BTCC stars and cars complete two-day run at Croft

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasted back into action with the first official pre-season test at Croft (1/2 April).

The prowess and reliability of the 2025 machines proved almost flawless with more than 2800 laps and nearly 6000 miles completed, as glorious sunshine descended on the North Yorkshire venue throughout the two days of running. 

Rookie Max Hall starred on Tuesday, as the young driver produced a stunning lap in his Un-Limited Motorsport Cupra.

Hall’s benchmark remained unbeaten until the final hour of Wednesday when Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing’s Mikey Doble hit the top of the timesheets.

The reigning Jack Sears Trophy Champion’s lap time of 1:20.391s is well over half a second quicker than the existing qualifying lap record set by Tom Chilton last season, suggesting that the lighter and more nimbler 2025 cars are set to show marked improvements over their predecessors.

NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish was at the sharp end during both days and eventually ended up third overall, whilst reigning champion Jake Hill was fourth in his Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW.

Hill’s West Surrey Racing team-mate – Daryl DeLeon – left it late, as the young charger claimed fifth in the final moments ahead of Team VERTU’s Tom Ingram.

Ash Sutton was the first driver to dip under the current qualifying lap record on Tuesday before that time was completely obliterated amidst glorious warm conditions. The #116 Ford Focus remained consistent, however, before eventually having to settle for seventh overall.

Returning three-time champion Gordon Shedden was immediately on the pace as the flying Scotsman bagged eighth in his TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Corolla, whilst LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR’s Charles Rainford and One Motorsport’s Josh Cook rounded out the top ten.

There were only a few notable moments during the test with the likes of Adam Morgan (Team VERTU), Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) and Sam Osborne (NAPA Racing UK) all having off-track excursions on Wednesday, whilst Dan Lloyd (Restart Racing) and Aron Taylor-Smith endured frustrations due to mechanical gremlins with their respective cars.

The BTCC’s 100% fully sustainable fuel era kicks off with the opening rounds at Donington Park on 26/27 April, but not before the official Season Launch commences at the same venue on the 15 April.

Mikey Doble, Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing, said: “We have had a fantastic first couple of days to kick off our pre-season testing programme. The car felt amazing, and the team’s hard work in development over the off-season is now shining through. I can’t wait to get back out in the car for Season Launch at Donington in a couple of weeks.”

Max Hall, Un-Limited Motorsport, said: “We started off the morning really well and ended up with third. We changed a few things at lunchtime, the set-up was really good, so we put some softs on and went for it. The pace was there so I'm really happy with that. I think I’ve surprised myself and the team as well to be honest. We bolted those softs on and really found some time, so I’m pretty speechless with that.”

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship - Two-day test – 1/2 April – Final Classification

Click here for the full document

NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish kicked off the second day of Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship testing at Croft by setting the fastest time in the morning session.

The reliability of the entire BTCC grid has been almost flawless during the first day and a half of running with the 2025 contenders completing hundreds of laps so far.

Young gun Max Hall clocked the fastest ever BTCC lap around the North Yorkshire circuit yesterday with a 1:20.532s, which Cammish has fallen just shy of during day two.

Local hero Cammish ended up more than two tenths clear of the chasing pack, in a group led by Team VERTU's Tom Ingram and Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble.

Tuesday's star Hall backed up his pace with fourth fastest in today's first run, meaning he has ended up third, first and fourth respectively across the trio of sessions. It was a double celebration for Un-Limited Motorsport too, as Dexter Patterson followed his team-mate home in fifth.

Ash Sutton was sixth fastest in the #116 NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus, whilst a duo of Hondas and BMWs – Stephen Jelley (One Motorsport), Josh Cook (One Motorsport), Daryl DeLeon (WSR) and Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) – completed the top ten order.

The session was brought to a premature end when Adam Morgan's EXCELR8 Hyundai when straight on a turn one, with his #33 machine ending up beached in the gravel.

The cars and stars have been blessed with incredible weather throughout both days as basking sunshine continues to beam down with temperature highs of 15 degrees.

