Power Maxed Racing has confirmed M-Sport as the Official Engine Partner for its Junior Championship, supplying the MS Advanced Powertrains engine package for the new PM1 junior car.

M-Sport will provide a championship-controlled, sealed power unit for every PM1 car, forming a key part of the series’ technical platform.

Each car will run the same engine package, ensuring consistent performance across the grid while keeping maintenance requirements and running costs predictable throughout the season.

There is no engine development within the championship. Every driver competes with the same package, ensuring that performance is determined by driver ability rather than technical variation. 

The engine itself is built to handle a full programme of racing and testing without the need for ongoing rebuild cycles.

It also provides greater clarity for teams and families, with costs structured and predictable across the season and reduced risk of unexpected escalation.

Despite working with a leading motorsport supplier, the championship remains focused on accessibility, with car pricing competitively positioned at £74,995 + VAT. 

However, an initial allocation of ten cars will be available at £69,995 + VAT, supported by a £5,000 sponsorship contribution from car care brand Power Maxed, in return for brand presence on the allocated cars.

The running costs for an entire season will be approximately £85,000 per annum, to include 30 races across ten race weekends and ten test days, alongside the BTCC at all rounds.

The inclusion of the MS Advanced Powertrains engine package reinforces the championship’s aim to provide a structured and controlled step into circuit racing, built around equal performance and controlled costs.

Further technical details will be confirmed as the championship builds towards its inaugural season.

Register Your Interest

Teams and drivers who want to be first to receive updates, technical specifications, test dates, and launch event invitations can now register their interest by completing the online form here.

Early registrants will receive priority access to:

● PM1 technical specifications

● Test schedule release

● Driver and team package details

● Launch event invitations

● Championship sponsorship opportunities

● Allocation of the available PM1 cars

● Early-bird car purchase discount (Power Maxed sponsor contribution)

Team VERTU scored its first win of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season at Brands Hatch on a landmark weekend that saw the team secure its 100^th podium finish in the series.

The EXCELR8-run team headed into the weekend looking to challenge for a first win of the campaign after mixed fortunes in the Donington Park season opener. Tom Ingram and Tom Chilton both went out in Group 1 of Qualifying, where Ingram posted the quickest time to secure pole position, with Chilton setting the fifth-best time, which would translate to ninth on the grid.

In the second session, Ricky Collard was just 0.048s of earning a place on the front row as he ended up second quickest, with Nicolas Hamilton setting the tenth best time to line up 20th on the grid.

Ingram managed to retain his lead when the 'Race to Pole' got underway, but dropped down to fifth spot after a late-breaking BMW of Daryl DeLeon charged for the lead going through Graham Hill Bend mid-way through the opening lap.

Teammate Collard was amongst those drivers to nip through and would ultimately lead the Team VERTU challenge in fourth with Ingram following him home, whilst a difficult race for Chilton saw him finish back in 14th spot, having dropped to dead last on the second lap when he was off track.

Hamilton would end the race where he started despite being forced into an unscheduled trip to the pits, with the #28 Hyundai showing encouraging pace either side of his stop.

Rain was in the air ahead of Sunday’s opening race with drizzle starting to fall as cars left the grid, with Nic electing to gamble on a switch to wet tyres as the field lined up for the start and the shower started to intensify.

When the lights went out, Collard rocketed away from the second row of the grid to move up into third, with Ingram slotting into fourth. When NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish then ran wide at Graham Hill Bend, Collard and Ingram moved up into second and third, with the former then going on the attack to try and find a way into the lead. Putting pressure on Ash Sutton, Collard briefly managed to get ahead to lead a lap for the first time this season, but would be re-passed before the finish.

Running the slower medium compound tyre, Ingram was overhauled by a recovering Cammish to run fourth for a large part of the race, but he reclaimed third four laps from the end to give the team a double podium finish.

Behind, Chilton was in stunning from from 14th on the grid as he stormed through the field to take fifth place, although Hamilton’s gamble on wet tyres would ultimately fail when the rain eased off and he would bring his car back into the pits to retire.

An astonishing second race of the weekend would be held in damp conditions that progressively got worse, with the full field running on slick tyres.

Collard and Ingram held second and third at the start before the safety car was deployed to recover a car from the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend, with Collard going on the attack after the restart to grab the lead from Sutton.

Despite being on the medium tyre, Collard looked well placed to score a first BTCC victory before being overhauled by the soft-shod car of Árón Taylor-Smith (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport), although second place still marked a third podium for the former British GT Champion. It was a result that also gave the team its 100^th podium in the series – a figure it has reached in little over six years.

Ingram would find himself embroiled in the rough and tumble of the pack behind and was eventually classified in fourth place, although there was disappointment for Chilton when he was forced to bring his car in to retire with suspension damage after contact.

Following the difficulties of race one, Hamilton produced his best drive for the team so far as he kept his nose clean and rose up the order to score his first points finish of the season in eleventh spot. That marked the second highest finish of his BTCC career to date, with Hamilton also setting the fastest lap amongst those cars to be on slick tyres; his lap only being bettered by those who elected to switch to wet tyres in the pits as the race wore on.

