TOCA – organisers of the British Touring Car Championship – have today (October 24) announced that it will introduce a qualifying race for all cars on the Saturday afternoon at each race weekend of the 2026 season.

Following the championship’s end-of-season meeting with all competing teams, the UK’s premier motorsport series

The precise format of the race is still to be finalised however the final classification, which will be the culmination of separate free practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday, will determine the grid positions for race one on Sunday.

As has been the case since 2004, Sunday’s track action will continue to comprise of three rounds of racing from the BTCC.

Fans will be able to continue watching the action on Saturday live in the UK and around the world via the ITV Sport YouTube channel.

Additional unrelated tweaks to the regulations are also set to be announced in due course following the annual end-of-season meeting between TOCA and all competing teams.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “A qualifying race on Saturday is another exciting introduction to the BTCC ahead of the 2026 season, and promises to be a hit among drivers, teams, fans and stakeholders.

“The addition of some short, sharp racing action on Saturday will certainly spice things up ahead of our hugely popular three-race Sunday format and will provide a further great spectacle to the weekend show for everyone.”