The 2026 TOCA Night of Champions at Silverstone in November will celebrate the standout moments from this year's Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, with the Fans' Choice Award once again giving you the opportunity to decide which achievement deserves recognition.
This year, five unforgettable moments are in contention, from emotional triumphs and long-awaited victories to breakthrough podiums and landmark wins. Today, we're looking back at Mikey Doble's remarkable victory in the opening race of the season at Donington Park, securing a win on debut for the all-new Power Maxed Racing Audi.
LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble enjoyed a sensational start to the 2026 campaign, claiming victory in the opening encounter around the 1.98-mile Donington Park National circuit to give the new Audi A3 Saloon a winning debut.
The Surrey-based racer arrived at the Leicestershire venue following an encouraging pre-season testing programme, with the newly developed machinery showing promising pace ahead of its first competitive appearance.
Having secured fourth place in Saturday's inaugural Race to Pole, Doble lined up on the second row for Sunday's opening contest, opting for the soft Goodyear tyre compound as he looked to make further progress.
The #88 Audi initially slipped to fifth during the opening exchanges, whilst Team VERTU's Tom Ingram took control at the front of the field after pole-sitter Daniel Rowbottom dropped down the order.
An early Safety Car period followed after Josh Cook (Speedworks Corolla Racing) suffered a puncture that sent his Toyota Corolla GR Sport into the barriers at the final chicane.
Once racing resumed, Doble began to make his move, firstly finding a way past Charles Rainford (WSR) before setting his sights on Rowbottom's Mercedes A35 Saloon.
The decisive overtake came on lap 18, as Doble carried greater momentum out of Coppice before passing Rowbottom on the run towards the final chicane to move into second position.
Despite closing the gap to race leader Ingram during the remaining laps, Doble was unable to challenge the Hyundai driver, eventually taking the chequered flag in second place and as the leading Independent.
However, the result would change following post-race checks, with Ingram disqualified for a significant overboost infringement, promoting Doble to victory and delivering an incredible first race win for the new Audi.
The result marked Doble's second career BTCC victory, following his maiden success at Snetterton in 2025, whilst also giving Power Maxed Racing the perfect start to its new chapter with the Audi.
Reflecting on the achievement, Doble said: "To take a win straight out of the box is phenomenal."
That opening triumph would prove to be the first of two outright race victories for Doble during the campaign, with the 27-year-old returning to the top step of the podium at Croft in September to take his career tally to three.
His impressive season eventually culminated in further silverware at Brands Hatch, where he secured the Independent Drivers' Championship whilst helping LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing claim the Independent Teams' crown.
A debut victory for the new Audi, the first race win of the 2026 season and the beginning of a title-winning campaign ensured Doble's Donington Park success earned him a nomination for the 2026 Fans' Choice Award.
Click here to vote for Doble NOW.