With the top eight reversed on the grid for the weekend finale, Ingram led the team’s challenge from fifth at the start but found himself boxed in when the lights went out despite getting off the line well.

Undeterred, he battled his way to the front by the end of lap two and was untroubled at the front from that point on as he secured a first win of the year for both himself and the team.

It would be a more challenging race behind however, with Chilton the next best Hyundai in twelfth place having started from the back of the grid after his earlier problems. Collard’s hopes of a third podium of the weekend had earlier been ended when he was off track and had to bring his car into the pits with grass having filled the radiator, with Hamilton a lap down in 19^th place having also been forced to pit after an off-track excursion shortly after the start.

Tom Chilton, #3 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “I think I’ve probably made up more places than anyone else this weekend, but it’s been frustrating and it goes back to being off track at the start of the Qualifying Race as that pretty much ruined things for me for Sunday.

“Being down the order at a circuit like Brands Hatch Indy is always going to be tough but to be fair, we had a really good run in race one to come through to fifth place, which was the highlight of the weekend for me.

“Unfortunately, contact in a straight line then damaged my suspension in race two and it put me to the back again for race three, and on the medium tyre when most of the field were on softs. We managed to bag some points but I was hoping for more from the weekend.”

Ricky Collard, #11 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “It’s been a really good weekend for me, although it’s a bit of a shame that it ended the way it did in the final race as we could have been coming away from Brands Hatch with three podiums – which would have been absolutely awesome.

“I’m still learning about this car so to be two events into the season and already have three podium finishes to my name is a huge positive and it shows we are in a really good place. The first two races showed what we’re capable of and we just need to keep working hard to get onto the top step.

“I’ve won in every championship I’ve competed in apart from this one, and I’m confident that we’ll come out strong at the next round and be in the mix at the front.”

Nicolas Hamilton, #28 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “Scoring points this weekend is the first mission accomplished for me this year, and they came in such a difficult race. Being on slicks in those conditions is the hardest combination you can face and it was a case of making sure I kept my head together and kept the car on track.

“I could see that others were making mistakes so I was focusing on making sure that I didn’t do the same and the pace in the car was good – we ended up being the quickest driver on slicks which was really cool.

“Getting points on this board this early in the season is good because it takes the pressure off a little bit but I’m one of those people who always wants more and the focus now is on trying to push for a trophy. I know there is more still to come.”

Tom Ingram, #80 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “For a while it looked like it was going to be another weekend where nothing went our way, but we managed to recover it with the victory in race three. It’s not been a stellar, amazing meeting for us in terms of points but we’ve done okay, and it was important to get that victory as circumstances have conspired against a little until then.

“We’ve not had the rub of the green a lot in the opening rounds and even in that final race, I made a mega start but then got boxed in going up to turn one and it looked like Ash was going to be able to sail around the outside and take advantage.

“However, one thing that isn’t in doubt is the pace we have in the car and clearly we’re fast, which we were able to show in getting to the front and then controlling things from the front. It’s still early in the season and there’s a long way to go, so we’ve got to keep our heads and make sure we’re in the right place at the right time going forward to capitalise on the speed we have.”

Restart Racing returned to the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit for race day (10 May) at the second event of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, delivering a standout Jack Sears Trophy victory for James Dorlin.

Following a challenging Saturday under the new Saturday format, both Chris Smiley and Dorlin lined up for Sunday’s three races with work to do. Weather conditions added further dilemmas, with heavy cloud cover throughout the day and intermittent rain creating tricky, ever-changing track conditions.

Race 1 was run on the soft tyre for both, with light rain falling on the grid before intensifying as the race got underway. Smiley moved forward early and showed an impressive race pace once in clear air. A mid-race safety car reset the field, but the #22 continued to push, climbing into the top ten before making a decisive move on Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing) at Druids and later passing Charles Rainford (WSR) to secure an eighth place finish, also claiming second in the Independents, narrowly missing out on victory by a few tenths of a second.

Dorlin also made early progress in the difficult conditions, working his way into the midfield battle and fighting hard in the tightly packed group. Despite an excursion late on, he recovered to finish 15th from 18th on the grid to secure a valuable championship point.

Race 2 again saw both drivers on the soft tyre, with conditions remaining unpredictable as further rain showers passed over the circuit. Smiley made a strong start and climbed as high as sixth before being caught out at Druids, where contact dropped him to the back of the field. Undeterred, he produced a determined recovery drive to fight back through the pack to finish 12th.

Dorlin’s race followed a similar trajectory. After dropping positions early on, the #123 began carving his way forward with a series of perfectly executed overtakes, moving into the top ten as the race progressed. A red flag brought the race to an early conclusion on Lap 22, with Dorlin classified in eighth.

