Tag: BTCC

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will speed into Donington Park this weekend (April 27/28) for the second event of the 2019 season, and the battle for supremacy at the summit is set to only intensify.

An ultra-competitive opening weekend at Brands Hatch showed that the BTCC is set to be as fierce as ever this year with Josh Cook, Andrew Jordan and Rory Butcher scoring a win apiece, with a total of eight drivers scaling the rostrum across the three races.

With the early-season formbook making for intriguing reading, the annual trip to Leicestershire will be a pivotal one as the leading contenders bid to assert themselves towards the standings summit.

BTC Racing’s Cook arrives in Leicestershire leading the way after his Brands Hatch victory and the 1.95 mile track holds happy memories for the Honda driver after clinching a maiden BTCC pole position and victory there last year.

Ladened with maximum ballast, the Civic Type R driver will be in fighting form as he aims to extend his slender points advantage. Tom Chilton and Stephen Jelley each took on starring roles at round one, and the pair will be eyeing more silverware in a big to close the gap to Cook.

Off the back of claiming a maiden BTCC victory for both himself and the team, AMD Tuning’s Butcher is another driver to keep an eye on, with the Honda Civic Type R proving to be a potent weapon down the years under the flightpath of East Midlands airport.

Adam Morgan and Jake Hill were podium finishers at Brands Hatch and both shouldn’t be discounted from adding to their silverware hauls too. Hot on the heels of them are a trio of former champions in the shape of Ashley Sutton, Andrew Jordan and Matt Neal.

Sutton stormed to pole position at the season-opener whilst local man Jordan delivered a mesmerising drive to give the new BMW 3-Series victory on its competitive debut. Elsewhere, it has been 20 years since three-time champion Neal wrote his name into the history books by becoming the first Independent to win a race, and the Honda man will be keen to roll back the years and top the podium once more during the weekend.

Tom Ingram rounds out the top ten as it stands and the Toyota Corolla driver will be looking to feed off of the local support he’ll as 4,500 supporters, comprised of members and their families from Toyota Manufacturing UK, will attend Donington Park to cheer on the reigning Independents champion.

Beyond the top ten, current title holder Colin Turkington will be looking to bounce back from a challenging opening round, with the Vauxhall duo of Jason Plato and Rob Collard will be looking to do the same.

Aiden Moffat, Chris Smiley and Jack Goff, amongst many more contenders, have enjoyed varied success down the years too and will be worth keeping an eye on as the weekend progresses.

Rounds 4, 5 & 6 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will be available to watch on ITV4 this Sunday with build-up beginning at 10:40.

For more information on this weekend’s event such as the official entry list and timetable, click here.

British Touring Car Championship organisers TOCA have announced that it is inviting expressions of interest from companies to supply the hybrid system.

The introduction of the system is originally planed for the 2022 season, but with the previously started goal of being brought forward to 2021 if key parameters are met.

Over the course of the past nine months, TOCA has met with industry experts to clearly define the technical, performance, system specification, servicing and commercial requirements, with a comprehensive document available to those parties interested in tending.

The winning contractor will be required to a produce a light, cost effective, low-voltage hybrid system with proven durability. Once complete, the hybrid system will be incorporated into the current specification BTCC cars in addition to their two-litre turbocharged engines.

Those with an expression of interest should contact:

Peter Riches

BTCC Technical Director

richesst@aol.com

01953 797169

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship kicked off its 2019 season in entertaining style at Brands Hatch this past weekend (April 6/7) as Josh Cook, Andrew Jordan and Rory Butcher shared the spoils to take a win apiece.

In front of a bumper trackside crowds amid challenging and changeable conditions, Britain’s premier race series underlined why it remans the biggest and best tin top category with a pulsating three encounters.

Adrian Flux Subaru Racing’s Ashley Sutton was the man to beat in qualifying as he got the best out of his rear-wheel-drive Levorg in the damp conditions to clinch pole position ahead of former team-mate and double champion Jason Plato.

Sutton would be unable to convert his front row start into victory however as the conditions once again played their part, with drivers opting for different tyre tactics. As others switched to the wet Dunlop BluResponse compound, BTC Racing’s Josh Cook elected to gamble on dry tyres starting from tenth.

Dropping down the order in the early stages, the Honda driver soon became the man to watch as he set the fastest lap on lap five. Scything through the order, and bringing a number of other dry tyre runners with him, Cook was soon on the back of race leader Sutton and duly made his move with ease.

As Cook made his escape out front and onto a third career victory, the final podium places were also occupied with those that had stuck their neck out and opted to go against the grain. Jake Hill and Tom Chilton enjoyed similar charging drives to finish second and third respectively.

Changeable conditions once again played their part in the second race of the day, however unlike the first, all drivers opted for to run the dry compound. BMW Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan ensured it was a debut to remember for the all-new BMW 330i M Sport as he opened his account for the new season in emphatic fashion.

