Tag: BTCC

Fans of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will be primed for the start of the post-lockdown 2020 season, whether watching at home on the sofa or trackside, courtesy of the ‘Raceday Programme with a Difference’ which is on sale now.

Put together by ITV4’s lead commentator David Addison, Motorsport News’ Matt James and more, the programmes serves as the perfect season guide ahead of the curtain-raiser at Donington Park on August 1/2.

The programme is packed with the latest news, features, the revised calendar, an extensive entry list and team guide, social media directory and much more.

The 2020 BTCC Raceday Programme with a Difference can be purchased from https://www.btcc-programme.co.uk/ and costs £6.00, including postage.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has confirmed that it has awarded a five-year contract for the supply of a new ‘TOCA BTCC engine’ to global motorsport industry leader M-Sport.

Following its successful tender submission and subsequent voting by all teams, M-Sport will now develop, build and supply the TOCA engine to the UK’s premier motorsport series from 2022 to 2026.

Since the introduction of the NGTC regulations in 2011, one key aspect of the regulations has been to make available the competitive TOCA engine with proven durability and strict cost-controls, should any team choose not to run their own engines.

M-Sport will work through a development programme of the new TOCA engine, including rigorous testing and manufacture during 2021, before then introducing it into the series the following year.

In addition to the production of the new-specification engine in the next year, M-Sport will also work closely with Cosworth – who have been awarded the contract to design, supply and service the new BTCC Hybrid System, which will also be introduced in 2022.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to welcome M-Sport into the BTCC family and congratulate them on their successful tender.

“The opportunity to supply the TOCA engine from 2022 understandably attracted great interest from an extremely high calibre of bidders, so it is testament to M-Sport’s professionalism and expertise that they were able to come out on top of such a competitive and comprehensive process.

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Swindon Powertrain, who have been such an integral part of the success of the BTCC engine regulations, and we look forward to working closely with them for the remaining two seasons of their contract.”

Malcolm Wilson OBE, M-Sport Managing Director, added: “We’re delighted to have been selected to supply the new TOCA BTCC engine in 2022. The BTCC has long been a popular and prestigious part of the British motorsport scene, and we’re all looking forward to working with TOCA and the relevant teams on this new and exciting project.

“I firmly believe that M-Sport has some of the best engineering expertise in the country, and with the development of our on-site Evaluation Centre this capability is only going to increase.”

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has unveiled a revised calendar for the 2020 season, comprising of nine events instead of the scheduled ten and set to run from August through to mid-November.

Series organisers TOCA have taken the decision to provisionally plan events from August onwards, however, the calendar will of course remain conditional upon receiving appropriate government directives and approvals regarding the resumption of sporting activities. Should the BTCC be unable to resume at that time, the calendar will be amended accordingly.

In the new provisional schedule, Donington Park will play host to the 2020 season-opener as originally planned, albeit on August 1/2. The first of two visits to Brands Hatch will swiftly follow the next weekend before trips to Oulton Park and Knockhill round out what is set to be a busy month of four events in five weekends for the series.

Thruxton will then stage the fifth event of the season on September 19/20 before Silverstone follows a week later for three high-octane races around the National layout of the Northamptonshire venue. Silverstone’s second meeting around the International layout has been cancelled.

The BTCC’s annual pilgrimage to North Yorkshire and Croft has been moved to October 10/11 whilst Snetterton will provide the backdrop for the penultimate event of the season.

As has been the case in years gone by, the Grand Prix layout of Brands Hatch will stage the final round of the season, but at the later date of November 14/15.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “These are incredibly challenging times for the whole nation. Through it all, we have seen the importance of being both adaptable and pragmatic… and the BTCC is no different. So it’s entirely logical to draft plans and lock-in our provisional dates, with the ability to amend those if circumstances dictate.

“Obviously this calendar presents a hectic four months, with three separate back-to-back events and four events in the first five weeks alone. But our teams and drivers are fully up for the challenge – there’s such enormous energy, enthusiasm and passion for the BTCC that everyone will want to just roll up their sleeves and get the action underway when the time comes to go racing.

“However, the over-arching element will always be to ensure we have the correct procedures and protocols in place, in order to provide a safe environment. But before that time comes the most important thing we can all do is to please stay safe and also protect the health of others.”

