Tag: BTCC

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship brought the curtain down on its 2022 Season Launch at Thruxton today (April 13) with reigning champion Ashley Sutton topping the times in the final official pre-season test.

After months of anticipation and excitement, the 2022 BTCC campaign officially launched at an exclusive event event in the Thruxton Centre on Tuesday evening where invited guests were introduced to the drivers and informed on the introduction of hybrid technology.

Following the completion of official championship photography and ITV filming, cars hit the track for an action-packed day of testing in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans.

With a total of 1250 laps being completed around the fastest circuit in the UK, triple champion Sutton left it late in the afternoon before storming to the top of the timesheets and ultimately claiming the bragging rights.

Dipping well under the existing lap record, the NAPA Racing UK driver set a best time of 1:15.607s to end the day a tenth of a second quicker than morning pace-setter Jake Hill. 

Halfords Racing with Cataclean’s Daniel Rowbottom had held first place for much of the afternoon before being bettered; the Jack Sears Trophy winner ultimately finished third.

Hotly tipped title contenders Tom Ingram and Gordon Shedden rounded out the top five – the latter doing so in the closing stages of the day after being involved in an incident during the morning session.

Dan Cammish, Adam Morgan, Colin Turkington, Daniel Lloyd and Jason Plato rounded out the top ten with a total of 26 of the 29 entrants ultimately hitting the high-speed Hampshire track over the course of the day.

Away from testing and media duties, the BTCC Season Launch also saw the welcome return of the Pit Lane Autograph Session, which took place during the lunch break for the first time since the end of 2019. 

To view the full classification of times from testing at Thruxton, CLICK HERE.

Donington Park plays host to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship curtain-raiser on April 23/24.

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

CAR NO.	DRIVER	TEAM	CAR	TEAM/DRIVER STATUS
1	Ashley Sutton	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Manufacturer / Constructor
3	Tom Chilton	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com	Hyundai i30N	Manufacturer / Constructor
6	Rory Butcher	Toyota Gazoo Racing UK	Toyota Corolla	Manufacturer / Constructor
9	Dan Cammish	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Manufacturer / Constructor
11	Jason Plato	Rich Energy with BTC Racing	Honda Civic Type R	Independent
12	Stephen Jelley	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	Manufacturer / Constructor
16	Aiden Moffat	Laser Tools Racing	Infiniti Q50	Independent
17	Dexter Patterson	Laser Tools Racing	Infiniti Q50	Independent / JST
19	Bobby Thompson	Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero	Cupra Leon	Independent / JST
21	Ricky Collard	Toyota Gazoo Racing UK	Toyota Corolla	Manufacturer / Constructor
24	Jake Hill	ROKiT MB Motorsport	BMW 330e M Sport	Manufacturer / Constructor
28	Nicolas Hamilton	Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing	Cupra Leon	Independent / JST
31	Jack Goff	Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero	Cupra Leon	Independent
32	Dan Rowbottom	Halfords Racing with Cataclean	Honda Civic Type R	Manufacturer / Constructor
33	Adam Morgan	Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport	BMW 330e M Sport	Independent
40	Aron Taylor-Smith	Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing	Cupra Leon	Independent
42	George Gamble	Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport	BMW 330e M Sport	Independent / JST
48	Ollie Jackson	Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan	Ford Focus ST	Manufacturer / Constructor
50	Colin Turkington	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	Manufacturer / Constructor
52	Gordon Shedden	Halfords Racing with Cataclean	Honda Civic Type R	Manufacturer / Constructor
62	Rick Parfitt	Upton Steel with Euro Car Parts Racing	Infiniti Q50	Independent / JST
66	Josh Cook	Rich Energy with BTC Racing	Honda Civic Type R	Independent
77	Sam Osborne	Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan	Ford Focus ST	Manufacturer / Constructor / JST
80	Tom Ingram	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com	Hyundai i30N	Manufacturer / Constructor
96	Jack Butel	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com	Hyundai i30N	Manufacturer / Constructor
97	Ash Hand	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Independent / JST
99	Jade Edwards	Rich Energy with BTC Racing	Honda Civic Type R	Independent / JST
123	Dan Lloyd	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com	Hyundai i30N	Independent
777	Michael Crees	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Independent

* JST – Jack Sears Trophy

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

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship officially lifted the curtain on the 2022 season at Thruxton Circuit this evening (April 12) with the launch of the all-new hybrid era. 

