Tag: BTCC

Croft Circuit is set for another exciting year of motorsport in 2026 after confirming its event calendar for next season recently.

The popular North Yorkshire venue will host ten events which will see action on two and four wheels from April to November, including the annual visit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in September, with tickets now on sale.

The season kicks off over the weekend of April 11/12 where the 750 Motor Club host their first of two visits to Croft in 2026 followed by the popular TCR UK Touring Car Championship and Caterham meeting on 2/3 May as part of the BARC race weekend.

Just a week later, the now-established Croft Classic to Modern Car Show will take place on Saturday 9 May and will see a host of attractions for all the family with the month being rounded off with two-wheeled action in the shape of the No Limits Motorcycle race meeting on 30/31 May.

June 27/28 sees the Ginetta Festival take place followed two weeks later when the North East’s premier race circuit hosts the British Racing and Sports Car Club meeting on 11/12 July. Next up it’s the turn of the local Darlington & District Motor Club to host the traditional Battle of Britain race meeting on August 22/23 which will feature competitors contesting the various championships, including the well-supported Northern Sports and Saloon Car series.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship speeds into Croft on September 5/6 whereby
Britain’s premier four-wheeled motorsport series is undoubtedly set to be one of the headline events of the year in the region with three blockbuster encounters featuring a capacity grid as well as the usual thrills and spills from the TOCA support package.

The 750 Motor Club returns over the weekend of 19/20 September for another weekend of action before Northallerton Automobile Club organise the popular Winter Stages Rally on Sunday 29 November which will see an eclectic mix of cars and competitors on the stages into darkness.

Tickets for all meetings are available in advance and offer substantial savings over the gate price at all events. Croft Circuit also hosts various track days for bikes and cars during the season, is available for testing and corporate hire, including the new centrally located Hangar 50 Café and Hospitality Suite.

Tickets for the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Croft in September are now available in advance and make ideal Christmas gifts. If bought before January 5th, these offer huge savings and start at £18.75 (Saturday) and £29.25 (Sunday) for adults with a weekend pass in advance just £45.00.

Season Tickets are now available and if purchased pre-Christmas, are on offer at just £152.55 (full), £136.35 (car only) and £36.90 for bikes only which includes the Croft Classic to Modern Car Show and DDMC Battle of Britain meeting.

Croft Circuit 2026 Calendar

April 11/12 – 750 Motor Club Car Race Meeting
May 2/3 – BARC TCR & Caterham Car Race Meeting
May 9 – Croft Classic to Modern Car Show
May 30/31 – No Limits Motorcycle Race Meeting
June 27/28 – Ginetta Fest Weekend
July 11/12 – British Racing & Sports Car Club Race Meeting
August 22/23 – Darlington & District Motor Club Battle of Britain Race Meeting
September 5/6 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Meeting
September 19/20 – 750 Motor Club Car Race Meeting
November 29 – Winter Stages Rally

More details are available on the website www.croftcircuit.co.uk or by calling 01325 721815.

Organisers of the British Touring Car Championship – TOCA – have today (December 4) released the list of TOCA BTCC Licences that have been allocated to teams for the 2026 season.

Following the recent entry approval date for all TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs), the grid of the UK’s premier motorsport series will boast nine different teams and a total of 26 cars next year.

One of the biggest additions to the grid is that of Plato Racing, the brand-new outfit that is being spearheaded by former double champion Jason Plato.

Despite yet announcing the identity of their cars and drivers, the team has already confirmed a tie-up with RML and has recruited key personnel including Paul Ridgeway and Malcolm Swetnam.

Of the existing teams on the grid, reigning champions EXCLER8 Motorsport will once again field four cars, as will Alliance Racing. Speedworks Motorsport – who have entered into a new partnership with MB Motorsport – also retain four entries.

Multiple title winners West Surrey Racing and Power Maxed Racing, who are building new cars, will both operate with three licences each.

The rest of the field – including Restart Racing, Un-Limited Motorsport and One Motorsport (who elected to sit out the second half of last season) – all hold two licences apiece.

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.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “The continued strength of the entry is testament to the ongoing success of the BTCC.

“Much of our tried and tested format will remain of course, but with some new cars, teams and drivers, as well as the introduction of the Qualifying Race on Saturdays, there’s a lot to be excited about for the season ahead.”

