Tag: BTCC

Croft Circuit is set to permit fans to attend the upcoming Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship test day on April 6 in exchange for a donation to its chosen charity for 2022, Race Against Dementia.

As the UK’s premier motorsport series gears up for another season – one which will see the introduction of hybrid technology throughout the grid – Croft will play host to the first of three official test days where a majority of the grid will be in attendance.

Normally held behind closed doors, the North Yorkshire venue is opening its gates for fans to get a flavour of the action that is to come this year. Whilst there is no admittance charge, a minimum donation of £5.00 per person on the gate is requested, all of which will go to charity.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return to Croft on June 25/26 for Rounds 13, 14 & 15. Tickets are available to purchase online.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has confirmed that its 2022 Season Launch will take place at Thruxton Circuit on Wednesday 13th April.

Marking the start of a brand new era for Britain’s premier motorsport series as hybrid technology is introduced, the ‘Class of 2022’ will be in attendance at the Hampshire venue to showcase their new liveries and hit the track.

Official championship photography and ITV filming duties will be carried out during an exclusive invite-only event on April 12 before six hours of testing will see teams and drivers share the track for the final time ahead of the season-opener at Donington Park the following day.

This year will also mark the first Season Launch in which spectators will be in attendance since 2019, with a limited number of tickets available. Attendees are required to register for the free-to-attend event here in order to secure their tickets.

Gates will open to the public from 1000 as testing gets underway, with further information to follow.

Fans will have the chance to get up close and personal with 2022 machinery and meet some of their favourite drivers during the lunch break as the BTCC’s hugely popular Pit Lane Walk returns, while food and refreshments will be served throughout the day at the Thruxton Centre.

As has been the case in the past, the official BTCC entry list for the forthcoming campaign will be released, on or just before the Season Launch.

The FIA has confirmed that Alan Gow has been reappointed as President of FIA Touring Car Commission.

The extension for 2022 and 2023 means that Gow will start his 13th year in this position, having taken on the role from Jonathan Ashman back in 2010.

Alongside this role, Gow will continue in his position as Chief Executive of the British Touring Car Championship, as well as a member of the FIA World Endurance Commission.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has announced a 32-car entry for the 2022 season, which starts the mark of the hybrid era.

Following the entry approval deadline of December 1st 2021, the maximum number of TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs) have been submitted by competing teams.

Each team must hold a TBL for each car entered in the UK’s premier motorsport series, with 29 being held between teams and a further three being loaned out by series organisers TOCA.

Notable allocations for next years grid include expanded entries for BTC Racing, Speedworks Motorsport and Team Dynamics. Furthermore, Aiden Moffat Racing and Excelr8 Motorsport now additional licences as well.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “At our annual teams meeting last month the majority of team owners voted for TOCA to provide the loan of our spare TBLs, to help satisfy requirements.

“Therefore, I’ve released our three TBLs on a single-season-only loan basis; one each to BTC Racing, Team Dynamics and Speedworks Motorsport. This means the grid will now increase to its absolute maximum of 32 cars for next season.

“The demand for the BTCC has never been greater. Clearly, this also means I’ve failed to achieve my long-stated aim of reducing the grid size. Whilst that remains the goal going forward, admittedly it’s a nice problem to have…”

2022 TOCA BTCC LICENCE ALLOCATIONS

Excelr8 Motorsport – 4

Team Dynamics – 3*

Aiden Moffat Racing – 2

Motorbase Performance – 4

Team HARD – 3

Speedworks Motorsport – 3*

West Surrey Racing – 3

Ciceley Motorsport – 2

Power Maxed Racing – 2

BTC Racing – 4*

Boardley Motorsport – 2

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.

The 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasts into life at Donington Park on April 23/24.

Ashley Sutton has shared his delight after clinching a third Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship title at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 23/24).