Becoming the first major touring car series in the world to integrate hybrid power into all of its race cars, the Season Launch event at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club saw the capacity 29-car grid unveiled and details on the new TOCA Hybrid shared.

First announced back in 2019 by Series Organisers TOCA, the hybrid system has been designed and developed by the world-renowned Cosworth Electronics. 

Drivers will be in control of when to deploy the hybrid system via a button on the steering wheel, which will see cars receive up to 15 seconds per lap of additional hybrid power – a benefit that can strategically be used to either attack or defend during racing conditions.

Full details on the new TOCA Hybrid introduction can be found HERE.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “When we announced in 2018 that we would be integrating hybrid power for this year, nobody knew the enormous headwinds that would confront us.

“The pandemic, the ongoing global supply chain issues (particularly with microchips and electronics), the further disruptions as a result of the terrible invasion of Ukraine and the significant price increases of just about everything across the board have all provided huge challenges to the project.

“So, it’s important that I acknowledge and thank the outstanding work that Cosworth, the teams, our suppliers and my TOCA Technical Team have put in to get where we are today. Yes, we were all up against it – we still are in some other areas – but the great effort that everyone has made against all those obstacles is something that we should all be incredibly proud of. So, my sincere appreciation goes out to everyone that really put their shoulders to the wheel and got this programme done.

“Whilst hybrid is the headline news for this year, we also have the introduction of a completely new TOCA engine by M-Sport which will be used by half the grid, the introduction of the new 20% sustainable fuel and a whole new Cosworth ECU and electronics system.

“So, with everything that is new for this year, it’s been a massive undertaking and we shouldn’t underestimate for a moment everything that went into this. Being the first touring car championship in the world to go hybrid meant there were no learnings that we could take from others, but I’m delighted that we’ve achieved this important milestone in the long and proud history of this championship.

“And of course, we will reap the rewards going forward, as hybrid keeps the BTCC absolutely relevant to the world around us and has future-proofed the championship – and the teams’ investments – for at least the next five years.

“Kwik Fit, Goodyear and ITV continue as our incredibly loyal, enthusiastic and highly committed partners and remain vital to the ongoing success of the BTCC, with the latter providing even greater coverage in 2022.

“We’re all looking forward to this new era in the BTCC and I thank everyone for playing their part in this amazing championship.”

The greater coverage that Gow alluded to is that the BTCC will once again enjoy live free-to-air TV coverage.

Whilst ITV4 will continue as the ‘home’ of the BTCC with its all-day-live and free-to-air coverage, both the Brands Hatch Indy (May 15) and Oulton Park (June 12) events will also be broadcast live on ITV for three hours on each race day.

“I’m incredibly proud that, once again, the BTCC reaches new heights in our UK television broadcasting,” added Gow. “As I’ve said many times, our live and free-to-air broadcasts are the envy of the sport – so for the ITV Network to further evolve and increase their coverage of the BTCC once again underlines their tremendous enthusiasm for, and commitment to, our great championship.”

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commenced its official pre-season testing programme today (March 29) as Donington Park played host to the opening Hybrid Installation Test.

Becoming the first major touring car series in the world to integrate hybrid power, all competing cars will run the TOCA Hybrid system in 2022 – which has been designed, supplied and will be serviced by Cosworth Electronics.

All teams were in attendance at the Leicestershire venue as a total of 23 cars hit the track, however not all of them ran the new hybrid system as some are still awaiting the installation of parts.

Morning running under the flightpath of East Midlands airport was delayed due to fog but when conditions improved it was four-time champion Colin Turkington that set the fastest time, leading a BMW 1-2-3-4 ahead of Stephen Jelley, Adam Morgan and Jake Hill. 

Turkington continued his front-running pace in the afternoon session as he set a benchmark time of 1:09.104 ahead of Gordon Shedden, Tom Ingram, Dan Cammish and Morgan.

As is the case during test sessions, overall lap times are unlikely to be representative as each team and driver works through their own respective programmes.

Two further official test days are scheduled for Croft (6 April) and Thruxton (13 April), where it is expected that all cars will run the TOCA Hybrid system.

To view the full classification of times from the first Hybrid Installation Test at Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

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.