2026 TOCA BTCC Licence Holders

Alliance Racing – 4
EXCELR8 Motorsport – 4
Speedworks Motorsport – 4
West Surrey Racing – 3
Plato Racing – 2
Power Maxed Racing – 3
Restart Racing – 2
One Motorsport – 2
Un-Limited Motorsport – 2

The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season commences on April 18-19 around the Donington Park National circuit.

The British Touring Car Championship has today (November 24) ratified the full regulations surrounding the recently announced Qualifying Race, which is set to be introduced from the 2026 season.

Set to take place on the Saturday afternoon of each event, the final classification of the Qualifying Race will determine the grid positions for Sunday’s opening contest.

A general overview of the Saturday format is outlined as follows:

– One 40-minute Free Practice session to take place at approximately 10:30
– One Official Qualifying Session set to take place at approximately 14:00, split into
– Two Qualifying Groups of 15 minutes each
– The group that includes the fastest set lap time overall will set the odd numbers of the grid for the Qualifying Race and the other group will take the even numbers
– There will be a ten minute gap between the end of the Official Qualifying Session and pit lane opening for the Qualifying Race
– Qualifying Race Distance to be approximately 15 minutes in duration (set in advance to the nearest lap count at each particular circuit)
– No Option Tyres permitted to be used in the Qualifying Race – only that event’s standard dry/slick tyre and/or wet tyre may be used
– Throughout the Official Qualifying Session and Race, each car will have the permitted TOCA Turbo Boost (TTB) available as per Championship order
– Half points from a Championship Round to be awarded as per the finishing order of the Qualifying Race (rounded up to the nearest whole point where applicable): 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-4-3-3-2-2-1-1
– No Manufacturers’/Constructors’, Teams’, Independent Drivers’, Independent Teams’ or Jack Sears Trophy points will be scored in the Qualifying Race
– No extra point will be awarded for leading the Qualifying Race or Fastest Lap
– No extra point will be awarded for securing Pole Position for Race 1

The entirety of Qualifying, including the Qualifying Race, will be streamed LIVE in the UK and across the globe via the ITV YouTube channel.

Sunday will maintain the three full rounds of racing, all-day-live and free on ITV4 as has been the case for many years.

Further minor regulations surrounding Qualifying – tyre availability, parc ferme rules etc – were also ratified and will be made available in the full 2026 Rules and Regulations document.

The British Touring Car Championship has announced the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Goodyear, with this extended agreement running through to the end of 2031.

Goodyear has been the official tyre partner of the UK’s premier motorsport series since 2003 and has also held title sponsor rights for most of that period.

This new takes the relationship to a near 30-year collaboration – making it one of the longest-standing and most iconic partnerships in motorsport.

“We are delighted to extend our collaboration with TOCA to support the BTCC, a championship that continues to grow and engage an ever-expanding fan base,” said Mathias Kipp, director, Racing, Goodyear EMEA.

“This almost three-decades-long partnership is ready to write new chapters. Goodyear is committed to supporting the series’ development through the performance our tyres and by creating new opportunities for fans, who remain at the heart of our strategy.”

“I am extremely proud of the partnership between Goodyear and the BTCC,” added Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive.

“We are delighted that one of the longest-standing, most loyal and successful collaborations will be heading to a near 30-year milestone, and long may it continue after that.

“This partnership will continue to innovate and deliver, both on-track and off-track, to the huge benefit of drivers, teams and fans alike.”

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 discussed a number of topics – one of which was the idea of a new qualifying contest.

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.”

Tom Ingram returned to the summit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship mountain at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 4/5) as the Team VERTU driver was crowned champion for the second time in his career.

On what proved to be a momentous final day of the season around the Grand Prix circuit, the Hyundai i30 N driver held his nerve in front of a capacity crowd to cement his place as one of the true greats of the UK’s premier motorsport series.

Arriving at the Kent venue holding a commanding 33-point lead over four-time champion Ash Sutton, all eyes were on Ingram as he bid to join an exclusive club of double title winners that includes Alain Menu, John Cleland and James Thompson.

The final day of the season began with NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish claiming a fairly routine victory after pole sitter Daryl DeLeon failed to take the start following sudden a loss of power on the formation lap.

Resisting an early challenge from his team-mate Dan Rowbottom, Cammish quickly found his rhythm out front and cruised to victory ahead of the Hyundai duo of Tom Chilton and Adam Morgan.

Crucially, Ingram moved forward and managed to extend his lead further – which in-turn presented him with the opportunity to wrap things up in the penultimate contest of the year.

