Colin Turkington and Team BMW will return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this year to defend the titles won in 2018.

Turkington recorded his third BTCC crown with WSR-run Team BMW in 2018, scoring 10 podiums – more than any other driver – and finishing inside the top five on 15 occasions at the wheel of his BMW 125i M Sport.

In 2019, he will compete for a record-equalling fourth Drivers’ Championship while WSR and BMW have the opportunity to extend their run of successive Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles to four.

Turkington made his BTCC debut with WSR in 2002 and has spent his most successful years in the series with the Sunbury-on-Thames team; sealing all of his overall Drivers’ titles as well as four of his five Independents’ crowns in BMWs.

In total he has won 46 times in the BTCC, placing him fifth on the series’ all-time winners’ list, as well as recording 133 podium finishes, 17 pole positions and 52 fastest laps.

Turkington’s team-mate in 2019 will be Tom Oliphant, who joins WSR for his second season in the BTCC.

“My 2018 title was definitely one of my best, and my goal is always to achieve just that; be the best I can in both life and motorsport," said Turkington.

"Becoming a triple champion felt great, but I’m hungry for much more and racing with Team BMW in the BTCC gives me this opportunity. Now I have to ask myself ‘how can I improve for this coming season and how can I be a better driver?’

"I’m thrilled by the commitment from BMW that allows me to stay in one of the most desired seats in global touring cars and with a team who continue to set the benchmark. Team BMW is the place to be and we want to make history together. This is where I’m happiest; with people I trust, and when I’m happy, I perform.”

“I’m extremely pleased that Colin will defend his title with us, allowing WSR to carry #1 on a BTCC car for the first time, and equally proud that BMW has chosen to continue its support of our programme," added Team Principal Dick Bennetts.

"Colin is one of the world’s best touring car drivers and has spent the majority of his career with us, so we’ve developed an environment here that allows us all to get the best out of each other. I can’t think of a manufacturer who has achieved more in touring car racing globally than BMW, so to continue to be associated with them in 2019 is a great honour for our team.

"We’ve won 10 overall BTCC titles in the past 10 seasons – all with BMWs – so to have their continued support in 2019 is a reflection of their belief in our team to get the job done.”

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship newcomer Daniel Rowbottom has navigated a long and tortuous road to the country’s premier motorsport series, but as he prepares to join the grid in 2019, the Ciceley Motorsport man insists the time is right for him to shine.

Following a successful stint in karting, Rowbottom first appeared on the TOCA package as a fresh-faced 19-year-old in the 2008 SEAT Cupra Cup, but the combination of a lack of funding and the Spanish manufacturer pulling the plug on the series at the end of the season conspired to keep the Midlander away from the grid for the following seven years. He has had to work hard to come back.

“The BTCC and its support package is the place to be to attract backing to make going racing sustainable, outside of that things can be difficult. As a result, we spent a few years trying to drum up the necessary sponsorship,” he explained. “We saw movement midway through 2015, by which time I had been out of the sport for almost seven seasons.

“Since joining forces with my sponsor Cataclean, we have never looked back and I returned to the TOCA package in the Renault UK Clio Cup in 2016. The trouble was that the game changes so quickly in this sport, and whereas at 18 you have no fear, at 27, I was engaged and had just bought a house so it took a while to settle back into the groove.

“It’s only really in the last two years that I’ve had a proper stab at this, and now here we are in the BTCC! I feel we should have been here eight or nine years ago – it’s taken a lot longer than I ever imagined, but back then, I didn’t understand enough about the business side of racing to make it viable.”

Rowbottom has certainly had to overcome his fair share of hurdles on his journey to the pinnacle of British motorsport, but his calibre is clear to see, with three race wins and 11 further podium finishes in the fiercely-disputed Renault UK Clio Cup propelling him to fifth in the overall standings in 2017 and fourth last year.

As he prepares to graduate to the BTCC with Ciceley Motorsport, the Kidderminster man is under no illusions about the size of the challenge ahead – but equally champing at the bit to get out on-track and prove his worth.

