Goodyear and TOCA sign multi-year BTCC partnership extension
Goodyear and TOCA – Organiser of the British Touring Car Championship – have today (13 November) announced the renewal of their long-standing partnership through to the end of 2031.
Goodyear has been the official tyre partner of the BTCC since 2003, as well as holding title sponsor rights for most of that period. This latest agreement takes the relationship to a near 30-year collaboration – making it one of the longest-standing and most iconic partnerships in motorsport.
Tyre choice often plays a decisive role in race strategies, and it will continue to do so over the coming years through Goodyear’s standard and option tyres at BTCC events, further underscoring Goodyear’s integral contribution to the championship.
As Goodyear continues to innovate in tyre technology and enhance fan engagement, the renewed agreement reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional performance on track and unforgettable experiences off of it. Together with TOCA, Goodyear aims to help shape the future of the BTCC, the UK’s premier motorsport championship.
“We are delighted to extend our collaboration with TOCA to support the BTCC, a championship that continues to grow and engage an ever-expanding fan base,” said Mathias Kipp, director, Racing, Goodyear EMEA. “This almost three-decades-long partnership is ready to write new chapters. Goodyear is committed to supporting the series’ development through the performance our tyres and by creating new opportunities for fans, who remain at the heart of our strategy.”
“I am extremely proud of the partnership between Goodyear and the BTCC,” said Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive. “We are delighted that one of the longest-standing, most loyal and successful collaborations will be heading to a near 30-year milestone, and long may it continue after that. This partnership will continue to innovate and deliver, both on-track and off-track, to the huge benefit of drivers, teams and fans alike.”
Ingram & DeLeon share Driver of the Year honours
The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship was celebrated at the annual TOCA Awards held at Silverstone on Saturday (8 November), concluding another memorable campaign. In recognition of their outstanding achievements throughout the season, both Tom Ingram and Daryl DeLeon were voted Driver of the Year by their fellow drivers within the championship.
Tom Ingram secured his second Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship crown at Brands Hatch, the Kent venue serving as the finale to an exceptional campaign. The Team VERTU driver arrived at the circuit with a 33-point advantage over rival Ash Sutton, and despite 67 points still being on offer, Ingram's performance proved decisive.
Throughout the 2025 season, Ingram secured two pole positions, seven wins and 18 podiums in his Hyundai i30 N. The #80’s dominant campaign saw him take the highest-scoring season in the championship's history, marking his return to the championship summit after his first title in 2022.
Daryl DeLeon captured the Jack Sears Trophy (JST) in one of the most thrilling title battles of the season. The WSR driver's year saw him battle throughout with stablemate and LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR driver Charles Rainford in a contest that went down to the final race at Brands Hatch. DeLeon achieved many milestones along the way, taking his maiden win on his 50th BTCC start before his inaugural pole position at Silverstone, becoming the first Filipino driver to accomplish either feat in the UK’s premier motorsport series.
The final event at the Kent venue saw the crowning of a new JST Champion, despite both racers facing misfortune during the weekend. DeLeon held onto his lead heading into the final round, finishing the championship with 447 points, just three points ahead of Rainford's 444.
The recognition of both Ingram and DeLeon as Driver of the Year by their fellow drivers represents the acknowledgement of their exceptional performances and the respect they have earned from their competitors throughout the entirety of the 2025 campaign.
Stuart Murray to replace Dan Mayo as Championship Co-ordinator
British Touring Car Championship organiser, TOCA, has today (11 November) confirmed that long-time Co-ordinator Dan Mayo is to step down from his position in the coming weeks, with the experienced Stuart Murray due to replace him in the New Year.
Dan’s brilliant BTCC career began in 1998 when he took on the PR role at Vauxhall UK, before later moving to the BTCC PR position in 2000. A year later, the Yorkshireman became Championship Co-ordinator – a position he has held ever since – with his incredible service spanning some 791 races.
Mayo will be staying in the BARC Group – and by extension the TOCA/BTCC family – as he now takes on the role as Croft Circuit Manager, where he will be responsible for one of the UK’s high profile race circuits.
Murray will be taking on the role of BTCC Championship Co-ordinator in the New Year and will do so with a wealth of experience under his belt.
