Silverstone is one of the most famous racing circuits in the world, and the BTCC utilises the short National Circuit layout to maximise the action for fans, all of whom can enjoy grandstand seating at some of the world’s most famous corners included in their entry ticket price.
Long straights and tight corners make for several overtaking opportunities on every lap, so action is guaranteed throughout the race. Silverstone regularly plays host to some memorable touring car battles as the drivers try to eke out every last second and set themselves up in the strongest possible position going into the unpredictable season finale a few weeks later.
While recent COVID-impacted seasons have seen Silverstone’s rounds earlier in the campaign, it maintains its position as the penultimate event on the 2024 calendar, with entertainment levels set to be high as the finale draws near.
A natural amphitheatre offering unrivalled views of the action from various vantage points, Brands Hatch is known as one of Britain’s best-loved motor racing circuits. Its unique combination of dips, cambers, fearsome corners and hills means it is still one of the world’s most renowned racing venues. The BTCC has been going to Brands Hatch since the series began back in 1958.
The 2024 campaign will see the BTCC call into Brands Hatch for both the second event of the season as well as the finale, with the legendary Grand Prix configuration set to host the closer on 5/6 October.
The historic Kent race track has seen some spectacular BTCC entertainment over the many years the championship has been visiting, and has been the scene of many a nail-biting finale, having most recently set the scene for the crowning of 2023 British Touring Car Champion Ash Sutton.
The BTCC has been visiting Snetterton in Norfolk for over 50 years, and in that time the track has undergone a number of layout changes. A significant investment in 2011 saw the circuit extended into the ‘300’ layout used by the championship today, which includes two of the longest straights in the country.
Drawing inspiration from iconic motorsport corners such as Monza’s Parabolica and the Montreal Hairpin, it certainly offers some fantastic viewing for spectators and makes for a popular family weekend.
The 2021 campaign saw a pair of milestones for BTCC fan favourites Colin Turkington and Gordon Shedden, who achieved their 60th and 50th series victories in Norfolk, while Turkington celebrated his 500th BTCC race at the venue in 2022.
In 2024, we will see Britain’s premier motorsport head to Snetterton for the 25/26 May, with the 2.97-mile circuit hosting Rounds 7, 8 and 9.
In 2024, Donington Park once again hosted the BTCC season-opening event, as it did last season, in the first of two visits to the Leicestershire venue during the campaign.
The sweeping corners and fast back section always produce great racing, as the circuit continues to build on its long and illustrious history. With picturesque views and huge spectator areas, Donington is undoubtedly one of the fans’ favourite places to watch the BTCC. Within striking distance from Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and beyond via easy access to the M1, Donington reaches a huge fan base in the heart of England.
First visited by the BTCC back in 1977, Donington has been the scene of a host of memorable touring car moments – 2013 saw two incredible milestones for Jason Plato and Matt Neal, who surpassed 400 and 500 races respectively, while most recently it was the scene of the debut of the BTCC’s Hybrid Era in 2022.
The BTCC wouldn’t be the same without its annual visit to Scotland. Knockhill is located in Fife, just north of Edinburgh, and BTCC cars first raced there back in 1992. The track is one of the shortest on the calendar at just 1.27 miles, narrow and undulating, and its unique character is loved by fans and racers alike.
Amongst Knockhill’s defining features are the high kerbs that launch the BTCC cars onto two wheels as they try to find passing opportunities and faster lap times. This makes for some fantastic chances for keen photographers as well as a tough challenge for the engineers, who have to set up the cars to deal with the undulations Knockhill presents.
Knockhill occupies a mid-August slot in 2024 for the seventh event of the campaign, and could prove pivotal in the championship battle as it really begins to take shape.
Close to the urban centres of Darlington, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and York, Croft Circuit brings the BTCC to the northeast of England and thousands of passionate race fans. Though a relatively recent returnee to the BTCC calendar in the late nineties, the 2.1-mile circuit has been developed for over 50 years into a top-flight racing venue.
Traditionally a track that favours rear-wheel drive machinery, the North Yorkshire venue is renowned for its challenging, technical nature. Indeed, it is often regarded as the truest all-round test on the BTCC calendar.
Usually coming just before the ‘summer break’, Croft is often a pivotal event as teams seek to pull out an advantage over their rivals before mid-season testing commences. In 2024, however, Croft will kick off the second half of the campaign.
One of the most popular events on the BTCC calendar, Oulton Park in Cheshire is as picturesque as it is action-packed. The track was first developed almost 70 years ago – built into the natural contours of the landscape – and the BTCC has been visiting for the vast majority of that time.
Occupying an ideal summer spot, the circuit regularly attracts huge crowds of more than 40,000 over the course of the race meeting. Oulton Park undoubtedly provides one of the best ‘family atmospheres’ of any BTCC weekend, with drivers and team members known to enjoy an informal campsite walkabout to meet the fans and soak up the excitement.
Marking the final event before the BTCC’s annual mid-summer break in 2024, Oulton Park is set to host Rounds 13, 14 and 15 in its usual June slot.