BTCC’s trio of all-new cars all claim wins at Donington Park

The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasted into action at Donington Park this weekend (18/19 April) as four-time champion Ash Sutton hauled his car from the gravel on Saturday to a double race win on Sunday.

Mikey Doble triumphed in the other encounter following Dan Rowbottom’s win in Saturday’s Qualifying Race – meaning that the BTCC’s trio of all-new cars for 2026 – Mercedes A35 Saloon, Audi A3 Saloon and Ford Focus Titanium – took all the competitive victories in the season curtain raiser.

As the sun set over the legendary Leicestershire venue, it is Sutton who holds the early lead of the Drivers’ standings with his Alliance Racing/Ford and NAPA Racing UK outfit also topping both the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ and Teams’ tables.

Aiden Moffat and the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing squad top the Independents’, whilst Dexter Patterson enjoyed his best ever day in the BTCC to grab the early advantage in the Jack Sears Trophy.

Overall, it proved to be an extremely successful and popular weekend as a huge crowd basked in bright spring sunshine while many more watched the action LIVE on ITV4 in the UK and across the world via YouTube.

The second event of the BTCC season takes place at Brands Hatch on the 9/10 May.

Mikey Doble inherits win in Donington Park opener

LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing’s Doble claimed victory in the season opener at Donington Park, after on-track victor Tom Ingram was disqualified when his car was found to have registered a significant overboost infringement.

Polesitter Rowbottom fell to fourth on the opening lap and would later receive a ten-second time penalty for repeated track limit offences, dropping the Cataclean Plato Racing driver down the order.

Speedworks Corolla Racing’s Josh Cook was in solid contention for second place before a puncture going into the final chicane fired his Toyota into the barrier on lap six.

Rowbottom inherited the place originally before he was passed by the charging Audi S3 Saloon of Doble, as he scooped the Independents’ win as well as his overall triumph.

Sutton's performance was typically staggering as he hauled his #116 Ford Focus Titanium through the field from the back of the grid.

The four-time champion had endured a tough start to the season during the Qualifying Race when contact with title rival Ingram fired his machine into the gravel. As is often the case with Sutton, however, the 32-year-old bounced back in fine fashion in Sunday's opener.

Move-after-move was made with a mid-race scrap with WSR’s Charles Rainford being particularly eye catching, before making his way to a fantastic second place ahead of the BMW man.

Sutton storms through the pack

NAPA Racing UK's Sutton then romped to victory in race two, having started the prior bout from last on the grid.

The Ford Focus Titanium started the race from second, before taking the lead by the exit of Redgate on the opening tour and never looked back to claim his 48th career BTCC triumph.

Joining the four-time champion on the podium was NAPA Racing UK teammate Dan Cammish and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Gordon Shedden.

Both Cammish and Shedden had scrapped their way forwards over the course of the day and the experienced racers got their just rewards in the second race.

Moffat's impressive weekend continued as the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing driver claimed fourth ahead of WSR duo Daryl De Leon and Rainford.

Ash Sutton triumphant in 300th race start

Sutton made it two wins in two to complete the opening weekend of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, marking his 300th race in style.

Starting from eighth on the grid thanks to drawing the No.8 ball himself for the reverse grid, Sutton had it all to do from the fourth row.

Aided by the Goodyear soft tyre and his undoubted racecraft, the four-time champion made light work of the competition before slipping past long-time leader Ricky Collard to take the victory.

Team VERTU's Collard led away from pole position of the finale and was soon followed by the WSR duo of Rainford and De Leon, as the Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing Audi A3 Saloon of Patterson initially dropped back.

Sutton was on the rear bumper of Collard's Hyundai before mid-distance and grabbed the lead on the run through Redgate, whilst NAPA Racing UK's Cammish and Team VERTU's Ingram were also soon in the fight.

