Tag: BTCC

WSR enjoys record-breaking BTCC day at Brands Hatch

WSR and BMW enjoyed a record-breaking weekend in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch as they scored a trio of wins to become the most successful team in BTCC history.

After enduring a lack lustre curtain raiser at Donington Park last month, the Surrey-based squad bounced back in style at its home track as reigning champion Jake Hill triumphed in race one before Daryl Deleon and Charles Rainford both claimed a maiden victory apiece.

Milestones began to tumble on Saturday as Hill obliterated the qualifying lap record by more than a second to clinch pole position and set up what would ultimately be a race day to remember in front of a bumper crowd.

The Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver converted pole position into a relatively straight-forward victory in the opening encounter as he led every lap, while his rookie stablemate Rainford kept him honest behind.

That victory would be the 133rd in the BTCC for WSR and ensured that they were now clear at the top of the all-time leaderboard. Behind Hill and Rainford, 2022 champion Tom Ingram continued his fine start to the season with a third place finish.

Race two delivered more captivating action as Deleon scored his first-ever win. Hill fended off a number of challengers early doors but following two safety car periods, there was no stopping the teenager as he utilised the faster soft tyre to hit the front and streak clear of the opposition.

Hill’s resilient defence allowed Deleon to build up a substantial advantage over the rest of the field and by the time Adam Morgan and Ash Sutton moved into second and third respectively, they could do nothing to catch the BMW ace.

Not to be outdone, Rainford then completed a historic day for WSR as he claimed a commanding victory in just his sixth BTCC race. Charging past Hill and pole sitter Dan Rowbottom in the early exchanges, Rainford was wheel-perfect until the end to claim a sensational win.

Many fans were perched on the edge of their seats as Hill and Ingram – who had surged from 11th on the grid – became embroiled in a fascinating back-and-forth battle for second place. Hill in the held firm in the end to clinch the position.

Leaving Brands Hatch, Sutton remains in the lead of the Drivers’ Championship ahead of Ingram and Hill whilst EXCLER8 Motorsport/Hyundai remain in control of the Manufacturers/Constructors Championship.

Team VERTU lead the Teams’ Championship while Chris Smiley and Restart Racing head the early going in the Independents’ category. In the Jack Sears Trophy, Deleon has hit the front virtue of his near flawless weekend.

Of course, it wasn’t just the BTCC that starred at Brands Hatch as a number of championships that make up the TOCA support bill also made their mark around the 1.208-mile Indy circuit.

Toby Trice continued his fine start to the season in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain as he guided his Clean Racing machine to a brace of race wins.

Trice had to play second fiddle to Tom Bradshaw in the weekend’s opening contest but come Sunday he was unstoppable as he charged to a pair of lights-to-flag victories, strengthening his advantage at the top of the Drivers’ Championship in the process.

The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy made its first appearance of the season on the BTCC support programme and as expected it didn’t disappoint with a trio of hard-fought races leaving fans wanting more.

Title contender Joshua Wilby narrowly beat Ronnie Smith and Gabe Fairbrother to top spot in race one before Alex Keens was declared the victor of race two after on-the-road winner Rhys Hurd was handed a post-race ten second time penalty.

Hurd’s Westbourne Motorsport wasted no time in putting that disappointment behind them though as Olivier Algieri claimed his first win of the season in style, beating Fairbrother and Wilby to the chequered flag in a frenetic finale.

Rounding out the weekend’s action was a one-off guest appearance from the Dutch Barn Caterham Seven Championship UK and as predicted – the racing couldn’t have been any closer around the short, sharp layout.

Matthew Armstrong kicked off proceedings with a measured drive to win race one however he could do nothing to stop Harry Senior from reigning supreme in the weekend’s remaining two bouts as he triumphed twice.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.

BTCC headlines British battles this weekend

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, organised by the British Automobile Racing Club is ready for the Battle of Brands this weekend as the packed grid will get even closer, as the tin-top field is shoe-horned onto the tight Indy circuit.

Ash Sutton leads the way in the title race after two wins from three races at Donington last time out. Can Sutton lay another stepping stone towards his fifth and record breaking title?