For Race 3, both drivers had to switch to the medium tyre, with Dorlin starting from pole position following the reverse grid draw. From the start, he launched cleanly and defended strongly against the chasing pack, leading a British Touring Car Championship race for the first time in his career. Running on the medium tyre against rivals on the faster soft compound, Dorlin produced a composed and determined drive, holding off sustained pressure during the early stages from reigning champion Tom Ingram (Team VERTU) and four-time champion Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK). As the race unfolded, the tyre advantage of those around him began to show, but he continued to battle hard, ultimately finishing in eighth place and, crucially, taking the weekend’s Jack Sears Trophy victory.

Smiley’s race was once again compromised by contact at Druids, this time with the Ford Focus Titanium of Lewis Selby (NAPA Racing UK), resulting in an 18th-place finish and a disappointing end to the weekend.

James Dorlin, #132 Restart Racing, said: “So that’s a wrap for Brands Hatch. Saturday was tough with the engine failure, and we were literally starting from the back after qualifying. To come away with the Jack Sears Trophy win, and to have led a race in the British Touring Car Championship for the first time, I’m really, really happy.

It’s great to reward all the guys at Restart Racing for the effort they’ve put in. No one could’ve predicted the engine failure, but everyone dug deep, stayed focused, and now we’re here to reap the rewards.

So full credit to the whole team. Hopefully it’s the first of many, and we can push on for some overall results as well. Really happy, and now we’ll look to carry this momentum into Snetterton.”

Chris Smiley, #22 Restart Racing, said: “So that was an eventful race day at Brands Hatch. Race 1, we made a good bit of progress and finished eighth. We made quite a big change to the car from Saturday into the first race, and it definitely felt like a step in the right direction.

Race 2, we got a good start and were sitting sixth. It was a wet track on dry tyres, and unfortunately coming out of Druid, contact saw me off again. Not ideal, but we stuck in there and came from the back of the grid to finish 12th. It doesn’t sound like much, but after being in the wall at Druids, it was something to salvage.

Race 3, we started on the medium tyre and got away well. I was just starting to find a rhythm, but with the mediums we weren’t quite as quick as the cars around us on softs. We were sitting around 12th, 13th, and I think we would have held our own there, but unfortunately, we had contact at Druids again.

So yeah, one of those weekends where it feels like everything has gone against us, but weekends like this aren’t uncommon in this championship. We’ll regroup and go again at Snetterton in a few weeks’ time.”

The results see Restart Racing leave Brands Hatch with valuable championship points and some strong momentum, particularly in the Jack Sears Trophy standings, where Dorlin now leads. The focus now turns to Snetterton (23/24 May).

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport celebrated victory in the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship last weekend (9/10 May) courtesy of Árón Taylor-Smith, who produced a masterclass in treacherous conditions to rise from the midfield to the winner’s circle at Brands Hatch.

Mark Blundell’s outfit arrived at the 1.2-mile Indy circuit keen to build on a podium and an Independent victory courtesy of Gordon Shedden at the Donington Park season opener a fortnight ago, and banked yet more solid points during Saturday’s Qualifying Race, and the first ITV4-televised race of the day on Sunday.

Rain had threatened the skies above Brands Hatch all day, and began to fall moments before the start of Race 2. With the majority of the field opting to keep the slick compound Goodyear tyres on - including Taylor-Smith and Shedden - the stage was set for a modern-day BTCC classic, and started in duly dramatic fashion, as drivers struggled to extract what little grip was on offer.

As conditions continued to worsen, Taylor-Smith’s pace started to light up the timing screens. Having quietly worked his way through the chaos to run inside the top five at half-distance, he then passed Tom Ingram (Team VERTU) and Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) - six BTCC titles between them - with moves into Druids and on Cooper Straight on the same lap, before relieving Ricky Collard of the race lead with a bold dive to the inside at Paddock Hill Bend two tours later.

Once released out front, Taylor-Smith continued unabated and extended the gap out front to an eventual 3.4 seconds, before a late-race red flag for two stricken cars at Druids cut short the contest and, with no time to resume, the Dubliner was duly declared the winner to spark jubilant scenes in the garage.

The result was momentous on three fronts, as it not only marked Taylor-Smith’s first triumph with MB Motorsport and the first for the team’s new-look, two-car effort, but was equally the popular Irishman’s first win in the BTCC since Rockingham in 2016, some 3,542 days prior. It also secured the team a second Independent win in as many race meetings, capping off an encouraging start to the year.

It proved to be a tougher weekend for three-time champion Shedden. A lightning start in the first race promoted “Flash” into the top six, before contact from a rival dropped him out of contention, and again hampered his efforts in Race 2. He rallied and used all his experience, nous and racecraft to soar through the field in the final race of the weekend, rising from the back of the field to finish a credible seventh. 

Taylor-Smith followed him home in ninth, underlining the Corolla’s race pace and ending the day with a double top-ten finish for the team. 

Leaving Brands Hatch, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport sit fourth in the overall Teams Championship, with Taylor-Smith and Shedden seventh and tenth respectively in the Drivers’ standings; among the Independents, the team are second, with Taylor-Smith and Shedden fourth and fifth.

Snetterton’s 300 circuit is next up on the calendar, hosting Rounds 7, 8 & 9 of the 2026 BTCC season (23/24 May).