Reigning champion Ingram provided some respite from a challenging day by scything his way from the back of the grid to second in his #80 Hyundai i30 N Fastback as team-mate Collard completed an impressive podium, whilst Cammish received a time penalty for several track limit infringements.

The Power Maxed Racing stable enjoyed another fantastic race with Moffat in fourth and Patterson in sixth – both completing one of the most successful weekends of their respective careers with Patterson's race three result the best he's ever achieved in the BTCC.

Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing, said: “It’s unbelievable really. There’s pure elation in the team for the first race in this new car – you’ll never get to have that first race again so to win it is amazing. I said I wanted to win two races this season and to have already won one on the opening day is unbelievable. The guys have worked so hard, I don’t think they’ve had a day off since Christmas to get these cars out for this round. There’s more to come from this car too.”

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said: “What a day! 24 hours ago, we were sat in the gravel trap so to turn this around is awesome. The car has been on fire, we also got a first one-two of the season for NAPA Racing UK, so it’s just been an incredible day. The Audis have looked good and so have the BMWs but of course the Hyundais will also be there. It’s early days of course. The new format will really take hold at Brands Hatch, which will spice things up, I’m sure.”

Results

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Donington Park (National)

1. Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing 21 Laps
2. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +1.749s
3. Charles Rainford, WSR +5.392s
4. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +6.276s
5. Gordon Shedden, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +7.401s
6. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing +7.693s
7. Dexter Patterson, Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing +8.102s
8. Árón Taylor-Smith, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +8.180s
9. Tom Chilton, Team VERTU +8.417s
10. Adam Morgan, Cataclean Plato Racing +8.775s

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Donington Park (National)

1. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK 21 Laps
2. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +2.634s
3. Gordon Shedden, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +3.038s
4. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing +4.505s
5. Daryl De Leon, WSR +5.740s
6. Charles Rainford, WSR +6.126s
7. Dexter Patterson, Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing +10.971s
8. Ricky Collard, Team VERTU +12.796s
9. Adam Morgan, Cataclean Plato Racing +14.309s
10. Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing +15.201s

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Donington Park (National)

1. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK 18 Laps
2. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU +2.188s
3. Ricky Collard, Team VERTU +7.218s
4. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing +9.041s
5. Charles Rainford, WSR +9.884s
6. Dexter Patterson, Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing +13.018s
7. Chris Smiley, Restart Racing +14.176s
8. Adam Morgan, Cataclean Plato Racing +14.777s
9. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +14.947s
10. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +16.895s

Penalties:


Qualifying Race

Daryl De Leon received a five-second time penalty for an overboost infringement

Race 1

Adam Morgan received a five-second time penalty in Round 1 of the championship, for an overboost infringement


Tom Ingram was disqualified from Round 1 of the championship, for a significant overboost infringement

Race 3

Gordon Shedden received a 1.1 second time penalty and three penalty points on his licence in Round 3 of the championship, for causing a collision and gaining an advantage in an incident involving Daryl De Leon

Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) made it two wins in two to complete the opening weekend of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, marking his 300th race in style.

Starting from eighth on the grid thanks to drawing the No.8 ball himself for the reverse grid, Sutton had it all to do from the fourth row.

Aided by the Goodyear soft tyre and his undoubted racecraft, the four time champion made light work of the competition before slipping past long-time leader Ricky Collard to take the victory.

The victory completed an astonishing weekend that saw the BTCC's all-new cars – Mercedes A35 Saloon, Audi S3 Saloon and Ford Focus Titanium – win ALL of the four competitive races across the event around 1.98-mile circuit.

Team VERTU's Collard led away from pole position of the finale and was soon followed by the WSR duo of Charles Rainford and Daryl De Leon, as the Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing Audi A3 Saloon of Dexter Patterson initially dropped back.

Sutton was on the rear bumper of Collard's Hyundai before mid-distance and grabbed the lead on the run through Redgate, and NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish and Team VERTU's Tom Ingram were also soon in the fight.

