The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship carries forward the early-season momentum into Snetterton this weekend (23/24 May) for the third event of the year. Here’s all the information you need to know to keep up with all of the action…

The BTCC field will feel the full effects of the updated 2026 TOCA Turbo Boost (TTB) as we head to the longest circuit on the calendar at 2.97 miles.

The weekend gets underway with Free Practice, then we go straight into qualifying. Two groups of 15-minute sessions, split according to the finishing order from Free Practice between odd and even finishing positions. The group with the fastest time will take the odd-numbered grid spots for the Qualifying Race. 15 minutes after qualifying, the pit lane opens ahead of the ‘Race for Pole’. An eight-lap race will then take place with half points awarded, as the result forms the grid for the first of the traditional trio of races on Sunday.

Two weeks ago, the 2026 grid headed to Brands Hatch for the second race weekend of the championship. After another sensational Saturday, culminating in the all-new ‘Race to Pole’, championship leader Ash Sutton would take his maiden Qualifying Race victory, setting Sunday up for the perfect start as the NAPA Racing UK driver then took his 50th BTCC victory in style. As the day wore on, the four-time champion continued his hot streak, having not finished off the podium in any round so far this season. He heads to Snetterton with a 47-point margin to nearest rival and reigning champion Tom Ingram.

This weekend’s race day action will feature on the home of the BTCC, ITV4, from 1045 on Sunday (24 May), while the ITV YouTube page will host the Qualifying Race and Qualifying on Saturday (23 May) from 1355.

As in 2025, each race day of the season – including all support series’ races – will be streamed LIVE around the globe on the BTCC YouTube channel, with the exception of the UK and North America, which have existing broadcast arrangements.

The BTCC will be aired LIVE in North America (US and Canada), continuing the multi-year agreement with the RACER Network, streaming live and on demand as part of a long-term agreement with the championship.

All 30 races are scheduled to air on the main RACER channel, whilst support series’ and extended BTCC highlights will be available to watch via the RACER+ App, the network’s premium motorsports streaming platform. Race 1 will begin at 06:30 Eastern Time (ET) with Race 2 following at 09:30ET and Race 3 closing out the day’s racing at 12:20ET.

Click here for the full TV guide for Snetterton

NAPA Racing UK heads to Snetterton this weekend (23/24 May) looking to continue its strong start to the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.

The four-car line-up of championship leader Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish, Sam Osborne and Lewis Selby arrives at the Norfolk venue aiming to build on a competitive opening phase of the campaign, which sees the team atop three of the four categories that it has entered.

Sutton has not finished lower than second in any round this season, taking victory in half whilst taking second in the other, kicking off his campaign in record-breaking fashion. Cammish currently sits fifth in the drivers’ standings, looking to capitalise on the extra TOCA Turbo Boost he has over his teammate at a circuit in which he set the Qualifying Lap Record one year ago.

Osborne has also had a strong start to the season, coming off the back of a sixth-place finish at Brands Hatch that more than doubled his current points total. Selby, in only his second BTCC event, has also started strong, lining up directly behind Osbourne to start Sunday from 12th, improving on the 16th-place from one round prior.

The Alliance Racing-run squad sit atop the drivers’ standings with Sutton, as well as topping the Teams’ and Manufacturers’/Constructors’ championships, with the duo of Osborne and Selby currently sitting third and fourth in the Jack Sears Trophy.

Alongside its on-track focus, the Alliance Racing-run outfit is also encouraging fans to get involved in a special initiative supporting Race Against Dementia.

Earlier this month, the team launched a helmet design competition in aid of the charity, with supporters invited to submit their own designs. Six winning designs will then be selected at random and brought to life by MINI CHALLENGE driver and helmet painter Joe Tanner before being worn by NAPA Racing UK BTCC and MINI drivers during the Knockhill round later this season.

All proceeds from the competition will go directly towards Race Against Dementia, the charity founded by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE to accelerate global research into the disease.

Fans have until Monday 8 June to enter the competition, with entries open through the team’s official channels and downloadable templates available online.

The initiative also forms part of the team’s support for World Alzheimer’s Week, with Ash Sutton and Dan Cammish featuring in a video campaign helping to raise awareness around dementia and the work Race Against Dementia continues to undertake.

Further information on the competition, including entry details and downloadable templates, can be found via NAPA Racing UK’s social media platforms and official links.

NAPA Racing UK star surges to the fore after standout start in 2026

Three different winners from three dramatic races at Brands Hatch further underlined the competitive nature of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship earlier this month, as the series now heads to Snetterton for Rounds 7, 8 and 9 this weekend (23/24 May).

Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK - Ford) sits 47 points atop the drivers’ standings, finishing no lower than second in any round of the championship thus far. Placing his Ford Focus Titanium third on the grid for the all-new ‘Qualifying Race’ last time out, the four-time champion wasted no time in reclaiming top spot. After front-row starters Tom Ingram (Team VERTU - Hyundai) and Daryl De Leon (WSR - BMW) ran wide at Graham Hill Bend on the opening tour, Sutton took the lead and would take his first-ever ‘Race to Pole’ victory.

Starting Sunday’s opening race from pole, the #116 would lead the grid for the first of three damp-track dry-tyre races in what proved to be a tricky day on-track at the Kent venue. Sutton did not have it all his way, trading places with Ricky Collard (Team VERTU - Hyundai) for the lead of the race, skating throughout the race day opener. But it would be Sutton who would eventually take the chequered flag, taking victory in three of the four opening races of the year and marking his 50th BTCC race victory at the same time.

The second race of the day saw one of the most entertaining touring car races in recent memory as the rain truly began to fall. Árón Taylor-Smith (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport - Toyota) gained 12 positions on his way to taking his first victory in 3,542 days. The ten-year wait was realised after a red flag brought an early end to the race as Charles Rainford (WSR - BMW) and Sam Osborne (NAPA Racing UK - Ford) were both parked in the gravel at Druids.

Race 3 saw a familiar face rise to the top step for the first time this season. Ingram stood victorious at the same venue that saw him become a two-time champion not seven months prior, after a stellar drive seeing him rise from sixth on the grid. The reigning champion took his maiden triumph of the year four races sooner than he did in his record-breaking 2025 title win.

Now, the BTCC heads from the shortest track on the calendar, to the longest track on the calendar - the 2.97-mile Snetterton 300 Circuit. The Norfolk venue is a mainstay on the BTCC calendar, having held races on various layouts since 1979.

Read on for more details on the Snetterton stats, TV times, circuit timetable and the all-important ticket information…

Snetterton Stats

In recent years, there has been no machine that is thought to have an advantage at Snetterton, with two of the last four years seeing double victors in rear-wheel-drive BMWs, the rest all front-wheel-drive. The most recent race at Snetterton saw the last race win for the Vauxhall Astra and the first win for Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing - Audi), a car-driver combination that is no more since the squad has moved to Audi machinery for 2026.

Last year’s polesitter, Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK - Ford), will be looking to return to his table-topping pace, after only seeing the podium once so far in 2026. The multiple race winner took the Qualifying Lap Record and eased to victory in the opener one year ago.

Championship leader Sutton will be heading into the weekend as content as ever despite his lack of TOCA Turbo Boost allocation by virtue of his position in the standings. The NAPA Racing UK driver has taken four victories at the Norfolk venue in the last five years, double that of any other current driver, with Ingram the only other to take home more than one.

Taking a lead of 47 points to Snetterton, the #116 will be feeling ahead of the curve, as since the change of points system in 2012, no one has arrived at the third event with a lead more than 16 points.

TV, Timetables and Tickets

Complimenting the tin top racing will be a sensational line-up of support series, as the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, The MINI CHALLENGE, The MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, and the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA complete the schedule of exciting races.

BTCC will be wowing the crowds both trackside and at home, with Saturday’s ‘Race to Pole’ and the earlier qualifying session being streamed live via ITV Sport’s YouTube Channel from 1355, before ITV4’s seven-and-a-half-hour race day broadcast gets underway at 1045 on Sunday.

Remember, continuing what started for the first time in the championship’s history in 2025, the BTCC is being broadcast globally with every race being streamed live in 2026 via the BTCC YouTube Channel, whilst fans in North America can watch the action on the Racer Network. Look out for the races on Sunday starting at 1130, 1430 and 1720 (BST).

There’s no place like being there of course, and fans can purchase tickets in advance or on the gate throughout the weekend – visit here for more details.

The British Touring Car Championship’s new community initiative, led by Driven by Sport presented by Kwik Fit, made its debut at Brands Hatch last weekend, delivering an engaging and inspiring experience for local school children.

At the first event of the year, children from nearby Anthony Roper Primary School visited the iconic Kent circuit to take part in a wide range of STEM-based and interactive activities, while also meeting BTCC drivers and getting up close to some of the BTCC racing cars. 

Activities on the day included engineering, first aid, car design, tyre technology and TV presenting. Students also had the opportunity to put questions to BTCC drivers Ash Sutton and Tom Chilton before visiting the garages of NAPA Racing UK and Speedworks Corolla Motorsport.