Stuart departs his role as Deputy Director of Circuit Sport at the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), having joined in 2018. He has also held the position of Category Manager for Touring Cars and GTs, including the overseeing of the FIA GT and Touring Car Commissions, as well as organising the FIA GT World Cup in Macau.
Mayo and Murray will undergo an extensive handover process, and with many of the BTCC plans for 2026 already finalised, it is expected to be a seamless transition.
Dan Mayo said: “It has been an absolute privilege to serve the greatest championship in the world, and I shall remain forever grateful for the experiences, achievements and friendships made during this time. I will remain part of the BTCC family, particularly with managing the championship’s annual visit to Croft, and I am really looking forward to the challenge to operate, manage and develop of one of the UK’s high profile race circuits.”
Stuart Murray said: “I am looking forward to this new challenge and can’t wait to be joining the UK’s premier motorsport championship. I’ve enjoyed my time immensely at the FIA, but the pull of the BTCC and to be taking up such a prestigious role was something that hugely appealed to me. There are big shoes to fill of course because Dan has been ever-present in the BTCC for so many years. As expected, he has been nothing but brilliant and hugely helpful, and we will ensure there is a smooth transition into the role… bring on 2026!”
Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Dan for his incredible service to the BTCC. The standing ovation he received at last weekend’s TOCA Awards, when I announced him leaving, underlined exactly how everyone feels about him, and we are of course delighted that he will be remaining part of the BARC Group. I would also like to welcome Stuart to the BTCC. He takes on the role with a wealth of experience and having worked closely with him in recent years, I have no doubt that he will be the ideal replacement.”
TOCA Awards highlight BTCC technical excellence
The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship was celebrated on Saturday (8 November) at the annual TOCA Awards, with the stars and cars on show at Silverstone to conclude another memorable campaign.
Today, we’re starting with awards that celebrate the people behind the cars in the UK’s premier motorsport series, the Engineer of the Year and the Mechanic of the Year.
BTCC Engineer of the Year – Spencer Aldridge
The 'BTCC Engineer of the Year' award was first introduced in 2016 to recognise the outstanding technical achievement within the championship. This year marks the tenth presentation of this prestigious accolade, and there is little doubt that this year's recipient has produced an exceptionally well-prepared race car.
Having worked with Tom Ingram to secure two pole positions, seven wins and eighteen podiums throughout the 2025 season for Team VERTU – which culminated in Ingram's second BTCC championship – Spencer Aldridge has undoubtedly been a standout Chief Engineer, and he becomes a two-time winner of the award!
BTCC Mechanic of the Year – Gary Killpack
Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing Crew Chief Gary Killpack has endured a rollercoaster of emotions through the 2025 campaign, from the team’s first victory since 2019 in the hands of Mikey Doble to the devastating fire that destroyed its factory ahead of the Knockhill event.
The 2025 BTCC Mechanic of the Year heads ever closer to marking 30 years within the series, with Killpack’s dedication and experience shining through during one of the most challenging seasons in the team’s history.
Despite Doble narrowly missing out on the Independent Drivers’ title by just four points, to be that close – and doing so after switching from the Vauxhall Astra for the final four events, a car in which Killpack and the team have worked with since 2017 – underlines the effort and commitment that made the Crew Chief a thoroughly deserving winner of this year’s award.
Champions celebrated at annual TOCA Awards
The cars and stars of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship came together for the annual TOCA Awards at Silverstone on Saturday (8 November), bringing down the curtain on another fantastic season.
A host of drivers, teams and personnel took to the stage to collect worthy awards for notable achievements across an unforgettable campaign, including the Champions from this year’s TOCA support series’, as title winners from F4, Porsche and Minis were all celebrated.
Daryl DeLeon (Jack Sears Trophy), Restart Racing (Independent Teams’), Daniel Lloyd (Independent Drivers’), NAPA Racing UK (Teams’) and EXCELR8 (Manufacturers’/Constructors’) all took to the stage to receive their respective awards.
The chase for the most coveted crown in British motorsport was just one of the standout moments as NAPA Racing UK duo – Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton – received awards for finishing third and second respectively in the overall title race, before Tom Ingram arrived to a standing ovation as he again lifted one of the oldest and most famous trophies in motorsport.