On what proved to be a thrilling final day of the season around the Grand Prix layout of the Kent venue, the Laser Tools Racing driver kept his cool to join an elite club of drivers to have lifted the biggest prize in UK motorsport on three occasions.

The Infiniti Q50 racer held a 32-point advantage going into the final event of the season and a top six finish in each of the first two races around the iconic Grand Prix circuit was enough to wrap things up before he went on to win the finale.

Alongside clinching his third Drivers’ Championship, the 27-year-old also successfully retained his BTCC Independent Drivers’ crown whilst also helping Laser Tools Racing to win both the Teams’ and Independent Teams’ titles – making it a year to remember. 

Sutton’s title treble has now moved him to within one of the all-time record – currently held by Colin Turkington and Andy Rouse – and has made him the youngest ever three-time champion in the history of the BTCC.

Commenting on his title success, Sutton said: “To have been crowned BTCC champion once was a great achievement but to now stand here with three titles is simply incredible! It hasn’t fully sunk in yet but to go back-to-back is just phenomenal – I’m absolutely over the moon!

“Race one and two was just about shadowing what Colin [Turkington] was doing. To wrap it up with a race to spare was great and winning race three was the best way to finish off the season. I could take the handcuffs off and go and do what I wanted which was amazing.

“Coming into the year I knew I had to change my approach a little but early on I was fully focused on getting those big results and more importantly, points on the board. After not finishing at Oulton Park we flicked that switch and since then we’ve been smart, taken our opportunities and extended the lead whenever possible.

“This really has been such a team effort. I’ve got a fantastic group of people around me who have given me an incredible car all year and without them this wouldn’t have been possible. To retain the both the Drivers’ and Independent Drivers’ titles as well as help Laser Tools win the Teams’ and Independent Teams’ is mega!

“I’m now the youngest three-time champion in the history of the series, let’s make it four next year. When all is said and done, I want to be one of the greats of the BTCC and I’m fully focused on winning more championships. Over the past few years I’ve continued to raise my game but I don’t truly think I’ve hit my peak yet; I’ve still got things I can improve on so that is exciting as we move forward.

“We’ll celebrate this and soak up the moment but it won’t be long until the focus starts switching to next year where the goal is to come back and lift this title once again!”

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns in 2022, with Donington Park providing the backdrop for the season-opener on April 23/24.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship drew to a close at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 23/24) with Laser Tools Racing’s Ashley Sutton crowned champion for the third time in his career.

Entering the final event of the season holding a 32-point advantage over his nearest title challenger, the Infiniti Q50 driver produced a flawless performance to net sixth place in races one and two to secure an unassailable lead with a race to spare. Then, with the shackles off he cemented his status as champion by charging to victory in race three. 

Sutton also successfully retained his BTCC Independent Drivers’ Championship crown whilst he also helped Laser Tools Racing clinch both the Teams’ and Independent Teams titles – making it a year to remember for the West Lothian-based squad. 

Elsewhere, Team BMW wrapped up the Manufacturer/Constructors title for a record-breaking sixth consecutive year. Daniel Rowbottom meanwhile was the final champion of 2021 after he claimed the Jack Sears Trophy in commanding fashion. 

In front of what was undoubtedly the biggest crowd of the year, BTC Racing also enjoyed one of their best weekend’s of the season, kicking things off by securing a front-row lockout in the final qualifying session of the season on Saturday.

Senna Proctor powered his Honda Civic Type R to pole position ahead of team-mate Josh Cook whilst Halfords Racing with Cataclean’s Rowbottom and Gordon Shedden made it an all-Honda top four as the top 12 drivers dipped under the existing qualifying lap record.

Race one saw Cook produce a superlative drive as he got the jump on Proctor at the start and then commanded proceedings out front to notch an impressive 1-2, with Shedden not far behind in third.

In the battle for the championship, Sutton held station in sixth place to further extend his advantage in the standings. 