Provisional 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Calendar

Donington Park – Rounds 1, 2 & 3 – August 1/2

Brands Hatch Indy – Rounds 4, 5 & 6 – August 8/9

Oulton Park – Rounds 7, 8 & 9 – August 22/23

Knockhill – Rounds 10, 11 & 12 – August 29/30

Thruxton – Rounds 13, 14 & 15 – September 19/20

Silverstone National – Rounds 16, 17 & 18 – September 26/27

Croft – Rounds 19, 20 & 21 – October 10/11

Snetterton – Rounds 22, 23 & 24 – October 24/25

Brands Hatch GP – Rounds 25, 26 & 27 – November 14/15

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.

Britain’s premier race series will once again tackle the fastest circuit in the UK in 2020; with the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returning to Thruxton on May 16/17 – and tickets are now on sale discounted pre-Christmas prices.

Coming off the back of a memorable 2019 season which saw the home of the British Automobile Racing Club enjoy two bites of the BTCC cherry, Thruxton is revved up for another blockbuster race meeting to kick off a sensational summer of motorsport.

Tens of thousands of spectators descended on the Hampshire venue in both May and August of this past year to see frenetic wheel-to-wheel action; with Andrew Jordan, Sam Tordoff, Josh Cook and Dan Cammish all sharing the spoils.

Staging the fourth event of the season in 2020; Rounds 10, 11 & 12 at Thruxton are likely to play a pivotal role once again in the championship battle as momentum begins to build.

As ever, edge-of-the-seat entertainment alongside the BTCC will come from the TOCA support package; with the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost, Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup and the MINI Challenge all set to take centre stage.

With discounted tickets prices frozen until Christmas, tickets to Thruxton to watch the BTCC next May are the perfect present for the petrolhead in your lift.

Head to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc to purchase yours now.

Tickets for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship’s annual visit to Croft Circuit on August 15/16 2020 are now on sale, with discounted prices confirmed in the run up to Christmas.

In what is set to be one of headline events as part of a spectacular summer of motorsport in North Yorkshire, tickets to the seventh event on the BTCC calendar could make the the perfect present for the petrol head in your life.

Having traditionally featured during the first half of the season, the annual BTCC trip to the north east will now take place during the second half of the 2020 campaign, with the venue set to play a pivotal role in the destiny of the title – playing host to Rounds 19, 20 & 21.

Croft’s blend of high-speed and tight technical corners makes it a favourite amongst competitors and spectators alike, with edge-of-the-seat entertainment all-but guaranteed. In 2019, Andrew Jordan and Tom Chilton reigned supreme on an action-packed race day.

In addition to the thrills and spills of the BTCC, fans will also see bumper support race action over the course of the weekend courtesy of the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, MINI Challenge, Porsche Sprint Challenge GB and F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost.

Tracey Morley, Croft Circuit Manager, said: “We’re delighted to now be able to allow fans to buy tickets to next year’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship event – all of which are at discounted prices.

“After several years of hosting the event in June, we are excited to take up a spot on the calendar in August and we’re sure it will be one of the highlights of the summer; especially with three high-octane BTCC races and a bumper bill of support race action too.

“With tickets available to purchase at discounted prices from now right the way up to Christmas, these really are the perfect presents for any petrolhead.”

Visit www.croftcircuit.co.uk/racing/btcc to view full tickets offers and prices, as well as more information on 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has confirmed that a number of minor regulation changes will be implemented for the 2020 season following the annual end-of-season meeting between organisers TOCA and teams.

One of the first changes for next year surrounds tyres and comes off of the back of an initiative that was successfully introduced in the summer. At Snetterton and Croft, drivers will now use all three Goodyear tyre compounds – hard, medium and soft.

The way in which tyres are nominated has been altered too, with drivers not specified to select what race they will use the ‘option’ tyre before qualifying. Instead, they will have free choice during the course of race day – thus providing an opportunity to modify their strategies.

Maximum success ballast will increase to 60kgs and then reducing in 6kgs increments down to tenth place. Success ballast for the forthcoming 2020 campaign will be as follows: 60-54-48-42-36-30-24-18-12-6.

Finally, a new qualifying format will be trialled at Snetterton. Instead of the traditional 30-minute session, a shorter 25-minute session will take place to allow drivers to set a lap time.