Reigning champion Ingram provided some respite from a challenging day by scything his way from the back of the grid to second in his #80 Hyundai i30 N Fastback as team-mate Collard completed an impressive podium, whilst Cammish received a time penalty for several track limit infringements.

The Power Maxed Racing stable enjoyed another fantastic race with Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing) in fourth and Patterson in sixth – both securing one of the best days of the respective careers with Patterson's race three result the highest he's ever achieved in the BTCC.

WSR's Rainford was fifth – in between the two Audis – whilst Restart Racing's Chris Smiley had his best result of the day with seventh.

Adam Morgan (Cataclean Plato Racing), Sam Osborne (NAPA Racing UK) and Cammish completed the top ten positions.

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Tom Ingram, Team VERTU, said:

Ricky Collard, Team VERTU, said:

Donington Park (National) – Race 3 – Result

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	18	20:51.143		1:08.624	7
2	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	18	20:53.331	2.188	1:08.078	10
3	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	18	20:58.361	7.218	1:08.683	7
4	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	18	21:00.184	9.041	1:08.823	8
5	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	18	21:01.027	9.884	1:09.108	18
6	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	18	21:04.161	13.018	1:08.999	7
7	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	18	21:05.319	14.176	1:08.608	9
8	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	18	21:05.920	14.777	1:09.086	8
9	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	18	21:06.090	14.947	1:08.680	6
10	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	18	21:08.038	16.895	1:08.698	8
11	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	18	21:11.153	20.010	1:08.712	7
12	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	18	21:11.352	20.209	1:09.331	5
13	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	18	21:11.402	20.259	1:09.243	9
14	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	18	21:12.421	21.278	1:09.052	9
15	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	18	21:12.618	21.475	1:08.862	6
16	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	18	21:20.712	29.569	1:09.408	8
17	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	18	21:40.449	49.306	1:08.171	6
18	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	18	21:41.697	50.554	1:09.615	10
19	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	17	21:17.930	1 Lap	1:08.280	9
DNF	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	15	18:35.709	3 Laps	1:08.381	10
DNF	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	6	9:07.341	12 Laps	1:09.687	2

NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton romped to victory in Round 2 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park, having started the prior bout from last on the grid.

The Ford Focus Titanium started the race from second, before taking the lead by the exit of Redgate on the opening tour and never looked back to claim his 48th career BTCC triumph.

It was a stellar contrast to the scene yesterday afternoon that saw the #116 start the season in the gravel after contact with Tom Ingram in the first ever Qualifying Race.

Not only was Sutton's turnaround startling but there is another incredible stat in this opening BTCC race weekend of 2026 – all three competitive races have been won by brand new cars... Mercedes A35 Saloon, Audi A3 Saloon and now the Ford Focus Titanium.

Joining the four-time champion on the podium was NAPA Racing UK teammate Dan Cammish and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Gordon Shedden.

Both Cammish and Shedden have scrapped their way forwards over the course of the day and the experienced racers got their just rewards in the second race.

Aiden Moffat's impressive weekend continued as the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing driver claimed fourth ahead of WSR duo Daryl De Leon and Charles Rainford.

Dexter Patterson (Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing) and Ricky Collard (Team VERTU) were next in the order and both were rewarded with a front row start for the final reverse grid later today.

Adam Morgan (Cataclean Plato Racing) and Josh Cook (Speedworks Corolla Racing) rounded out the top ten.

