On the eve of the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship finale it seems fitting that we should look at the defending champion Colin Turkington, as a potential record five titles would set him apart in the history of the UK’s premier motorsport series.

Stars such as Jason Plato, Matt Neal and Andy Rouse all have multiple titles to their name, whilst F1 legends such as Nigel Mansell and Jim Clark have all tried to succeed during the BTCC's illustrious 62-year history, but for now it’s Team BMW star Turkington who stands on the cusp of greatness.

“I try to focus on the job at hand and not really think about the number of titles,” said Turkington.

“I can’t just rest on my laurels and look at my trophies because ultimately that attitude could stop me from winning a fifth title. The new breed of guys coming through are seriously hungry to win it, I’ve been there, so I have to maintain the same focus.”

The Northern Irishman is embroiled in a battle royale for the overall Drivers' championship with Laser Tools Racing's Ash Sutton just nine points behind, whilst Honda’s Dan Cammish and Toyota’s Tom Ingram also remain in contention, with a huge 67 points still on offer in Kent this weekend.

“Every championship is different and every one of them means a lot because I know how hard they are to win,” continued Turkington.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so emotional in a race car as I was when I crossed the line to win it last year. That wasn’t part of the plan, but it was just an outpouring of emotion because we won the title on the penultimate lap of the season.

“This year has been another huge fight and it will be right up until the chequered flag falls on Sunday. Realistically, there are four of us that can win it and I’m sure the weather will play its part to.

“It’s a real privilege to be involved in days like this and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

With the fading winter light now upon us the crucial triple-header of races will get underway earlier than usual this Sunday, with the coverage commencing on ITV4 from 0920.

MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square has today (13 November) revealed that British Touring Car Championship race winner Jake Hill has committed to the team for the 2021 season.

Together, Hill and the team have enjoyed a hugely successful 2020 campaign to date, qualifying inside the top-ten at every round of the championship so far – including three front-row starts – as well as scoring the team’s five podium finishes and their maiden Independents’ victory last time out at Snetterton.

The BRDC Superstar has garnered a reputation as one of BTCC’s most talented racers and is regularly featured in the hunt for wins and podiums. The Kent-based driver has starred in the championship since 2013 with his first full-time campaign in the UK’s premier motorsport series coming in 2016.

Since then, Hill has driven to eight overall podium finishes including a maiden BTCC victory at Knockhill in 2019.

His inaugural campaign with MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square has delivered his most successful season yet and Hill is excited at the prospect of further advancing his relationship with the team.

“I’m thrilled to be continuing with MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square for 2021,” said the 26-year-old. “Together we’ve had a great year with some real success and I am in the best possible place to continue that progression.

"The team are like a family to me and the help and advice that Shaun and Mark offer me is invaluable. The team dynamic is fantastic, we all get along so well and I really feel that helps push us on to these results. This season was only just the beginning, there’s plenty more great things to come from us yet. As always, I have to send the biggest of thank yous to my wonderful array of partners who make my continued success possible.”

“It’s the best possible news that Jake will be staying with us in 2021," added Team Principal Shaun Hollamby. "His drive, determination and talent is clear to see and we’re thrilled that we get to continue to utilise his skills. Jake is a great character who lifts the morale of everyone in the team and then lifts it further by scoring some great results. By remaining with us, together we’ll enter 2021 with the stability and hunger to push ourselves even harder.”

"I’m over the moon that Jake is continuing with us next season," remarked the team's Sporting Director Mark Blundell. "We’ve built a great foundation together this season and there’s plenty of scope to build on that in 2021. In my mind, Jake is one of the very best out there on that grid and someone who is only getting better with each race. We’re firm in our belief that he can help push us towards even greater success in the future and that we have the perfect environment around him for him to take that next step too.”

The final day of the Official BTCC website's series of top five championship contender interviews takes us to the man at the summit of the standings, defending champion Colin Turkington.

Multiple BTCC race-winner Jeff Allam will stand down from his role as the championship’s Driving Standards Advisor at the conclusion of the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Jeff’s long-standing relationship with the UK’s premier motorsport series began way back in 1977 when he first entered the series in a Vauxhall Firenza Magnum. Several wins and an overall class success followed as Jeff also competed in Rover, Ford and BMW machinery, before his return to Vauxhall during the Super Touring era.

The Surrey man has since been the Driving Standards Advisor for the last ten years, taking on the role – as part of a three-strong panel – to assess on-track incidents in the BTCC.

