The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship gets underway at Donington Park this weekend (18/19 April) with 21 drivers fighting to lift the prestigious trophy, which has been awarded to some of the UK’s most legendary drivers since its inception in 1958.
The BTCC is the UK’s most high-profile and popular domestic circuit racing championship and it’s easy to see why. The championship’s intense, sprint races are characterised by robust racing from competitive grids and the cars are familiar to many from the nation’s streets and showrooms. Combined with live TV coverage and an accessible, family-friendly atmosphere at the circuits, it’s no surprise that the BTCC draws the crowds and it’s a fantastic way to watch live motorsport at its most thrilling!
Heading the 2026 grid are three former champions, led by current title-holder Tom Ingram (Hyundai). Despite adding to his 2022 crown, Tom still trails Gordon Shedden’s (Toyota) triple haul, while Ash Sutton (Ford) could become the BTCC’s first-ever five-time champion this year.
Such is the strength of talent in the BTCC that there are many race-winning drivers in the field including Tom Chilton (Hyundai), Dan Cammish (Ford) and Josh Cook (Toyota). Of these, Daniel Rowbottom and Adam Morgan have signed up with double champion Jason Plato who, in one of the most exciting recent developments, will be making his debut as a team owner this season. Fielding two Mercedes A35 Saloons built by RML, the progress of this team and ever-popular Plato’s transition from driver to team principal will be one of the most intriguing stories of the year.
The two Mercedes are part of a new trend towards the saloon body style that characterised the BTCC in its golden Supertouring era. With the ultra-successful WSR team having campaigned the BMW 3-Series to several titles, the aerodynamic properties of booted cars has also inspired NAPA Racing to switch to the Ford Focus Titanium saloon and Power Maxed Racing to build Audi A3 Saloons, a model last seen in the BTCC a decade ago.
It’s not just the drivers and the cars that bring crowds to the BTCC, a popularity witnessed at last week’s pre-season mid-week official test drawing huge numbers of fans to a sun-soaked Brands Hatch. New rules will spice up the action this year with a Saturday afternoon Qualifying Race for pole position also awarding championship points to the top ten and with BTCC races renowned for close contact, no shortage of jeopardy for the drivers. These races will also be streamed live on the ITV YouTube channel, while raceday Sundays will continue to be shown on ITV4.
ITV’s coverage also includes the BTCC’s renowned race package, which showcases the best of British circuit racing and the chance to spot emerging talents, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri among the many names to graduate from the support ranks. This year it will include the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup GB and Vertu MINI CHALLENGE among many visiting guest series.
Following this weekend’s action at Donington Park, the championship will visit Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Oulton Park, Thruxton and Knockhill, before returning to Donington Park in the late summer ahead of the final rounds at Croft, Silverstone and the traditional title showdown at Brands Hatch in October. The BTCC’s action-packed format and points system almost guarantees a championship fight between several drivers at the final round but for now, let battle commence!
Click here to head to the Donington Park website for more information about this weekend’s event and to book tickets.
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