The 22 cars present will continue this afternoon with a session running between 1330-1650. LIVE timing is available here.

Rookie Max Hall starred on the opening official pre-season test day ahead of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as the young Un-Limited Motorsport driver topped the timesheets at Croft.

Ash Sutton had already dipped under the existing qualifying lap record during the morning session before that time was completely obliterated amidst glorious warm afternoon conditions.

Hall's 1:20.532s lap time was more than half a second faster than the previous benchmark, as the lighter but equally powerful 2025 machines proved to be nimbler and faster than last season.

"We started off the morning really well and ended up with third," said the Cupra driver. "We changed a few things at lunchtime, the set-up was really good, so put some softs on and went for it. The pace was there so I'm really happy with that."

Some of the BTCC's more established stars tried to chase Hall down in the closing minutes as NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Jake Hill ended up only 0.029s and 0.039s behind respectively.

Team VERTU's Tom Ingram was next in the order ahead of last year's Jack Sears Trophy winner Mikey Doble in the Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall, whilst returning three-time champion Gordon Shedden ended up in the top six for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK.

Adam Morgan's re-acclimatisation to front-wheel drive machinery continues apace as the Team VERTU man hauled his Hyundai into seventh, ahead of the second Speedworks-run Toyota of Ronan Pearson.

Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) and Árón Taylor-Smith (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) rounded out the top ten.

The second day of testing continues tomorrow with glorious sunshine again expected in North Yorkshire and you can keep up with LIVE timing here.

Click here for the full classification from Day 1 of testing at Croft Circuit.

TOCA is extremely sad to learn that Mike Nicholson – former Motorsport Operations Manager of the multiple championship winning Vauxhall manufacturer team in the BTCC – has passed away.

A renowned international rally co-driver in his own right, Mike later joined Vauxhall as it embarked on one of the most successful eras of touring car racing.

Mike oversaw no fewer than eight Drivers’ titles in the BTCC, beginning with a John Cleland double in 1989 and 1995. Jason Plato claimed his maiden crown in 2001 before James Thompson followed suit in 2002 and 2004. Frenchman Yvan Muller also won the title onboard the Astra Coupe in 2003, with Fabrizio Giovanardi closing out the successes in 2007 and 2008.

A career-long association with Vauxhall ended with his well deserved retirement following the closure of the Vauxhall BTCC programme in 2009.

Mike was a true friend of the BTCC and one of the much-loved figures in the paddock.

TOCA and the BTCC sends its deepest condolences to Mike’s adored wife Marie, his family, friends and colleagues.

NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton has come firing out of the blocks in the opening official pre-season BTCC test at Croft, as the three-time champion clocked the fastest lap time in the morning session.

The four-time champion will be looking to wrestle back his crown in 2025 as the Alliance Racing squad has worked tirelessly on making further improvements to its quartet of Ford Focuses.

Sutton's lap time of 1:21.047s was 0.009s quicker than Tom Chilton qualifying lap record from last season, with the lighter 2025 cars likely to prove nimbler and ultimately faster than last year's editions.

Josh Cook has already proven the returning prowess of both One Motorsport and its Honda Civic Type R, after their sabbatical in 2024, as the Bath driver set the second fastest time of the morning at Croft.

Rookie Max Hall turned heads as he grabbed third in the Un-Limited Motorsport Cupra, whilst the top six was rounded out by more familiar faces in the shape of Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK), Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) and Tom Ingram (Team VERTU).

Charles Rainford is another fresh face to look out for in 2025 and the WSR racer bagged seventh in the #99 BMW, ahead of Adam Morgan (Team VERTU), Árón Taylor-Smith (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK)and Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK).

All 22 cars present – both Tom Chilton and Michael Crees are absent – have hit the track this morning and they will be back to do it all again this afternoon with a session running between 1330-1650. LIVE timing is available here.

Official pre-season testing ahead of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is underway with a two-day test taking place at Croft Circuit (1/2 April).

The much-anticipated campaign is nearly upon and while a number of teams have already hit the track in recent weeks, today marks the first official group test of 2025.