Árón Taylor-Smith (#50) said: “Today feels so surreal, it’s like a dream. We’ve been working so hard as a team to unlock a bit more performance from this Corolla, and to have the best reward today with a victory is honestly the greatest feeling for everyone involved.

“We made a small tweak to the car between Races 1 & 2 and it really brought the Corolla to life. I knew within a couple of laps we were in with a chance, and from there we executed the perfect race, especially in such difficult conditions. That’s a real testament to the car, and the team, and I think I did a pretty decent job as well!

“It’s been a while since I’ve been on the top step of the podium, but I’m still the same driver - all I need is the car underneath me, and I feel like with Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, we have everything we need to keep building and go on to be successful.

“A huge thanks to Mark, Craig and the whole team for their faith in me. Today’s a fantastic day, but it’s just the first step on the journey, and I can’t wait to get back out at Snetterton and build on it.”

Gordon Shedden (#52) said: “Race 3 was a great way to end what has been a tough day on the whole, but we’ve shown there’s real pace in the car, and each race is only helping us move in the right direction with the Corolla. 

“The car really came alive in that last one, and it was a good feeling to come through the field and score some decent points to reward the team for all their hard work. Fingers crossed we get a bit more luck come our way at Snetterton.”

Mark Blundell, Sporting Director, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said: “It’s fantastic to come away with Brands Hatch with our first win of the season, and having confirmed we’ve taken another small step forward with the Corolla.

“I’m really pleased for Árón, it was an incredible drive and he’s hugely deserving of this. His talent behind the wheel notwithstanding, he also works very hard with the team, and with his partners day-to-day - qualities that made us really buy into him - and it’s always a nice feeling to see that rewarded, and I’m sure this is just the first step on his journey with us.

“Gordon had a tougher day on his side of the garage, with contact in the first race dropping him back, and giving him a tall order for the rest of the day. But, to his credit, he kept chipping away, and that drive through the field to score good points in Race 3 showed exactly why he’s a three-time champion.

“It’s important to celebrate results like this; we’re all in this business to win at the end of the day. But equally, it’s important we now stay focused, keep working hard and look to take another step forward at Snetterton.”

Three different marques win at Brands Hatch

Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship took place at Brands Hatch this past weekend (9/10 May) with a drama-filled trio of races wowing the crowds at the famous Kent circuit.

Four-time champion Ash Sutton extended his advantage at the top of the standings with his third victory of the season and successive triple podiums, following his blistering performances in the curtain raiser at Donington Park.

The biggest applause arguably went to Árón Taylor-Smith as the Irishman claimed his first victory in nearly ten years, as he stormed through the field during a dry-wet second race.

Last but by no means least was the reverse grid triumph for Tom Ingram, as the reigning champion scored a first victory of 2026 to kickstart his title defence.

Five of the six marques have already won races this season – with Mercedes machinery winning the first ever Qualifying Race – while Audi, Ford, Toyota and Hyundai have reached the top step of the rostrum during the opening two weekends of action.

Sutton – following his 50^th career triumph – leads the overall Drivers’ standings from old adversary Ingram, with former Jack Sears Trophy winner Mikey Doble in third. Three podiums so far for series returnee Ricky Collard see him flying along in fourth.

Alliance Racing/Ford and NAPA Racing UK top both the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ and Teams’ tables.

Doble and the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing squad top the Independents’, whilst James Dorlin holds sway in the Jack Sears Trophy.

The next event on the BTCC calendar takes place at Snetterton on 23/24 May.

Sutton speeds to half century of victories

NAPA Racing UK's Sutton (Ford) took victory in the Brands Hatch Indy opener, notching up an incredible 50th career triumph in just 301 starts.

Calm and collected from pole position, Sutton initially kept the rest at bay while Adam Morgan's Cataclean Plato Racing Mercedes A35 Saloon slid off at Paddock Hill Bend following contact amidst slippery conditions.

The WSR BMW of Daryl De Leon had been jumped by the Team VERTU Hyundai pairing of Collard and Ingram in the early exchanges, as well as the Ford of NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish, before a safety car intervention paused proceedings.

A nip and tuck battle between the lead four ensued at the restart with Collard attacking Sutton before eventually passing the four-time champion on lap 12. Sutton would not be denied, however, as he returned the favour one lap later in what proved to be a top-class scrap for the win.

Ingram and Cammish were having a similar tussle as they swapped positions for third on a few occasions before the #80 Hyundai made his move stick later in the contest.

Taylor-Smith takes first victory in nearly a decade

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Taylor-Smith (Toyota Corolla) battled the weather to take his first victory in almost ten years (Rockingham, 2016) during Round 5 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

One of the more dramatic BTCC races in recent memory commenced in slight damp conditions before the rain began to fall heavier as the race progressed.

The vast majority of drivers decided to brave it out on Goodyear dry rubber and a quite phenomenal battle for victory commenced.

The likes of Sutton (Ford) and Collard (Hyundai) each held the lead at one stage but it was the charging Taylor-Smith from 13th on the grid that had the crowd on its feet.

