Saturday qualifying race to set grid for Sunday opener

Following discussions at the annual end-of-season meeting between TOCA – organiser of the British Touring Car Championship – and its competing teams, it has today (24 October) been announced that there will be a Qualifying race for all cars on the Saturday afternoon at each race weekend.

The final classification of this race, the culmination of the separate free practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday, will determine the grid positions for Sunday’s opening contest. It will be streamed LIVE in the UK and across the globe via the ITV YouTube channel. 

The precise format is currently being finalised and will be announced in due course. Sunday will maintain the three full rounds of racing, as has been the case for many years.

Further minor unrelated tweaks to the regulations were also ratified during the Teams’ meeting and will be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “A qualifying race on Saturday is another exciting introduction to the BTCC ahead of the 2026 season, and promises to be a hit among drivers, teams, fans and stakeholders.

“The addition of some short, sharp racing action on Saturday will certainly spice things up ahead of our hugely popular three-race Sunday format and will provide a further great spectacle to the weekend show for everyone.”