For the first time in BTCC history, strategic thinking starts earlier than ever as championship order impacts Saturday running.
Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Brands Hatch this weekend (9/10 May) with the all-new format taking full effect for the first time for all cars, stars and thousands of fans in attendance to experience.
In 2026, we have seen the introduction of the ‘Qualifying Race – Race to Pole’, and for the first time this season, all drivers and teams will face the challenge with TOCA Turbo Boost (TTB) implications at Brands Hatch.
It will be four-time champion Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) who will feel the effects of his slim TTB allocation, leaving the Donington Park curtain raiser at the head of the championship, after bouncing back from a challenging start to proceedings.
Daniel Rowbottom (Cataclean Plato Racing) made history by winning the first-ever ‘Race to Pole’. A sensational opening lap saw Tom Ingram (Team VERTU), Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK), Rowbottom and Sutton battle fiercely, before the latter ran onto the grass early on lap two while challenging Ingram. Sliding across the track, Sutton was collected by team-mate Cammish, leaving him out of the Qualifying Race and last on the grid for race day.
Despite the perfect opening to the team’s BTCC account, Rowbottom would have a poor start in the season opener, leaving Ingram to head the field. Ingram, however, would cross the line first on track but would later be disqualified for a significant overboost infringement. Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing) inherited victory in Round 1 of the 2026 season.
Sutton then romped to victory in race two, having started the prior bout from last on the grid. The Ford Focus Titanium driver started the race from second, before taking the lead by the exit of Redgate on the opening tour and never looked back to claim his 48th career BTCC triumph.
The four-time champion then made it two wins from two to complete the opening weekend of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, marking his 300th race in style.
Now, the BTCC heads to the shortest track on the calendar – the action-packed Brands Hatch Indy circuit. The much-loved Kent venue is a mainstay on the BTCC schedule, having held more races than any other circuit and at least one event every season since the championship’s inception back in 1958.
Read on for more details on the local lights, TV times, circuit timetable and the all-important ticket information…
Brands Balance
Recently the Brands Hatch Indy circuit has arguably favoured rear-wheel-drive machinery, but the championship-order boost levels and newly introduced Qualifying Race are set to provide an updated variable in comparison to previous years.
Both WSR drivers, Daryl De Leon and Charles Rainford, won their first BTCC race at Brands Hatch Indy one year ago in rear-wheel-drive BMW 330i M Sports. The former doing so in the second race of the day, his 50th BTCC start, and the latter in only his sixth BTCC start.
Along with stablemate and 2024 Champion Jake Hill taking pole position and victory in the weekend’s opening contest, the team took a trio of victories on one weekend, something that hadn’t been seen in nine years.
Rainford enters his home race weekend with limited boost available to him on Saturday, arriving second in the drivers’ standings, whereas teammate DeLeon has the full allowance available to him.
Despite the recent rear-wheel-drive success at the circuit, it is reigning champion Ingram who arrives with the most triumphs at the Kent venue with four wins, all in front-wheel-drive machinery. The #80 will be looking to regather some points after a challenging opening race weekend.
TV, Timetables and Tickets
Complimenting the tin top racing will be a sensational line-up of support series, as the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, The MINI CHALLENGE, the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA and the Caterham 310R Championship complete the schedule of exciting races.
BTCC will be wowing the crowds both trackside and at home, with Saturday’s ‘Race to Pole’ and earlier qualifying session being streamed live via ITV Sport’s YouTube channel from 1355, before ITV4’s seven-and-a-half-hour race day broadcast gets underway at 1045 on Sunday.
Remember, the BTCC is being broadcast globally with every race being streamed live in 2026 via the BTCC YouTube Channel, whilst fans in North America can watch the action on the Racer Network. Look out for the races on Sunday starting at 1130, 1445 and 1730 (BST).
There’s no place like being there of course, and fans can purchase tickets in advance or at the gate throughout the weekend – visit here for more details.