Move after move was made by the Irishman, with the #50 Toyota Corolla looking like it was on rails around the 1.2-mile Indy Circuit, whilst others jittered around on the tricky track surface.

In truth, the move for victory was fairly routine as Taylor-Smith dived down the inside of Collard's #11 Hyundai on the entry to Paddock Hill Bend, before the experienced tin top peddler pulled away from the pack.

It proved a popular triumph with a huge roar greeting the multiple race winner as he crossed the line, whilst Sutton and Collard completed the podium.

Ingram ends Brands Hatch with maiden 2026 victory

Team VERTU’s Ingram (Hyundai) took victory in the reverse grid bout, closing out an exciting day of racing.

Somehow, championship leader Sutton (Ford) stormed from seventh on the grid to be fighting for the lead through Paddock Hill Bend for the first time, as he went around the outside of pole-sitter Dorlin in the Restart Racing Hyundai.

NAPA Racing UK's Sutton eventually had to settle into second as Dorlin backed him into a gaggle of contenders - led by the Team VERTU Hyundai duo of Collard and Ingram.

After moving into second, Ingram hunted down and dispatched of Dorlin before romping home to his first win of the season.

The LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing Audi of Doble briefly moved into third but couldn't hold off the fast-starting Sutton, who recovered from a mid-race shuffle to grab fourth.

That soon became second and third for Sutton and Doble when Dorlin was further relegated to the lower end of the top ten as the battles intensified.

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Brands Hatch Indy

1. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK 27 Laps
2. Ricky Collard, Team VERTU +0.974s
3. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU +3.298s
4. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +8.953s
5. Tom Chilton, Team VERTU +9.290s
6. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +11.120s
7. Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing +12.490s
8. Chris Smiley, Restart Racing +12.795s
9. Charles Rainford, WSR +13.079s
10. Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing +17.107s

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Brands Hatch Indy

1. Árón Taylor-Smith, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 20 Laps
2. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +3.409s
3. Ricky Collard, Team VERTU +3.830s
4. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU +4.460s
5. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing +5.304s
6. Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing +5.571s
7. Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing +9.027s
8. James Dorlin, Restart Racing +9.720s
9. Dexter Patterson, Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing +9.958s
10. Daryl De Leon, WSR +12.111s

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Brands Hatch Indy

1. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU 24 Laps
2. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +3.848s
3. Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing +4.426s
4. Daryl De Leon, WSR +5.131s
5. Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing +8.054s
6. Adam Morgan, Cataclean Plato Racing +9.816s
7. Gordon Shedden, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +16.642s
8. James Dorlin, Restart Racing +17.080s
9. Árón Taylor-Smith, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +17.241s
10. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing +17.644s

Penalties:

Qualifying Race

James Dorlin received a five-second time penalty in the Qualifying Race at Brands Hatch Indy, for an overboost infringement

Race 1

Dan Cammish received a five-second time penalty and three penalty points on his license in Round 4 of the championship, for causing a collision in an incident involving Adam Morgan


Daryl De Leon received a five-second time penalty in Round 4 of the championship for obtaining an unfair advantage in an incident involving Gordon Shedden



Tom Chilton received a five-second time penalty in Round 4 of the championship, for being out of position at the start of the race

Lewis Selby received a ten-second time penalty and three penalty points on his license in Round 4 of the championship, for causing a collision in an incident involving Aiden Moffat

Tom Ingram (Team VERTU) took victory in Round 6 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship to take the first triumph in his defence of the Drivers' title.

The reverse grid bout brought down the curtain on an exciting day of racing around the 1.2-mile circuit but not before it had continued the dramatic theme.

Somehow, championship leader Ash Sutton stormed from seventh on the grid to be fighting for the lead around the outside of pole-sitter James Dorlin (Restart Racing) at Paddock Hill Bend for the first time.

NAPA Racing UK's Sutton eventually had to settle into second as Dorlin backed him into a gaggle of contenders - led by the Team VERTU duo of Ricky Collard and Tom Ingram.

After moving into second, Ingram hunted down and dispatched of Dorlin before romping home to his first win of the season.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble had briefly moved into third but couldn't hold off the fast starting Sutton, who recovered from a mid-race shuffle to finish fourth.

That soon became second and third for Sutton and Doble as Dorlin was relegated to the lower end of the top ten.

WSR's Daryl De Leon was fourth, ahead of Josh Cook and Adam Morgan, providing some respite for both Speedworks Corolla Racing and Cataclean Plato Racing.

A special mention also for three time champion Gordon Shedden as the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport man came from the back row of the grid to finish seventh.

