Max Buxton is set to embark on the biggest moment of his fledgling career this weekend (2-3 August) as he prepares to make his debut in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Croft Circuit.

The 19-year-old - who will become the youngest driver on the current grid when action resumes in North Yorkshire - will see out the remainder of the 2025 season with race-winning outfit TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA.

Firmly established as a rising star in the sport, Buxton’s highly-anticipated graduation to the UK’s premier motorsport series remarkably comes less than 18 months on from his first competitive outing in a race car.

Since then the Lancashire-based racer has enjoyed a meteoric rise which has been typified by his performances in the Vinyl Detail Fiesta ST150 Championship this year; where he claimed four wins and a further two podium finishes from the opening eight races.

Now making the jump up to Speedworks Motorsport and the Toyota Corolla GR Sport, the talented teenager - who recently completed test days at Snetterton and Pembrey - is relishing the prospect of competing in one of the world’s most competitive tin top categories.

Ironically, Buxton’s BTCC bow will come at the same venue that his father Danny - who is now Speedworks’ Head of Motorsport - also made his debut at back in 2003.

Max Buxton: “I’m extremely excited to be making my BTCC debut with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA at Croft this weekend. This is without doubt a dream come true for me so I intend to grab the opportunity with both hands and make the most of it.

“Everyone at Speedworks Motorsport has been very welcoming which has made me feel really at home. Preparations have been going really well and I feel like I’m in a good place heading to Croft.

“I’m under no illusions that this weekend is going to be a huge learning curve but having the expertise of the team, as well as Gordon [Shedden], Aron [Taylor-Smith] and James [Dorlin], is going to be vital in ensuring I’m heading in the right direction.

“I’m keeping my expectations realistic; the aim is to do the best I can and improve in every session. That in-turn will give me the best chance to learn and develop ahead of the remaining rounds, building towards a full campaign in 2026.”

Qualifying at Croft is scheduled to commence at 15:30 on Saturday before the first of three blockbuster BTCC races kicks off at 12:10 on Sunday. Races two and three are timetabled to begin at 14:30 and 17:10 later that afternoon.

As we edge closer to the return of BTCC action at Croft, we continue our celebration of the 2025 campaign’s Perfect Ten race winners — and next up is one of the championship’s most prolific names.

Our ninth victor of the season is none other than the 2022 Champion, Tom Ingram, who secured back-to-back victories at Thruxton and Oulton Park, reminding everyone exactly why he remains a title contender in 2025.

Here’s how the Team VERTU star added to his BTCC legacy…

Thruxton – Race 1

Lining up second on the grid, Ingram wasted no time in launching an early assault on pole-sitter and title rival Ash Sutton. A momentary lead came undone after an overtake under safety car conditions forced the Hyundai i30 N pilot to give the place back.

As the race resumed, Ingram dived around the outside of Sutton into the final chicane. Both championship protagonists overshot the corner, but crucially, it was Ingram who was in front before the off-track excursion. From there, the High Wycombe native held firm under pressure to claim his 34th career BTCC win — moving within one of the all-time top ten.

Oulton Park – Race 1

If Saturday’s qualifying masterclass wasn’t enough, Sunday brought a performance to match.

Blasting off from pole, Ingram was untouchable — building a gap of over five seconds en route to a dominant lights-to-flag victory. The win not only secured his second triumph in as many race weekends but also delivered a new race lap record for the Team VERTU driver.

The result brought him level with the legendary Frank Gardner for tenth in the BTCC’s all-time winners’ list, marking a landmark moment in Ingram’s 12-year career.

Championship Outlook

With two wins and the most podiums of any driver in 2025, Ingram continues to quietly — and effectively — rack up the points in his signature ‘pointsy’ style.

Now just ten points behind four-time Champion Sutton heading into the second half of the season, the #80 will return to action at Croft (2–3 August) as one of the in-form men in the field.

If the first half is anything to go by, the fight for a second crown is well and truly on.

Un-Limited Motorsport has today (28 July) announced the signing of Stephen Jelley for the remainder of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, joining Dexter Patterson and Nic Hamilton in the team’s three-car lineup.

