runs through everything we do — right down to our Honda AF class. It started as a laugh between riders about the sheer toughness of those bikes (“as fast,” “as fun,” “as f***ing reliable”), and it stuck. Now, it’s part of the NBS identity — light-hearted, straight-talking, and serious about racing.

What We’ve Been Up To in 2025

2025 has been a huge year for us. With a total of 54 teams competing across our endurance-only calendar, we’ve averaged just under 20 teams per round, and we’ve built a core group of around 20 teams who’ve joined us for the majority of the season. Their support and commitment have helped us shape NBS into a genuine community of riders who love the challenge of long-distance racing.

Each event followed our proven two-day format — one day of open practice followed by a full race day — giving teams plenty of track time to prepare and perform. Every round featured transponders, full media packages, and a live stream, so no one misses a lap whether they’re at the circuit or watching from home.

Looking Ahead to 2026

For 2026, we’ll be back with a full calendar of 12-, 8-, and 6-hour endurance races at circuits across the UK — and even across the sea! We may only be entering our second season, but we’re growing steadily and building a championship and community we’re proud of.

We’re also excited to announce our main series sponsor, M-Tech, who will be partnering with us to offer hire bikes at every round. Pre-season testing opportunities will be available, giving teams a chance to familiarise themselves with the bikes before race weekends.

Alongside this, we’ll be introducing an exclusive Junior Team Package, allowing young riders to compete on a shared package bike — making it easier than ever for teams of junior riders to get on the grid without relying on a single rider’s machine. All hire and junior packages will include the entry fee and all standard NBS benefits.

Media & Exposure

Our dedicated media team provides coverage at every round, from professional photography and livestreaming to post-race highlight reels.
Teams can also add optional media packages, including:

  • Edited social media videos
  • Sponsor highlight reels
  • Team feature content

It’s a great way to promote your sponsors, showcase your riders, and relive your best race moments.

Join the Grid for 2026

Whether you’re a returning rider or joining us for the first time, now’s the perfect time to get involved. Spaces are limited, and our grids are filling fast.

? Be part of the NBS Endurance story — register your team for 2026 and experience racing with no bull, no fuss, and no hidden extras. Just pure endurance.

 

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Setting Safety Standards: The NKA’s Evolution in UK Karting

The National Karting Association (NKA)

The National Karting Association (NKA) stands as the cornerstone of UK leisure karting, with Teesside Motorsports’ legacy deeply woven into its foundation. Our founder, Bob Pope, was instrumental in establishing the NKA, helping create the standards that would shape the UK’s leisure karting industry. Today, this pioneering spirit continues under the leadership of his daughter and current owner, Kathryn Franklin, who serves as Chair Person of the NKA.

With over 25 years of operational experience informing NKA guidelines, the organisation’s commitment to excellence goes beyond mere compliance. The NKA’s partnership with Horsham District Council as Primary Authority Partner ensures that karting tracks across England and Wales benefit from both general health and safety guidance and specialist advice.

Enhanced Medical Preparedness

Under Kathryn Franklin’s chairmanship, the NKA has launched significant medical safety initiatives across member circuits:

  • Updated first aid training requirements for all circuit staff
  • Mandatory AED (Automated External Defibrillator) installation at circuits
  • Standardised emergency response protocols
  • Regular staff competency assessments

Safety First

The dedication to safety reflects the NKA’s comprehensive framework:

  • Minimum of two qualified marshals with proper PPE when the track is active
  • Mandatory NKA online training for all circuit staff within 6 months
  • Integration with Atlas-hub for HSE and HR training
  • First aid qualified staff are always on duty
  • Track lighting exceeding the minimum 6 Lux requirement
  • Comprehensive signage system, including detailed track diagrams

Advanced Safety Testing

Physical safety remains paramount with:

  • Rigorous barrier testing programmes
  • Impact absorption analysis
  • Scientific approach to safety barrier development
  • Regular review and updating of safety standards

European Leadership

The NKA’s involvement in CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) demonstrates its commitment to international safety standards:

  • Active participation in developing European-wide karting regulations
  • Contribution to the kart manufacturing standards
  • Cross-border safety initiatives
  • Harmonisation of safety protocols across European circuits

Insurance and Protection

Member circuits maintain insurance coverage that exceeds NKA requirements:

  • Public liability insurance well above the recommended £5M
  • £10M employer’s liability coverage
  • Regular risk assessments and safety audits
  • Continuous staff development and training

Community Impact

The NKA’s leadership extends beyond track operations. Through initiatives like Teesside’s “Motivate: Race to Talk,” karting is being used as a platform for community engagement and mental health support, demonstrating how motorsport can drive positive social change.

Looking Forward

As a founding member circuit of the NKA, Teesside Motorsports continues to help shape industry standards. The experience and innovation contributed by both Bob Pope and Kathryn Franklin have been instrumental in developing guidelines that ensure leisure karting remains both exciting and safe for the approximately 18,000 drivers who visit typical circuits annually.

Through this ongoing commitment to excellence and safety, the NKA continues to demonstrate why it remains the cornerstone of UK leisure karting safety. The legacy established by Bob Pope lives on through Kathryn Franklin’s leadership, ensuring that both Teesside Motorsports and the NKA continue to evolve and enhance the sport for future generations.

The combination of historical expertise, current innovation, and future planning ensures that the NKA remains at the forefront of karting safety, setting benchmarks that others aspire to match. As the industry continues to evolve, the NKA’s role in shaping its future remains as crucial as ever.