“It’s a dream to be on the grid now, and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead,” he enthused. “The BTCC has been my target ever since I was in karting, and while it’s been a long old road to get here, we’ve finally made it. For me, this is the most competitive touring car championship in the world – you only have to look at the timing sheets to see how close it always is.

“This is the right time for me. My first test in the Mercedes was in quite poor conditions at Silverstone last month, but after three months, I was already in love with it and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel again.

“In terms of objectives, if we can achieve regular top ten finishes, I will be very happy, and of course we want to be in contention for the Jack Sears Trophy. Most importantly, I want to enjoy the experience and grow with the championship – that has to be the number one goal.”

It’s that time of year again when we would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To celebrate, make sure you download the official BTCC App as part of your digital festive stocking, and get answering our exclusive questions on the App’s '12 BTCC Days of Christmas'.

Getting just one of the questions correct between 25 December – 5 January will automatically enter you into a draw to win a DVD review of the 2018 BTCC season, whereas anyone answering all 12 correctly will be in with a chance of winning a VIP day out at a BTCC event next year! Each question will be posted on the App via your ‘Alerts’ tab at 10am (UK time) and will be open for 24 hours, before the next question is posted. To download the App simply search 'BTCC' via the App Store or Google Play.

All that’s left is to say thank you to everyone involved in what was an unforgettable 60th anniversary campaign in 2018 and we’re banking on your unbelievable support again next year.

So, from everyone involved in the BTCC, we wish you a very Merry Christmas – see you in 2019!

The 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season will take centre stage at the Autosport International from 10-13 January, with a comprehensive line-up of stars and cars contesting the upcoming season attending.

Presented by Motorsport News, the feature will be the perfect place for fans to get up close to the show’s star drivers and to catch a first glimpse of the 2019 metal set to compete in the upcoming season. 

A Motorbase Ford Focus RS, AmD Tuning’s Honda Civic Type R, Ciceley Motorsport’s Mercedes-Benz A-Class and a Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra will be on display on Stand 2580 across all four days of the event. 

Autosport International will also play host to number of the series’ leading drivers, including last year’s champion Colin Turkington. The triple world champion will be joined at Birmingham’s NEC by fellow champions Andrew Jordan, Ash Sutton and Matt Neal. A host of other racers including Matt Simpson and Tom Ingram will also be on hand to go up on the main Autosport stage to chat about the highs and lows of last year and expectations ahead of the 2019 season, while former BTCC champion Gordon Shedden will also make an appearance.

Matt James, Motorsport News Editor, said: “Launching the 2019 BTCC season at Autosport International, with some of next year’s most competitive cars and stars, is something fans will not want to miss out on.   

Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing team begins its tenth season in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship with its sights set firmly on a regular challenge for top honours after confirming Rory Butcher and Sam Tordoff will form its driver pairing for the 2019 campaign.
 
Fielding a pair of race-winning Honda Civic Type Rs in the UK’s leading series next year, the West Thurrock-based team heads into the new season in better shape than ever after concluding deals with two of the series’ leading drivers in Butcher and Tordoff.

Fife racer Butcher will race in AmD colours for a second season following an eye-catching first full year of touring car competition with the team in 2018.

The 31-year-old enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at the wheel of an MG6 GT, with a best finish of sixth the highlight of several top ten finishes. The results earned Butcher tenth place in the Independents’ Trophy and fourth in the Jack Sears Trophy; only missing out on a top three finish in the latter on a count-back of wins.

In a real signal of Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing’s intent for the season ahead, Butcher will be joined in the two-car line-up by Yorkshireman Sam Tordoff who joins the team for what will be his sixth full season in the series.
 
Runner-up in the overall standings in 2016, seven-time BTCC race winner Tordoff spent a season in GT racing before returning to touring cars this year with Motorbase, taking eleventh in the standings and concluding his campaign with a victory at Silverstone and the best qualifying average of any driver on the grid.

With both drivers eyeing regular silverware in 2019, specifically a maiden BTCC victory for the Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing team, Butcher and Tordoff make their first Honda race appearances at the Brand Hatch curtain raiser in April 2019. 