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Gordon Shedden, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said:

Donington Park (National) – Race 2 – Result

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:18.898		1:08.061	6
2	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:21.532	2.634	1:08.206	10
3	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	21	26:21.936	3.038	1:08.551	8
4	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:23.403	4.505	1:08.412	8
5	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	21	26:24.638	5.740	1:08.293	16
6	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	21	26:25.024	6.126	1:08.491	11
7	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:29.869	10.971	1:08.658	10
8	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	21	26:31.694	12.796	1:09.015	13
9	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	21	26:33.207	14.309	1:09.228	10
10	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	21	26:34.099	15.201	1:08.693	8
11	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	21	26:35.705	16.807	1:09.103	13
12	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	21	26:36.574	17.676	1:09.101	7
13	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	21	26:36.982	18.084	1:08.760	10
14	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:38.086	19.188	1:09.570	13
15	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:40.796	21.898	1:09.228	9
16	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:41.233	22.335	1:09.003	9
17	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	21	26:41.869	22.971	1:09.440	12
DNF	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	6	10:36.172	15 Laps	1:11.883	5
DNF	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	2	3:29.976	19 Laps		0
DNF	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	0	0.000			0
DNF	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	0	0.000			0

AMENDED RESULT: Tom Ingram has been handed a post-race penalty as his car was adjudged to have had a significant overboost. He has subsequently been disqualified from the final result, whilst Adam Morgan has been handed a five second penalty for a lesser overboost infringement.

Donington Park - Round 1 - Amended Result:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:01.652		1:08.351	3
2	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:03.401	1.749	1:07.944	6
3	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	21	26:07.044	5.392	1:08.246	4
4	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:07.928	6.276	1:08.755	3
5	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	21	26:09.053	7.401	1:08.928	3
6	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:09.345	7.693	1:08.654	5
7	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:09.754	8.102	1:09.026	15
8	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	21	26:09.832	8.180	1:09.054	14
9	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	21	26:10.069	8.417	1:08.748	17
10	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	21	26:10.427	8.775	1:08.835	2
11	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	21	26:13.319	11.667	1:08.291	4
12	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	21	26:13.807	12.155	1:08.966	6
13	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	21	26:15.028	13.376	1:09.457	17
14	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:15.268	13.616	1:09.442	5
15	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:15.684	14.032	1:09.249	6
16	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	21	26:15.812	14.160	1:09.149	7
17	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	21	26:22.783	21.131	1:09.646	6
18	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	21	26:23.001	21.349	1:09.693	6
DNF	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	14	19:45.968	7 Laps	1:09.167	6
DNF	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	6	6:58.344	15 Laps	1:08.347	2
DQ	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	0	0.000			0

Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing) inherited victory in Round 1 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park, after on-track victor Tom Ingram was disqualified for a significant overboost infringement.

Polesitter Daniel Rowbottom fell to fourth on the opening lap and would later receive a ten-second time penalty for repeated track limit offences, dropping the #32 down the order.

Ingram cruised to the win on-track while second place was a battle throughout. Speedworks Corolla Racing’s Josh Cook was in solid contention for the place before a puncture going into the final chicane on lap six fired his Toyota into the barrier.

Rowbottom inherited the place originally before he was passed by the charging Audi S3 Saloon of Doble, as he scooped the Independents’ win as well as his overall triumph.

Sutton's performance was typically staggering as he hauled his #116 Ford Focus Titanium through the field from the back of the grid.

The four-time champion endured a tough start to the season during the Qualifying Race yesterday when contact with title rival Ingram fired his machine into the gravel. As is often the case with Sutton, however, the 33-year-old bounced back in fine fashion in Sunday's opener.

Move-after-move was made with a mid-race scrap with WSR’s Charles Rainford being particularly eye catching, before he eventually made his way to a fantastic second place.

Cataclean Plato Racing’s Adam Morgan made his way to third at the finish, but his car had also committed a minor overboost infringement and was issued a post-race five-second penalty, handing the final place on the podium to Rainford.

NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish had a good race too as he scrambled from 13^th on the grid up to fourth, getting the better of a trio of Scotsman – Gordon Shedden (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport), Aiden Moffat and Dexter Pattertson.