A number of ‘special’ TOCA Awards were also presented, including joint winners for ‘Driver of the Year’ with both Tom Ingram and DeLeon receiving seven votes each from their peers.
Charles Rainford won the Fans’ Choice Award for his impressive rookie win at Brands Hatch, whilst legendary TV presenter Steve Rider brought the house down following a reflection on his glittering and phenomenal career, as he received the TOCA Award – only issued on extremely special circumstances for incredible services to the championship and sport.
Over the next few weeks here at www.btcc.net we will be looking back at the awards, delving into some of the winners and their outstanding achievements.
Restart Racing capped off a landmark Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season in style at Brands Hatch, securing both the Independent Teams’ and Independent Drivers’ Championships after a tense and hard-fought season-long battle.
As covered last week, Dan Lloyd claimed the Indy Drivers’ crown while experienced teammate Chris Smiley was just five points behind in third place.
Yorkshireman Lloyd claimed an outright triumph at Silverstone, whereas Smiley made most of his running earlier in the season – scoring a podium ahead of the mid-season break at Oulton Park.
In truth, whilst the Independent Drivers’ scrap proved to be dramatic, together both Lloyd and Smiley were simply too good for the opposition when it came to the Independent Teams’ title – with Restart Racing eventually pulling clear to win the trophy by more than 100 points.
The success underlined a year of major progress and resilience for the Norfolk-based team in only its second season in the BTCC.
Chris Smiley said: “The last four weekends have been really tough, with a few things that were out of my control letting us down. That’s racing, though. I’m really pleased for Dan, he’s had a great year, and to see him win the title is brilliant. It’s also fantastic for the team to have wrapped up the Independent Teams’ Championship. We’ve achieved a lot this season, and I’m proud of everyone involved. We gave it everything, and hopefully I’ll see you all again next year.”
Dan Lloyd said: “That’s the season all done and dusted, and we’re Independent Champions, which feels absolutely amazing. It’s been a real rollercoaster, the focus was just on collecting the points we needed, and we did exactly that. I’m over the moon. A massive thank you to the whole team. The boys have done a mega job all year. It’s such a special feeling to end the season like this.”
Independent Drivers': Lloyd's late surge to Indy success
The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship saw Daniel Lloyd claim a popular victory in the Independent Drivers' Championship in what proved to be a tight-fought battle throughout the season.
Taking the first triumph was none other than two-time Independent Drivers' Champion Josh Cook, who qualified seventh in his Honda Civic Type R, the furthest up the field.
The #66 did not end the weekend there, after a strong opening race day for Chris Smiley (Restart Racing) and Mikey Doble (Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing) saw Cook finish third in the standings. Despite Doble's double triumph, Smiley emerged with a one-point advantage.
Chris Smiley - 52
Mikey Doble - 51
Josh Cook - 41
Max Hall - 36
Stephen Jelley - 35
Dexter Patterson - 30
Doble proved the man to beat come Saturday at Brands Hatch Indy as the #88 placed his Vauxhall Astra in sixth place overall. The strong qualifying pace continued on Sunday as the 2024 Jack Sears Trophy Champion claimed the first victory of the day.
This marked the peak for Doble as Smiley reigned victorious in the final two races, allowing his Hyundai i30N to extend his lead at the top of the standings. The weekend also saw Stephen Jelley secure a double top-three finish in the Drivers' Standings as well as a second-place finish from Lloyd.
Chris Smiley - 107
Mikey Doble - 93
Josh Cook - 86
Stephen Jelley - 78
Dexter Patterson - 51
Nicolas Hamilton - 50
Despite being the highest qualifier among Independent Drivers' competitors, Doble did not secure victory until race three, and not only in the Independents' category, but the overall win as well. Holding off four-time champion Ash Sutton, Doble led from lights to flag to claim his maiden BTCC victory.
The opening two wins fell to Lloyd, who, after qualifying three places behind Doble, eventually finished the day's opener four places ahead of the Vauxhall Astra. Race two saw the Hyundai i30N battle for the overall lead with Daniel Rowbottom, but eventually finished fourth, enough to retain top spot ahead of Smiley and Doble on the road.