Supporting the BTCC will be packed grids on a busy timetable across Saturday and Sunday. The Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy, Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain rejoin the action while the Caterham Seven Championship UK drivers prepare to do battle under the spotlight of the ITV cameras this weekend.

Elsewhere on the BARC schedule is the third event of the British Hillclimb Championship Presented by Nova Motorsport. Single-seaters with up to 700bhp will be unleashed onto the long and flowing Harewood hill in Yorkshire. Defending Champion Matt Ryder has won three of the four run-offs this year but is being chased hard by Will Hall and Wallace Menzies.

When is the next BARC weekend?
The next events will be this weekend – 10th/11th May

Where are the events being held?
Brands Hatch – Indy
Address: London Rd, West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks TN15 6FS

Harewood Hillclimb
Address: Harewood Ave, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LA

What is racing this weekend?
Brands Hatch – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Vertu MINI Challenge Trophy, Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain and Caterham Seven Championship UK

Harewood – British Hillclimb Championship

How can I watch?

At Home
The TOCA Brands Hatch race weekend package will be broadcast live and for free on ITV4 and ITVX on Saturday and Sunday in the UK.

Qualifying will be available to all on ITVX on Saturday while race day will move to ITV4 in the UK, with International audiences able to watch the action on YouTube with races live on the RACER network in the US and Canada.

The uninterrupted coverage will feature all the on track drama with commentary, analysis and features throughout Sunday with coverage starting just ahead of the first BTCC race at 10:40

The British Hillclimb Championship action sadly won’t be live streamed this weekend.

At the Track
Wanting to soak up the on-track action in person? Tickets are available on the day or on the Brands Hatch website from ÂŁ22 for a Saturday ticket or ÂŁ35 for a Sunday ticket – with weekend options available from ÂŁ48.

Hillclimb fans can head to Harewood with tickets starting from ÂŁ12.50 for each day from the Harewood Hill website (www.harewoodhill.com) or you can pay on the gate.

What time are things happening on track?

Track action begins at 09:30 on Saturday and 09:00 on Sunday at Brands Hatch, with BTCC races at 11:30, 14:05 and 17:10 on Sunday. Over at Harewood, the course opens for practice early morning until early evening on Saturday with official timed runs to be held on the Sunday.

Do you have any more information?

We have a few other handy links that might be useful to help you enjoy your weekend.

Donington
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/251941
Timetable*: www.barc.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-BTCC-Timetable_BrandsIndy_V6.pdf
Watch Link: www.itv.com/btcc

Harewood
Live Timing: https://www.hwtiming.co.uk/
Event Information: https://www.britishhillclimb.co.uk/

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

Have a fantastic weekend of racing!

BTCC locks in calendar for 2026 season

Series organisers of the British Touring Car Championship, TOCA, have today (May 2) announced its calendar for the 2026 season.

Confirmed almost a year in advance and hot on the heels of last weekend’s 2025 season-opener, the opening three rounds of next year’s campaign will mirror the same format as this season with visits to Donington Park (National), Brands Hatch (Indy) and Snetterton 300 kicking off proceedings.

Oulton Park will then follow in early June before the BTCC brings forward its annual summer break. Due to ITV’s commitments at the football World Cup in June and July, the annual summer break has been forward to avoid any potential clashes, whilst also providing teams with a less frenetic start to the BTCC season.

Action will resume at the fastest circuit in the UK, Thruxton, before visits to Knockhill, Donington Park (Grand Prix) and Croft follow. The penultimate round of the season will again take place at Silverstone before champions are crowned on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in October.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “The 2026 British Touring Car Championship calendar enjoys the tried and tested format from previous seasons, but with a slightly different flow of events to look forward to.

“It is a very busy summer in the sporting calendar, particularly with the football World Cup, which presents ITV with some clashing commitments. However, it also gave us an opportunity to make some tweaks to the schedule, which includes the shift in dates to the likes of Thruxton and Croft.

“Once again, releasing the calendar to our teams, support races, stakeholders and the public this early is advantageous for all in forward-planning, whilst it also benefits the rest of the motorsport pyramid in the UK as they can also schedule their events with these dates in mind.”