Donington Park (National) – Race 1 – Result:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:01.652		1:08.351	3
2	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:03.401	1.749	1:07.944	6
3	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	21	26:07.044	5.392	1:08.246	4
4	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:07.928	6.276	1:08.755	3
5	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	21	26:09.053	7.401	1:08.928	3
6	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:09.345	7.693	1:08.654	5
7	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	21	26:09.754	8.102	1:09.026	15
8	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	21	26:09.832	8.180	1:09.054	14
9	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	21	26:10.069	8.417	1:08.748	17
10	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	21	26:10.427	8.775	1:08.835	2
11	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	21	26:13.319	11.667	1:08.291	4
12	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	21	26:13.807	12.155	1:08.966	6
13	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	21	26:15.028	13.376	1:09.457	17
14	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:15.268	13.616	1:09.442	5
15	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	21	26:15.684	14.032	1:09.249	6
16	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	21	26:15.812	14.160	1:09.149	7
17	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	21	26:22.783	21.131	1:09.646	6
18	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	21	26:23.001	21.349	1:09.693	6
DNF	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	14	19:45.968	7 Laps	1:09.167	6
DNF	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	6	6:58.344	15 Laps	1:08.347	2
DQ	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	0	0.000			0

Jason Plato's dream BTCC comeback kicks off at Donington Park

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Cataclean Plato Racing made history at Donington Park earlier today (18 April) as Dan Rowbottom took victory in the first ever BTCC Qualifying Race in the debut weekend for the team.

The highly anticipated 'Race to Pole' – introduced during the off-season – saw the best tin top drivers in the UK battle for not only grid positions for tomorrow's opener but also for the first haul of points of the new campaign.

It came as little surprise to see Tom Ingram (Team VERTU) and Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) – with six BTCC titles between them – lineup on the front row of the Qualifying Race by virtue of their flying laps during the earlier session, but both hit trouble during Saturday's main contest.

It was a breathtaking start and opening lap as Ingram, Sutton, Rowbottom and NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish fought it out for P1.

There was little space as Sutton slipped his #116 Ford Focus Titanium down the inside of Ingram at the start of lap two, and with the gap running out his car slid across the grass and eventually into the gravel.

It was a double blow for NAPA Racing UK as Cammish was held up by the incident, while Ingram, Rowbottom and Speedworks Corolla Racing's Josh Cook pulled clear.

There was further drama shortly after as news filtered through of a five second penalty for Ingram for being out of position at the start of the race.

It proved to be a race against the clock, and with Ingram needing to pull clear, he eventually finished just 0.024s short as the chequered flag waved.

Celebrations ensued as Team Principal and Team Manager Jason Plato cut an emotional figure with his incredible BTCC comeback producing an immediate fairytale story.

Ingram did enough to grab second ahead of a promising performance from Cook in the #66 Toyota Corolla.

The LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing duo of Mikey Doble and Aiden Moffat enjoyed a great debut in the new Audi A3 Saloon – finishing fourth and eighth respectively.

WSR's Charles Rainford, Team VERTU's Tom Chilton and Cataclean Plato Racing's Adam Morgan were next in the order, whilst Gordon Shedden (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) and Dexter Patterson (Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing) rounded out the top ten.

Round 1, 2 and 3 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship takes place at Donington Park tomorrow with a huge crowd expected at the Leicestershire venue with many more able to watch the action all-day LIVE on ITV4 from 10:45.

Dan Rowbottom, Cataclean Plato Racing, said: "We've made a little bit of history. We've put the car on pole for tomorrow for Cataclean Plato Racing and it obviously feels fantastic. We still have to do a lot of work, but we made the best of it.

"We didn't have the pace of [Tom] Ingram if I'm honest, but he had that five second penalty, so all I had to do was manage the gap. It's been a long winter but this is an incredible moment for Cataclean Plato Racing... let's try and make it happen tomorrow."