Incredibly for this time of year it also looks like the weather will be playing with sunshine and dry conditions expected across both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Jake Hill’s chrome blue #1 BMW will surely be one that the fans will be looking out for and the reigning champion will be joined by fellow WSR trio, Aiden Moffat, Daryl DeLeon and Charles Rainford.

NAPA Racing UK will have its quartet of racers on show – Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Sam Osborne – but there will also be a little twist as driver coach and former BTCC race winner Rory Butcher will also get a run in one of the Ford Focuses.

We are expecting to see 22 of the 24 official entries on-track with Tom Chilton and Michael Crees currently away, as the Team VERTU squad is led by Tom Ingram and Adam Morgan.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK completed its four-strong driver line-up for the forthcoming season with the recruitment of rising star James Dorlin, and he will be joined at Croft by team-mates Gordon Shedden, Árón Taylor-Smith and Ronan Pearson.

Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing boasts reigning Jack Sears Trophy champion Mikey Doble, whilst the returning One Motorsport brings its pair of Hondas for Josh Cook and Stephen Jelley.

Sophomore squads – Restart Racing and Un-Limited Motorsport – bring its contenders with Chris Smiley, Daniel Lloyd, Dexter Patterson, Max Hall and Nic Hamilton all getting a competitive run.

Both days will run to the same timetable with the morning sessions taking place from 0930-1225 with the afternoon segment running from 1330-1650. LIVE timing will be available here throughout each day.

Michael Crees will make his return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in 2025 after today (28 March) being confirmed as the final member of the four-strong Team VERTU line-up.

The 41-year-old, a former winner of the Jack Sears Trophy, will join forces with Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Adam Morgan at the wheel of a Hyundai i30 Fastback N run by the Droitwich-based EXCELR8 team for what will be his fourth full season in Britain’s premier racing series.

The deal has made possible as a result of an exciting new partnership with the Defence industry community, with a striking new livery for the #777 entry to be unveiled prior to the start of the season at Donington Park in late April.

Crees was a latecomer to racing having only taken to the track for the first time in his 30s, when he signed up to compete in the Ginetta Racing Drivers’ Club before stepping onto the BTCC support package in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup,

Racing for the front-running Century Motorsport squad, Crees saw off the challenge of vastly more experienced rival Colin White to secure the Am class title, scoring eleven class wins from 23 starts and breaking into the overall top six multiple times.

From there, Crees graduated into the BTCC where he scored points on his touring car debut at Brands Hatch, and has since gone on to score a best result of eighth overall from his 100 starts in the series to date.

The highlight of his BTCC career came in 2020 when Crees emerged on top of a frenetic season-long battle for the Jack Sears Trophy crown, scoring overall championship points in almost half of the races.

Crees has also competed in both the British GT Championship and the GT4 European Series in recent years and has made four appearances in the Formula One-supporting Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

Michael Crees, #777 Team VERTU Driver, said: “It’s no secret that I’ve been working hard to get back onto the BTCC grid and there were times over the winter that I didn’t know if we’d be able to make it happen for 2025. To be able to confirm a deal is one thing, but to be joining a team like EXCELR8 that has won the title is brilliant, and I can’t wait to get started.

“Although this will be my fourth full season on the BTCC grid, I’m always learning and the opportunity to race side-by-side by Tom, Tom and Adam can only help me to improve as a driver when you look at their records and everything they have achieved in the series.

“I’m so excited to see what we can do together, and it's been a long road to get me here today. I've worked tirelessly to make it happen, and wouldn't be here without the support of Mike Caldicott, Rich Hall and Danny Buxton, as well as all of my sponsors.

"A huge thank you has to go to them, and the opening rounds at Donington Park can't come soon enough!"

Justina Williams, Team VERTU Team Owner, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Michael into our line-up for the new season as he makes his return to the BTCC grid and are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together on track.

“Alongside winning the Jack Sears Trophy, he has produced some encouraging performances during his time in the series so far, and we want to try and help him to build on that in 2025.