Tom Ingram, Team VERTU, said:

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing, said:

Brands Hatch – Race 3 – Result:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	24	19:29.659		48.009	6
2	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	24	19:33.507	3.848	47.627	11
3	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	24	19:34.085	4.426	48.079	14
4	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	24	19:34.790	5.131	47.682	12
5	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	24	19:37.713	8.054	47.862	4
6	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	24	19:39.475	9.816	48.143	4
7	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	24	19:46.301	16.642	48.181	19
8	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	24	19:46.739	17.080	48.333	7
9	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	24	19:46.900	17.241	48.298	5
10	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	24	19:47.323	17.664	48.323	6
11	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	24	19:48.090	18.431	48.333	5
12	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	24	19:48.373	18.714	48.234	10
13	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	24	19:48.629	18.970	48.108	5
14	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	24	19:48.865	19.206	48.151	9
15	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	24	19:49.203	19.544	48.255	13
16	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	24	19:50.720	21.061	47.946	8
17	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	24	19:51.435	21.776	48.345	5
18	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	24	19:53.956	24.297	48.413	9
19	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	23	20:08.723	1 Lap	48.627	7
DNF	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	17	14:16.305	7 Laps	48.544	9
DNF	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	14	13:03.238	10 Laps	47.912	9

Árón Taylor-Smith (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) battled the weather to take his first victory in 10 years (Rockingham, 2016) during Round 5 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

One of the more dramatic BTCC races in recent memory commenced in slight damp conditions before the rain began to fall heavier as the race progressed.

The vast majority of drivers decided to brave it out on Goodyear dry rubber and a quite phenomenal tussle for victory commenced.

The likes of Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) and Ricky Collard (Team VERTU) each held the lead at one stage but it was the charging Taylor-Smith from 13th on the grid that had the crowd on its feet.

Move after move was made by the Irishman in the #50 Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport Toyota, with the Corolla looking like it was on rails around the 1.2-mile Indy Circuit, whilst others jittered around on the tricky track surface.

In truth, the move for victory was fairly routine as Taylor-Smith dived down the inside of Collard's #11 Hyundai on the entry to Paddock Hill Bend, before the experienced tin top peddler pulled away from the pack.

It proved a popular triumph with a huge roar greeting the multiple race winner as he crossed the line, with Sutton and Collard joining Taylor-Smith on the podium.

Team VERTU's Tom Ingram took fourth ahead of the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing duo of Aiden Moffat and Mikey Doble.

Moffat's performance almost matched that of Taylor-Smith as the Scotsman stormed through the pack from 17th on the grid. He eventually ran side-by-side with teammate Doble before securing fifth in the closing stages.

Speedworks Corolla Racing's Josh Cook experienced a wild race as he fought for a podium, then dropped down the order after running through the gravel at Paddock Hill, before fighting back to finish seventh.

James Dorlin (Restart Racing), Dexter Patterson (Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing) and Daryl De Leon (WSR) completed the top ten positions.

There was more joy in 11th as Team VERTU's Nic Hamilton scored one of his best ever results with a fantastic drive in the wet, bringing back great memories of his top six finish at Donington Park in 2023.

Árón Taylor-Smith, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said:

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Ricky Collard, Team VERTU, said:

Brands Hatch Indy – Race 2 – Result:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	20	20:02.434		55.623	11
2	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	20	20:05.843	3.409	55.391	7
3	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	20	20:06.264	3.830	55.329	7
4	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	20	20:06.894	4.460	55.677	7
5	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	20	20:07.738	5.304	55.920	18
6	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	20	20:08.005	5.571	55.582	8
7	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	20	20:11.461	9.027	55.636	9
8	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	20	20:12.154	9.720	56.036	13
9	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	20	20:12.392	9.958	56.055	15
10	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	20	20:14.545	12.111	56.255	16
11	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	20	20:35.134	32.700	54.489	6
12	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	20	20:41.213	38.779	56.311	9
13	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	19	20:20.126	1 Lap	52.568	13
14	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	19	20:22.566	1 Lap	55.835	7
15	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	19	20:30.837	1 Lap	53.852	15
DNF	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	20	20:07.200	4.766	55.534	8
DNF	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	20	20:14.789	12.355	55.639	8
DNF	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	19	19:24.329	1 Lap	56.156	7
DNF	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	18	18:19.442	2 Laps	55.767	9
DNF	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	11	11:43.954	9 Laps	56.044	9
DNF	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	0	0.000			0

WSR's Daryl De Leon topped the times in the single Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Free Practice session around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit, the scene of the Anglo-Filipino's maiden BTCC victory one year ago.

BMW continued its recent dominance of the 1.2-mile Indy circuit, having taken pole position and all three victories at the famous Kent venue.

A solid start to the 2026 campaign for teammate Charles Rainford sees him sitting second in the overall standings whilst De Leon is currently down in 13th after a tricky season opener at Donington Park.

The Audi stable is also turning heads in 2026 as the brand new A3 Saloon ended up second and third in Free Practice with Dexter Patterson (Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing) and Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing) nipping in front of the NAPA Racing UK duo of Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton.

Cataclean Plato Racing's Daniel Rowbottom – winner of the first ever Qualifying Race at Donington Park last time out – was sixth in his #32 Mercedes A35 Saloon, ahead of Team VERTU's reigning champion Tom Ingram.

WSR's Rainford was eighth, whilst Chris Smiley (Restart Racing) and Adam Morgan (Cataclean Plato Racing) rounded out the top ten.