Qualifying Race - Donington Park (National)

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	13	15:07.947		1:08.649	6
2	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	13	15:07.971	0.024	1:08.236	6
3	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	13	15:08.257	0.310	1:08.713	5
4	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	13	15:09.249	1.302	1:08.624	9
5	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	13	15:09.952	2.005	1:08.744	9
6	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	13	15:11.455	3.508	1:08.818	9
7	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	13	15:12.665	4.718	1:09.028	11
8	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	13	15:12.955	5.008	1:08.868	10
9	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	13	15:17.551	9.604	1:09.104	5
10	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	13	15:18.793	10.846	1:08.948	5
11	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	13	15:19.116	11.169	1:09.045	3
12	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	13	15:19.378	11.431	1:09.022	4
13	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	13	15:19.514	11.567	1:08.996	3
14	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	13	15:19.741	11.794	1:08.984	5
15	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	13	15:20.651	12.704	1:08.968	5
16	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	13	15:22.794	14.847	1:08.866	5
17	2	Daryl DELEON	WSR	13	15:23.646	15.699	1:08.969	5
18	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	13	15:28.147	20.200	1:08.981	5
19	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	13	15:28.442	20.495	1:09.444	5
20	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	13	15:31.326	23.379	1:10.071	7
DNF	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	1	1:16.403	12 Laps		0

Team VERTU's Tom Ingram has topped the opening Free Practice of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship as the #80 Hyundai clocked a 1:07.842s around the Donington Park National circuit.

Speedworks Corolla Racing's Josh Cook was second as his Toyota-run squad look to mount a consistent championship challenge in 2026, whilst third and fourth went to the debutant Cataclean Plato Racing team.

Daniel Rowbottom was third in his #32 Mercedes A35 Saloon, whilst team-mate Adam Morgan led the times at one stage before having to settle for fourth.

Tom Chilton backed-up his Team VERTU stablemate Ingram by setting the fifth fastest time, ahead of the first of the new NAPA Racing UK Ford Titaniums.

The two Blue Ovals of Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton had the new LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing Audi of Aiden Moffat wedged between them on the timesheets, whilst Charles Rainford (WSR) and Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing) rounded out the top ten.

The action not only marked the start of the 2026 BTCC campaign but it also kicked off what will be an historic day for the championship.

After this one 40-minute Free Practice, the finishing order will be split into two groups, odd-finishing-numbers (Group 1) and even-finishing-numbers (Group 2). Each group will get 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 13-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!

Free Practice – Donington Park

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	16	1:07.842		14
2	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	21	1:08.048	0.206	18
3	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	16	1:08.076	0.234	15
4	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	19	1:08.154	0.312	9
5	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	21	1:08.241	0.399	12
6	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	19	1:08.288	0.446	10
7	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	21	1:08.319	0.477	21
8	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	21	1:08.413	0.571	11
9	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	16	1:08.427	0.585	10
10	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	16	1:08.451	0.609	14
11	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	22	1:08.598	0.756	13
12	2	Daryl DELEON	WSR	21	1:08.657	0.815	11
13	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	23	1:08.699	0.857	15
14	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	17	1:08.712	0.870	13
15	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	25	1:08.723	0.881	24
16	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	20	1:08.734	0.892	8
17	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	22	1:08.821	0.979	14
18	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	21	1:08.852	1.010	18
19	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	25	1:09.187	1.345	13
20	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	25	1:09.204	1.362	16
21	19	Max BUXTON	Speedworks Corolla Racing	18	1:10.472	2.630	13

TOCA announces next year’s calendar in record time

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The 2027 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship calendar has been announced this morning (18 April), in record time and before the 2026 season has even begun.

Thanks to the close cooperation of TOCA, ITV and the venues the 2027 schedule has been released on the opening day of the 2026 season, giving teams, drivers, fans and all stakeholders almost 12 months to plan ahead.

The early confirmation continues TOCA’s trend of leading the way among major championships and also allows other series to organise their schedules around the UK’s premier motorsport spectacle.