Mikey Doble - 143
Chris Smiley - 142
Josh Cook - 129
Daniel Lloyd - 99
Stephen Jelley - 89
Dexter Patterson - 86
Thruxton saw a true rollercoaster weekend for the Independents' competitors as Josh Cook struck the barrier with immense force in qualifying, resulting in a heavily damaged car and a trip to the hospital for precautionary checks. Despite this setback, the #66 turned up on race day and claimed the Independent Trophy in the opening race, before facing disqualification from the same position in race two, ahead of securing victory once again to close the day.
Behind lay a race day of attrition. Smiley scored in only two of the three races, including one victory, while Doble scored in just one race. This left Lloyd as the highest scorer of the weekend, despite not claiming an individual round triumph.
Chris Smiley - 178
Josh Cook - 169
Mikey Doble - 158
Daniel Lloyd - 148
Stephen Jelley - 128
Dexter Patterson - 123
The gap remained unchanged across the top four after the Oulton Park event closed out the first half of the 2025 season. Smiley initially shone, placing his Hyundai i30N on the front row for the opening race, in which he claimed top spot in class.
Despite the initial strong start to race day, it all fell short in the final exchange with Smiley not scoring. In fact, not only did the standings leader fail to score, but neither did anyone in the Independents’ standings altogether apart from Lloyd. After a devastating crash in the second race that would then see Cook take the spoils, everything turned around for the Yorkshireman as he recouped all that was lost earlier in the day.
Chris Smiley - 213
Josh Cook - 206
Mikey Doble - 188
Daniel Lloyd - 183
Stephen Jelley - 138
Dexter Patterson - 134
The start of the second half of the year brought unwelcome news: One Motorsport announced it would miss the next two race weekends of the 2025 season at Croft and Knockhill. This initial announcement later extended to the full season, eliminating Cook and Jelley's championship hopes.
Doble seized the opportunity to shine and assumed control of the championship. The #88 claimed victory in the final race day of the weekend and remained the only driver in the top four to finish all three races. Dexter Patterson enjoyed his best weekend to date, securing a victory and two second-place finishes in the class.
Mikey Doble - 238
Chris Smiley - 230
Daniel Lloyd - 216
Josh Cook - 206
Dexter Patterson - 188
Stephen Jelley - 162
Heading to Knockhill brought more unwelcome news when Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing discovered a fire had burnt through its premises. Through sheer determination, the team arrived at Knockhill with two Cupra Leons ready to compete for the remainder of the year.
Getting up to speed in his new chassis, Doble pressed on in damage limitation mode, as Smiley went on to claim all three triumphs—the first time a driver had done so all season. Lloyd nearly followed suit as only Patterson split the pair in the opening race before a pair of 1-2 finishes closed out the day.
Chris Smiley - 290
Mikey Doble - 277
Daniel Lloyd - 265
Dexter Patterson - 235
Josh Cook - 206
Stephen Jelley - 162
The #22, and standings leader, started the weekend in the best shape possible, placing plenty of cars between himself and his nearest competitor and securing third place overall in qualifying. This pace immediately translated into 20 points in the opening bout before the Hyundai i30N encountered trouble.
Unable to finish race two, Lloyd and Doble capitalised with the former claiming the top spot for the remainder of the races at Donington Park with the latter tucked in close behind. The turn in fortune sent the leading trio into the penultimate event separated by three points.
Mikey Doble - 324
Daniel Lloyd - 322
Chris Smiley - 321
Dexter Patterson - 280
Josh Cook - 206
Nic Hamilton - 186
Everything changed in the penultimate event at Silverstone, as Lloyd rose to the top of the standings after not doing so all season long, while teammate Smiley slipped from first into third.
The opening race saw the #123 claim the top spot overall in his first win since his return to the BTCC and the team's first outright victory in the series. Lloyd carried on to take the honours in race two, securing four triumphs in a row. Doble returned to the top spot, nine races after taking to his Cupra, stretching what had been a one-point gap to Smiley before the final race of the day.
Daniel Lloyd - 377
Mikey Doble - 372
Chris Smiley - 364
Dexter Patterson - 323
Josh Cook - 206
Nic Hamilton - 186
Qualifying for the finale saw all four still in mathematical contention line up in order, sitting from 14th through to 17th with Smiley and Lloyd leading Patterson and Doble. The two winners from Silverstone made the most of the opening exchange, with Lloyd claiming the honours in the opening race.