Rory Butcher, Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing, said: “This year for me was all about gaining experience in the BTCC and learning the ropes after so long racing in GT cars. My aim was to build towards getting into a top package for 2019 to push forwards up the grid, and I’m delighted that I can do that and also stay with Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing to build on what we achieved this year. I have to thank Shaun, the team and all of my sponsors for making that possible.
 
“You only have to look at the stats for the Honda in recent years to see how well it has performed and on paper, there is huge potential for us to do some big things on track in 2019. It’s a big step up for both the team and I, and I’m confident that this package will give us a great chance of success. Certainly, I think it would be silly of me to not aim for podiums and race wins and I’ll also be looking at the bigger picture of getting as many points on the board as we can to see where it leaves us come the end of the season.
 
“It’s also great to have Sam coming onboard and I don’t think I could wish for a better team-mate. We enjoyed some good races together when I was with Celtic Speed in the Carrera Cup, and since he moved into the BTCC he has shown himself to be one of the top drivers with his results on track.
 
“I’m sure he’ll be a great reference point for me and I think we’ll work together well as a pairing to push the team forwards.”
 
Sam Tordoff, Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing driver, said: “The Honda is a car that I’ve wanted to race for some time and when Gordon Shedden beat me to the title in one, it only increased my desire to see what it was like. To be honest, I didn’t think it was going to happen and it wasn’t something that was on my radar, but then this deal with Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing came along and I couldn’t be more excited.
 
“I’m sure there will be some people who are surprised by this move and whilst there is some appeal in going into 2019 as an underdog, the reality is that I have one aim and that is to fight for the championship title. I showed strong pace on track in 2018 but things just didn’t go my way and eleventh in the standings wasn’t what I was looking for – and it isn’t what I’m chasing next year.
 
“Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing have put a lot of investment into not only getting the cars, but in strengthening the team behind the scenes in order to move to the next level and there can be no excuses. The Honda was on pole for the final round of 2018 and won races, so we have to be aiming to do the same from the outset and I’m confident we can raise a few eyebrows when the season gets underway – and will only get stronger as the year goes on.
 
“It was also important for me to know that I’d have a strong team-mate alongside me and that is exactly what I have in Rory. Some of his performances in the MG this year were above where the car should have been and I think we’ll form a strong partnership. In my eyes, with everything that Shaun and AmD have pulled together for this programme, there is no weak link.”
 
Shaun Hollamby, Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing joint team principal, said: “From the moment we agreed a deal to purchase the two Hondas, our focus has been on making sure we signed the right drivers who would give us the best chance of success on track in 2019. In Rory and Sam, I’m confident we have found the ideal pairing and we are massively excited about what we can achieve together next season.
 
“We knew when we brought Rory onboard this year that he was a top quality driver and his performances in the MG were outstanding. He fitted in with the team immediately and keeping him for a second season was a priority. Given the fact he now has a year of experience under his belt, I have no doubt at all that Rory will be a real contender for podium finishes and race wins.
 
“To bring in a driver of the calibre of Sam is fantastic for us as a team and we are expecting big things from him at the wheel of the Honda. He brings experience from running with three of BTCC’s top teams and is a proven race winner who has consistently shown himself to be one of the quickest drivers on the grid. He is also well aware of what needs to be done to build a championship challenge, and that has to be his target in 2019.
 
“Alongside the cars and the drivers, we have been working behind the scenes to strengthen our engineering team and made investments in the facilities back at base, which are an indication of how seriously we are taking this programme. Whilst the BTCC remains as competitive as ever, we aren’t here to make up the numbers and are fully focused on fighting at the sharp end of the grid and battling for silverware.” 

Rachel Abbott, Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing joint team principal, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to have secure both Sam and Rory for the 2019 season as we embark on a new challenge with the Hondas.
 
“A driver of Sam’s calibre is a great addition to the team and he brings a wealth of BTCC experience as well as a history of excellent results in the series. It is exciting to see what Rory is capable of at the wheel of the Honda after a solid season in the MG this year and I’m sure that as a pair, they will produce some fantastic results next year. I’m really looking forward to working with them both.”