2026 British Touring Car Championship Calendar

Rounds 1-3 / Donington Park National / April 18-19
Rounds 4-6 / Brands Hatch Indy / May 9-10
Rounds 7-9 / Snetterton 300 / May 24-25
Rounds 10-12 / Oulton Park / June 6-7
Rounds 13-15 / Thruxton / July 25-26
Rounds 16-18 / Knockhill / August 8-9
Rounds 19-21 / Donington Park GP / August 22-23
Rounds 22-24 / Croft / September 5-6
Rounds 25-27 / Silverstone / September 26-27
Rounds 28-30 / Brands Hatch GP / October 10-11

BTCC stages spectacular 2025 season-opener Donington Park

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasted back into life in spectacular style this past weekend (April 26/27) as four-time champion Ash Sutton and the experienced Tom Chilton made a winning start to the 2025 season.

Taking centre stage at the Leicestershire venue in front of a packed crowd, the UK’s premier motor racing series delivered three blockbuster contests to kick-start what promises to be another vintage year of tin top action.

After narrowly missing out on clinching pole position to his team-mate Dan Cammish on Saturday, NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton was wheel-perfect in races one and two as he claimed successive lights-to-flag wins ahead of his long-time rival Tom Ingram.

Bidding to become the first driver in BTCC history to win the title five times, Sutton didn’t have things his own way in either contest however as he was forced to provide a resolute defence as Ingram applied pressure throughout.

The pace of the NAPA Ford Focus ST was further bolstered as both Dan Rowbottom and Cammish snared silverware as they claimed a third-place finish apiece in the aforementioned opening two bouts.

Race three – the reverse grid contest – saw Team VERTU’s Chilton drawn onto pole position and with the soft tyre at this disposal, he showcased all of his experience as he streaked clear to claim a deserved victory.

While Chilton romped to a 17th career triumph, the battle for the remaining podium positions had everyone on the edge of their seats as Ingram and Sutton renewed their tussle on-track – although this time it was Ingram that held on to complete a hat-trick of second place finishes.

Leaving Donington Park, Sutton holds an early advantage in the Drivers’ Championship over Ingram while just one point separates EXCELR8/Hyundai and Alliance/Ford in the Manufacturers’ Championship.

There is nothing to separate Team VERTU and NAPA Racing UK in the Teams’ standings whilst Chris Smiley and Power Maxed Racing are the early pace-setters in the Independent rankings. Over in the Jack Sears Trophy, Ronan Pearson leads the way after three races.

It wasn’t just the BTCC that put on a show under the flight path of East Midlands airport either as the support championship that feature on the TOCA bill also kick-started their campaigns.

The single-seater stars of the future that make up the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA delivered a trio of captivating contests that resulted in three different winners from three races.

Argenti Motorsport’s August Raber was the first to strike as he reigned supreme in race one before Chase Fernandez won a shortened reverse grid bout. Rodin Motorsport’s James Piszcyk then came to the fore in the feature race as he won after the top two were hit with time penalties for exceeding track limits late on.

NAPA Racing UK’s Jamie Osborne was perfection personified in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW as he clinched a clean sweep of race wins. Despite missing out on pole position in qualifying, Osborne was unstoppable in race one as he charged to victory in commanding fashion.

Race two was arguably even more impressive as, starting ninth, he scythed his way to the front of the field to triumph by more than four seconds. Osborne capped off his weekend with another brilliant display in race three as he pipped Tom Ovenden to the chequered flag.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain made a flying start to the new season with Will Martin and Andrew Rackstraw walking away with a share of the spoils that were on offer.

Tipped by many as one of the favourites for the title in the off-season, Martin produced an exemplary drive in race one as he held off Sid Smith to triumph – with Angus Whiteside completing the podium in third.

Race two saw Rackstraw then convert his pole position start into an impressive lights-to-flag victory as he headed Century Motorsport’s Whiteside and Porsche Junior Driver James Wallis.

Rounding out the weekend’s action were three races from the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain which saw Toby Trice stake his claim as one to watch in the battle for supremacy as he chalked up a brace of wins.

Had it not been for some misfortune in the opening encounter Trice could well have scored a hat-trick of wins. Instead, the spoils of the opening bout went the way of Toro Verde GT’s Tom Bradshaw.

