NAPA Racing UK will embark on an exciting new chapter for 2026 as it brings a new iteration of the Ford Focus to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship grid, the saloon-based Titanium model.
With four-time champion Ash Sutton, title contender Dan Cammish, race winner Sam Osborne and debutant Lewis Selby forming its driver line-up for the 2026 season, the team has made no secret of its desire to introduce a new machine into the UK’s premier motorsport series.
One element of the new 2027+ homologation requirements (i.e. that which permits the use of cars not currently sold in the UK) has been brought forward a year for this project, allowing the team to use the saloon version of the Focus. This was unanimously approved by all the existing teams and TOCA some months ago, prior to the team embarking on the change.
Born out of the hatchback version of the Focus, which has guided NAPA Racing UK to a total of 36 wins and six titles since they debuted in 2022, the front three-quarters of the new car shares a striking resemblance to the old car, along with the wheelbase.
However, it’s towards the rear where things have changed, with new bodywork forming a sleeker, more aerodynamically efficient look that will help reduce drag. In addition, the changes made to the cars should mean that they are slightly lighter, which will aid performance.
Whilst the team evaluated several different options, the future-proofing decision to remain with the Ford marque has also guaranteed that NAPA Racing UK’s long-standing and successful association with engine builders, Mountune, will continue.
All four cars will take part in a shakedown in the coming days before then going on to attend the official championship pre-season tests at Croft and Brands Hatch.
Antonio Carrozza, NAPA Racing UK Lead Engineer, commented: “This is an exciting time for the entire team. It was a lengthy process to come to this decision, such were the options we had, but we feel like the saloon version of the Focus is the way to go.
“The ultimate goal is to reduce aerodynamic drag. We highlighted that as an area we wanted to address last season, and this move to a different shape allows us to do just that; there are many elements that remain the same to the car, however, there will be some fine-tuning required.
“Everyone involved in this project has done a fantastic job, and now the exciting bit comes next: to head out on track and begin dialling the car into what we hope will be a championship challenger.”
Pete Osborne, Alliance Racing Team Owner, said: “I can’t wait to get going. We’ve had a very busy winter with the team behind the scenes working relentlessly on reworking the Focus into a virtually new car, one that looks stunning.
“We’ve got a good test programme scheduled in for March, where the drivers and engineers will get to work on understanding the changes to the new car. Everyone is very excited for this year, and we’ll be doing our best to get the number one back on our car.”
Steve Richardson, Managing Director of NAPA UK / Alliance Automotive Group UK&IE Ltd, said: “Having seen the methodical process in selecting this year’s car, I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made during the off-season. Being able to continue with Ford, having had so much success in previous years, along with Mountune, means we have the cornerstones of what is shaping up to be an exciting season on track.”
The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season commences at Donington Park on 18/19 April.