Trade Price Cars Racing has signed Jake Hill for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, with 24 year-old set to pilot one of the outfit's newly-acquired and rebuilt Audi S3s.

Goudhurst-based Hill rejoins the BTCC having taken a debut Independents' victory and overall podium in 2018. He previously campaigned the S3, which is being run by AmD Tuning for the Essex-based squad, back at the final round in 2015 and has since enjoyed promising full campaigns in both 2016 and 2017 in Britain's leading motorsport series.

"We have been working non-stop since the summer to get things in place to get back into the BTCC," said Hill. "I am absolutely buzzing to once again be part of the UK’s premier championship, especially as part of this exciting new project with Trade Price Cars Racing.

"I want to thank Dan (Kirby) and Andy (Wilmot) so, so much for making this possible and for giving me the chance to remind everyone what I can do. I am more fired-up than ever and ready to work as hard as possible to get the maximum out of the car, and see what we can achieve as a team.

"We have some fantastic partners, both new and existing, and we've a stunning livery to be revealed soon. We aim to be out testing early in the new year, and we have some very, very good people working with the team, so we expect to be well prepared.

"I’d also like to make it clear how much I appreciate the previous opportunities Motorbase Performance, Team HARD, RAR and AmD Tuning have given me, as well as all of the teams outside of the BTCC that put their faith in me. Shaun Hollamby has done so much for me, too, and has been great for my career since first helping me out back in 2010.

"They've all provided the platform for me to show people what I can do. Without their support, and that of my fantastic sponsors, friends, fans and of course my incredible family, I simply wouldn’t be able to do what I love."

Trade Price Cars owner Dan Kirby, having worked with Hill previously, said he was always top of the list of drivers the team wanted for their inaugural season in the BTCC.

"We have got to know Jake well over the past couple of seasons," said Kirby. "Having seen up-close how strong he is as a driver, his technical awareness, and how well he works with his partners off track it’s a real statement of our intent getting him on board.

"Everyone has seen just how quick he is, so we’re really confident he will be a key part of the team and in helping us achieve success, now and hopefully in the long-term."

"We’ve had a tough year," added Hill. "Everything happens for a reason and I am more focussed, physically fit, and determined than ever to succeed. This will be a fun ride. Being on the podium at Brands Hatch earlier this year was just incredible, so a bit more of that in 2019, please!" 

Cobra Sport AmD Racing has agreed a deal with RCIB Insurance and AutoAid Breakdown to take on the role of title sponsor for its 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship programme.
 
West Thurrock-based AmD Tuning and long-time backers Cobra Sport Exhausts will campaign a pair of Honda Civic Type Rs in the series next year as part of a new and exciting partnership, replacing the two MG6 GTs that were run by AmD in 2018.
 
Those MGs were run with support from sister companies RCIB Insurance and AutoAid, which are headed by successful Essex-based businessman Mike Joseph.
 
Founded ten years ago, RCIB Insurance has become one of the fastest growing insurance companies in Europe whilst AutoAid Breakdown – part of the RCIB group since 2016 – has won numerous awards for providing all-inclusive breakdown cover at value-for0money prices not seen anywhere else.
 
With the relationship between Cobra Sport AmD Racing and RCIB Insurance/AutoAid having proven to be a success both on and off-track this year, talks have now been concluded on a deal to extend the agreement into a second season.
 
Discussions with potential drivers for the two RCIB Insurance/AutoAid-backed Hondas have also now drawn to a close, with a further announcement in due course about who will be at the wheel of the two cars when the new season kicks off at Brands Hatch in April 2019.
 
“Over the past twelve months we have developed a strong working relationship with Mike and his team, so we are delighted to have concluded an agreement to extend our deal with RCIB Insurance and AutoAid into a second season," said Cobra Sport AmD Racing joint Team Principal Shaun Hollamby.
 
“On track this year, we enjoyed some strong results with the MGs and the things we were able to do together off-track also worked extremely well for both parties; such as the competition to win a road-going replica of the car.
 