The 2027 BTCC season will commence at the Donington Park National circuit, before visiting the Brands Hatch Indy layout and then Snetterton in May. 

Oulton Park will remain as the fourth event of the season – and as per 2026 – precedes the annual summer break.

Action resumes at Thruxton during the school holidays in July, starting a run of three events in four weekends.

Knockhill and Croft run back-to-back in August, before the trip to Donington Park GP later in the same month.

Silverstone hosts the penultimate event and the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit stages the unmissable finale in October.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased to announce the 2027 calendar in record time, even before the 2026 season has begun.

“Agreeing our dates so early with our partners at ITV ensures we have locked in the primary slots for our continued all-day-live and free television coverage on ITV4. It also benefits the wider British motorsport community, as other organisers can continue scheduling their own events.

“Furthermore, locking-in our plans so soon for 2027 enables us to look even further ahead to 2028 for what I am sure will provide several unforgettable celebrations for the BTCC’s 70th anniversary.

“I’m told we are probably the first major championship in the world to have already announced next year’s schedule and, if true, then I’m delighted to do so!”

2027 British Touring Car Championship Calendar

Rounds	Date	Venue/Circuit
1, 2, 3	10/11 April	Donington Park (National)
4, 5, 6	08/09 May	Brands Hatch (Indy)
7, 8, 9	29/30 May	Snetterton
10, 11, 12	12/13 June	Oulton Park
13, 14, 15	24/25 July	Thruxton
16, 17, 18	07/08 August	Knockhill
19, 20, 21	14/15 August	Croft
22, 23, 24	11/12 September	Donington Park (GP)
25, 26, 27	25/26 September	Silverstone*
28, 29, 30	9/10 October	Brands Hatch (GP)

*tbc

Team VERTU will look to make a positive start to its defence of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship title when the 2026 season bursts into life this weekend at Donington Park.

The EXCELR8-run team secured double title glory last year as Tom Ingram lifted the Drivers’ title for a second time, with the team also taking the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ crown after a year-long battle with rivals Alliance Racing.

Ingram heads into his sixth campaign with the team looking to join the select band of drivers to have won the BTCC title on three occasions, and on the back of a stunning year that saw him set a new record for points scored in a BTCC season - having bagged seven wins and a further eleven podium finishes.

In fact, Ingram has only failed to finish on the podium five times in 15 starts around the Donington Park National layout since joining forces with the team.

Experienced team-mate Tom Chilton is also something of a Donington Park expert, having scored wins in two of the last three season openers.

Chilton played a key role in the team’s success last year in what was his strongest campaign in Team VERTU colours, with six podium finishes helping him to take seventh in the championship standings.

Like Ingram, Chilton will hope to make the most of the proven pace of his Hyundai to start the season strongly, with his goal being to launch his own title challenge.

The two long-time Team VERTU members are joined by two new names for 2026, including Ricky Collard as he returns to the series for the first time since 2023.

Collard, the son of multiple BTCC race winner Rob, rejoins the grid for what will be a third full season of touring car competition, with much of his career to date having been spent in sports cars.

The late nature of his deal to join the team means Collard heads to Donington Park with limited time at the wheel, with three solid points finishes being the target as he continues to adapt to the switch back to front-wheel drive.

The four-car entry is rounded out by Nicolas Hamilton, who joins forces with Team VERTU for what promises to be the biggest season of his BTCC career to date.

Hamilton - who has now made more than 150 starts since his debut back in 2015 - has fond memories of Donington Park, with a sixth place finish in tricky wet conditions back in 2023 being his best result in the series so far.

Having shown encouraging pace during testing at Snetterton and Brands Hatch, Hamilton will hope to try and push towards the points on his first weekend with the team, with three solid results in the Jack Sears Trophy being his first target.

The Donington Park season opener will make the start of a new era for the BTCC with the introduction of the Qualifying Race on Saturday afternoon as part of a revised weekend format.