With approaching 300 BTCC races, four overall victories and 16 podiums to his name, Jelley made his debut in the championship back in 2008. Much of his time behind the wheel in the BTCC has been spent in BMW machinery, plus shorter stints in a Ford and more recently the Honda Civic Type R, with the experienced racer now making the switch to the Cupra.

Jelley will make his Un-Limited Motorsport debut at the next BTCC event, which is taking place at Croft this coming weekend (2/3 August).

Stephen Jelley said: “Obviously, it came as a complete surprise to be joining Un-Limited Motorsport, but I’m thankful to be given the opportunity at very short notice.

“In speaking with the team owners, Bob and Matt, it’s clear they are hard workers who want the very best for their team and to move forwards competitively. The BTCC is incredibly competitive, and this team is relatively young, but I’m confident we can make big strides with the work ethic they are showing.

“If I can use my experience to guide their effort in the correct direction then anything is possible. I have not driven the car yet so don’t know where the starting point is, but I’ll be looking to progress quickly.”

Bob Sharpless, Un-Limited Motorsport, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephen to our team, and hope we can all move forward together. Stephen is a proven driver in this championship and many others; we wish him all the best for the rest of the season and hope for a long-lasting team and driver relationship”

Tin top stars head to North Yorkshire in early August

The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship roars back into action at Croft next weekend (2/3 August), resuming its campaign following the annual mid-season break.

If the first half of the year is anything to go by, then the BTCC looks to be heading towards another classic campaign with multiple race winners and a number of contenders vying for the most coveted prize in British motorsport.

Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK – Ford) currently leads the way as he aims for a record fifth BTCC title, with 2022 champion Tom Ingram (Team VERTU – Hyundai) close behind. Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom (both NAPA Racing UK – Ford), and current champion Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport – BMW) are all seeking to boost their title prospects by closing the gap at Croft.

The lead duo of Sutton and Ingram are separated by just ten points in a season that has seen an incredible ten different race winners across the opening 15 races, a feat that has only been bettered once in the championship’s history.

A shake-up going into the summer break saw the likes of three-time BTCC Champion Gordon Shedden (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA) add his name to the list of winners in 2025, whilst we've also had three maiden victors during the first half of the campaign.

With 335 points still on offer, it’s anyone’s guess as to where the title will end up come the season finale at Brands Hatch in October.

For now, however, attention turns to Croft with drivers and teams looking to lay down a marker ahead of the run-in. Read on for more details on the upcoming Croft Curveball, TV times, circuit timetable and the all-important ticket information…

The Croft Curveball

Historically, Croft had been known for favouring rear-wheel drive machinery, demonstrated by Colin Turkington's impressive record as the most successful driver around the 2.13-mile layout. However, results in recent seasons suggest the North Yorkshire circuit is one of the most unpredictable on the calendar.

Last year, it was the rear-wheel drive BMWs that took two victories, but it was the front-wheel drive Fords that dominated in 2023 – locking out the podium in the opening two bouts after holding those very same positions in qualifying. 

The season before that, it was Daniel Lloyd (Restart Racing – Hyundai) who took to the fore with a double victory in an EXCELR8 Motorsport-run Hyundai i30 N, a feat in which the local racer will be looking to repeat next weekend.

Lloyd is not the only driver gunning for glory on home soil as Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK – Ford), Senna Proctor (Team VERTU – Hyundai), Sam Osborne (NAPA Racing UK – Ford) and rookie James Dorlin (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA) make it a quintet of Yorkshire lads looking for silverware.

TV, Timetables and Tickets 

Rounds 16, 17 and 18 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will headline the action at Croft next weekend (2/3 August), but there’s a host of support races and entertainment also on offer.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and VERTU MINI CHALLENGE will be on-track, as will a guest appearance from the Legends Cars Elite Cup, with the latter holding an incredible six fast and furious races to wow the crowds.

To purchase your tickets, simply click here for more information.

Those unable to make it can watch BTCC qualifying streamed live via ITV Sport’s YouTube channel from 1520 on Saturday, before ITV4’s all-day race day broadcast gets underway at 1130 on Sunday. 

Fans around the world can also get their BTCC fix with every race being broadcast LIVE – see the BTCC TV page for the listings in your region. 

