UK's fastest circuit sets the scene following mid-season break
The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns from its traditional mid-season break, as the UK’s premier motorsport spectacle heads to Thruxton (25/26 July) to reignite the championship fight.
Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK - Ford) sits 48 points atop the drivers' standings after an impressive display at Oulton Park bookended a never-before-seen start to a season. Despite the imposing introduction to the campaign, Tom Ingram (Team VERTU - Hyundai) closed the gap to Sutton last time out, standing on the podium in every race at the Cheshire venue. The two-time and reigning BTCC champion will look to add to his three previous victories in Hampshire to continue closing in on the top spot.
Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK - Ford) opened race day last time out with a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the day’s first exchange, in a weekend that saw the #27 jump from fourth to third in the drivers’ standings. The second bout went to Cammish’s teammate Sutton, who took victory by over 19 seconds, the largest margin of any win in 27 years.
Charles Rainford (WSR - BMW) was the next driver to take a win, becoming only the second driver behind Sutton to take multiple victories this season over the first 12 races. Chris Smiley (Restart Racing - Hyundai) started the race on pole, but it was always going to be a tall order to hang on at the front with a gaggle of Goodyear soft tyre runners behind him. Rainford's BMW 330i M Sport fired off the line and was quickly into second on the approach to Old Hall Corner for the first time.
After a safety car period, Rainford immediately got a great exit from Old Hall on the restart and completed a daring move around the outside of Smiley’s Hyundai before they reached Cascades.
Across the grid it is both NAPA Racing UK and Alliance Racing/Ford that lead the way in both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’/Constructors’ championships. LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing currently holds a slender one-point advantage over WSR in the Independent Teams’ standings.
As it is in the teams, Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing - Audi) holds a narrow lead of five points over Daryl De Leon (WSR - BMW) in the Independent Drivers’ order, whilst Doble’s stablemate Dexter Patterson (Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing - Audi) leads the Jack Sears Trophy.
Now, the BTCC has left one of the most picturesque and challenging venues on the calendar, the 2.23-mile Oulton Park Island Circuit, endured its mid-season break, and arrives at the UK’s fastest circuit, Thruxton. The Hampshire venue is a staple for speed on the BTCC calendar, and we are ready to get back on track!
Cook’s Crown?
Josh Cook (Speedworks Corolla Racing - Toyota) has the most victories of any driver at Thruxton with ten, holding a connection with the UK’s fastest circuit unlike anyone else at any other venue.
Despite this, it has been four years since the #66 took victory in Hampshire, and after a difficult start to the season, the 21-time race winner will be heading to his home circuit looking to recreate his success.
Cook will be heading to Thruxton with a new teammate, as Speedworks Corolla Racing announced the signing of Ryan Bensley for the remainder of the season. The three-time race starter replaces Max Buxton, who has taken on a new Driver Development & Reserve Driver role within the organisation.
Bensley is not the only new face as the BTCC returns, as WSR confirmed it is expanding to a three-car lineup for the rest of the season, with Scotsman Lewis Gilbert joining the most decorated team in BTCC history.
TV, Timetables and Tickets
Complementing the tin top racing will be a sensational line-up of support series, as the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, F4 British Championship certified by FIA, MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, Mini Se7en Challenge and Mini Miglia Challenge 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 1355, before ITV4's seven-and-a-half-hour race day broadcast gets underway at 1100 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 1145, 1440 and 1715 (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.