The ‘Race for Pole’ this weekend is scheduled to take place at 15:05 on Saturday and will air live on YouTube, with Sunday’s three races - at 11:30, 14:40 and 17:30 - being shown on ITV4.

Tom Chilton, #3 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “Last season was the best year I’ve had in the BTCC for a long time, and I’m chomping at the bit to get down to business again this weekend at Donington Park. Going into 2026, we’ve refined what was already a mega race car and I feel confident that we can put on a strong performance to kick off the new season.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how everyone adapts to the new format we’ll be using for the first time this weekend, and practice is going to be more important than ever now when we only have one session to set us up for the rest of the weekend. 

“With the Qualifying Race instead of a traditional session to decide the grid, having a strong race car is going to be key and it’s going to be exciting on Saturday afternoon to see how everyone approaches the first ‘Race for Pole’ of the year.

“On a personal level, I’ve won around the Donington Park National layout in two of the last three seasons, and it would be great to do it again this weekend to kick off 2026 on a high.”

Ricky Collard, #11 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “Given the deal all came together very late, I’ve only had limited running in the car and I probably surprised myself with how close I was to my team-mates at Brands Hatch. 

“The new weekend format means I’m also not going to have much time at Donington Park before we head into qualifying when you consider the prep work that we’ll need to do in a single practice session, so I’m really going in at the deep end! Despite that, I’m confident that I can go out there and be competitive this weekend and pick up some solid results.

“As far as I'm concerned, there is no pressure on me for the opening rounds given the amount of track time I’ve had compared to everyone else. I’ll just focus on myself, and make sure I do the best job possible.”

Nicolas Hamilton, #28 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “This is still a very new environment for me with the team and the car, but I already feel comfortable in the Hyundai and am excited to keep learning this weekend. I’m not really thinking about results, more about going out there and doing the best job that I can do in what is a very competitive field this season.

“It will be interesting to see how Donington Park pans out with the new format, and I’ve been working hard on my preparation away from the circuit with things like sim training and my fitness so that I’m as comfortable as I can be from the moment we go out on track for the single practice session.

“This first weekend will be a bit of a learning experience in terms of getting the most out of the car on new tyres and also seeing how people approach the qualifying race, as I’m sure there will be some who go out and take risks and others who are a bit more conservative. 

“I’m just going to see how things go in real time but as I’ve said before, this deal is all about giving me the tools to show what I can do and I’m excited to get the action underway.”

Tom Ingram, #80 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “Pre-season testing has gone well and we’ve just focussed on our own programme ahead of the opening rounds of the season. We’ve worked to improve what was already a very strong package last year and I feel in a good place as we prepare to get our title defence underway.

“Donington is going to be an interesting weekend to start things off, because there are so many unknowns to consider. The new format means we have less practice time to work on the car and then the qualifying race to consider, so we have to make sure we hit the ground running and are on our game from the moment we hit the track.

“There’s also new cars to consider from our rivals and given that you can’t read too much into testing when everyone is doing different things, we’ll only really know how quick everyone actually is when the serious stuff gets underway.

“Last season, it was all about making sure that we maximised the points that were available every weekend, and I’m taking the same approach into round one with my focus on making a solid start to the year.”

Ahead of the 2026 BTCC season, you can now view the newly published Drivers’ and Teams’ pages on the Official BTCC website!

The latest artwork and photography for all 21 drivers and nine teams, plus a whole host of other information is available.

Team pages include the squad’s BTCC CV, with information from each campaign contested in the series, images, team stats and how the squad has fared in the results.

Similarly, driver pages include their BTCC CV, results, images and honours.

In addition to this, all pages include the team or driver’s social media handles, so you can keep up-to-date with what your favourite BTCC protagonists are up to ahead of the start of the championship.

Get yourself up to speed with every competitor and every outfit ahead of the upcoming season!