Ryan Bensley, a rookie for the 2025 campaign with Team VERTU, is no newcomer to
British Motorsport. Whether it is Stock Hatch cars in 2008, to Civic Cup racing in 2020
and more recently in Touring Cars as of 2024, Bensley is making the step up to BTCC
action for Snetterton.
After two initial races in Touring Cars in 2024, the Kings Lynn native has over doubled
his number of races at the beginning of this season with two sixth-place finishes to his
name at the infamous Donington Park circuit.
Bensley is substituting for Michael Crees in the three rounds at Snetterton, racing the
number #54 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 N.
Gordon Shedden makes his return to the BTCC as the most winning driver on the grid with, fittingly, 52 victories to his name, ten more than Ash Sutton.
After three years away, Gordon Shedden returns to the series that he is a three time champion of, 19 years after his full-time debut in the championship.
Taking four wins in his only season driving the Honda Integra Type R in his opening season with Team Halfords, ‘Flash’ was immediately on everybody’s radar. In the end coming home in fourth in his debut season with a dominating weekend at Donington Park after winning both of the opening two bouts.
Making the switch to the infamous Honda Civic in 2007, Shedden would have an outstanding sophomore season improving his championship position to third. Again taking four victories this would be the #52s best finish of the opening four years of his BTCC career.
2010 would see the full-time return to a single team for a season in which that team was Honda Team Racing. Despite not taking a victory until the 13th race of the season, Shedden would quickly make it two wins in Round 14 en route to equalling his best season finish of third.
The very next season would see the Scot go one better adding six victories to his tally before finally getting to hold the trophy in 2012. A season that would see Shedden match his win total of the season previous by Round 14.
It would be three years before the #52 would be holding the trophy once more in a different style to the first combining to half of the triumphs of his first championship success along the way. Even more impressively the feat was repeated one year on to take his third title, scoring 40 less points than his second crown and 100 less than his first.
The third championship to his name would see Shedden bookend a seven year run in 2016 of finishing in the top three of every season. Despite this run coming to an end, the then Honda Civic Type R driver would come home in fourth in 2017 scoring one more point than his previous crown.
Shedden would continue to have winning year upon winning year with his most recent victory coming in Croft of 2022. This would be the last year we would see ‘Flash’ before his return to the BTCC paddock this upcoming season.
Making the switch to the Speedworks Motorsport-run TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA, the sixth most winning driver the series has ever seen returns to the fold as the addition sees nine titles sit on the current grid.
Charles Rainford joins the West Surrey Racing team for the 2025 season to make his BTCC debut in the LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR BMW 330i M Sport.
Starting his racing in historics saw Rainford take a different path to professional driving to what most would do taking his step up to full-time competing in late 2021. That race would be in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB series taking the pro-am victory on his debut outing.
The very next year would see the BTCC’s new #99 take the title in the very same pro-am category giving himself the opportunity to take to the pro series in 2023.
During his first campaign in the pro category, Rainford would walk away with a victory to his name coming fourth in the standings. The Horsham-racer would improve in his sophomore year coming narrowly close to the title with a second place finish.
After only three previous seasons of full-time professional racing, Rainford is ready to impress in his debut season in the BTCC.
2025 sees a new young gun join the grid as Max Hall makes his BTCC debut for ROKiT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport at 18-years old.
Initially announcing his deal at 17, Hall is no stranger to the TOCA paddock after battling at the sharp end of the MINI CHALLENGE championship one year ago. Only finishing behind nine-time BTCC racer Dan Zelos who fought it out for his third title in the series.
The young Bristolian impressed however as he would go on to take the rookie championship by storm. It would not be his first title in motor racing after winning the Junior Saloon Car Championship in 2022. Previous to these achievements Hall would make his car racing debut in the 2021 Ginetta Junior Championship.
Looking to make his mark as the youngest driver on the grid, the 18-year old has impressed across the three pre-season testing days, consistently setting lap times keeping himself inside the top ten.
