Knockhill’s rollercoaster layout sets the stage for the next chapter of the 2026 title fight
The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship now heads to Knockhill this weekend (8/9 August), after three pulsating races at Thruxton launched the second half of the season in spectacular style.
Hampshire’s speedbowl saw Josh Cook (Speedworks Corolla Racing - Toyota), Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK - Ford) and Tom Ingram (Team VERTU - Hyundai) each claim victory.
It was Cook, the ‘King of Thruxton’, who immediately took to the fore last time out, setting a time in Qualifying only 0.018 seconds shy of the all-time record to start the ‘Race to Pole’ from the front. The Toyota Corolla GR Sport driver stayed true to his nickname in the Qualifying Race, leading from lights to flag to start race day with a clear view.
Sunday started in similar fashion, as Cook once again led from start to finish to extend his record number of triumphs at the circuit to 11, whilst becoming the eighth winner of 2026 in just 13 races. Sutton stalked the #66 throughout the race to come home second as Daniel Rowbottom (Cataclean Plato Racing - Mercedes) took the team’s maiden podium in the BTCC.
After coming close in the opening bout, the championship leader would make his presence felt in the second race of the day, immediately taking the lead from Cook on the first run up to the Club chicane. Eventually, Sutton would cross the line with a 9.305-second lead as Ingram was handed a ten-second time penalty for track-limits infringements, dropping him from second to fifth.
The final race of the UK’s premier motorsport championship’s return to action favoured Ingram differently than the two previous contests. Starting second in the reverse-grid race, the Team VERTU star would take the lead from polesitter James Dorlin (Restart Racing - Hyundai) before reaching the first braking point at Campbell. The reigning champion would go on to take victory as the field behind fought robustly, leaving Ingram out in front to score vital points in his championship challenge.
Across the grid, NAPA Racing UK continues to lead the Teams’ Championship, while Alliance Racing/Ford remains at the head of the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ standings. LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing also retains its advantage in the Independent Teams’ order.
Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing - Audi) continues to lead the Independent Drivers’ Championship, while James Dorlin now tops the Jack Sears Trophy standings by two points.
With the high-speed challenge of Thruxton now complete, the BTCC heads north to Knockhill. The undulating Scottish circuit promises another action-packed weekend as the second half of the 2026 campaign continues.
Conquering the Crests
One man knows Knockhill’s bumps, brows and blind crests better than any other driver on the grid, three-time champion Gordon Shedden (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport - Toyota).
The Scottish favourite has four victories at his home venue, with his most recent coming back in 2015. Now in his second season in Toyota machinery, the #52 will be one to watch in Fife.
Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing - Audi) is another fan favourite heading home after a difficult weekend in Hampshire. The man who holds the record as the championship’s youngest race starter will be looking for a repeat of his early season form that saw him lift silverware.
Another Scot heading homebound is Dexter Patterson (Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing - Audi), who, up until the opening weekend of this season in new machinery, had his best result in the BTCC at Knockhill. Now two points adrift from the top of the Jack Sears Trophy lead, the #17 will be eager for another career-best in front of his home crowd.
The fourth and by no means least of the Scottish drivers is BTCC newcomer Lewis Gilbert (WSR - BMW). The three-time race starter heads to his second event in the championship after narrowly missing out on points on his debut weekend at Thruxton.
TV, Timetables and Tickets
Complementing the tin top racing will be a sensational line-up of support series, as the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain, MINI CHALLENGE, Caterham 7 Championship UK and Scottish Legends 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 the earlier qualifying session being streamed live via ITV Sport's YouTube Channel from 1400, before ITV4's seven-and-a-half-hour race day broadcast gets underway at 1030 on Sunday.
Remember, continuing what started for the first time in the championship's history in 2025, 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 1115, 1415 and 1720 (BST).
There's no place like being there of course, and fans can purchase tickets in advance or on the gate throughout the weekend – visit here for more details.