After the single 40-minute Free Practice, the finishing order will be split into two groups, odd-finishing-numbers (Group 1) and even-finishing-numbers (Group 2), for a 15-minute qualifying session to set their fastest times. The group with the fastest qualifying time will occupy the odd-numbered grid positions for the Qualifying Race, ordered by their respective qualifying times. The other group will occupy the even-numbered grid positions, also ordered by qualifying times.

15 minutes after the qualifying session for Group 2 has concluded, the standard grid procedure for a race start begins, and the pit lane opens. The finishing order of the shorter 18-lap ‘Race to Pole’ will determine the grid for the first of Sunday’s traditional trio of races.

Half-points are awarded for the Qualifying Race. There are no bonus points for leading a lap, the fastest lap, or for pole position for the Qualifying Race, whereas the bonus points for leading a lap and the fastest lap are still available on Sunday. Making 76 the highest score across a race weekend, more than the 67 of recent years.

Qualifying and the Qualifying Race can be found LIVE on the ITV Sport YouTube Channel worldwide for the very first time from 13:50 later today. You won't want to miss it!

Daryl DeLeon said:

Dexter Patterson said:

Mikey Doble said:

Free Practice - Brands Hatch Indy

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	On/
1	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	33	47.360		28
2	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	24	47.402	0.042	23
3	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	31	47.437	0.077	28
4	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	28	47.494	0.134	24
5	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	28	47.508	0.148	26
6	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	28	47.518	0.158	26
7	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	26	47.583	0.223	25
8	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	31	47.657	0.297	31
9	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	29	47.701	0.341	24
10	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	25	47.717	0.357	25
11	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	35	47.758	0.398	30
12	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	30	47.842	0.482	20
13	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	25	48.021	0.661	24
14	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	24	48.058	0.698	19
15	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	19	48.093	0.733	13
16	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	29	48.101	0.741	16
17	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	28	48.110	0.750	27
18	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	31	48.471	1.111	19
19	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	22	48.622	1.262	13
20	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	31	48.814	1.454	18
21	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	4			0

Q1. What does ‘overboosting’ mean?

A: Overboosting happens when a car’s turbocharger produces more boost pressure than the maximum level permitted for that engine type. In simple terms; overboosting provides a momentary performance increase, above what is allowed for that engine.

Q2. Why are boost limits used in the championship?

A: Boost limits are used to balance maximum power outputs across different engine types. Whilst each engine has a tailored maximum boost level in order to equalise their maximum horsepower across the grid, it remains the responsibility of the team and engine builder to design and run their engine in a way that operates within that maximum boost limit.

Q3. What changed for the 2026 season?

A: For 2026, the championship introduced a live boost monitoring system, developed in collaboration with Cosworth. Unlike previous years where boost levels were checked after races, it is now monitored continuously, in real time, during all on-track sessions and races.

Q4. How was boost monitoring handled before 2026?

A: Previously, boost data was reviewed after a race. So, if a car exceeded the permitted boost level, beyond the allowed tolerance level, the only available penalty was automatic disqualification from that session or race; the team/driver did not have the real-time information and therefore could not adjust it accordingly whilst on-track.  

This year is a much fairer system as it allows the driver and team the opportunity to correct any overboost as much as possible, in real-time, rather than face the penalty of automatic disqualification.

Q6. How does the new live boost monitoring system work?

A: The system tracks how long each car operates above the permitted boost threshold (after allowing for spike tolerances such as kerb strikes and downshifts). If a driver exceeds this allowance, the system will automatically reduce the available boost as a penalty providing there is enough time left in the race or qualifying lap to do so.

As well, the driver also has the ability to make adjustments to reduce their overboost, whilst on-track, in order to ensure it remains within that permitted level during that race or lap.

Q7. What penalties can be applied under the new system?

A: There is now a sliding scale of penalties:

• Minor penalty: 5 seconds
• Medium penalty: 10 seconds
• Maximum penalty: Disqualification

Disqualification only applies if a driver finishes the race (or lap, in qualifying) whilst still in the maximum ‘penalty state’ and thus has not reduced their overboost sufficiently to bring it below the allowed tolerance level, or even down to the ‘medium’ or ‘minor’ penalty positions.

Q8. What does ‘penalty state’ mean?

A: A driver is in a penalty state if they have exceeded their total allowed boost usage and have not ‘paid it back’ by running reduced boost for the required amount of time before finishing the race (or the lap, in qualifying).

Q9. Can drivers manage this during the race?

A: Yes. Drivers and engineers can adjust boost levels in the car during the race. Skilled teams aim to run as close to the limit as possible while staying within their allowance and correcting their boost usage when necessary. The driver can also see, in real-time via their dashboard display, if they are in an overboost penalty state and they can make adjustments to their engine mapping and/or driving to bring that overboost down to within the tolerance level.

Q10. Does this affect qualifying differently than races?

A: Yes. In qualifying, drivers cannot finish a lap while in an overboost penalty state. If they do, that lap is automatically deleted. For example, at Donington Park several individual laps were deleted during qualifying because drivers exceeded boost limits during their qualifying lap and did not ‘repay’ it before that lap ended. For context, some 94% of all cars were in compliance and controlled their boost levels.

