BTCC Chief Executive Alan Gow has reiterated plans for a significant new junior series to join the TOCA package from the 2024 season onwards.

The departure of Ginetta from the most high-profile events in British motorsport has left a vacancy on the bill, although Gow plans to fill only one slot for the 2023 season in order to alleviate some stress on the timetable.

From 2024, however, the BTCC boss aims to bring a top-level junior championship to the most popular racing line-up in Britain.

“We want to introduce a top-level junior series to the TOCA package from 2024 onwards,” said Gow. “I should note that we are not talking about an already existing series. We are looking for something fresh, new and exciting to bring to the most popular and high-profile motorsport package in the UK.

“Not only will this be fantastic news for the tens of thousands of fans trackside and the millions more watching on our live ITV network coverage, but I strongly believe this is an important step and a vital injection for the racing pyramid in this country and beyond.

“Young drivers – and indeed their teams, sponsors and all stakeholders – who are looking to reach the pinnacle of their respective fields really do need to flourish and develop within a high-profile environment and only the BTCC support race package provides the kind of season-long exposure that developing drivers should have.

“The process has already begun and whether this championship comes entirely from a third-party manufacturer or organisation, or indeed whether TOCA plays a role in the introduction of a new series, is yet to be determined. Although the end result is quite simple; I want to have the best junior series that this country can produce, in order to help develop and generate our finest and most complete drivers for the future.

“We will obviously carefully assess any applications for a new junior series from 2024 and award the slot to the most appropriate and impressive – it’s a fantastic opportunity for the development of junior drivers in the UK and one we’re all excited about.”

In terms of filling the vacancy for next season, Gow confirmed he has already received unprecedented interest.

“The emails keep arriving ,” he concluded.

“With regard to the full support series for 2023, we will only be filling one slot so as to take some strain off our race weekend timetables.

“We will take this opportunity to have different guest series’ joining the bill during the course of the 2023 season. So, it will likely be two, three or even four different championships filling the vacant slots at various times during the year, which will provide more variety for the fan base as well as giving those championships unprecedented levels of exposure.”

The chosen series’ will join Porsche Carrera Cup GB, British Formula 4 and the MINI Challenge on the BTCC support bill and any further announcement will be made by TOCA in due course.