BTCC changes race weekend format for 2027 season

The British Touring Car Championship has confirmed a number of revisions to its race weekend format for all 2027 events.

Ratified at the annual end-of-season meeting between series organisers TOCA and all competing teams, the changes for next season are as follow:

Free Practice:

Saturday’s will now comprise of two 25-minute practice sessions instead of the one longer session that took place this year.

Qualifying:

A single 20-minute qualifying session, where all cars will run in one group, will set the grid for the Qualifying Race.

In addition, teams will be able to run with the minimum fuel needed for the session.

Qualifying Race:

The Qualifying Race (known as the Race To Pole) - which was introduced for the first time in 2026 - will continue to take place next year, with the distance being approximately half the distance of a standard BTCC race.

From next year though, a longer break will now take place between Qualifying and the Race to Pole. This will therefore give teams more time to prepare in-between sessions.

Reverse Grid Draw:

The reverse grid draw for Sunday’s final race will now cover drivers who finish tenth to 16th in race two. In previous years, the draw has covered positions six to 12.

Friday Shakedown:

At selected events, teams will have the option to conduct a shakedown on a Friday ahead of Saturday practice.

In addition to the aforementioned changes, TOCA is also in the process of finalising further changes, including revisions to the boost regulations.

These are expected to be announced in due course.