“As a team, we are excited about taking our BTCC programme to the next level with the Hondas, and are thrilled to have RCIB and AutoAid along for the ride as we look to build on the success we have already enjoyed together.
 
“We didn’t quite manage to get onto the overall podium this year, but with the drivers we have now signed to drive the two Hondas, I have no doubt that we will regularly be pushing for the top step in 2019.”
 
Mike Joseph, RCIB Insurance Managing Director said: “We are delighted to be working with Shaun and the team at AmD again this year and with the new cars - and our chosen drivers - I’m sure that the 2019 season will be a great success.
 
“With this extension of our relationship, we can not only look forward to another strong year on track, but can further promote the RCIB Insurance brand – and our sister company AutoAid and its award-winning breakdown cover – to a huge audience both trackside and on TV.
 
“We’re really looking forward to 2019.”

West Surrey Racing has announced the signing of Tom Oliphant for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The Leamington Spa-based driver will compete for the team in what will be the 62nd running of the UK’s most popular motor racing series.

Oliphant, 28, made his BTCC debut in 2018 with Ciceley Motorsport and qualified inside the top 10 at his second event at Donington Park.

He repeated this achievement five more times across the season, recorded a best finish of seventh at Knockhill in August and scored his maiden fastest lap in the series at the final round on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

His CV also counts a Ginetta GT4 Supercup title and British GT race wins, while he finished runner-up in the Porsche Cup Middle East and has scored a podium finish in both the Carrera Cup GB and the global 24H Series’ showpiece event, the Dubai 24 Hours.

“It’s a dream come true to join WSR for next year’s British Touring Car Championship and I’m incredibly proud that Dick Bennetts and the team have shown the faith in me to provide this opportunity," said Oliphant.

"WSR have been the Teams’ Champions for the past three years and their reputation is of the absolute highest standard, while BMW’s contribution to touring car racing in Britain and across the globe is immense, so I’m incredibly excited and proud to be a part of this programme.

"This gives me a great platform to achieve my targets in the BTCC, which are to take wins and podiums in 2019, finish in the top 10 of the points and compete for the Jack Sears Trophy.”

WSR’s BMW 125i M Sports scored 18 podiums and three wins in 2018 as the Sunbury-on-Thames team steered Colin Turkington to the Drivers’ title and claimed the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ crowns to complete a championship clean sweep with the help of fellow drivers Rob and Ricky Collard and Andrew Jordan. The team has won 10 overall BTCC titles in the past 10 seasons; all with BMW cars, plus nine Independents’ crowns.

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, added: “We’re very pleased to announce Tom as the first member of our 2019 line-up. We have a long history of working with young drivers and turning them into front-runners and champions, and we’re sure Tom has all the right attributes to achieve his potential with us. We were impressed with him in the BTCC support categories and the speed he showed in his rookie season in 2018 has convinced us that he’ll be the ideal driver to help us push on and achieve our aim of even more success in 2019.”

Following the entry approval deadline, Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Series Organiser TOCA has today (3 December) advised that all 30 entries – the maximum number of TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs) held by teams – are now confirmed for the 2019 season.

Teams must hold a TBL for each car entered and there are 30 TBLs controlled by teams, with two further licences retained by TOCA for its own use.

In keeping with the objective of reducing the size of the BTCC grid, TOCA will not be allocating its two TBLs to additional entrants, despite receiving serious applications from no fewer than three new teams wishing to participate in the forthcoming campaign.

Teams will announce driver line-ups and details of their cars and sponsorship agreements for 2019 over the coming weeks, prior to the release of the finalised entry list, set to be distributed by TOCA in March.

Confirmed entries for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship:

Aiden Moffat Racing, 1
AmD/Cobra Exhausts, 2
AmD/Trade Price Cars, 2
BTC Racing, 2
Ciceley Motorsport, 2
Excelr8 Motorsport, 2
Motorbase Performance, 3* 
Power Maxed Racing, 2
Simpson Racing, 1
Speedworks Motorsport, 1
Team Parker Racing, 1
Team BMR, 2
Team Dynamics, 2
Team HARD, 4
West Surrey Racing, 3 

*including one TBL on loan from HMS Racing