With the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship edging ever closer, it’s that time of year when the BTCC’s monthly news recaps return, filling you in on all the latest announcements ahead of the upcoming campaign!
Incorporating all the key BTCC news – with a support series summary coming next week – check out what happened from Britain’s premier motorsport series’ Brands Hatch finale until the fireworks flew at the start of 2023 below...
EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com retains Chilton
Kicking off the season finale, EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com confirmed that Tom Chilton would be sticking with the squad for another year, joining eventual Champion Tom Ingram on the roster for 2023.
Regulation changes get the green light
BTCC Series Organiser TOCA revealed a number of regulation changes at the start of November, including the return of the Top Ten Showdown qualifying format, the reintroduction of Goodyear’s ‘Option’ tyre and changes to the rules regarding Hybrid deployment.
Nick Halstead joins EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com line-up
Another piece of the EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com puzzle was revealed in November, as Nick Halstead joined the Suffolk-based outfit’s 2023 line-up. Having made his BTCC debut at Croft in 2021, Halstead makes the full-time switch for the upcoming season at the wheel of one of the team’s title-winning Hyundai i30 Ns.
Morgan makes WSR switch
With Ciceley Motorsport having announced its BTCC departure at the end of November, fans were relieved to hear that Adam Morgan would still be a part of the grid in 2023, as West Surrey Racing revealed the 34-year-old would be piloting one of the squad’s BMW 330e M Sports.
Hill and MB Motorsport stick with WSR
The first piece of BTCC news in December saw Jake Hill and MB Motorsport announce that they would be sticking with WSR for a second consecutive season, marking Hill’s fourth campaign with MB Motorsport as the 28-year-old sets his sights on glory this year.
2023 TBL holders confirmed
December also saw TOCA make its annual TBL holders announcement, confirming the team entries for the 2023 campaign. Notable changes this year will see Speedworks Motorsport, WSR and Team HARD all increase their TOCA BTCC Licence totals by one.
Thompson and Team HARD team up again
Having secured Jack Sears Trophy glory in 2022, Bobby Thompson is continuing with Team HARD’s Cupra squad for another year, as he heads into his fifth campaign in the BTCC
Team HARD announced Patterson for 2023
Team HARD also revealed that Dexter Patterson would be joining the squad for 2023. The young Scotsman, who made his debut last year in a Laser Tools Racing Infiniti, tested the team’s Cupra Leon in November and is looking forward to his sophomore campaign.
Lloyd signs Team HARD deal
The final news to be announced before Christmas saw Dan Lloyd confirm he would be driving for Team HARD in 2023. Following his most successful BTCC campaign to date in 2022, the 30-year-old has high hopes for the upcoming season.