“With Tom, Tom and Adam alongside him, Michael will be able to work with three of the most experienced drivers on the grid and we are hopeful that he will be able to produce some strong results on track as the season goes on.

“As a team that has always shown support for our Armed Forces, we’re delighted to also be working with the Defence industry community as part of this deal and will represent them with a true sense of pride on track.”

British racing driver Nicolas Hamilton is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in 2025, racing for Un-Limited Motorsport, as part of a three-car lineup alongside Dexter Patterson and Max Hall.

Hamilton, who has Cerebral Palsy, is no stranger to the BTCC. As the only driver in the series' history to compete with a disability, his achievements have already made history. His determination and resilience have inspired countless fans, proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible.

Returning to the BTCC after 20 months away, Hamilton’s 2023 season saw him secure an impressive sixth-place finish at Donington Park in Race 2 of the opening weekend of the 2023 season. Now, his mission is clear: to raise awareness of disability inclusion in motorsport and advocate for greater opportunities for disabled individuals within the sport. He aims to show that disability should not be a barrier but rather a source of strength and pride.

"There is a place in motorsport for disabled people to feel valued and accepted in multiple roles within the sport, and I want to open people’s eyes to that," said Hamilton. "I want to continue to prove that motorsport is for everyone and that racing can be a platform for opportunity and inclusivity. Un-Limited Motorsport and my partners believe in what I stand for, my talent, and my purpose. If I can be accepted, then so can others with a disability."

He’s back!! 👀

Nic Hamilton returns to the #BTCC with Un-Limited Motorsport. pic.twitter.com/KzoVgqUHc2

— BTCC (@BTCC) March 27, 2025

Hamilton’s return with Un-Limited Motorsport marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career. Determined to use his platform to inspire others, he hopes to encourage disabled individuals to pursue their ambitions and push the limits of their own potential. As one of the most prominent advocates for disability inclusion in motorsport, Hamilton aims to empower others to embrace challenges and carve out their own path in the sport.

Un-Limited Motorsport was founded at the start of 2024 and will expand from a single-car entry in its debut season to an impressive three-car lineup for 2025.

"It’s fantastic to have Nic Hamilton join Un-Limited Motorsport. He’s hugely determined to get back on the BTCC grid, and I’m proud that we could make it happen," said Bob Sharpless, Team Owner of Un-Limited Motorsport. "Nic is not just an incredibly well-known driver – he’s an inspiration worldwide. The fact that he’s put his trust in our team speaks volumes about how far we’ve come in such a short time. We’re excited to support him on this journey and can’t wait to see what we achieve together."

The road to the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship continues today (27 March) as 15 cars take to the Tarmac at Snetterton for an unofficial test day.

The standout attraction may well be the return to BTCC action for three-time champion Gordon Shedden, as the Scotsman gets his maiden run for Toyota GAZOO Racing UK.

He is joined by team-mate Aron Taylor-Smith as the Speedworks-run squad has sent two of its four Toyota Corollas to the Norfolk circuit. 

The headline act of course is reigning champion Jake Hill as he clocks his first laps in the Laser Tools-backed #1 BMW 330i M Sport.

West Surrey Racing has its full quota of drivers on show with Aiden Moffat, Daryl DeLeon and Charles Rainford also on-track.

There’s a NAPA Racing UK quartet in action with Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Sam Osborne running their respective blue and yellow Ford Focuses. 

EXCELR8 Motorsport have the two Toms – Ingram and Chilton – circling in Team Vertu colours, and the duo are joined by Hyundai stablemate Adam Morgan.

Un-Limited Motorsport continues its BTCC development with both Dexter Patterson and Max Hall driving its pair of Cupras.

Today’s test is another unofficial run, but we are now just a few days away from the first official group test at Croft on 1/2 April. 

Next week’s two-day test will be the first time to see almost the entire field on-track together and also the first time to compare lap times, as momentum builds towards Season Launch at Donington Park on 15 April.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Speedworks-run squad selects experienced young gun to fill fourth Corolla seat

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK has completed its four-strong driver line-up for the forthcoming Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign with the recruitment of rising star James Dorlin, as the Speedworks Motorsport-run squad goes all-out in its quest for title glory. 