Driven by Sport – led by co-founder Anna Gow and BTCC Communications Director Simon Melluish – is a hands-on career discovery programme designed for school-age students, combining education and entertainment through immersive, motorsport-themed experiences led by industry professionals. 

The initiative is designed to inspire young people by showcasing the UK’s highest profile motorsport championship and highlighting the many pathways available for future involvement in the sport.

Anna Gow, co-founder of Driven by Sport, said: “It has been a wonderful first event for Driven by Sport. To see the smiles on the faces of the children and their interaction has been so rewarding and we look forward to running many more of these community-based initiatives in the future.”

The Brands Hatch event marks the first of a series of community-focused activities planned by BTCC organisers, with future initiatives set to include school and hospice visits and charity events, as the championship continues to strengthen its connection with communities across the UK.

Simon Melluish, BTCC Communications Director, added: “It’s a proud day for everyone involved, and especially rewarding to see how much everyone enjoyed the event. 

“The BTCC has a strong connection and relationship with people, but it’s imperative that we continue to strive forward and take the sport further into the local community. Driven by Sport and our other community initiatives are extremely important to us, and we look forward to building on these further in the future.”

Next on the agenda is a hospital visit ahead of the Oulton Park race weekend before another Driven by Sport event at Thruxton in late July.

WSR’s Daryl De Leon narrowly missed out on a podium finish with a superb recovery drive in the final Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race of the weekend at Brands Hatch (9/10 May).
 
The 20-year-old Anglo-Filipino, who started the opening race from the front row of the grid in his BMW 330i M Sport, closed the event with a recovering fourth-place finish to score his best result of 2026 and cement his best weekend points total of the year, too.
 
The reigning Jack Sears Trophy champion set the third-best lap in Race 1 and the second-quickest time in Race 3, but also suffered contact on multiple occasions and was unable to maximise his 3 Series’ speed as cold and wet conditions blighted the day’s action.
 
Starting 10th in the day’s final race, the Cambridgeshire-based driver carefully moved through the field during the opening 20 laps and closed to within one second of the final podium spot towards the finish.
 
Having started Race 1 from second spot, contact with another driver would drop him down the order to an eventual 11th-place finish. He was tenth in Race 2 on the medium-compound Goodyear tyre that all drivers had to use once.
 
Team-mate Charles Rainford lay only 15th after a lap of the opening race, having started on the medium tyre, but drove superbly to recover to ninth by the chequered flag; a result that briefly put him at the head of the Independent Drivers’ points table.
 
He challenged for a podium in the slippery Race 2 conditions until contact saw him into the gravel at Druids hairpin and caused a red flag and an early finish to proceedings.
 
Incredible teamwork by the WSR mechanics helped repair his BMW in double-quick time, and the Horsham driver was back on the grid for Race 3, in which he finished 13th.

Daryl De Leon: “What a day it was. I started on the front row and unfortunately the weather hindered my performance in Race 1. I don’t want to be the guy who makes excuses, but the greasy conditions don’t suit our car. I got too much wheelspin off the line and a lock-up into Druids, but still I finished 11th. It’s not the way I wanted it to go, but I’ll take it.

"I was pretty happy with Race 2, from 11th on the grid on medium tyres, but again the crazy rain made conditions sketchy for us. It was one of those races where there was so much going on, but I finished 10th.

"In a fully dry Race 3 I came from 10^th to fourth, chasing down a podium, but I ran out of laps and boost. I’m gutted not to get on the podium, but when you think about the conditions and how they hurt rear-wheel-drive cars, we’ll take what we achieved forwards for Snetterton.”
 
Charles Rainford: “The stars of the show were my amazing #99 crew at WSR, who helped get me on track for Race 3. It’d been a challenging day. We’ve shown some great pace and went forwards on the medium tyre and was battling for a podium on a wet track on slicks until I was turned around late on and took a lot of damage.

"The team worked so hard and I’m very thankful to them for getting me out, but ultimately something was damaged and I didn’t have enough grip coming out of the corners. I’ve lost a few places in the championship, but the positive is that I go to Snetterton with a full boost allocation as a result, so watch this space.”
 
Dick Bennetts, Team Principal: “If we’d had hot temperatures and dry conditions for the races, like on Saturday, I’m certain we’d have had a couple of podiums at the very least, but you can never predict the weather in this country. It’d been a real battle on track, and we came away from Race 2 pretty battered and bruised, but the way everyone pulled together to get both cars out for Race 3 was an exceptional show of teamwork. Daryl’s best laps in two of the three races were within a few hundredths of a second of the overall fastest and he drove very well to just miss the podium in Race 3. We’ll head back to HQ and see what we need to do for Snetterton.”

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