The same form did not strike in the day's middle race as Smiley fought back with Doble once again tucked in close behind. Coming into the day’s last race, Lloyd held an eight-point margin over Doble and an 11-point gap to teammate Smiley. The final round saw Patterson claim the honours with the top three in the standings separated by five points. Leaving #123 to remain victorious despite not finishing higher than fourth in the first half of the campaign, making Daniel Lloyd the 2025 Independents’ Drivers’ Champion.
Daniel Lloyd - 423
Mikey Doble - 419
Chris Smiley - 418
Dexter Patterson - 369
Nic Hamilton - 220
Josh Cook - 206
Jack Sears Trophy 2025: The year of Daryl DeLeon
The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship saw Daryl DeLeon take a popular victory in the Jack Sears Trophy (JST) as he and WSR-stablemate Charles Rainford battled right until the last to reign victorious.
It was Ronan Pearson who started the season better than the rest with a Quick Six appearance at the off, setting the Scotsman in great stead. Another Scot, in the form of Dexter Patterson, emerged to seize the opportunity to be the highest finisher after the opening race of the year.
The #17 claimed the second race as well before a non-finish in the day’s final bout hampered his weekend. Pearson retook his top spot in Round 3 to secure a one-point lead ahead of DeLeon.
Ronan Pearson - 48
Daryl DeLeon - 47
Max Hall - 41
Dexter Patterson - 40
Nic Hamilton - 28
Charles Rainford - 25
Brands Hatch Indy saw the charge of the BMWs as only James Dorlin could interrupt the top two-finishing positions within the category at the Kent venue. After taking his maiden front-row start, Rainford secured top spot after race one, with only a second-place finish in the day's middle race preventing a perfect weekend.
DeLeon took control as Rainford fell back to claim outright victory—the first of his career and the first Filipino driver to stand victorious in the BTCC during his 50th career start. His WSR-stablemate returned the favour in the final race of the day, securing his maiden outright victory in only his sixth BTCC race as BMW won all three races.
Daryl DeLeon - 99
Ronan Pearson - 89
Charles Rainford - 82
Sam Osborne - 63
James Dorlin - 62
Dexter Patterson - 60
Snetterton saw the continued rise of Sam Osborne as the NAPA Racing UK pilot became the fifth driver to take maximum points in a round. Standing as the highest scoring driver at the Norfolk venue, the #77 accumulated 20 points in both Rounds 5 & 6.
DeLeon claimed the opening race to extend his advantage from the off. This quickly became the highlight of the weekend as the #2 fell down the order in races two and three, leaving stablemate Rainford to finish second in all three races.
Daryl DeLeon - 140
Charles Rainford - 133
Ronan Pearson - 129
Sam Osborne - 118
Dexter Patterson - 90
James Dorlin - 88
The fourth event saw a TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA car take the fore, but this time with rookie Dorlin. Making his first Quick Six appearance, the #132 immediately capitalised to secure full points in the opening two races at the UK's fastest circuit.
Unable to finish the final race, it was a once again resurgent Osborne at the front after a non-score for himself in the opening race of the day. On this occasion it was DeLeon who stood in second position in all three races to remain the man to beat in the standings.
Daryl DeLeon - 191
Charles Rainford - 172
Ronan Pearson - 157
Sam Osborne - 147
James Dorlin - 128
Dexter Patterson - 127
Dorlin again shone in the JST as he had done at Thruxton, making a Quick Six appearance for the second time in his first five events. The #132 claimed two victories at Oulton Park, as he had in Hampshire, with Osborne being the only driver to take maximum points away from the rookie.
The rest of the field experienced a weekend of attrition, as DeLeon and series debutant Finn Leslie were the only other two drivers to complete all three races. Leaving the man out in front to extend his championship lead.
Daryl DeLeon - 232
Charles Rainford - 206
Sam Osborne - 193
James Dorlin - 185
Ronan Pearson - 157
Dexter Patterson - 137
Rainford and DeLeon proved to be inseparable during qualifying as the BTCC resumed after its traditional summer break at Croft. The duo, split by 0.008 seconds, battled throughout the opening two races, with the standings leader securing top spot on both occasions.