One Motorsport has announced that it will miss the next two race weekends of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Croft (2-3 August) and Knockhill (16-17 August).

This decision has been made as a result of Team Owner Steve Dudman experiencing a number of ongoing health issues in recent weeks.

With Steve rightfully focusing on his health and wellbeing, this has meant that he has been unable to run his large portfolio of businesses on a daily basis – all of which play a part in the day-to-day operation of One Motorsport.

No fixed date has been confirmed for the team’s on-track return, but the hope is that both Honda Civic Type R machines will compete again later in the season.

Everyone at One Motorsport extends their best wishes to Steve during this time and wish him a swift recovery.

As we now enter the final week before the BTCC season resumes at Croft, we continue our celebration of 2025’s BTCC winners so far — the Perfect Ten.

The eighth man on this list is the only independent driver to take a victory so far this campaign, and it is none other than Mikey Doble of Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing.

Here is how the reigning Jack Sears Trophy (JST) Champion achieved his triumph…

Snetterton – Race 3

Starting from the front of the field in the reverse-grid final race of the day, Doble had a comfortable start to the race as Chris Smiley’s Hyundai, which should have started alongside the #88, did not make the start of the contest.

After such a clean launch, the last thing the pilot of the Vauxhall Astra would have wanted was a safety car… but a first lap coming-together between Tom Ingram, Daryl DeLeon, and Stephen Jelley saw the latter in the barriers and the circuit was brought under yellow flag conditions.

Launching clear once again, Doble took to the fore and built up an impressive margin whilst leading the pack. At the restart, four-time champion and current championship leader Ash Sutton was sitting in fifth place, and in the closing stages, the #116 Ford passed Josh Cook for second with a 2.2-second gap to close to Doble.

Setting the fastest lap of the race, closing in would unnerve many a driver, but not the reigning JST Champion. Doble built his fort and stood resolute, as the 26-year-old would combat any attack sent his way by Sutton, crossing the line with a 0.770-second gap.

The victor, who lost a shot at a maiden victory to 2024 Champion Jake Hill on the final lap at Oulton Park last year, would not fall foul of the same painstakingly close feeling again. Doble became the BTCC’s third maiden winner of the year and the 148th, and most recent, first-time-winner in the 68 seasons in the championship's illustrious history.

The triumph also saw the first independent win in the series for 1,001 days.

Championship Outlook

At the halfway point of the season, Doble sits on the cusp of the top ten in the Drivers’ Standings, currently sitting in 11th place.

In his third season in the Vauxhall Astra, the #88’s attention is firmly on the Independents’ title. As we approach Croft, Doble stands 25 points behind the current leader, Smiley.
Looking to add to his four victories and eight podiums in the Independents’ championship, the driver from Caterham will be buoyed despite the gap following three retirements in the last six races.

The 2025 season resumes at Croft (2-3 August), where Doble will be looking to replicate his race-winning high-point of Snetterton once again.

As we draw ever closer to the second half of this year’s campaign, our celebration of 2025’s BTCC winners so far — the Perfect Ten — turns to the second multiple winner of this series as we approach the seventh winner, Dan Rowbottom.

Now four-time BTCC race winner Rowbottom has stepped up in the first half of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season, doubling his career number of victories in the span of four races for NAPA Racing UK.

Here is how the Kidderminster racer achieved his triumphs…

Snetterton – Race 2

Rowbottom placed himself in the prime position for the second bout of the day, starting from fourth on the grid. Not having to run the hard tyre as the front three did, the #32 should theoretically have more pace early on in the race. It was not as simple as running away with the victory, as Dan Lloyd would jump Rowbottom of the line before conceding the place back before the end of the opening tour.

The Worcester-native would then scythe his way through the hard-tyre-runners to make his mark at the front before a familiar face would reappear. Lloyd returned to the front of the field to showcase one of the best battles we have seen all season, with the Ford Focus racer once again returning to the front of the field. The #32 would then control the gap to the line to the closing Hyundai i30 N of Adam Morgan, who finished second.

Thruxton – Race 3

Starting from fifth in the reversed-grid final bout of the day, Rowbottom would launch inside the rostrum positions by the end of the complex and would start the second lap with only leader Jake Hill in front. By the subsequent trip through the opening sequence of corners, the #32 was at the head of the field.