Sutton’s crowning glory came in the second bout as he once again finished sixth to secure an unassailable lead with one race to spare. As Cook secured back-to-back victories ahead of Daniel Lloyd, the reigning champion shadowed title rival Turkington to put the question of who would be champion beyond doubt. 

With the pressure off, the 27-year-old cemented his status as the driver to beat as he blasted from fourth on the grid in the final round of the year to score victory ahead of Rowbottom and Tom Ingram.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return in 2022, with the start of the hybrid era kicking off at Donington Park on April 23/24.

To view the full classification of BTCC results from Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.

Four drivers will head into the final three races of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in contention to be crowned champion at Brands Hatch in less then two weeks following an action-packed weekend (October 9/10) at Donington Park.

Gordon Shedden and Colin Turkington scored victory at the Leicestershire venue on what proved to be an action-packed penultimate event of the year but it was Ashley Sutton that was the big winner as he secured a 32-point lead heading into the season finale.

Qualifying around the 1.97-mile National circuit on Saturday underlined how competitive the UK’s premier motorsport series currently is with no less than 27 drivers covered by less than second and a new lap record being set.

Halfords Racing with Cataclean’s Shedden emerged as the driver to beat in the Top Ten Showdown as he powered his Honda Civic Type R to a sensational time of 1:08.994 to clinch pole position ahead of the Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing duo of Daniel Lloyd and Jason Plato.

Launching off the front row for race one, Shedden maintained his lead and despite coming under pressure from Lloyd during the first half of the contest, the Scotsman cruised to a maiden win of the campaign.

Remaining within striking distance throughout the 19-lap bout, Lloyd finished second whilst Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Rory Butcher continued his recent run of fine form by rounding out the podium in third.

Race two saw Ginsters with TradePriceCars.com’s Ingram produce a sensational charge to score victory on the road however it would be taken away from him after a post-race penalty was applied.

Free of success ballast and starting from 11th, the Hyundai driver carved his way to the front in a matter of laps but he was deemed to have gained an unfair advantage when taking the lead from Shedden – who inherited victory.

Ingram’s penalty dropped him back to second with Butcher finishing third once again, having been challenged by Turkington before the BMW ace made a rare mistake and spun out of contention.

Championship leader Sutton had found himself in the thick of the action in the early stages but once his tyres came into their operating window there was no stopping the Infiniti Q50 driver as he progressed up into fourth come the chequered flag.

Turkington bounced back from his race two spin to claim a commanding 60th career victory in the reverse grid encounter. Drawn onto pole position, the Team BMW driver didn’t put a wheel wrong to pull clear of the opposition and triumph.

Behind, an almighty battle for second place raged with Jake Hill ultimately fending off Aiden Moffat at the line to round out the rostrum.

Leaving Donington Park, Sutton holds a 32-point lead over Turkington with Ingram, Hill and Josh Cook filling out the top five positions.

Sutton also remains in control of the BTCC Independent Drivers’ Championship whilst Laser Tools Racing rule the roost in the Teams’ and Independent Teams’ categories.

Elsewhere, BMW are within touching distance of clinching a record-breaking sixth consecutive Manufacturer/Constructor crown. Daniel Rowbottom is the first driver that can call himself a champion in the BTCC this year after securing an unassailable lead in the Jack Sears Trophy.

To view the full classification of results from all BTCC sessions at Donington Park, CLICK HERE. 

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will bring the curtain down on its 2021 season on October 23/24, with three races scheduled to play out around the Grand Prix layout of Brands Hatch.

TOCA – organisers of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – have announced that all cars will be fitted with an onboard visual signalling system from next season.

Similar to what is currently used in Formula 1, the BTCC Race Control will be immediately inform drivers yellow flag zones, red flag stoppages, Safety Car periods, black or black/white flag notifications as well as other important safety messages via their in-car dashboards.

Developed by Timing Solutions Limited (TSL), the new signalling system will support the traditional flag system and LED light boards that are situated around each circuit.

It is expected that all support championships that feature on the BTCC package will also adopt the system in their cars too.

