Race team’s cars destroyed as UK factory burns down in terrifying blaze

A blaze destroyed the factory and facilities of Power Maxed Racing only days ago, but still the team has travelled to Knockhill in Scotland to race in the British Touring Car Championship

A beleaguered team will still race in the British Touring Car Championship this weekend despite the blaze which destroyed its factory. A wildfire last Saturday led to the destruction of Power Maxed Racing’s base, near Bretforton in Worcestershire.

The flames melted the team’s Vauxhall Astra race cars, manufacturing facilities and stock warehouse at the base which also served as headquarters for car care product brands Power Maxed and Steel Seal. Owner Adam Weaver could only watch on in despair.

He said: “I had to stand there and watch as 20 years of blood, sweat and tears burnt to the ground in about 20 minutes. Absolutely everything has gone, the manufacturing warehouse, stock warehouse and possibly the saddest of all, the race team. There is nothing at all left. Not a thing.

“The heat was so intense it melted solid gearbox casings, reduced entire engines to warped molten metal, and left nothing but ash and twisted steel of the buildings. Years of work, equipment, and investment were destroyed in a matter of hours. All tools, spare parts and components have been lost.”

But Weaver has vowed to soldier on and the team still plans to race at Knockhill Circuit in Fife, Scotland, this weekend. Drivers Mikey Doble and Nick Halstead are set to compete in Cupra Leon cars, with special dispensation given to them by the BTCC.

The cars have been borrowed from Un-Limited Motorsport and the family of driver Dexter Patterson, who Weaver said were only too happy to help. The cars arrived at Knockhill on Wednesday night in the team’s “singed” transporter trucks – the only things to survive the fire as they were parked away from the buildings.

British Touring Car Championship to stream races on TikTok in world-first broadcast deal Lewis Hamilton’s brother Nicolas makes emotional family admission after gambling harm battle

Weaver suffered a further setback himself as his flight to Scotland was cancelled on Friday morning, forcing him to make the long drive north. But he will be there to watch on as, against the odds, his team heads out on track to compete despite all it has gone through in the last week.

He told BBC Hereford and Worcester: “Anybody that’s struggling with anything in their life right now whether it’s personal, whether it’s work, it just shows that you get the right people around you and look what can happen. It’s going to be an emotional moment seeing those cars go out.”

In an open letter to “friends” of the team, he added: “Seeing a car go out in FP1 on Saturday will be one of the proudest moments of my life. It will show the tenacity of our team, our partners, and the incredible motorsport community.

“This weekend is not just about racing, it is about proving what can be achieved when people pull together and never give up. I sincerely hope that by demonstrating this, it can also motivate others who may be facing difficulties in their own lives, ensuring that some positive outcomes can emerge from challenging situations.

“Our factory may be gone, but our spirit is very much alive. If you can help in any way, no matter how small, please get in touch. Together, we can rebuild from the ashes – and show the world what true motorsport resilience looks like.”