Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship organisers TOCA have confirmed that its hybrid power introduction project is running ahead of schedule and is set to hit the track for the first time later this year.

Announcing back in August 2018 that the BTCC will boast hybrid power in all cars from the start of the 2022 campaign, impressive progress has been made to establish the roadmap for the introduction of hybrid energy in the BTCC.

Awarding the contract to Cosworth Electronics for the design, supply and servicing of the BTCC Hybrid System, both TOCA and Cosworth will select an existing BTCC race car for the initial hybrid integration and comprehensive testing programme.

With all technical and practical targets being met during the design and build stage, the hybrid equipped car is set to hit the track in June ahead of the annual two-day tyre test at Snetterton in July – marking its first public appearance.

Following the test at Snetterton, rigorous testing and simulations will commence in order to refine the exact nature of the driver-selectable hybrid power delivery as well as configuring the varying amounts of regeneration and hybrid power that will be used to replace the current success ballast system.

The additional hybrid power will be used by each driver using a steering wheel mounted button – after lap one – for either passing or defending. This will provide new competitive strategies and opportunities during each BTCC race.

“I’m incredibly pleased with the fantastic progress we are making on this project,” said BTCC Chief Executive Alan Gow.

“One always assumes there will be some hiccups along the way, but so far…nothing. And that’s great testament to the high quality of the technical partners involved – not just Cosworth of course but also Xtrac, PWR, Delta Motorsport, AP Racing and Goodyear.”

Further updates will continue to be provided by TOCA over the coming weeks.