To view the full classification of results from Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

Best of British gets underway this weekend

Not one, not two but three Motorsport UK British Championships get underway this weekend as well as a whole host of exciting support series races – guaranteed to excite motorsport fans across the country!

The talking stops and the action begins in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this weekend with 24 tin-top title hopefuls aiming to get their season off to a flyer at Donington. The Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA also begins at the East Midlands venue with the potential F1 stars of tomorrow launching their campaigns on the TOCA package.

Supporting the two British titles will be packed grids on a busy timetable across Saturday and Sunday. The Vertu MINI Challenge, Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain and Porsche Carrera Cup season also start at Donington.

Elsewhere on the BARC schedule is the opening round of the British Hillclimb Championship Presented by Nova Motorsport. Some of the quickest cars and drivers in the UK head to Prescott to begin their eagerly anticipated season. Single-seaters with up to 700bhp will be unleashed on the Gloucestershire hill – imagine F1 up a garden path!

When is the next BARC weekend?
The next events will be this weekend – 26th/27thApril

Where are the events being held?
Donington Park – National
Address: Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2RP

Prescott Hillclimb
Address: Prescott Speed Hill Climb, Gotherington Cheltenham, GL52 9RD

What is racing this weekend?
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Wera Tools F4 British Championship, British Hillclimb Championship, Vertu MINI Challenge JCW, Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain and Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain.

How can I watch?

At Home
The TOCA Donington race weekend package will be broadcast live and for free on ITV4 and ITVX on Sunday. International audiences will be able to watch the action on TikTok.

The uninterrupted coverage will feature all the on track drama with commentary, analysis and features throughout each day with coverage starting just ahead of the first BTCC race on Sunday at 11:00

The British Hillclimb Championship runs can be watched over on www.youtube.com/@HillClimbTV – with LIVE streams for both Saturday and Sunday available.

At the Track
Wanting to soak up the on-track action in person – tickets are available on the day or on the Donington website from ÂŁ22 for a Saturday ticket or ÂŁ35.00 for a Sunday ticket – with weekend options available.

Hillclimb fans can head to Prescott with tickets starting from ÂŁ18 for each day from the Prescott website or you can pay on the gate.

What time are things happening on track?

Track action begins at 09:10 on both days at Donington with BTCC races at 11:50, 14:35 and 17:25 on Sunday. Over at Prescott the course opens for practice at 08:30 with official timed runs to follow on both days.

Do you have any more information?

We have a few other handy links that might be useful to help you enjoy your weekend.

Donington
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/251703
Timetable*: www.barc.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/HQ51-TOCA-Timetable-v5.pdf
Watch Link: www.itv.com/btcc

Prescott
Live Timing: https://www.motorlap.com/live/836
Timetable: https://bit.ly/4lFRMLD
Watch Link: https://www.youtube.com/@HillClimbTV

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

Enjoy the racing – we just love the BARC variety on offer!

BTCC launches 2025 season at Donington Park

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has lifted the curtain on the forthcoming 2025 season by confirming a stellar entry list that is made up of former champions, proven race winners and young chargers.

Starting at Donington Park today for its annual Season Launch, the UK’s premier motor racing series will once again travel the length and breadth of the country – staging 30 races across ten full-throttle weekends.

Headlining this year’s 24-car grid is reigning champion Jake Hill, who is now the team leader at West Surrey Racing. Remaining with Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport and his trusty BMW, Hill has the number one adorning his car this year and he’ll be eager to not let it go.

Joining Hill at the multiple champions is exciting young racer Daryl Deleon, as well as the duo of Aiden Moffat and debutant Charles Rainford, both of whom will run under the LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR banner.

Looking to take the fight to the BMW quartet is Team VERTU, which is spearheaded by 2022 title winner Tom Ingram. Having finished as runner-up in each of the past two seasons, the Hyundai driver will be all guns blazing to clinch a second crown this time around.

Ingram is joined at EXCELR8 Motorsport by the experienced Tom Chilton once again, while Adam Morgan makes a return to front-wheel-drive after a number of years competing in the aforementioned BMW. Completing the line-up is returning fan favourite Michael Crees, although it will only be for half a season as Senna Proctor will take on driving duties from Croft onwards.