Impressively, the NAPA Racing UK driver has gained seven positions across his two race victories, yet to win, starting from inside the top three. After getting to the front, the #32 controlled the gap to the cars behind, winning by over two seconds. The victory would see Rowbottom jump up to third in the Drivers’ Standings.

Championship Outlook

At the halfway point in the season, Rowbottom has since dropped to fourth in the Drivers’ Standings, two points behind his teammate Dan Cammish. Being one of only three drivers to take multiple wins, Rowbottom is in a better place than ever to fight for a maiden championship.

The 2025 campaign resumes at Croft (2-3 August), where Rowbottom will be looking to continue his strong start to the season.

TOCA ‘unlocks’ further potential in next five-year cycle

TOCA – organiser of the British Touring Car Championship – has today (22 July) announced its technical regulations for the next five-year cycle, commencing with the 2027 BTCC season. 

The NGTC technical regulations were first introduced in the BTCC during the 2011 campaign before being phased in fully over the next three years, aimed at reducing costs and promoting greater parity among competitors. 

Now, in its 15^th season and with another year left of the existing specifications, TOCA has again put together an evolution of these successful regulations for a further five years – up until at least the end of 2031.

The goal of the new regulation cycle was to protect the assets of teams by maintaining eligibility for existing machinery, whilst introducing additional car and engine options, thereby expanding opportunities.

Firstly, TOCA has unlocked the necessity for the specific model of the car to be sold in the UK. 

From 2027, providing that the vehicle brand is sold within the UK, then any model from that brand can be entered – as long as the car is originally equipped with an internal combustion engine as its primary means of motive power and, of course, conforms to the size and body regulations as per currently.

This change will allow a wider variety of cars to enter the BTCC, thus providing teams with greater flexibility and availability in choosing models that fit their goals, as well as giving spectators the experience of seeing cars compete that they may not have seen before.

Furthermore, TOCA has also unlinked the engine requirements to each respective car, meaning that any BTCC-homologated engine can be used – not necessarily that from the original manufacturer of that specific car. 

Registered BTCC engine builders will also be bound to supply its engine to any interested team(s) if requested, although no engine supplier can provide more than 50% of the entered cars – with the exception of the TOCA engine, which is always made available to all teams.

Opening up engine availability and supply will enable teams and engine builders to more easily select their optimum base engine and share development costs.

A number of other technical regulations have received modest amendments with the full document due to be released over the coming weeks.

This news follows the recent announcement that TOCA has also been contracted to operate and promote the British Touring Car Championship through to the end of 2031.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “We’re pleased to announce the BTCC’s technical regulations for the next five-year cycle, to commence in 2027, and I thank all our teams for their invaluable input over the last two years to bring them to fruition. 

“Every team wanted the BTCC to continue with the evolution of our great technical regulations… that was unquestioned. Therefore, our current stakeholders now have the assurance that their major components and capital investment will remain valid through 2031. 

“This evolution of the regulations also provides teams with more options, through opening the door to a host of new models and engines that can now be eligible for the BTCC.

“We value these successful regulations, which will have largely been in place for almost 20 years at the conclusion of this next cycle. The BTCC technical regulations, like the BTCC itself, is a true British success story.”

Rapidly rising star Max Buxton will join the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship field for the remainder of the 2025 campaign, having agreed terms to compete for race-winning outfit TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA.
 
At just 19 years of age, Buxton will become the youngest driver on the grid in the country’s premier motorsport series when he makes his highly-anticipated bow at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on 2-3 August – but despite only beginning racing in 2024, he is quickly making a name for himself.
 
In his second season in the single-make Fiesta ST150 Challenge, Buxton has shown sharp career progression, dominating his rivals with four victories from eight races, two further podium finishes, a clean sweep of pole positions from the opening three events and a brace of fastest laps.
 
The intention had been for the Lancashire-based ace to conduct a number of BTCC test outings this year, but when the opportunity arose to step into a race seat at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA for the second half of the campaign – alongside fellow rookie James Dorlin, three-time champion Gordon Shedden and reigning Independents’ Trophy winner Árón Taylor-Smith – it was too good a proposition for either team or driver to resist.
 
