The 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship was officially presented at Thruxton Circuit today (April 12) with a mouth-watering 29-car grid entry list confirmed.

Coming off the back of a blockbuster 2021 campaign which saw Ashley Sutton crowned champion for the third time in his career, the UK’s premier motorsport series embarks on a brand new era as it introduces hybrid technology this year. 

Becoming the first major touring car championship in the world to integrate hybrid power, the forthcoming season looks set to be as competitive as ever with former champions, proven contenders and young challengers all set to battle it out for the coveted crown. 

Topping the entry list is Sutton who returns to defend his crown and chase what could be a record-equalling fourth championship –  however a host of contenders will all be snapping at his wheels.

Making the switch to Motorbase Performance to drive a Ford Focus ST under the Napa Racing UK banner, all eyes will be on the triple champion as he gets reacquainted with front-wheel-drive and teams up with the returning Dan Cammish. Sam Osborne and Ollie Jackson make up the Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan side of Motorbase’s four-car entry.

Bidding to stand on his own in the record books and take the fight to Sutton is West Surrey Racing’s Colin Turkington. Back behind the wheel of the BMW 330e M Sport, the Northern Irishman will undoubtedly be in the mix as he heads up Team BMW along with Stephen Jelley. Jake Hill fills the third seat at the reigning Manufacturer champions in the ROKiT MB Motorsport entry.

One of the biggest stories to follow this year will undoubtedly be Jason Plato’s ‘farewell tour’ after he announced that 2022 will be his last season in the series. Chasing his 100th BTCC win, the double champion has joined Josh Cook and Jade Edwards at Rich Energy with BTC Racing to pilot a Honda Civic Type R. 

Halfords Racing with Cataclean will also field Honda Civic Type R’s for their unchanged line-up of three-time champion Gordon Shedden and last year’s Jack Sears Trophy winner Dan Rowbottom. 

There is consistency at Toyota Gazoo Racing UK too as Rory Butcher remains behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla for a second successive season and he is joined by Ricky Collard – the son of former race winner Rob – who gets a full campaign after making a handful of appearances back in 2018. 

Former championship runner-up Tom Ingram made the switch to Excelr8 TradePriceCars.com last year and it proved to be an inspired move as he reaped plenty of rewards. Back behind the wheel of the Hyundai i30N for a second season, Ingram will have his sights firmly set on title glory and he will be pushed on with the additions of Tom Chilton, Dan Lloyd and Jack Butel to the squad.

Adam Morgan will lead Car Gods with Ciceley Motosport once again and the multiple race winner is joined at the BMW squad by George Gamble. At Power Maxed Racing, fan favourite Michael Crees is back to get behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Astra with former British GT champion Ash Hand partnering him. 

Laser Tools Racing will look to defend their Teams’ and Independent Teams’ titles with an all-Scottish Infiniti Q50 pairing as the experienced Aiden Moffat is joined by Dexter Pattison.  A third Infiniti Q50 will be piloted by Rick Parfitt, who is back in the BTCC for a second season. 

Rounding out this entry list is Team HARD. Racing, which once again fields a quartet of Cupra Leon’s for Aron Taylor-Smith, Jack Goff, Bobby Thompson and Nicolas Hamilton. 

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Entry List

* JST – Jack Sears Trophy

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