The #2 failed to finish the final race, leaving the #99 as the highest scorer for the round despite not taking a triumph. Osborne once again swept up the spoils to slowly cut into DeLeon's advantage.
Daryl DeLeon - 272
Charles Rainford - 253
Sam Osborne - 239
James Dorlin - 206
Dexter Patterson - 184
Ronan Pearson - 157
The BMW duo delivered another impressive display as the championship navigated the Fife circuit of Knockhill. Rainford claimed his maiden outright BTCC pole position, with DeLeon partnering the #99 on the front row.
The polesitter secured full points in the opening race, before DeLeon fought back to do so in the second exchange, before failing to finish the final bout in Scotland. This left the championship chaser free to claim a full score in race three, leaving the two separated by a single point.
Daryl DeLeon - 309
Charles Rainford - 308
Sam Osborne - 277
James Dorlin - 247
Dexter Patterson - 227
Ronan Pearson - 157
Heading back to the opening scene of the season, DeLeon achieved a feat never repeated in 2025 and secured maximum points across all three races. With Rainford and Osborne tied on points throughout the weekend, the Filipino driver made a clear leap ahead heading to the penultimate event.
Daryl DeLeon - 369
Charles Rainford - 355
Sam Osborne - 324
Dexter Patterson - 268
James Dorlin - 247
Nicolas Hamilton - 174
Silverstone saw DeLeon start the weekend in the best shape possible with the #2 securing his first outright BTCC pole position. Taking the newfound momentum into Sunday, the WSR driver claimed a full haul of points, but for the only time that weekend.
Rainford and Osborne shared the top spots over the following two races, with the former being the only driver to close the gap to DeLeon. The standings leader circulated laps down in the final round after his driveshaft broke on the way to the grid, taking with him 11 crucial points into the final weekend.
Daryl DeLeon - 417
Charles Rainford - 409
Sam Osborne - 369
Dexter Patterson - 306
James Dorlin - 247
Nicolas Hamilton - 174
The final event saw nothing but twists and turns for the crown of JST Champion of 2025. DeLeon claimed his second pole position in as many weeks to kickstart his title campaign on the front foot. Yet, an engine issue then saw the #2 pull into the pits on the formation lap for the opening race, forcing a non-score and handing Rainford the lead.
Fortunes reversed in the second race after contact sent the #99 sideways and beached into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend. Despite both misfortunes, the gap had closed to five points heading into the final round of the year.
Rainford beat DeLeon, yet the #99 could not get past the two cars in front of Osborne and Patterson, meaning the standings leader held onto a three-point margin as the chequered flag fell. As agonising as the battle was for the second-place rookie, Rainford finished 0.604 seconds away from the position he needed to secure the crown. Instead, DeLeon reigned victorious after a season of nine top-score finishes to join the coveted list of Jack Sears Trophy Champions.
Daryl DeLeon - 447
Charles Rainford - 444
Sam Osborne - 426
Dexter Patterson - 353
James Dorlin - 247
Nicolas Hamilton - 205
Tom Chilton extends EXCELR8 stay into fifth successive season
EXCELR8 Motorsport has today confirmed that Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship veteran Tom Chilton will once again form part of its driver line-up for the 2026 season.
Chilton will continue to do battle in Britain’s premier racing series at the wheel of a Hyundai i30 Fastback N backed by award-winning automotive retailer Vertu, with the fourth largest dealer network in the UK having already extended its deal to act as title sponsor of the Droitwich-based team.
The new agreement between Chilton and EXCELR8 marks the first time in his career that the former Independents’ Trophy winner has remained with the same team for five successive seasons and means the defending champions will continue to benefit from the knowledge of one of the most experienced drivers in BTCC history.
Having debuted in the series back in 2002 at the age of just 17, the now 40-year-old has since gone on to make more than 500 BTCC starts, which leaves him fourth on the all-time appearance list.
The 2026 campaign will be Chilton’s 20th season of BTCC competition, with his only time away from the series coming from 2012 through to 2016 when he took up the challenge of racing in the World Touring Car Championship.
The Surrey racer first joined forces with EXCELR8 back in 2022 and has since gone on to make no fewer than 118 starts at the wheel of the Hyundai, scoring four wins and picking up ten podium finishes.
Six of those podiums came during a 2025 programme that proved to be one of his most successful in the series so far, with wins at both Donington Park meetings helping Chilton to end the year seventh in the championship standings.
Having picked up his second-highest seasonal score in the process, Chilton now heads into 2026 with confidence at an all-time high and with his focus firmly on challenging for the overall championship crown.
Tom Chilton said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have extended my stay with EXCELR8 and Team VERTU as there is nowhere else in the paddock I would rather be.
“Considering how long it is since I first joined the BTCC grid, I can honestly say that I’ve never had as much fun as I did this year and that is a reflection of how strong the team is. From top to bottom, every single person was focused on pushing for the very best results, which was reflected in the fact that we came away from 2025 with two of the three titles to our name.
“Having signed up for another season, my goal is clear and that is to challenge for the overall title as winning the BTCC title is why everyone on the grid goes racing. Considering how strong our package was this season, I’m hugely excited to see what 2026 holds when we have further refinements to make to the car and it’s going to seem like a long winter waiting to get down to business for round one!”
Justina Williams, Team Owner, said: “It’s fantastic that Tom will once again be part of our driver line-up for the 2026 season as he has become a hugely important part of the team in recent years.
“The knowledge and experience he brings cannot be underestimated, and his results on track were a key part in us securing championship honours again this year.
“We look forward to plenty more success together next year and have no doubt that Tom will be a contender at the front of the field from the start.”
Wingfoot Glory: Ingram tops qualifying charts in 2025
The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship saw Tom Ingram take not only the Drivers’ crown, but also the Goodyear Wingfoot Award in what was a dominant display on both Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season. We take a look at the two-time champion’s impressive qualifying quality.
Getting the year underway back in April at Donington Park, it was not the Team VERTU star that took the first trophy of the season. That fell to NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish, who would be the #80’s closest rival in this series through the entirety of the campaign.
It would be a Ford Focus front-row lockout as Ingram’s nearest rival in the Driver’s championship, Ash Sutton, missed out on pole position by an agonising 0.011 seconds. The opening Quick Six session of the year did see an interruption as Ingram’s teammate, Tom Chilton, ground to a halt with an electrical problem. Action resumed swiftly after the stoppage, with the leading Hyundai i30N driver slotting into third as the top trio were separated by just 0.031 seconds
Dan Cammish - 20
Ash Sutton - 17
Tom Ingram - 15
Daniel Rowbottom - 13
Ronan Pearson - 11
Tom Chilton - 10
Brands Hatch Indy was the second destination on the 2025 calendar, and one that saw a complete shake-up from what was seen at Donington Park. The WSR-run BMWs struggled at the opening event, with the highest qualifier being Jake Hill in eighth.
This would not be the case as the Kent-driver returned home to take pole position in another team front-row lockout with rookie Charles Rainford alongside. The #99 going from 12th on debut to second a fortnight later brought an optimism back to the Surrey-based squad. The #1 set the current qualifying lap record en route to pole position as Ingram and Cammish were the only drivers to return to the Quick Six.
Dan Cammish - 31
Jake Hill - 28
Tom Ingram - 28
Charles Rainford - 21
Ash Sutton - 20
Mikey Doble - 16
It would be the standings leader who would rise to the top once more as Cammish set the early benchmark for Saturday supremacy. Seeing two out of three qualifying lap records being set, with our first double polesitter of the season, Cammish quickly became an early favourite.
Despite this, Ingram would not let the NAPA Racing UK driver out of his sight as the #80 would once again be right on his heels, 0.030 seconds away from pole position. The duo taking the front row continued to be the only two competitors to make the Quick Six at all events so far. The weekend would also see Adam Morgan, Mikey Doble, Sutton and Rowbottom be the only drivers to make the Quick Six on two occasions to set sights on the leading pair.
Dan Cammish - 51
Tom Ingram - 45
Daniel Rowbottom - 30
Ash Sutton - 30
Mikey Doble - 29
Jake Hill - 28
Heading to the UK’s fastest circuit, Thruxton, all drivers get excited to lay down their most on-edge times of the season. This was then heightened as the rain fell down, heavily. Josh Cook would be the one to succumb to the elements, as the #66 would find the barrier exiting Goodwood and sliding off through Village.