The early running saw a host of overtaking take place, with Jordan and Sutton making the most progress towards the front. Soon a three-way battle for the lead began as a ballast-laden Cook valiantly fended off the charging duo, although 2017 champion Sutton soon made a move stick with a daring late lunge under brakes heading into Graham Hill Bend.

Jordan followed Sutton through and was soon hounding the back of the Levorg, dispatching him to take the lead on the start-finish line. From there the West Surrey Racing driver was unchallenged as he pulled away to take victory, whilst Sutton withstood a barraging attack at the end to fend off Adam Morgan, Hill and Stephen Jelley.

Cobra Sport AmD Autoaid/RCIB Insurance’s Butcher clinched a maiden BTCC victory in the reverse grid encounter after Chilton was handed a post-race penalty.

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher’s Chilton had taken the lead on lap 13 after contact with Matt Neal, and it would be that subsequent contact that led to Chilton being penalised by the stewards.

Having looked after his tyres in the early stages, Butcher became a man on a mission in the latter part of the race as he caught and passed the scrapping pair of Neal and Jelley. Contact between those two would lead to Neal suffering left-rear suspension damage on the final lap, which allowed Jelley to jump into third and take his first BTCC podium in nearly ten years.

For the full classification of results from all six BTCC sessions, click here.

Leaving Brands Hatch Cook and BTC Racing find themselves sitting atop of the BTCC Drivers’, Teams’, Independent Drivers’ and Independent Teams’ Championship standings.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship nows descends on Thruxton on April 17 for the customary TOCA test before the Rounds 4, 5 and 6 at Donington Park on April 27/28.

After several months of driver announcements and pre-season testing, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is primed and ready to roar back into life this weekend (April 6/7) for the opening event of the season at Brands Hatch.

Billed as Britain’s biggest motorsport series, 2019 boasts another competitive 30-car capacity entry list – including ten different marques and an impressive 12 models of car. In addition, this year’s grid includes five former champions and 18 BTCC race-winners – further underlining the strength in depth the series possesses.

Having kicked off the new season at Hever Castle and Brands Hatch last week, where more than 3000 laps were clocked by the entire field, the talking is set to stop on Sunday as Rounds 1, 2 & 3 kick off proceedings.

Reigning champions West Surrey Racing enter the weekend bidding to ignite their title defence as they debut the BMW 330i M Sport. The manufacturer squad fired out a warning shot in testing with Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan both on the pace, and Tom Oliphant was not far behind either.

Toyota’s long-awaited return to the BTCC has set tongues wagging and both Speedworks Motorsport and Tom Ingram will see where they stack up with its Corolla whilst the Halfords Yuasa Racing duo of Matt Neal and Dan Cammish will be keen to score points early on.

Power Maxed Racing boast one of the most experienced driver line-ups, with Jason Plato and Rob Collard returning to front-wheel-drive to spearhead Vauxhall’s championship charge.  Elsewhere, Adrian Flux Subaru Racing have retained the services of 2017 champion Ashley Sutton and recruited race-winner Senna Proctor in a bid to regain their title.

Beyond the manufacturer entrants sits a raft of title contenders amongst the Independent ranks, with Motorbase Performance leading the way. Tom Chilton proved to be a worthy challenger in 2018 and will be keen to bounce back at the teams local circuit, with Ollie Jackson and Nicolas Hamilton also added.

BTC Racing have aligned themselves with Team Dynamics, secured to brand new Honda Civic Type Rs and signed Josh Cook to join Chris Smiley. If the cards fall their way, BTC Racing could become a force to be reckoned with over the course of the year.

Aiden Moffat, Adam Morgan and Daniel Rowbottom head up the Mercedes Benz A-Class entrants whilst Matt Simpson and Stephen Jelly will also be keen to move further up the order this year.

Team HARD. and AMD Tuning both class Brands Hatch as their local circuit and the two will be keen to make home advantage count. Both Sam Tordoff and Rory Butcher showcased what the AMD Hondas can do at last week’s test, with Tordoff topping the times under the official lap record. Jake Hill and former F1 racer Mark Blundell are also part of the AMD stable in a pair of Audi S3s.

Jack Goff, Bobby Thompson, Michael Crees and Carl Boardley have been selected to lead Team HARD and their quartet of Volkswagen CCs. Goff was the man to beat at the season-opener last year, storming to pole position and then victory.

Rounding off the grid this year will be Excelr8 Motorsport, who make their BTCC debuts with Rob Smith and Sam Osborne in the former race-winning MG6 machines.

With 30 drivers all geared up for the start of the new season, the stage is set for the BTCC to produce another unforgettable year of racing, with the fight to secure the UK’s biggest motorsport crown the focus of everyone.

ITV4 will once again screen every second of the season live with coverage for this weekend beginning on Saturday as qualifying takes place from 15:00 on itv.com/btcc. ITV4’s coverage on race day begins at 10:15.