Having conducted a full day’s testing in the British-built Toyota Corolla GR Sport at Snetterton and a brace of half-days at Pembrey – achieving well in excess of the 300km minimum running required for newcomers – Buxton is ready for action as Speedworks Motorsport-operated TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA bids to build upon its burgeoning momentum.
 
Buoyed by a brilliant lights-to-flag success for Shedden at Oulton Park, the Cheshire-based squad entered the annual summer break on a high at the end of last month, and Buxton’s recruitment represents a clear signal of intent as the team sets its sights on a strong finish to the season while simultaneously investing in future talent. After his maiden appearance at Croft, the teenager will go on to race at Knockhill, Donington Park GP, Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP, with all BTCC events broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV channels.
 
Christian Dick, Team Principal, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA, said: “Aside from being Danny’s son (Danny Buxton, Speedworks Head of Motorsport), Max is one of the most exciting young drivers to emerge in recent seasons. He’s shown maturity, pace and racecraft beyond his years, and we strongly believe he has the potential to thrive in the cut-and-thrust of the BTCC.
 
“I must stress that given his comparative lack of experience and limited mileage in high-level touring car machinery, there are zero expectations for the forthcoming five race weekends. Rather than being thrown in at the deep end with the pressure to deliver results, Max’s mid-season entry has been strategically planned as a learning opportunity – and there is no better way to hone your skillset than in the heat of battle, particularly in a series as ultra-competitive as the BTCC.
 
“This real-world test programme has been designed to help Max to fast-track his career and lay the foundations for a full-season assault in 2026 and beyond. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the family and look forward to seeing him develop over the next few years.”
 
Max Buxton, Driver, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be joining TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA for my BTCC debut. It’s an opportunity I’ve been working towards since I started racing, and I’m fully focussed on making the most of it.
 
“The initial aim for 2025 was to fight for the Fiesta ST150 Challenge title while participating in some touring car tests, but when this unexpected chance presented itself, it was impossible to say no. You learn so much more in a wheel-to-wheel environment than when you’re on-track on your own.
 
“Of the five circuits I’ll race at over the remainder of the season, Croft is the only one I know, so I’m keeping my expectations firmly in-check but I’m hugely excited to get out there! The BTCC is renowned as being one of the toughest and most high-calibre championships in the world, but with the experience, support and expertise of Speedworks Motorsport behind me, I’m confident I can make consistent progress from one event to the next.”

As we draw ever closer to the second half of this year’s campaign, our celebration of 2025’s BTCC winners so far — the Perfect Ten — turns to 14-time race winner, Dan Cammish. A driver who first made his stamp on this season with pole at the opening round of the season and sits one point from the top in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award.

Snetterton – Race 1

Starting from pole position – for the second time in three events – Cammish delivered a flawless performance in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST, leading every lap from the outset. Demonstrating both pace and precision, the #27 launched clear off the line and quickly established control, continuing his pace domination after setting a qualifying lap record a day prior and maintained a steady gap throughout the race.

Cammish fended off strong challenges from Tom Ingram, who finished second, and teammate Ash Sutton early on, who completed the podium in third. In the end, the battle between two of the series’ three previous champions only solidified Cammish’s position out in front.

The Leeds native’s composed drive not only earned him his first win of the 2025 season, but also marked the 14th victory of his BTCC career so far, currently placing him at equal 28th in the all-time win records.

The win elevated Cammish to fourth in the Drivers’ Championship standings, after a disappointing visit to Brands Hatch a fortnight prior, after only scoring 13 points, a score he would better by ten points in this one race alone.

Championship Outlook

At the halfway point of the season, not only Cammish’s Snetterton victory but also his five rostrum visits are a clear, ever-present reminder of his calibre. With a blend of experience and determination, he remains a potent force on the grid.

The #27 has moved forward despite not taking another victory as of yet, sitting third in the standings, but will be buoyed as the immediate race once the BTCC returns is his home circuit of Croft, a circuit in which the Yorkshireman and NAPA Racing UK have enjoyed many spoils in recent years.

Looking ahead, Cammish will aim to build on this momentum, converting strong performances into more podiums and victories as the 2025 season resumes at Croft (2/3 August).