The introduction is a first for British motorsport and follows other pioneering developments in the BTCC, such as hybrid technology and more sustainable fuel – both of which will also be introduced in 2022.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “TOCA continues to take the lead when it comes to introducing technology, sustainability and safety innovations within British motorsport, and we are proud to be introducing this onboard visual signalling system from 2022 onwards.

“This is a very significant safety enhancement for our BTCC drivers and indeed our trackside marshals, and one which I’m sure will also be adopted by our valued support championships. 

“It’s vital to stress, however, that this important safety tool will supplement – not replace – the traditional flag system deployed by the marshals, which remains such an intrinsic part of the safety protocols.”

Rory Butcher and Jake Hill scored victory at Silverstone in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this past weekend (September 25/26) whilst reigning champion Ashley Sutton extended his advantage at the summit of the standings.

On what was a pivotal visit to the Home of British Motor Racing, the Laser Tools Racing driver produced a measured drive in races one and two before charging to the podium in race three to bolster his lead to 36 points.

Saturday around the 1.64-mile National layout arguably belonged to Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Butcher. Topping the times in both practice sessions, the Scotsman then went on to set the pace in Q1 of qualifying before claiming pole position in the Top Ten Showdown.

In what proved to be an ultra-competitive qualifying session where 29 of the 30 cars were covered by less than a second, Butcher charged to top spot ahead of Tom Ingram, Aiden Moffat and Josh Cook.

Butcher and Speedworks Motorsport’s remarkable weekend in the UK’s premier motorsport series continued on Sunday as they bagged a brilliant pair of wins.

Losing the lead to Ingram off the start in race one, the Corolla driver wasted no time in clawing it back as he lunged down the inside of the Hyundai driver at Brooklands on lap three. There was contention surrounding the move as Butcher was adjudged to have completed the pass under yellow flags however officials ruled that the move was legal.

Once out front, Butcher pulled clear to net his second win of the season whilst Ingram resisted the challenge of Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing’s Daniel Lloyd – who producing his best performance of the season to clinch third.

Race two saw Butcher take a more routine victory despite a late charge from BTC Racing’s Cook. Pulling clear of the competition, the race one victor held his nerve to withstand late pressure from the Honda driver.

Sadly, Cook would be disqualified from second place for failing the post-race ride height which promoted Ingram and Team BMW’s Colin Turkington into second and third.

The final bout of the weekend belonged to MB Motorsport’s Hill as he completed a sensational Sunday recovery. After qualifying outside the top 20, the Ford Focus driver fought his way to the front to triumphed in the reverse grid contest.

Starting third, Hill – who was a winner at Croft last time out – got the jump on Jason Plato and then set after pole sitter Lloyd, finally making a move stick at half distance heading into Copse.

Hill couldn’t relax however as the Vauxhall Astra driver remained a constant threat in his mirrors for the remainder of the race. Completing the podium was championship leader Sutton who charged from eighth to third.

Alongside two other top six finishes, the two-time champion left Silverstone having opened up his lead at the standings summit to 36 points with just six races remaining.

The pairing of Sutton and Laser Tools Racing also rule the roost in the Teams’ and Independents’ tables, whilst BMW heads the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ order. Halfords Racing with Cataclean’s Daniel Rowbottom remains in control of the Jack Sears Trophy.

Elsewhere, the weekend also saw history made as the BTCC Hybrid era began with Andrew Jordan piloting the all-new Hybrid Toyota Corolla, competing in all sessions as part of a development demonstration ahead of next year’s full introduction.

To view the full classification of results from all BTCC sessions at Silverstone, CLICK HERE.

Donington Park provides the next stop on the calendar for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship as it stages the penultimate event of the 2021 season on October 9/10.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has announced its commitment to using a more sustainable fuel from the 2022 season and beyond.