For more information on this weekend’s opening event of the year, click here.

British Touring Car Championship Chief Executive Alan Gow has shared his excitement surrounding what lies ahead for the series in 2019, with a capacity entry list topping the headlines leading into the opening round at Brands Hatch.

Once again underlining its status as the UK’s premier motor sport championship, the BTCC will once again stage ten events and 30 races across the length and breadth of the country, with a car 30-car grid primed and ready to duke it out for supremacy.

Whilst the action is set to keep fans captivated on-track, those who can’t make it trackside will benefit from unrivalled television coverage via ITV4, whilst Kwik Fit join the fray as title sponsor.

 “We are delighted to present our full field of drivers, manufacturers, teams and cars for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as we head into yet another thrillingly unpredictable campaign in the UK’s biggest and best motorsport series,” Gow said.

“We have a potent line-up of champions, race-winners and emerging young talent, with a wide variety of cars and body styles represented on the grid. The two newest models – the BMW 3 Series and Toyota Corolla – are sure to cause quite a stir, and the commitment demonstrated by those two manufacturers in introducing new cars is testament to the championship’s rude health and enduring appeal.

“That is further endorsed by the confirmation that the BTCC is the only major motorsport series to benefit from extensive live, free-to-air UK coverage in 2019, which means fans unable to follow trackside won’t have to miss a moment of the thrilling doorhandle-to-doorhandle action.

“We have a new title partner in Kwik Fit, who are already looking to maximise their involvement in the greatest show in British motorsport.

“That is just one fascinating thread of what looks sure to be another captivating, drama-fuelled campaign – so whether you are following on television, online or soaking in the smells, sights and sounds at close quarters, strap yourself in and get ready to enjoy the ride.”

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship kicks off the new season at Brands Hatch on April 6/7. For more information, click here.

Britain’s biggest motor sport series, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, is primed and ready for another memorable year with series organiser TOCA announcing a capacity 30-car entry list for 2019 at its Season Launch.

Following on from a record-breaking 60th Anniversary campaign last year, the BTCC is set to scale new heights as the best tin-top drivers in the country battle it out for the most coveted prize in UK motor sport.

Topping the entry this year are five manufacturer-backed teams with a host of Independent entries further adding to the strength-in-depth the championship consistently has year-on-year.

BMW and West Surrey Racing will bid to retain their three titles from last year by introducing the brand new 330i M Sport to the series, with reigning champion Colin Turkington, Tom Oliphant and Andrew Jordan all behind the wheel and hungry for silverware.

After several decades away, Toyota makes a long-awaited return to the championship as a fully-fledged manufacturer entrant by teaming up with Speedworks Motorsport. After narrowly missing out on the crown last year, Speedworks and Tom Ingram will bid to go one better in the all-new Toyota Corolla.

Power Maxed Racing have put their faith in experience this year with Jason Plato and Rob Collard teaming together to spearhead Vauxhall’s championship charge whilst Adrian Flux Subaru Racing retain 2017 champion Ashley Sutton and gained Senna Proctor.

Following a maiden year with the new Honda Civic Type R, Halfords Yuasa Racing are expected to issue an all-out challenge for the title with Matt Neal and Dan Cammish remaining at the championship-winning squad.

Whilst it is set to be all to play for in the manufacturers, championship campaigns are set to come from the Independent ranks too. Tom Chilton and Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher came close to the crown last year and will be keen to better their performance. Motorbase Performance have added Ollie Jackson and Nicolas Hamilton to their ranks too.

A trio of Mercedes Benz A-Class’ will be on-track once more with Aiden Moffat, Adam Morgan and Daniel Rowbottom all bidding for glory. Elsewhere AMD Tuning have continued to develop over the off-season and will aid Trade Price Cars Racing in running Mark Blundell and Jake Hill in the Audi S3’s, whilst also running Sam Tordoff and Rory Butcher in Honda Civic Type Rs.

First-time race winners last year, Chris Smiley, Josh Cook and Matt Simpson will all be eyeing more success too as they hit the track in Honda Civic Type R’s – Smiley and Cook in brand new FK8’s for BTC Racing.

Team HARD meanwhile will run four Volkswagen CC’s once more with Jack Goff joining Bobby Thompson, Michael Crees and Carl Boardley after securing a last-minute deal to remain on the grid.

MG machinery has changed hands over the winter with new team Excelr8 Motorsport taking on the running of the cars. Series newcomers Sam Osborne and Rob Smith will take to the wheel as they bid to find their feet in the series.

Capping off the bumper entry list is Team Parker Racing, who have retained Stephen Jelley for a third successive season as they bid to move further up the grid with their BMW 125i M Sport.

With tweaks to the rules such as success ballast, an unprecedented 18 race winners, five champions and five rookies, as well as much more, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is set for another vintage year of competition.

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Entry List

The opening round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship takes place around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on April 6/7. For more information, click here.