Partnering Dexter Patterson in the Un-Limited Motorsport-run Cupras, the duo are the youngest team heading into the upcoming campaign and with much excitement around them, Hall’s debut season will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
James Dorlin first came to winning ways in the Junior Saloon Car Championship in 2014 winning eight out of the 14 races. Only two years later would the then 16-year old lift a championship trophy once more triumphant in the Michelin Clio Cup Series UK taking victory in eight of the 15 races in this campaign.
2018 would see Dorlin come narrowly close to taking the crown in the Renault UK Clio Cup finishing second in the standings across the 19-race season.
Over the next years of his young career Dorlin would compete in a variety of series such as the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, British GT Championship in both GT4 and GT3 categories.
2025 now sees the 25-year old embark on his debut season in the BTCC driving the Toyota Corolla GR Sport for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA.
Dan Zelos has had an impressive journey in British motorsport over the past decade. After starting his career in the Ginetta Junior Championship, where he secured two wins in his first year, Zelos moved up to the Renault Clio Cup in 2016.
After three years and two podiums in the series, Zelos made the move to the manufacturer series in 2019 that has seen the 26-year-old cement his name into British Motorsport, The Mini Challenge UK, where he has truly made his mark. Over five seasons, he has amassed 18 victories and 42 podiums, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable competitor.
His perseverance paid off when he won his first MINI Challenge UK title in 2021. Zelos repeated this success by clinching the championship again in 2023, becoming the driver with the most wins in the current JCW class of the series—a remarkable achievement in a highly competitive field.
The now three-time champion would continue his dominance in 2024, securing six wins and 11 podiums in 16 races. This stellar performance culminated in his move to the BTCC at Donington Park GP for the eighth event of the 2024 season, marking a significant step forward in his racing career.
Scott Sumpton is set to make his BTCC debut in 2024, joining the grid as a 19-year-old talent with Restart Racing. He will be teaming up with the experienced Chris Smiley, who returns for another season in the championship. This move marks a significant milestone in Sumpton’s young but promising career, as he steps up to compete in the UK's premier motorsport series.
The BTCC's No.29 started his journey in motorsport in 2015 when he started karting at just 10 years old. Competing in various club events around the UK, Scott quickly demonstrated his natural talent and racing instincts. His abilities became even more evident in the British Kart Championship, where he consistently held his own against more experienced and seasoned drivers, gaining valuable experience and honing his competitive edge.
In 2020, Scott transitioned from karting to car racing, making his debut in the Junior Saloon Car Championship. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited testing and racing opportunities, Scott persevered. His resilience paid off when he switched teams for the final three races of the 2021 season. This change proved pivotal, as Scott rapidly progressed to become a frontrunner, showcasing his adaptability and determination to succeed at a higher level of competition.
Over the past two years, Scott has expanded his experience by racing in other touring car categories, driving both a Honda Civic and a Hyundai i30. These stints have allowed him to gain crucial seat time in powerful machinery, further preparing him for the step up to the BTCC. His performances in these categories have underscored his potential, as he consistently improved and demonstrated his capability to compete in top-tier racing environments.
Now, in 2024, Scott embarks on his debut season in the British Touring Car Championship. Competing at this level represents a dream come true for the young driver, who has been working tirelessly to reach this point in his career. His participation in the BTCC also makes him eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy, a prestigious award that recognizes the top rookie driver in the series. With his proven track record of quick adaptation and skill, Scott Sumpton is undoubtedly a driver to watch as he begins his journey in one of the most competitive touring car championships in the world.
Chris Smiley made his debut in the BTCC in 2016 for TLC Racing in the Toyota Avensis, competing in the first half of the season.
In 2017, Smiley would compete in his first full season in the BTCC for BTC Norlin Racing with a season best finish of ninth.
It would only take until his second full season before Smiley would take his first and only, to date, BTCC win at Rockingham in race three. Adding a second place at Donington Park saw Smiley almost halve his championship position on his debut season.
A return to the Honda Civic, as in 2018, saw Smiley return to the podium places again on multiple occasions in 2019. Making a season best finish of second in the opening race at Croft.