Both Hill and Ingram won’t be the only drivers battling for the coveted crown though with NAPA Racing UK fielding an unchanged line-up that is led by Ash Sutton – who is looking to make history by becoming the very first five-time champion of the BTCC.

The Ford Focus ST squad boasts strength in depth with Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom no doubt keen to make their mark also. Sam Osborne is the fourth and final driver that will represent the striking yellow and blue outfit in 2025.

Over at Speedworks Motorsport it is all change for a second successive season. Three-time champion Gordon Shedden returns after two years away and he’s joined by last year’s Independent Drivers’ champion Aron Taylor-Smith, Ronan Pearson and rookie James Dorlin.

One Motorsport took a sabbatical in 2024 but they’re back with their Honda Civic Type Rs and the ultra-competitive pairing of Josh Cook and Stephen Jelley. Elsewhere, Mikey Doble has remained with Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing for a third successive campaign.

Rounding out the grid is Chris Smiley and Daniel Lloyd in Restart Racing’s two new Hyundais while Un-Limited Motorsport have gone from one to three cars, with Dexter Patterson, Nicolas Hamilton and Max Hall locked in to drive Cupras.

With the removal of hybrid and the introduction of sustainable fuel, along with a host of other elements remaining the same, this year’s fight to be crowned British Touring Car Champion could well be one of the closest in years.

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Entry List

No. 1 // Jake Hill // Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport // BMW 330i M Sport
No. 2 // Daryl Deleon // West Surrey Racing // BMW 330i M Sport
No. 3 // Tom Chilton // Team VERTU // Hyundai i30 N Fastback
No. 12 // Stephen Jelley // One Motorsport // Honda Civic Type R
No. 14 // Ronan Pearson // TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK // Toyota Corolla GR Sport
No. 16 // Aiden Moffat // LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR // BMW 330i M Sport
No. 17 // Dexter Patterson // Un-Limited Motorsport // Cupra Leon
No. 22 // Chris Smiley // Restart Racing // Cupra Leon
No. 27 // Dan Cammish // NAPA Racing UK // Ford Focus ST
No. 28 // Nicolas Hamilton // Un-Limited Motorsport // Cupra Leon
No. 32 // Dan Rowbottom // NAPA Racing UK // Ford Focus ST
No. 33 // Adam Morgan // Team VERTU // Hyundai i30 N Fastback
No. 40 // Aron Taylor-Smith // TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK // Toyota Corolla GR Sport
No. 52 // Gordon Shedden // TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK // Toyota Corolla GR Sport
No. 66 // Josh Cook // One Motorsport // Honda Civic Type R
No. 77 // Sam Osborne // NAPA Racing UK // Ford Focus ST
No. 80 // Tom Ingram // Team VERTU // Hyundai i30 N Fastback
No. 88 // Mikey Doble // Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing // Vauxhall Astra
No. 93 // Maximus Hall // Un-Limited Motorsport // Cupra Leon
No. 99 // Charles Rainford // LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR // BMW 330i M Sport
No. 116 // Ash Sutton // NAPA Racing UK // Ford Focus ST
No. 123 // Daniel Lloyd // Restart Racing // Cupra Leon
No. 132 // James Dorlin // TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK // Toyota Corolla GR Sport
No. 777 // Michael Crees // Team VERTU // Hyundai i30 N Fastback

Donington Park provides the setting for the opening three rounds of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season on April 26-27.

BTCC to broadcast race day coverage around the world on YouTube

The British Touring Car Championship has announced an enhancement of its global coverage, with each race day of the 2025 season – including all support series’ races – being streamed live around the world on the official BTCC YouTube channel.

Both the United Kingdom and North America are an exception to the new agreement due to them both having existing broadcast agreements in place.

Qualifying will also continue to be broadcast LIVE in the UK on ITVX, and indeed LIVE across the UK and throughout the world via YouTube.