The British-built Toyota Corolla GR Sport enjoyed its most successful season-to-date last year, notching up no fewer than five victories and nine further podium finishes, including an historic top three lockout at Snetterton.

In a bid to build upon that form, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK has assembled a potent driver line-up for 2025, with returning three-time BTCC champion Gordon Shedden flanked by reigning Independents’ title-holder Árón Taylor-Smith, talented young gun Ronan Pearson and newly-signed rookie Dorlin, who despite being just 25, has already achieved a great deal in the sport.

No stranger to the TOCA package, the Yorkshireman sealed the runner-up spoils in the Renault UK Clio Cup in 2018 – equalling the record for the most consecutive race wins in a single season in the series along the way – prior to being crowned the inaugural Porsche Sprint Challenge GB Champion two years later.

Appointed a member of the prestigious McLaren Young Driver Programme in 2019, Dorlin went on to reach the top step of the rostrum in the British GT Championship with the brand, subsequently lifting the Silver/AM Cup laurels behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracán in 2022 – his maiden campaign of GT3 category competition.

Having similarly shone in both the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and GT Cup Championship, the Barnsley native is now aiming to prove his mettle in the BTCC, with the upcoming 30-race campaign due to get underway at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK’s ‘home’ circuit of Donington Park in Leicestershire on 26/27 April. 

Christian Dick, Team Principal, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, said:

“We’re delighted to finalise our line-up for the new BTCC season, and to do so with a driver of James’ calibre is a real coup. He comes highly recommended by Speedworks’ Head of Motorsport, Danny Buxton, who worked closely with him at McLaren and has a keen eye for spotting genuine talent, and his career CV speaks for itself.

“Having never driven a touring car before, he knows he will need to get quickly up-to-speed – particularly given the hectic and unique nature of BTCC race weekends – but he is absolutely the real deal and I am very confident he will soon develop into a leading contender.

“Although he is still only in his mid-twenties, James has already accumulated a great deal of knowledge from competing in different championships and different cars, all of which will help to ease his acclimatisation to the Toyota Corolla and the BTCC. Together with Gordon, Árón and Ronan, I firmly believe we have the perfect blend of youth and experience on the driving strength this year – meaning the target for the forthcoming season can be nothing less than trophies and titles.” 

James Dorlin, Driver, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, said:

“It feels like this has been a long time coming! The BTCC has always been something I’ve aspired to, and back when I was racing in the Clio Cup, the natural progression was to go into touring cars, but then I got the opportunity to join the McLaren Young Driver Programme, which was obviously something I couldn’t pass up.

“That sent me down the sportscar route instead and put my BTCC ambitions on the backburner for a while, so it’s great to finally get the chance to join the championship – and with a manufacturer-backed team, too. It really doesn’t get much better than that!

“Danny [Buxton] and I have always had a good relationship, and when he asked me what my plans were for 2025, I told him I wanted to go racing again properly – over the past couple of seasons, I’ve not really had much seat time aside from the odd outing here and there. When he subsequently presented me with an opportunity to join Speedworks and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, I immediately knew I needed to pull out all the stops to make it happen.

“Realistically, it’s going to be a huge challenge and I have a lot to take on-board. The BTCC is a very different proposition to GT racing and a different kind of beast to tame, but that flat-out push and no-holds-barred battle from the moment the lights go out to the moment the chequered flag falls is something I’ve really missed since stepping away from the TOCA package.

“I’m super-excited to get going, and I’m ready for the challenge that lies ahead. In Gordon, Árón and Ronan, I’ve got three very strong team-mates, and I’m really looking forward to working with them all and learning as much as I can from their experience in touring cars.

“A lot of people have put in a huge effort to make it happen – not least my loyal partner, What The Fork, without whom this certainly wouldn’t have been possible – and I’m ready to give my absolute all and work hard to repay them and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK for their faith in me. Ultimately, the reason I’m doing this is to win!”