Opening a tender process for the supply of a more sustainable fuel to the series from 2022-2026, TOCA chose Haltermann Carless, who have been supplying the unbranded TOCA control fuel to the BTCC for some 26 years, as the successful submission.

The BTCC’s new-for-2022 fuel – designated Hiperflo® R20 – has a total of 20% renewable components, comprising 15% second generation ethanol content and 5% of renewable hydrocarbons.

It is calculated by the manufacturer that this will give approximately an 18% reduction in greenhouse gasses when compared to current pump fuel, significantly lowering the fuel’s impact on the environment. In addition, the selected fuel is more sustainable than that which has recently been introduced to petrol stations throughout the UK.

The introduction of the new fuel next season will coincide with beginning of the BTCC’s Hybrid era.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “As the premier motorsport series in the UK it is only right that the BTCC continues to navigate a more sustainable pathway and we are pleased to be introducing a cleaner fuel from the 2022 season onwards.

“Congratulations to Haltermann Carless on its successful tender and we look forward to continuing our working relationship over the next five years.”

Mike Jardine, Haltermann Carless Racing Fuels Division, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the BTCC to supply our new renewable and sustainable control fuel to the Championship for the next 5 seasons.

“This is an exciting time for our company as we are working hard on the development and implementation of renewable and sustainable fuels in all areas of our business. Supplying our fuels to the pinnacle of British motorsport only adds to the credibility, pedigree and innovative nature of our products.”

Aiden Moffat, Jake Hill and Colin Turkington scored a win apiece as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship took centre stage at Croft this past weekend (September 18/19).

For the first time in more than two years, thousands of fans descended on the North Yorkshire venue for a full-throttle trio of races from Britain’s premier motorsport series – and they were given plenty of entertainment.

Two red flag stoppages meant qualifying on Saturday proved to be a truncated affair however it ultimately wouldn’t stop Aiden Moffat from scoring a maiden BTCC pole position.

With a flurry of improvements coming late in the session, the Laser Tools Racing driver set a sensational lap to pip MB Motorsport’s Jake Hill to top spot whilst Colin Turkington and local driver Senna Proctor locking out the second row.

Leading from the front, Moffat didn’t put a wheel wrong in the opening encounter to score his first win of the season. Holding the lead off the line, the Infiniti Q50 driver fended off the race-long challenge from Jake Hill to score his first victory since 2018.

Yorkshire’s own Senna Proctor gave the local fans plenty to cheer about too as he rounded out the podium in third. The BTC Racing driver got the jump on Colin Turkington during the opening lap and held position for the remainder of the 18-lap bout.

Race two saw Hill come to the fore as he cruised to a commanding win. Muscling his way past the pole sitter Moffat heading into the Complex on early on, the MB Motorsport drove got his head down and pulled clear as action ensued behind.

With Hill making his escape out front, an almighty battle for second place played out with Moffat – now ladened with 75kgs – fending off the chasing pack of Josh Cook, Colin Turkington, Senna Proctor, Gordon Shedden, Ashley Sutton and Tom Ingram.

As positions changed hands, Moffat continued to hang on to second with the Honda of Cook managing to clinch the third ahead of fellow title contenders Ingram and Sutton.

The reverse grid race would see West Surrey Racing celebrate their 700th race in the series in style as ‘King of Croft’ Turkington charged to his 13th victory at the venue.

Drawn onto pole position after finishing seventh in the previous race, the Northern Irishman produced a measured drive as he pulled clear of the chasing pack to record his third win of the campaign.

Behind, fans were captivated by the battle for second place between Shedden and Sutton. Despite showing his nose on a number of occasions, the championship leader couldn’t find a way past the Scotsman and ultimately settled for third.

Leaving Croft, Sutton’s advantage at the summit of the standings now sits at 29 points ahead of Hill, who has moved into second.

To view the full classification of results from all BTCC sessions at Croft, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship heads to the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, this coming weekend (September 25/26) for the eighth event of the 2021 campaign.