The official BTCC website caught up with the 65-year-old ahead of the weekend and you can hear his interview below as he looks back on his life in the championship.

In the meantime, everyone in the BTCC would like to thank Jeff for his services and wish him all the best for the future.

Trade Price Cars Racing and EXCELR8 Motorsport have today (12 November) confirmed that the two parties will join forces from the 2021 British Touring Car Championship season onwards.

The racing arm of award-winning, Essex-based motor dealership Trade Price Cars will team up with EXCELR8 - based in Brome in Suffolk - on a new and exciting programme running an expanded fleet of four Hyundai i30 N Fastbacks under the EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars banner.

Talks with potential drivers for the new programme are already underway as the team looks to build on the undoubted potential of the Hyundai, which appeared on track in Britain’s premier racing series for the first time this year having been developed by EXCELR8 from the ground up last winter.

Scoring a podium finish in its very first race meeting at Donington Park back in August, the all-new car also took a top three finish at Knockhill, and has an impressive record of scoring points in each of the 24 races run to date this year.

The performance of the new Hyundai has been key to the EXCELR8 team establishing itself as a true contender in only its second season in the BTCC, having made the step up into touring cars following years of success in the MINI CHALLENGE - where it has secured multiple championship titles.

With only the season finale at Brands Hatch this weekend still to run, EXCELR8 is well on course to secure a top ten finish in the Teams' Championship, and holds a strong fifth place in the Independent Teams' standings.

Having joined the grid as an entrant in its own right at the same time as EXCELR8, Trade Price Cars Racing has enjoyed plenty of success over the past two seasons whilst running in partnership with the AmD Tuning team - and scored a maiden victory last year at Knockhill with its Audi S3.

That victory, as well one further overall podium, saw the team battling for Independent class honours across the season and it was firmly in the fight for the Jack Sears Trophy this time around before an unfortunate incident at Croft ruled then points leader Bobby Thompson out of the final two rounds.

With confirmation of the new partnership between Trade Price Cars Racing and EXCELR8 now in place, work will shortly begin on the build of two further i30 N Fastbacks, with the rebranded team looking to challenge for championship silverware with the expanded, multi-car programme next year.

The 2021 BTCC season is currently scheduled to get underway at Brands Hatch on the weekend of 3/4 April.

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Motorsport team principal, said:
"We're delighted to announce this new partnership with Dan and Trade Price Cars for 2021, and the expansion of our programme in the BTCC. To be joining forces is a great way for both parties to increase our involvement in the series, and provides us with the chance to build on what we have achieved over the past two seasons.

"Like us, Dan is someone who is very focused on professionalism, presentation and on the commercial side of racing, which has been a key factor in this deal coming together. Of course, success on track is an important part of any racing programme, but we also need to deliver value for our partners, and that is an important view that we all share.

"As we said when we first embarked on our BTCC programme, our aim is to fight for championship titles as we have done elsewhere, and we know that that isn't something that happens overnight. We are in it for the long term, and this partnership is the next step as we progress towards our ultimate goal.

"Based on what we have been able to learn about the Hyundai this season, we have a development programme in place for the winter to improve the package we have, and are looking to bring together a driver line-up that will allow us to regularly challenge for the podium places in 2021.

"With a further major step forward in performance to come through the development work planned for the start of the new hybrid era in 2022, these are hugely exciting times as we look to establish ourselves as a major force in the series in the coming seasons."

Dan Kirby, Trade Price Cars Racing team owner, said:
"Over the past two seasons, we have enjoyed working together with Shaun Hollamby and the AmD team, and have been able to secure some memorable results - with the win at Knockhill last year being a dream come true for us.

"The Audi has served us well so far, but we could see that the latest generation of NGTC cars are a step forwards in terms of performance, and we also needed to think about the new hybrid regulations that will be coming into play in the series from 2022.

"We looked at the options that were available for 2021 and beyond, and the Hyundai was a really appealing option. The team at EXCELR8 has done a great job to build a car that is capable of running at the front in a highly-competitive field, and it is a car that has been designed with the new hybrid era in mind.

"Having spoken to Justina and the team about doing something next season, it was clear that we share very similar goals for the future. I’m delighted to be able to confirm this new partnership, and feel confident that we can enjoy a strong year together on track in 2021."

With five title contenders striving for the most coveted prize in British motorsport, this weekend's Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship 2020 season finale is set to go down to the wire at Brands Hatch.