The deal also represents fantastic news for the BTCC’s loyal support series’ – namely F4 British Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Porsche Sprint Challenge GB, The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE and The Vertu MINI CHALLENGE TROPHY – as each will enjoy LIVE global streaming coverage for the first time ever.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to further enhance our LIVE streaming coverage of the BTCC throughout the world via YouTube.

“This agreement represents fantastic news for our teams, partners and stakeholders, including our valued support series’, but most importantly for our legion of fans around the world, who will now be able to enjoy viewing the entire BTCC race day live for the first time.”

You can subscribe to the official BTCC YouTube channel here.

BTCC stars gear up for new season at Croft

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship undertook an extensive pre-season test at the British Automobile Racing Club owned Croft Circuit in Yorkshire earlier this week (1/2 April) with most of the 2025 challengers in attendance to gain vital mileage and data ahead of the eagerly anticipated season.

The first official pre-season test at Croft was to be an important two days to showcase the reliability of the 2025 machines, and give the fans a potential early form guide as to who to look out for this season. According to BTCC data, 2,800 laps and nearly 6,000 miles were covered across the two days, with glorious sunshine providing plenty of dry running for the teams in North Yorkshire.

BTCC Rookie Max Hall starred on the opening day, as the young driver produced a stunning lap in his Un-Limited Motorsport Cupra Leon. Hall, who graduated out of the BARC supported Verti MINI Challenge, set the benchmark in the second session. The time which was under the BTCC lap record remained unbeaten until the final hour of the last day when Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing’s Mikey Doble leapt to the top of the timesheets with a 1:20.391s which is well over half a second quicker than the existing qualifying lap record.

NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish is a dark horse for a title tilt this season and was at the sharp end during both days – eventually ending up third overall, whilst reigning champion Jake Hill was fourth in his Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW.

Hill’s new West Surrey Racing team-mate – Daryl DeLeon – left it late, as the young charger claimed fifth in the final moments of the two-day test – just pipping a happy former champion Tom Ingram in sixth.

Four-time Champion Ash Sutton was the first driver to dip under the current qualifying lap record on Tuesday, before that time became dated quite quickly, thanks in part to the glorious early spring weather. Sutton, who is eyeing a record breaking fifth title, eventually had to settle for seventh overall.

Returning three-time champion Gordon Shedden was immediately on the pace as the flying Scotsman bagged eighth in his first outing in his new TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Corolla, whilst LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR’s Charles Rainford and One Motorsport’s Josh Cook rounded out the top ten.

Speaking to BTCC – Mikey Doble, Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing, said: “We have had a fantastic first couple of days to kick off our pre-season testing programme. The car felt amazing, and the team’s hard work in development over the off-season is now shining through. I can’t wait to get back out in the car for Season Launch at Donington in a couple of weeks.”

The BTCC has one further official test day at Donington Park on the 15th April before returning to the Leicestershire venue on the weekend of the 26/27 April for the opening three rounds of the series.

Prize BTCC test confirmed for TCR UK champions

Organisers of the TCR UK Championship have confirmed that its 2025 champions will be rewarded with a prize test in a British Touring Car Championship car at the end of the season.

In association with Maximum Motorsport and Goodyear; the TCR UK Drivers’ champion, Gen 1 Cup title winner and Goodyear Diamond Award winner will all get the opportunity to drive a current-spec BTCC car later in the year.

The new prize is one of a number of implementations that have been made to the tin top series since it joined the British Automobile Racing Club’s portfolio.

Mickey Butler, Goodyear Tyres Manager, said: “Drivers put in a lot of hard work during a race season, so it’s good to see that the three champions from TCR UK this year will be rewarded with the opportunity to step up to the next level and test drive a current BTCC spec car.

“Goodyear are proud to be the official Tyre Partner to TCR UK and to be involved in this amazing prize.”

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support that Micky Butler and Goodyear have provided to TCR UK since they came on board back in 2019,” added Stewart Lines, TCR UK Championship Manager.

“Their ongoing commitment to the championship is a clear sign of their belief in the TCR concept and its growing stature within UK Motorsport. The BTCC prize test means that Goodyear will be supporting this years TCR champions as they learn about current spec NGTC cars.

“Goodyear are a very loyal and supportive championship partner, and we look forward to working together with them ahead of the start of the 2025 season.”

