The British Truck Racing Championship has confirmed that experienced champions, credible race winners and proven contenders will go wheel-to-wheel for title honours this year, following the official announcement of the 2026 entry list.

Announcing a capacity grid for a second successive campaign, the UK’s premier super-sized series has arguably never been in better shape and that statement is reinforced by the depth in talent that make up this year’s sublime line-up.

Last year saw records tumble as the title races in both Division 1 and Division 2 went down to the wire; and the expectation is for more of the same this time around as the ‘Class of 2026’ look to stake their claim.

Ryan Smith made it a decade of dominance in the series’ premier class last year and the Worldwide Truck Racing driver is back for more in 2026 as he looks to make history by clinching the title for a record 11th time.

Smith’s superlative championship-winning campaign last year saw him draw level with Stuart Oliver on ten titles and now the race is on to see who can become the first driver to lift the coveted prize on 11 different occasions.

Oliver is likely to be one of the biggest threats to Smith’s title defence over the course of the season however not to be discounted from the conversation ether is his Team Oliver Racing team-mate and son, Michael Oliver.

Another former champion that will be worth keeping an eye on is David Jenkins. The MAN driver remained in the mix right the way throughout last season and he’ll be eager to return to the top of the tree once more.

Elsewhere, 333 Motorsport’s Steven Powell and Neil Yates – both podium finishers in 2025 – are back again, so too is Scotsman Tom O’Rourke, who will be hoping to add to the popular victory that he scored in his International Navistar at Thruxton.

Other returning names include John Bowler, Richard Collett, and Nathan Smith, the latter of who is replacing his father David on a full-time basis. He provided a glimpse of his ability at Brands Hatch last November as he charged to a sensational win on his debut.

Completing the Division 1 grid are two returning faces to the championship, brothers Simon Reid and Craig Reid. The Reid Trucksport duo last competed in the series in 2023 and after two years of cutting their teeth on the European stage, they’re back to challenge the established order.

Division 2 delivered action-packed moments at almost every turn last year and the category is poised to serve up even more in 2026.

Jake Evans came out on top of a thrilling head-to-head battle with Callum Eason to ultimately walk away as the champion and the young racer will return this season to defend his crown.

As he will be all too aware, the level of competition in Division 2 is set to be as fierce as ever and Evans will undoubtedly come under pressure in his pursuit of going back-to-back.

Leading the charge for the reigning champion is last year’s runner-up Eason. The WDE Motorsport driver came of age in his debut campaign and with a years’ worth of experience under his belt, he’ll be eager to go one better this time around.

Finnish ace Sami Ojanen tallied multiple wins in his rookie season and he too is another driver that will be one to watch as he looks to secure championship honours for the first time.

Another driver that will no doubt be in the title picture is Simon Cole. Without question one of the most experienced drivers on the Division 2 grid, the Kent racer enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 season before mechanical issues brought his challenge to a close.

Lining up alongside his son Archie Handy, the Cole Trucksport duo will no doubt catch the eye of those watching – especially as the team will be taking the covers off to reveal a striking new look in the cmning months.

Cole and Handy won’t be the only ‘Dad and Lad’ pairing in Division 2 either as Weaver Motorsport will field Bradley Harvey – a double winner at Thruxton last year – and his father, debutant Warren Harvey.

Former champion John Powell will also make a triumphant return to the class this year. After lifting the coveted crown in 2024, Powell graduated to Division 1 with a new truck last year however he was unable to show his full potential – something he will be keen to achieve this time.

There are now less than 75 days to go until the Easter extravaganza curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch.

Tickets for all seven race meetings are available to purchase via each circuit website, with many venues providing discounted prices for a limited time only.

Further announcements regarding official championship partners and 2026 truck liveries are due to be made over the coming weeks and months.