As the elite motorsport series' final goes ahead a month later than originally scheduled, drivers will be battling the elements as well as one another in the race for the crown, with all the action broadcast live on ITV4 from 0920 on Sunday (15 November).

Of course, ITV will be broadcasting Saturday's qualifying session from 1225, with the addition of extended coverage, bringing all the support race activity from the afternoon straight to fans at home, ensuring they don't miss a minute, with four hours of entertainment on offer.

While the cars will hit the tarmac on Brands Hatch's Indy configuration without the presence of fans as a result of the ongoing pandemic, drivers and teams alike will be aiming to provide a truly unmissable weekend.

Qualifying LIVE: Saturday 14 November
ITV.com/BTCC from 12.25

Raceday LIVE: Sunday 15 November
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 0920 – 1630
ITV4+1 1020 – 1730
ITV.com/BTCC 0920 – 1630

Highlights: Saturday 21 November 
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1130 – 1300
ITV 4 +1 1230 – 1400
ITV Hub Available anytime for the next 30 days

Highlights: Sunday 22 November
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 0755 – 0845
ITV4 +1 0855 – 0945

Highlights: Wednesday 25 November  
ITV & STV 2345 – 0100
ITV+1 & STV+1 0045 – 0200

For the penultimate day of the Official BTCC website's series of contender interviews, it's 2017 Champion Ash Sutton's turn!

Aiming for his second Drivers' title, Sutton heads into the finale just nine points off the summit of the standings and will be looking for any opportunity to gain an advantage over reigning champion Colin Turkington.

While the 26-year-old notched up four wins in the first half of the 2020 season, a best position of third since Thruxton's mid-season event means Sutton will be hoping for a return to the top step this weekend as he aims for glory in Britain's premier motorsport series.

Watch BTCC qualifying and key support races via www.itv.com/btcc this Saturday

Our colleagues at ITV Sport have you covered as we head into the final 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship weekend at Brands Hatch, and it gets underway with an extended Saturday online streaming session via www.itv.com/btcc.

Due to the delayed campaign and with the darker evenings now upon us, the action will be kicking off a little earlier than usual this weekend, so from 12:25 on Saturday you’ll be able to watch BTCC qualifying and no fewer than five key support races over a near four-hour special broadcast.

BTCC qualifying will commence at 12:35 – a critical session ahead of Sunday’s grand finale – and the coverage will include all the on-track drama, as well as driver interviews with Louise Goodman and the rest of the ITV Sport team. Furthermore, the session will conclude the battle for the Goodyear Wingfoot Award, as this year’s best overall qualifier will be crowned.

Motorsport fans will then be treated to a quintet of crucial support races as the Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Mini Challenge, Ginetta Junior, British F4 and Carrera Cup GB reach an exciting climax across the weekend.

Our usual TV story and broadcast times will also be published tomorrow, but in the meantime remember that our full race day coverage will get underway at 0920 on ITV4, whilst the Saturday streaming timetable is listed below:

Time

Activity

Championship

Laps

12.35 – 13.05	Qualifying	Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship
13.15	Race	Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Championship	24
13.50	Race	The Mini Challenge	25 mins
14.25	Race	Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship	18
14.55	Race	F4 British Championship	20 mins
15.30	Race	Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain	34

Up third in the series of top five championship contenders’ exclusive interviews is Halfords Yuasa Racing man Dan Cammish.

Cammish heads to Brands Hatch with fire in his belly and the BTCC crown in his sights, having just missed out on a potential maiden title in the final round of the 2019 season.

Having secured more race wins in 2020 than any other year of his career in the championship, the 31-year-old has accrued a further five podiums, all second-place finishes,  and sits 25 points in arrears of standings leader Colin Turkington with a possible 67 points up for grabs this weekend.

Catch what Cammish had to say in the full interview now…

Continuing the series of top five championship contenders’ exclusive interviews, today’s episode sees Tom Ingram take the mic on the Official BTCC website.

In his seventh year competing in the series, Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship driver Ingram sits fourth in the Drivers’ Standings as he looks towards this weekend’s Brands Hatch finale.

With three wins under his belt and a further five podiums so far this season, the 27-year-old is determined to take the title fight down to the wire at the scene of his maiden BTCC victory – in 2016 – with his intentions firmly set on securing the most coveted prize in British motorsport.

Listen to the full interview now...