How is this different from the TOCA Turbo Boost (TTB)?

A: The system discussed here is called CLBS – Closed Loop Boost Scrutineering, which enforces technical compliance of the mandated base boost-level for that engine.

It has nothing to do with the TTB, which is a separate championship system which provides additional boost (via a push to pass button) designed to assist overtaking and/or competition.  The TTB is not part of the CLBS monitoring.

Q12. Who monitors the CLBS system during races?

A: Boost usage is monitored live in both race control and the TOCA Technical Centre using technology supplied by Cosworth and (timing partner) TSL. Any infringements are immediately checked, reviewed and formally reported to the Race Director if required.

At the same time, the teams can also monitor if their car is in an overboost penalty state and can have their driver make an adjustment to their engine mapping setting in order to correct it.

Q13. Why were penalties seen earlier in the season?

A: There were a small number of penalties early on, but by races two and three every competitor operated within the limits and there were no penalties. The expectation is that the system will largely run quietly in the background as teams/drivers adapt to ensure they don’t overboost to a degree where they will receive a penalty.

Q14. What is the overall goal of the new system?

A: The aim is fairness and transparency — preventing drivers/teams from gaining an advantage through excess boost whilst avoiding the automatic post-race disqualification as much as possible.  

All teams voted and agreed to bring this system into operation, in order to reduce the number of harsh penalties for overboosting.

Therefore, teams and drivers now have the tools at their disposal to see and correct any overboosting during the race (or lap) rather than face an automatic disqualification as a result of their engine overboosting.

The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship continues on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit this weekend (9/10 May) with WSR targeting a re-run of last year’s record-breaking on-track achievements.  
 
The 2025 event on the 1.2-mile Indy layout was one of the most successful in WSR’s 30-year BTCC history as the team scored pole position, triumphed in all three races, and, in doing so, broke the series’ all-time wins record for teams. 
 
Charles Rainford and Daryl De Leon achieved their own milestones that weekend as each scored their maiden series win aboard their BMW 330i M Sports, and the pair are back aiming to use that form to propel them to further glory this time.
 
Rainford enjoyed an excellent weekend at the Donington Park opener in April as he achieved a podium finish in the opening race and scored 43 points across the event – his second-best career BTCC weekend points total to date.
 
Holding second place in the championship standings – also a career best – does present the 27-year-old, who was fastest at the Season Launch test at the track a month ago,  with one critical issue, however.
 
His high championship position means his BMW will be one of the most heavily-restricted cars through Saturday’s sessions (including the new-for-2026 Qualifying Race) and for Race 1 on Sunday; the Horsham driver being allowed less use of the TOCA Turbo Boost (TTB) function than all but one other rival, under series regulations.
 
De Leon, by contrast, has no boost restrictions coming into the weekend, meaning his BMW has the full TTB allocation heading into Saturday's action and Sunday's opening race.
 
The Anglo-Filipino enjoyed a superb 2025 event at Brands Hatch as he scored his first win and was in inspired form at the season-closing weekend on the longer Grand Prix layout, as he took pole position and secured the Jack Sears Trophy crown.
 
The Cambridgeshire-based 20-year-old endured a challenging Donington. Both aim to add to WSR’s impressive tally of 20 wins and 51 podiums on the Indy layout on what is expected to be a dry and warm weekend.

Charles Rainford, #99 WSR, said: “Back to Brands Hatch and to the best memories of my racing career! Becoming a BTCC winner in what was only my second-ever weekend in the series felt incredible – nobody had done that for over 20 years and it took quite a while for that to properly sink in. A year ago we had a horrible Donington so we needed to bounce back at Brands, but this time Donington was very strong for us so we’re in a very different position. Brands Hatch should be the best track of the year for the BMW and if the warm weather we’ve had recently continues, that could help us too. I’m looking forward to it.”

Daryl De Leon, #2 WSR, said: “Taking my first win at Brands Hatch last year was amazing. We judged things to perfection in that race. Now we’re back on the Indy Circuit in a very similar position to last year, following a tough Donington weekend. The big benefit for me is that my BMW has the maximum boost for Saturday and Race One, so that should give me a good chance of turning in some good results. We were mega on the newly-resurfaced track last year. Now that it’s had 12 months to rubber-in, it probably won’t benefit us as much, but the two slow corners at Druids and Clearways are definitely areas where we can use the BMW’s ultra-strong traction to help us go forwards.”

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal: “It’s not very often that you win three races in a day in the BTCC and even less so with three different drivers, so to do that at Brands Hatch a year ago was a great achievement for everybody at WSR. Breaking the series’ all-time wins record on the same day was the icing on the cake. Achieving that took a lot of hard work and I have no doubt it will be just as hard this weekend, even if Brands Hatch is a track that the BMWs have usually gone well at. Charles and Daryl are in very different places in terms of the boost situation coming into the weekend, so we’ll probably need to have two very different strategies to maximise the points potential when their BMWs should be at their strongest. It’s all part of the challenge of the BTCC, but I think we should be more competitive than at Donington.”