Starting on the soft tyre for race two, Ingram did just that as he wasted no time in scything his way to the front before then cruising to a seventh win of the season and more importantly, a second title.

Josh Cook then brought the curtain down on the season by becoming the 13th different winner in his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Corolla as he came out on top of a tense reverse grid finale.

Whilst being unable to stop Ingram from triumphing, multiple title-winner Sutton ultimately settled for runners-up laurels whilst Cammish, Hill and Rowbottom completed the top five in the standings.

Elsewhere, NAPA Racing UK and Ford claimed the Teams’ Championship for the fourth season in-a-row although they weren’t able to overhaul EXCELR8/Hyundai in the Manufacturer-Constructors Championship, who clinched the title for the very first time.

Daniel Lloyd and Restart Racing were the toast of the Independents’ as they were crowned Drivers’ and Teams’ champions respectively. DeLeon meanwhile managed to overhaul his West Surrey Racing team-mate Charles Rainford to lift the prestigious Jack Sears Trophy.

To view the full classification of results from all BTCC sessions at Brands Hatch, as well as the final championship standings, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return in 2026, with the start of the brand-new season poised to start around Donington Park’s National layout on April 18/19.

The British Automobile Racing club supported Club Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship heads back down the country from a thrilling weekend at Donington – now speeding into Silverstone in Northamptonshire for the penultimate trio of rounds in the championship and it couldn’t be closer!

When is the next BARC weekend?
This weekend – 20-21 September

Where are the events being held?
Silverstone Circuit
Address: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester NN12 8TN

What is racing this weekend?

Out on track this weekend at Silverstone: Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Wera Tools F4 British Championship, the VERTU MINI CHALLENGE, Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain and the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain.

How can I watch in person?

Wanting to soak up the on-track action in person at Silverstone?

Tickets are available on the day or on the Silverstone website from £27 for a Saturday ticket or £45 for a Sunday ticket – with weekend options available from £55. Children under 16 go free.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/british-touring-car-championship

If I can’t get to Silverstone or I am outside of the UK?

The TOCA Silverstone 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. 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 11:30.

International audiences will be able to watch the action on the BTCC YouTube channel with races live on the RACER network in the US and Canada.

What time are things happening on track at Silverstone?

Free Practice and Qualifying head the order on Saturday with on track action from 09:00 with the first race at 13:30. On Sunday we begin at 09:15 with the first race – with racing through to early evening.

Do you have any more information?

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

Silverstone
Live Timing and Commentary: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/253803
Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/toca-race-meeting-silverstone-national-september-20-21/
Live Coverage: https://www.itv.com/btcc

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

Summer is sadly over, the nights are drawing in and we are heading into the final few months of the season.

Organisers of the British Touring Car Championship – TOCA – have announced plans to welcome an all-new Junior Championship to its support package in 2027.

Having ended its association with the previous proposed organisers, TOCA has confirmed that Power Maxed Racing will be design, develop and build the all-new fully bespoke car that will race in the new series.

Sister company, Power Maxed Motorsport, will undertake all aspects of the new programme, including the role of championship promoter.

The full specifications of the car and details of the championship (including the championship name) will be released over the coming months and has already received outline approval for 2027 by MSUK, subject to the normal final ratification process.

The cars will be designed and built to significantly exceed the current stringent safety standards, for racing by junior drivers from the age of 14.

All races will take place on the support bill to the BTCC, ensuring that young drivers, teams and all stakeholders benefit from the huge public trackside audience, as well as the substantial and unrivalled media and television coverage.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased to announce the introduction of a dedicated Junior championship within the BTCC package, commencing in 2027.

“Having received expressions of interest it was clear that Power Maxed Racing were best placed to independently develop, build and supply the bespoke car for this exciting new championship. 

“We look forward to sharing these plans as the programme progresses. We remain committed to creating the ideal and highest profile stepping stone for emerging talent and supporting the UK’s ongoing legacy of producing top level racing drivers.”

“This is fantastic news, and we are proud to be producing a bespoke car for a new Junior championship on the TOCA package from 2027,” added Adam Weaver, Power Maxed Racing Director.

“Having been closely involved in all levels of British motorsport, we know what is needed for a successful Junior programme and PMR obviously possess the high-level of design and engineering expertise to build an outstanding car. 

“This marks the early phases of this exciting development as shown by this initial render image of the car, and we look forward to sharing further information and updates with interested parties and the public in the coming weeks and months.”