The fastest top ten competitors will then progress into a ten-minute shootout for pole position to determine the top ten positions on the grid for the opening BTCC encounter of that weekend.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “Clearly, the regulations for the BTCC work tremendously well. That’s self-evident from the fantastically close racing and championship battles, but we’re always looking at ways in which they can be improved, so whilst these are fairly minor tweaks, they will certainly add some interesting new elements to next season’s championship.”

For more information on the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, head to http://www.btcc.net/

Goodyear will make a return to UK motorsport in 2020 as it becomes the new sole tyre supplier for the British Touring Car Championship.

Sister company to Dunlop, Goodyear’s decision to bring the brand back to the UK racing landscape comes after the brand announced a return to the international arena – providing tyres for a number of LMP2 teams in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2019/2020.

The new agreement will run until the end of the 2021 season, with discussions set to take place before then on the tyre requirements that will be needed ahead of the BTCC’s move to hybrid technology in 2022.

Ben Crawley, Goodyear Motorsport Director, said: “The recent launch of Goodyear’s Eagle F1 SuperSport range and relaunch into motorsport shows how the brand is applying itself to a broader range of initiatives within the ultra-high-performance automotive sector.  

“The BTCC is one of the best-loved, most famous motor racing championships in the world and it will provide a great opportunity for Goodyear to get close to the hearts and minds of motorsport enthusiasts. We are thrilled to be partnered with the championship from 2020.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, added:  “Goodyear has a proud and proven history in motorsport, spanning multiple decades and championships. They provide knowledge from a global programme of racing experience making them a strong partner for the championship going forward.

“It also gives Goodyear the ideal opportunity to further increase their brand awareness via the UK’s largest motorsport championship. We are looking forward to welcoming the brand into the championship from 2020.”

The 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will begin at Donington Park on March 28/29. To view the full calendar, head to https://www.barc.net/btcc-reveals-fresh-look-to-2020-calendar/

Colin Turkington admits he has been left stunned after securing a record-equalling fourth Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship title in a dramatic final race of the season at Brands Hatch this past weekend.

On what is set to go down as one of the most memorable finales in history, the Team BMW driver overcame the odds in sensational fashion to retain the biggest prize in UK motorsport by just two points.

Entering the weekend holding a 16-point lead, Turkington was in superlative form behind the wheel of his WSR-built BMW 330i M Sport during Saturday’s qualifying session to clinch pole position; and the all-important bonus point that comes with it.

Seeing his advantage cut after a battling opening encounter around the Grand Prix layout of the Kent venue, the Northern Irishman’s world came crashing down around him in race two following contact with Matt Neal which tumbled him down the order and out of the points.

Trailing Dan Cammish by eight points and starting 25th on the grid for the final contest, Turkington produced what he described the race of his life to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Carving his way through the field, progressing ten spots on the opening lap alone, the 37-year-old fought his past Cammish and then Ollie Jackson to begin closing the gap to the top of the standings.

However, with less than two laps to go Cammish speared off at Hawthorns Bend after suffering a brake failure at high speed – ending his race and championship challenge on the spot.

With Cammish out, Turkington moved back to the summit of the championship and crossed the line to become a four-time champion; drawing level with Andy Rouse and becoming the first person since Rouse to win back-to-back titles in different cars.

“I can’t believe what has happened!” Turkington said. “It was just shock when I crossed the line and they told me that I was champion. I knew that Dan was out of the race but I couldn’t see Andy (Jordan) and didn’t know where he was – that was the race of my life!

“After race two I felt my chances were over given that we were starting at the back and had eight points to make up. I didn’t give up, the team didn’t give up and I am just stunned. It is a bitter pill for those guys and they gave me one hell of a fight.

“When I won last year I won it in race two, when I won in 2014 I won in race one, 2009 was obviously a big final but like I said I couldn’t see Andy so it was just a shock when I crossed the line. This is the first year with this car and it has been brilliant all year. We’ve had our ups and downs but we never stopped fighting.

“To match Andy Rouse’s record of four titles is obviously really cool too. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would get close to that, you don’t really think too much about records.

“All I wanted to do was win this year. It is like a drug; I was chasing that feeling that can’t be replicated when you’re stood on that champions podium and soaking up everything up – four titles, wow!”