In 2020, Smiley would make the switch to drive the Hyundai i30 with EXCELR8 Motorsport having another successful season adding a further podium to his resume.
2021 would be Smiley’s last BTCC season to date, once more in the Hyundai i30, just missing out on a podium with a season best finish of fourth.
After two seasons away the Northern Irishman made his return to the BTCC with Restart Racing in the Cupra Leon in 2024 providing some entertaining results along the way including a sixth place finish at Silverstone’s second race.
Staying with Restart Racing in 2025, Smiley returns to familiar machinery as the team make the switch to Hyundai i30 Ns for the upcoming campaign.
Nick Halstead returns to the BTCC for 2025 with Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing. The newwly numbered #50 was originally a relative latecomer to racing, making his competitive debut in 2017. Despite his late start, he quickly proved his talent by winning the Am category of the Ginetta GT5 Challenge in just his second season, showcasing his natural racing ability.
Following his early success, Halstead became a regular on the BTCC support package, competing in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup. His debut season in the Supercup was particularly impressive, as he scored 16 podiums, including five race victories, establishing himself as a formidable competitor in the series. Building on this momentum, Halstead took on a new challenge in 2020, stepping up to the British GT Championship in the GT4 Pro/Am class. His performance was outstanding, and he finished the season in second, further cementing his status in British motorsport.
In 2021, Halstead made his British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) debut, stepping in for Rick Parfitt at Croft after Parfitt was unable to participate. Although it was a challenging introduction to the highly competitive BTCC field, Halstead showed steady improvement throughout race day, securing a best finish of 21st in the third race on the 2.13-mile circuit. This experience provided valuable insights into the demands of touring car racing, setting the stage for his future in the series.
Halstead embarked on his first full season in the BTCC in 2023, joining the grid with defending champions BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8. Throughout the season, he demonstrated determination and growth, culminating in two points-scoring finishes. His best result came in the opening round at Donington Park, where he achieved a seventh-place finish, marking a significant milestone in his BTCC career.
In 2024, Halstead returned to the renamed Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with renewed focus and ambition. With the support of a strong team and a year of full-season BTCC competition under his belt, Halstead made further progress and continue his climb up the championship standings.
For the current campaign, the newly numbered #50 joins Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing to partner Mikey Doble in the Vauxhall Astra. Halstead joins the team after missing the opening round at Donington Park.
Rob Huff first made his mark in the British Touring Car Championship in 2004, driving for SEAT. Behind the wheel of a Toledo Cupra, Huff quickly established himself as a competitive force, securing two victories – one at Brands Hatch and another at Snetterton. His consistent performances throughout the season also earned him three additional podium finishes, including one at Silverstone, ultimately leading to a respectable seventh-place finish in the overall standings.
Following his impressive BTCC debut campaign, Huff embarked on an international career that saw him compete in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) for the next 13 years. During this period, he cemented his status as one of the top touring car drivers globally, highlighted by his crowning achievement in 2012 when he became the WTCC World Champion driving the Chevrolet Cruze. Huff's success in the WTCC was not just limited to his championship win; he was known for his consistent podium finishes and race victories, which earned him a reputation as a formidable competitor on the world stage.
Despite his global commitments, Huff never entirely left the BTCC behind. In 2017, during his final season in the WTCC, he made a notable return to the BTCC grid with Power Maxed Racing at Silverstone. In a testament to his enduring skill, Huff secured his eighth BTCC podium in the final race of the day, reminding fans of his prowess in the series.
After 2017, Huff continued to showcase his talents in the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), maintaining his presence in top-tier touring car racing. His passion for the BTCC remained strong, and he made another appearance in the series in 2023, this time at Knockhill, driving for Team HARD. Even in a part-time capacity, Huff demonstrated his capability and experience, further solidifying his connection to the BTCC.
Now, in 2024, Huff is set to compete in his second full season of BTCC racing, joining TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK. This marks a significant milestone, as he returns to the series 20 years after his debut season. With decades of experience and a world championship under his belt, Huff is poised to bring his wealth of knowledge and competitive spirit to the team, aiming to make a strong impact in the upcoming season.