The 2025 TCR UK Championship season commences at Donington Park on March 22-23.

BTCC entry list swells to 24 cars for 2025 season

Organisers of the British Touring Car Championship – TOCA – have today (December 2) released the list of TOCA BTCC Licences that have been allocated to teams for the 2025 season.

Following the entry approval date of December 2nd 2024 for all TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs), the grid of the UK’s premier motorsport series will expand to 24 cars next year – having stood at a maximum of 21 during the recent 2024 campaign.

Alliance Racing, EXCELR8 Motorsport and Speedworks Motorsport continue to hold four licences and they have been joined by reigning Manufacturer-Constructor champions West Surrey Racing, who will look to expand back to four cars on a full-time basis.

Power Maxed Racing and Restart Racing will again look to field two entries while Un-Limited Motorsport has acquired an additional TBL to take its total to two.

After a year on the sidelines, One Motorsport look set to make a triumphant return to the BTCC too with two TBLs being allocated to the Brackley-based squad.

Teams will announce full details regarding their respective entries (drivers, team names and sponsors) over the coming weeks and months, prior to the release of the finalised entry list for the forthcoming season in April.

2025 TOCA BTCC Licence Allocation
EXCELR8 Motorsport – 4
West Surrey Racing – 4
Alliance Racing – 4
Speedworks Motorsport – 4
Power Maxed Racing – 2
Un-Limited Motorsport – 2
Restart Racing – 2
One Motorsport – 2

The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season commences on April 26/27 around the Donington Park National circuit.

BTCC locks in additional rule changes for 2025 season

Series organisers of the British Touring Car Championship, TOCA, have confirmed further changes to its latest regulations ahead of the 2025 season. 

Following the ground-breaking announcement that the UK’s premier motorsport series will introduce 100% sustainable fuel next year, a number of other amendments have now been ratified between TOCA and all competing teams. 

As of April 1st 2025, a two-year engine freeze will come into effect, so that no further developments can be made to the homologated engines for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

This decision ensures that the highest-level of competitiveness of each engine will remain but will also significantly save costs to the teams over the next two years.

On the topic of tyres, it will now be mandatory for the three overall podium finishers in Race 1 to run the hardest Goodyear tyre compound available in Race 2 – as opposed to the previous top ten finishers.

A new safety car procedure will be also introduced to ensure a smoother, closer and safer restart to all sessions.

When the Safety Car lights are turned off – indicating it will accelerate away from the pack and return to the pit-lane – all cars must cease weaving, braking and/or accelerating and stay no more than two car lengths from the car ahead of them.

The race leader will be required to maintain approximately the same speed the safety car was using when it extinguished its lights, until the leader has passed the new ‘Restart Point’ – designated at each circuit by TOCA and to be positioned between the final corner and the start/finish control line – after which the leader can then accelerate up to racing speed.

In the battle for the coveted Jack Sears Trophy, drivers that have either previously won the competition or have scored more than one outright podium in the BTCC will not be eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy from next year.

Finally, the qualifying format has been looked at with the grid positions for cars that do not progress from both groups in the first Part of the Qualifying session undergoing a change for 2025.

Those from Group 1 who do not progress into Part 2 will line up on the even numbered side of the grid and those from Group 2 on the other side – thus preventing a change in track or weather conditions having an adverse effect on those groups and their subsequent grid positions.

“Of course, the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel has been the headlining change for the 2025 BTCC season, but we always look at every aspect of our championship each year to see what can be improved,” said BTCC Chief Executive, Alan Gow.

“I’m sure that these tweaks will all have a positive effect and will further add to the great racing that is the hallmark of the BTCC.”

Tickets for 2025 BTCC meeting at Croft now on sale

Tickets for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship’s 2025 visit to Croft Circuit are now on sale.

In what is the biggest event of the year at the British Automobile Racing Club operated venue, the UK’s premier motorsport series will descend on North Yorkshire to kick-start the second half of next season on August 2-3.

Three high-octane tin top races will top the bill while a bumper supporting cast which includes the all-new Mairon Freight UK TOCA Junior Championship will also take centre stage.

Tickets can be purchased at advance prices online today via: https://croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc