LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR are excited to announce that Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship newcomer Charles Rainford will complete the team’s line-up alongside Aiden Moffat in 2025.

Charles, from Horsham, steps up from the BTCC-supporting Carrera Cup GB, in which he has been a front-runner for several seasons, to race a BMW 330i M Sport, designed, built and prepared by 18-time champions WSR in the UK’s premier racing series.

Unusually Charles began racing in historic sportscars in 2016 and, as a teenager, was a regular front runner in Lenham and Marcos machinery as well as competing at the world-renowned Goodwood Revival.

He debuted in the Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch in 2021 and impressively won the Pro-Am class first-time out; a pre-cursor to championship success and his first outright race win the following season.

Moving up to the Pro category for 2023, the Cognition Land and Water-supported driver won again on his way to fourth in the overall standings and improved to second last year as he prepared to graduate to touring cars.

Charles, who is – as a rookie – eligible to fight for the Jack Sears Trophy as well as for overall results, will test his BMW for the first time in March.

He is the fourth driver to be confirmed by WSR – who won the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles with Jake Hill and BMW in 2024 and equalled the all-time wins record in the series with their 132nd success at the season finale.

The new BTCC season begins at Donington Park, East Midlands, on April 26-27.

Charles Rainford said: “I’m so excited, not just to race in the BTCC, but with the most successful team on the grid in LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR. Some of my earliest memories of racing are of watching the BTCC with my Dad, so to be there myself feels amazing. Walking into WSR HQ for the first time and seeing the trophies and the names on the wall like Senna, Mansell, Priaulx and Turkington was incredible. I’d love to see my name up there one day and if we can win the Jack Sears Trophy this year, that would be a great start. A huge thanks to my partners at Cognition Land and Water for supporting my career so far and helping me to make this step.”

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Charles to LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR. He’s had an unusual route to the BTCC, but from what we’ve seen of him in Carrera Cup GB and, in particular, the calibre of driver he’s beaten there, we’re confident he has the speed and skill necessary to turn his potential into on-track success. He and Aiden should make an exciting pair to keep an eye on this year.”

Restart Racing has today (20 February) confirmed that Dan Lloyd will join the team for the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, completing an exciting driver line-up alongside Chris Smiley. 

Lloyd, a proven race winner in the BTCC, brings a wealth of experience and determination to the team. Having previously raced the Hyundai i30 N Fastback in 2022, Lloyd is eager to get back behind the wheel of the car and push for podium finishes in the upcoming season. 

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be back on the BTCC grid with Restart Racing," said Lloyd. "The last 12 months have been a rollercoaster – I’ve had to fight harder than ever to get back to this point, but that’s only made me hungrier. 

“When Pete Jones contacted me about the seat and the investment in the car, I knew exactly where I wanted to be. I know what the Hyundai is capable of, and with the team’s commitment to the best package possible, I’m confident we can be right in the mix this season. 

“I’ve got Tom Hunt lined up as my engineer, he ran me in the Cupra and has a fantastic pedigree from his time with Team Dynamics, so having that familiarity and experience alongside me is another big positive. I can’t wait to get to work and see what we can achieve together.”

Lloyd’s journey back to the BTCC hasn’t been an easy one. After recovering from an injury setback, he has worked relentlessly to secure his return to the grid. His experience, resilience, and race craft make him a formidable addition to Restart Racing as the team looks to establish itself as a front-running contender in its second BTCC season. 

"From the moment we secured the Hyundai i30s for 2025, we knew we needed a strong driver pairing to unlock their full potential,” said Restart Racing Managing Director, Pete Jones.

“Dan was at the top of our list. He’s a proven winner, has experience with this car, and his determination to fight his way back onto the grid says everything about the competitor he is. 

“With Dan and Chris leading the charge, we’re confident that we have a line-up capable of pushing for podiums and delivering strong results. More than that, Dan is another cornerstone in the long-term vision of Restart Racing. We’re not just building a team for this season – we’re laying the foundation for sustained success in the BTCC, and Dan is a key part of that journey.”

Team Principal Ben Taylor, who worked alongside Lloyd at BTC Racing, also shared his excitement: “I’ve worked with Dan before, and I know the level of professionalism and skill he brings to a team. His experience in the Hyundai and his ability to deliver results under pressure make him a great addition to Restart Racing. We’re building something really special here, and Dan is going to be a key part of that.”

The team is already deep into its pre-season preparations, having begun the transformation of its newly acquired Hyundai i30s from road cars to fully-fledged BTCC contenders. Lloyd will get his first laps in the car in the next couple of months as the team begins its official pre-season testing programme. 

Following the announcement to introduce 100% sustainable fuel and the end of the hybrid program, November saw series organiser TOCA ratify its full ruleset for the 2025 campaign.

Some of these changes include an engine freeze from 1 April 2025, a tweak to the Race 2 Goodyear tyre rule and a new safety car procedure to ensure a smoother, closer and safer restart to all sessions.

Along with these, the eligibility for the Jack Sears Trophy has also been tweaked, as well as a clarification on the ‘Quick Six’ qualifying format. Those from Group 1 who do not progress into Part 2 will line up on the even numbered side of the grid and those from Group 2 on the other side.

For more on these rule changes you can find more information here.

The next announcement would be one of the largest of the off-season seeing current champion Jake Hill confirm that he will be driving for WSR and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport once again in 2025.

Coming off the back of eight wins en route to his maiden title, the Kent-based racer stated, “To put it simply, there was nowhere else I wanted to be in 2025 than to be lining the grid once again for Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, in a WSR-run BMW.”

The annual TOCA Awards took place at Silverstone, at which Tom Ingram was the winner of the inaugural Fans’ Choice Award, claiming the accolade for his determined drive in the final race of the day around the Donington Park GP circuit.

After a stone punctured the Hyundai i30 N’s radiator in Race 2, the #80 started from the very last row on the grid. By mid-distance Ingram was extraordinarily up to fourth after scything through the field. The end result would be a drive from the last row of the grid to the second step of the rostrum.

Watch the race highlights here.

Closing out the month was the announcement from Un-Limited Motorsport that the youngest driver on the 2025 grid would be joining its ranks, with 17-year-old Max Hall taking the step up to the BTCC after a successful single year in the MINI JCW Championship.

Not only did the West Countryman win the rookie title but the #93 also came second in the overall Drivers’ Standings in his one and only season. Even more convincing for the newest driver on the grid is that the only man in front of him last season was nine-time BTCC racer Dan Zelos.

With Hill and Hall completing November’s driver announcements, there would be many more to come over the subsequent months.

October would be the first month of the BTCC off-season in which significant pieces had fallen into place for the upcoming campaign.

First and foremost, as one season ends another is immediately on the horizon as all tickets for 2025 went on sale. Circuit owners MSV, BARC, Knockhill and Silverstone made all ticket options available to which you can still find them at their lowest advance prices. You can find details to every round of the action-packed UK tour here.

Later in the month Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS announced a name change to Team VERTU. Along with this statement, the EXCELR8 Motorsport-run team retained the services of 2022 Champion Tom Ingram and over 500-time starter Tom Chilton.

The Droitwich-based team announced all of this whilst partaking in a post-season test at Anglesey. Only three weeks after Ingram’s narrow title slight, the duo who have combined for a total of 49 triumphs, were quick to get preparations underway for the next season.

The BTCC Season Launch and Official Test days were announced shortly after, taking place at Donington Park and Croft. The first official sighting of all 2025 machinery will be at the North Yorkshire-based circuit on the 01/02 April for two test days, whilst Season Launch takes place on the Donington National layout on the 15 April.

ALL pre-season activities will offer FREE ENTRY to spectators, with refreshments available, whilst fans will be able to get autographs and photos with their favourite driver during a pitlane walkabout at Donington Park. For more information click here.

The final day of the month saw Series Organiser TOCA announce the introduction of 100% sustainable fuel, whilst the use of hybrid power has been discontinued for 2025.

From 2025, cars will have the same power-boost output as in 2024 – and the same boost deployment format as previously used – with the additional power surge coming solely via turbo boost. The cars will also be some 55 kilogrammes lighter and nimbler as a result.

Be sure to keep an eye out across BTCC channels as we run through everything that has taken place throughout the off-season with racing action taking place in only 67 days.

From the moment the chequered flag waved at the end of the 2024 season, teams and drivers alike quickly turn to preparation for the following season. For this upcoming campaign some already had plans in place before that final weekend at Brands Hatch.

NAPA Racing UK is often at the forefront when discussing long-term planning in the BTCC, having not one but two drivers signed to multi-year deals. 

Ash Sutton was the first of these announcements before any racing took place in 2024, the four-time champion then commencing his first in a three-year renewal deal. 

Joining Sutton is Dan Cammish, announced on the eve of his home event at Croft that the #27 would be staying with NAPA Racing UK for 2025 and beyond.

Sticking to the theme of Alliance Racing-run announcements, the 2025 season will also be the last we see the Northampton-based squad running the Ford Focus. Formerly Motorbase Performance, the outfit – in its former guise and current one – has incredibly raced a Ford Focus since the 2011 season. 

During the Motorbase stint, the American brand’s car achieved a best of third in the Drivers’ standings on two occasions, once with Mat Jackson in 2016 and another with Tom Chilton in 2018. Throughout Jackson’s third-place campaign, the squad also took home the Independent Teams’ title as the Warwickshire-born driver was partnered with 2013 champion Andrew Jordan. 

Since then, the now-named Alliance Racing has won the Drivers’ championship with Sutton in 2023, the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ the very same year and the Teams’ title for the last three years running. 

So, as it stood come the end of the 2024 BTCC season it was only NAPA Racing UK that had confirmed two of its drivers and some of its future plans, but there were many announcements just around the corner… and we’ll be updating you on all of the news so far over the coming days.

I know this won’t be the news that so many are waiting for, but today I can confirm I will not be competing in the BTCC in 2025.

There is not one single reason for this, simply a combination of factors and feelings that has helped me make this decision.  

For now, I don’t know if that is it for good - but I look back with huge pride at the amazing career I’ve had since debuting as a fresh-faced teenager from Northern Ireland in 2002.  

I cannot imagine having sacrificed any more or working any harder, leaving me with absolutely no regrets.  Sustaining the highest level of performance and consistency and winning for the teams I’ve raced for is what’s driven me and the successes I’m most proud of.

I don’t have too much more to say at this point except that this decision just feels right for me.  I reflect on so many amazing memories and life experiences that only the BTCC could have given me.  

Thank you to the BTCC, thank you BMW and thank you to WSR.  Thank you to all my mechanics and engineers for always giving me 100% and believing in me. Thank you to all my loyal supporters, incredible sponsors and partners who’ve shared the journey with me and finally, thank you to my family who’ve been on this emotional rollercoaster with me. 

Driving into parc ferme and seeing the happy faces on my Mum and Dad, Louise, Lewis and Adam are the memories I cherish most and will take with me forever.

The BTCC will forever leave an imprint on me, and I now join many of you as an enthusiastic fan of the series once again.

That’s all for now.  I would like to wish Dick and the entire WSR family the very best of luck in this new season.

I often say to my boys, ‘Don’t be sad it’s over, just be thankful it happened.’

Best wishes,

Colin

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Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “Naturally, it’s a shame to see that Colin will not be competing in the BTCC in 2025, but I completely understand his reasonings for stepping away this year. 

“Colin is and has always been a consummate professional and is a fantastic ambassador for our sport. He has played a significant part in the history of the BTCC – his record-equalling four titles alone tells you that. 

“Colin is a world class driver but more importantly an outstanding person, family man and a hugely respected personality within the BTCC paddock. 

“He has been forced to step away from the BTCC before of course, following his maiden title back in 2009, so this is not a new experience, and I have a sneaking suspicion this won’t be the last that we see of Colin on the BTCC grid.”

Valentine’s Day has brought with it a budding new relationship in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), as reigning Independents’ Trophy winner Árón Taylor-Smith joins manufacturer-backed TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK for the forthcoming campaign.
 
Taylor-Smith is enjoying something of a renaissance in the country’s premier motorsport series. Having made his BTCC debut back in 2011, last year, the talented Irishman celebrated his finest championship finish and biggest points total to-date, concluding proceedings seventh in the standings amongst the 22 high-calibre protagonists.
 
He also clinched the Independent Drivers’ crown in the Brands Hatch GP finale, following a silverware-laden season that yielded no fewer than 20 class victories from 30 starts. Indeed, Taylor-Smith’s consistency, as much as his speed, skill and racecraft, turned heads up and down the pit-lane, with the 35-year-old the only driver to tally points in every race.
 
His reward is a seat in TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s British-built Toyota Corolla GR Sport – one of the most successful models in the modern era of the fiercely-disputed BTCC, having notched up an impressive 17 victories, 30 further rostrum results, five pole positions and ten fastest laps since entering the fray in 2019. Almost a third of those wins were achieved last year.
 
Taylor-Smith will partner the already announced Ronan Pearson at the Speedworks Motorsport-run outfit, as he embarks upon the next stage of his BTCC journey. The Dubliner will make his 300^th start in the championship in the curtain-raising contest at Donington Park on 26/27 April – scene of three of his 22 outright podium finishes to-date – and behind the wheel of the team’s potent Japanese ‘hot hatch’, his sights are solidly set on adding to his four career triumphs thus far.
 
The identities of the remaining two members of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s four-driver BTCC line-up for 2025 will be revealed in the coming weeks.
 
Christian Dick, Team Principal, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Árón to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK. It became evident from our very first conversations that he is a fantastic fit for Speedworks Motorsport, and vice-versa. His enthusiasm is infectious – and that is tremendously inspiring for the whole team.
 
“Árón has received a lot of praise for his performances and results over the past couple of campaigns – and justifiably so – and we absolutely believe that in the right car, he can be a regular front-runner and a contender for race wins. He is going from strength-to-strength and is well-placed to capitalise upon his current momentum. I genuinely believe we’re yet to see him at his very best, which is hugely exciting for us at the beginning of this partnership.
 
“It’s vital to never stand still in the BTCC, because the rate of development in the championship can very quickly leave you behind. Accordingly, we’ve been hard at work since last season to further hone and refine the Corolla GR Sport, and we feel we have taken further steps forward across the board.
 
“We’re thrilled to have a driver of Árón’s unquestionable ability in the team. We believe that his experience will be of inestimable value to Ronan, and that they will extract the very best out of each other. We have every confidence that both drivers will prove to be real assets and will help to drive us on to even greater success in 2025 and beyond.”
 
Árón Taylor-Smith, Driver, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, said: “It’s an incredible feeling, to be stood here as a TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK driver. To work with the world’s largest car manufacturer on the biggest stage in British motorsport was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and this is without doubt one of the proudest days of my career.
 
“When I met with Christian [Dick] and Danny [Buxton – Speedworks’ Head of Motorsport], it was clear right from the start that they’ve conducted a really exciting development programme over the winter with the Corolla GR Sport, which was already a proven race-winner and one of the most competitive packages on the BTCC grid!
 
“I’m hugely grateful to them for the faith they’ve put in me. This is an exceptionally motivated team, with some of the best staff in the business and a real ‘family feel’. Speedworks’ track record over the years speaks for itself, and I’ve been massively impressed with everything I’ve seen and heard so far – all the ingredients are in-place to make this a real success.
 
“Having spent the past two years trying to beat the manufacturer-backed cars, it’ll be a surreal feeling to be amongst them, but that just spurs me on even more to put on a show. I’ve only ever wanted a chance to fight for the overall BTCC title, and I firmly believe that joining forces with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK gives me the perfect platform and environment to create that opportunity.
 
“I have absolute confidence in the car, the team and myself, and I can’t wait for my first laps in the Corolla. There’s no reason at all why we can’t be pushing for podiums and victories this season!”

Rookie and returning drivers will be a part of the 2025 BTCC lineup with the likes of Max Hall and Dexter Patterson joining and re-joining the fray respectively.

A number of teams are yet to complete their respective driver announcements of course, so it’s possible that a further rookie or two may graduate to the UK’s most competitive championship, but it’s Un-Limited Motorsport that has so far confirmed the grid’s youngest duo.

Progressing to a two-car team, the Kent-based outfit has signed Patterson for the season ahead after the Scotsman took a BTCC sabbatical in 2024.

The 21-year-old is set to contest his third season in the championship, having already gained significant mileage behind the wheel of a CUPRA Leon. The highlight of Patterson’s maiden spell in the BTCC was a top six finish at his home round of Knockhill.

Re-entering the championship with an updated version of the same car, but with a new team, the 17-time points scorer will be looking to lead the squad to similar, if not greater, success.

Partnering the team’s more senior driver is 17-year-old Hall, having finished runner-up in last season’s JCW Drivers’ Championship in the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE. Hall also won the Rookie Cup on his way to finishing behind nine-time BTCC racer Dan Zelos in the overall standings, so the Bristolian is no stranger to the TOCA paddock.

Another young Scottish star pleased to be back is Ronan Pearson, as the BTCC race winner sat out the second half of last season. Pearson will be taking his undoubted talent to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing in 2025, as he looks to build upon his eye-catching tin-top career so far.

Be sure to expect more names added to this list over the coming weeks with each squad confirming its respective entries ahead of the official Season Launch on 15 April.

The following statement has been released today (13 February) by Power Maxed Racing Limited.

Power Maxed Racing Limited is saddened to announce that Pendragon Management Services Limited will no longer be continuing as a sponsor to a team in the BTCC. PMR had expected this to be a five-year sponsorship programme, but unfortunately it has ended at the end of year three. The team, which has been jointly named Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing for this purpose, has competed successfully for the last three seasons in the BTCC, and in 2024 took home three titles – Independent Teams’, Independent Drivers’ (Aron Taylor-Smith) and the Jack Sears Trophy (Mikey Doble).

PMR has both continually and heavily invested in the development of its Vauxhall Astras based on this five-year plan and has seen its competitiveness improve season by season. It comes as no surprise that the partnership has proved to be a hugely successful collaboration both on and off-track. During this period PMR has taken an overall pole position, challenged for race wins, taken multiple podiums, 36 Independent race wins, 38 Jack Sears Trophy victories, plus four championships including the Independents Teams’, Independent Drivers’ and two Jack Sears Trophy titles.

Although we are clearly seeking alternative sponsors and solutions to this situation, the unexpected and late decision poses a significant threat to PMR’s ability to continue competing in the BTCC in the short term should we not find suitable partners.

Adam Weaver, Team Principal, said: “It would be a great shame for our journey in the BTCC to come to an unexpected end, especially off the back of such an incredible season for us. However, if it does become the end of our story then what a fantastic last chapter!

“We are still working tirelessly to put things together with existing partners and to attract new ones, but it’s all having to happen a little faster than we had planned. This makes things a bit more difficult, but we haven’t given up yet.”

PMR will provide more information at the earliest opportunity as we continue to work to resolve this unprecedented situation for the team.

The most significant change to machinery heading into the 2025 season is that of Restart Racing, switching to Hyundai i30 Fastback Ns from the CUPRA Leons used in its debut BTCC campaign.

Retaining Chris Smiley after his return to the BTCC is all part of the plan of course, providing the squad with a Hyundai headstart having scored the first ever podium in the i30 for EXCELR8 Motorsport back in 2021.

With Restart Racing and EXCELR8 announcing a collaboration moving forwards, both driver and the outfit around him will hope to hit the ground running for the upcoming campaign.

Whilst one squad has moved away from the CUPRA, another will be doubling its on-track tally of the striking Leons as Un-Limited Motorsport expands to a two-car outfit in its sophomore season

An impressive entry into Britain’s toughest championship with Daryl DeLeon was headlined by the Kent-team debuting 100% fully sustainable fuel as part of TOCA’s successful test and development programme, with a season-high seventh place finish at Brands Hatch also providing a standout moment for the fledgling outfit.

One Motorsport is yet to announce its plans for the season ahead, following a sabbatical in 2024, so we await to see what will be the weapon of choice for the Brackley-based team.