After the lengthy stoppage, it would be none other than four-time champion Sutton who would find the perfect way around the 2.37-mile venue. Taking his first pole position of the season, the #116 would launch back into contention once again, even with Cammish and Ingram maintaining their 100% record to start third and second, respectively.
Dan Cammish - 66
Tom Ingram - 62
Ash Sutton - 50
Mikey Doble - 42
Daniel Rowbottom - 36
Jake Hill - 36
As the opening half of the season came to a close, it was Ingram’s turn to take his maiden pole position of the year and in very dominant fashion. At Oulton Park, the #80 would place another Hyundai i30N in the form of Restart Racing’s Chris Smiley between himself and Cammish as the pole sitter would stand 0.473 seconds clear of the field, the biggest pole margin of the season.
The event would see a change in momentum as the Team VERTU car would stand as the standout of the pack as the second half of the campaign loomed. Also, just as impressively as Smiley’s first final session was rookie James Dorlin, who made it two Quick Six sessions in a row.
Tom Ingram - 82
Dan Cammish - 81
Ash Sutton - 63
Mikey Doble - 47
Jake Hill - 39
Charles Rainford - 38
A trip to North Yorkshire would see the return of the series after its traditional mid-season break, and none other than standings leader Tom Ingram would take to the fore as the #80 became the second two-time polesitter of the campaign.
It would be a familiar front row with Cammish alongside and Doble picking up his best qualifying result of the season in third. Daniel Lloyd would also make his first appearance in the Quick Six at his home event to take a season-best sixth place.
Tom Ingram - 102
Dan Cammish - 98
Ash Sutton - 68
Mikey Doble - 62
Tom Chliton - 49
Daniel Rowbottom - 48
A shake-up was once again in store in the championships' annual pilgrimage to Knockhill as the BMWs would rise once again to the fore. This time, Rainford took his maiden BTCC pole position with WSR-stablemate Daryl DeLeon taking his first ever front row start. In third was Hill, who completed the BMW 1-2-3.
The standings looked to be a two-horse race after the Croft event, and that remained the case in Scotland as both Ingram and Cammish once again found themselves in the Quick Six, qualifying fourth and sixth to keep the 100% record intact.
Tom Ingram - 115
Dan Cammish - 108
Ash Sutton - 74
Charles Rainford - 65
Mikey Doble - 63
Jake Hill - 54
The return to the opening venue of the season would see another first pole position of the campaign. Chilton would stand atop the grid order as the Team VERTU man heading a team 1-2 with Ingram alongside.
Smiley and DeLeon would once again return to the Quick Six alongside Senna Proctor, who made it two weekends from two in the final session of the day. Cammish would qualify sixth, only as Doble failed ride height, and this left Ingram as the only driver to keep the 100% record after the eighth event of the year.
Tom Ingram - 132
Dan Cammish - 118
Ash Sutton - 80
Tom Chilton - 69
Charles Rainford - 66
Mikey Doble - 63
Heading to Silverstone, Ingram could leave the event with an unassailable lead if he outscored Cammish by eight points. Disaster struck for both as Cammish failed ride height in the opening session to lose all of his lap times and qualify in 21st. Then, the standings leader could not capitalise as the #80 only qualified 14th, leaving both out of the Quick Six for the first time all year.
It would be DeLeon who would take his maiden BTCC pole position and the first Filipino driver to take a pole position in the championship. Gordon Shedden found himself alongside the polesitter as the three-time champion made the Quick Six session for the first time in his return to the series. Josh Cook would also make the session for the first time this year after his mid-season departure and return to the championship.
Tom Ingram - 134
Dan Cammish - 118
Ash Sutton - 84
Jake Hill - 74
Charles Rainford - 73
Tom Chilton - 69
The final session of the year would need to see Cammish outscore Ingram by 16 points to take the crown, meaning anything lower than second on the grid, regardless of where the Team VERTU man qualified.
Cammish would indeed get where he needed to be, placing his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus on the front row alongside DeLeon, who would take his second BTCC pole position in as many weeks.
With two pole positions and eight Quick Six appearances, Ingram qualified seventh to seal the 2025 Goodyear Wingfoot Award — edging out Cammish by just eight points after one of the most competitive qualifying seasons in recent memory.