Chris Stockton
Encyclopedia
Chris Stockton is a British auto racing
driver, who is most recently known for his efforts in the British Touring Car Championship
. Prior to this he had won 14 Formula Ford races including the Kent Festival at Brands Hatch. He then won 5 races in a full seasons racing in the Legends series, breaking several lap records. In 2003/4 Stockton raced a TVR Tuscan in the National TVR Tuscan Challenge. He placed the car on the front row at Rockingham only 3/1000 of a second off pole on his first appearance. He then went on to repeatedly beat the reigning Champion Lee Caroline in the seven meetings he competed in. There were several very memorable battles with Caroline, Keen, Hay and others. In 2004 Stockton was one of the 6 drivers who raced a brace of TVR T400's at Le Mans under the Synergy banner. He was the quickest of the 6 drivers in qualifying, and consistently produced the fastest race laps during his 10 1/2 hour multiple stints behind the wheel. His car was the first ever TVR to complete the French marathon. In 2005 Stockton raced intermittently in the British GT championship gaining an outright win at Croft, and a class win at Silverstone on the International circuit partnering Andy Britnell in a Porsche 996.
He made his debut in the BTCC series behind the wheel of a BTC Racing
Lexus IS200 at Brands Hatch
on 24 September 2006, alongside then team-mate Darren Dowling
. He completed the last 2 meetings of the 2006 season.
In 2007 he continued with the BTC Racing team and was joined by Nick Leason
in the second car. Stockton suffered a disappointing year with mechanical problems hindering the team's progress.
Stockton continued in the BTC Racing entry in 2008. His team-mate was the successful truck racer Stuart Oliver
. From round 3 the team switched to ex-Motorbase Performance
SEAT Toledos. Despite having never previously driven in a front-wheel-drive racing car, Stockton finished 8th in race 2, his best ever finish - though he was helped by the intermittently wet conditions hampering the BMWs.
For 2011 Stockton has linked up with Ginetta Cars, to race in either the new G55 or the European FIA GT4 series organized by SRO.
He is also a former top-level National Hunt jockey. His wife Polly
is a member of the British Class Performance squad in horse riding. Polly competes in equestrian 3 day events and has been placed at many of the world's premier competitions including 2nd in the Rolex Kentucky 3 day event, 2nd twice at the Burghley 3 day event, and placed 6th at Badminton. She won the Royal Windsor 3 day event, and has been British and Scottish Champion. She won the National Finals at Gatcombe Park 3 day Event in 2009. Polly has three horses capable of being selected for the British team for the Olympics in 2012.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
driver, who is most recently known for his efforts in the British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
. Prior to this he had won 14 Formula Ford races including the Kent Festival at Brands Hatch. He then won 5 races in a full seasons racing in the Legends series, breaking several lap records. In 2003/4 Stockton raced a TVR Tuscan in the National TVR Tuscan Challenge. He placed the car on the front row at Rockingham only 3/1000 of a second off pole on his first appearance. He then went on to repeatedly beat the reigning Champion Lee Caroline in the seven meetings he competed in. There were several very memorable battles with Caroline, Keen, Hay and others. In 2004 Stockton was one of the 6 drivers who raced a brace of TVR T400's at Le Mans under the Synergy banner. He was the quickest of the 6 drivers in qualifying, and consistently produced the fastest race laps during his 10 1/2 hour multiple stints behind the wheel. His car was the first ever TVR to complete the French marathon. In 2005 Stockton raced intermittently in the British GT championship gaining an outright win at Croft, and a class win at Silverstone on the International circuit partnering Andy Britnell in a Porsche 996.
He made his debut in the BTCC series behind the wheel of a BTC Racing
BTC Racing
BTC Racing is a UK auto racing team run by Bert Taylor. They ran 2 Lexus IS 200 cars for Chris Stockton and Darren Dowling in the latter two rounds of the 2006 British Touring Car Championship season in preparation for a fuller campaign the following season...
Lexus IS200 at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
on 24 September 2006, alongside then team-mate Darren Dowling
Darren Dowling
Darren Dowling is a British racing driver who drove in the final six rounds in 2006 of the British Touring Car Championship. He raced in a Lexus IS200 for the newly formed BTC Racing team alongside team-mate Chris Stockton. His best ever finish was a fourteenth position at Silverstone, ending the...
. He completed the last 2 meetings of the 2006 season.
In 2007 he continued with the BTC Racing team and was joined by Nick Leason
Nick Leason
Nick Leason is a British racing driver currently who drove a Lexus IS200 in the British Touring Car Championship in 2007. He previously entered for the last 2 rounds of 2006 at Brands Hatch and Silverstone. Leason achieved a final championship position of 24th...
in the second car. Stockton suffered a disappointing year with mechanical problems hindering the team's progress.
Stockton continued in the BTC Racing entry in 2008. His team-mate was the successful truck racer Stuart Oliver
Stuart Oliver (racing driver)
Stuart Oliver is a British auto racing driver, who races in Truck Racing, where he has won many titles. He drives a MAN TGA D26 in both the British Truck Racing Championship and the FIA European Truck Championship, for Team Oliver Racing.-Truck Racing:He first entered the British Championship in...
. From round 3 the team switched to ex-Motorbase Performance
Motorbase Performance
Motorbase Performance is an English motor racing team, founded in 2004 by former Production Saloon racer Dave Bartrum. They are best known for their British Touring Car Championship campaigns, which produced a first overall podium at the Snetterton meeting in 2008.-Porsche Carrera Cup Great...
SEAT Toledos. Despite having never previously driven in a front-wheel-drive racing car, Stockton finished 8th in race 2, his best ever finish - though he was helped by the intermittently wet conditions hampering the BMWs.
For 2011 Stockton has linked up with Ginetta Cars, to race in either the new G55 or the European FIA GT4 series organized by SRO.
He is also a former top-level National Hunt jockey. His wife Polly
Polly Stockton
Polly Stockton is a British event rider. Polly is a member of the British World Class Performance squad.Polly Stockton has enjoyed a successful career as a Young Rider, she won the team gold at the 1994 European...
is a member of the British Class Performance squad in horse riding. Polly competes in equestrian 3 day events and has been placed at many of the world's premier competitions including 2nd in the Rolex Kentucky 3 day event, 2nd twice at the Burghley 3 day event, and placed 6th at Badminton. She won the Royal Windsor 3 day event, and has been British and Scottish Champion. She won the National Finals at Gatcombe Park 3 day Event in 2009. Polly has three horses capable of being selected for the British team for the Olympics in 2012.