Goodyear tyre strategy will be key this weekend as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) returns to action at Snetterton for rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the season. The Norfolk circuit’s 2.97-mile ‘300’ layout, the longest on the calendar, requires a careful balance of traction and precision.
At Snetterton, Goodyear will supply each driver with three sets of its white-walled soft compound and one set of the more durable hard compound.
Teams will also have the option to use carryover tyres from earlier rounds, adding another layer of strategy. Like at Brands Hatch two weeks ago, drivers can choose two sets of any compound carried over from the first two events, but the medium - expected to be the more popular carryover choice for this event - can only be used during free practice sessions.
Michael Butler, Goodyear’s BTCC Event Leader, previews the weekend: “Snetterton has a mixture of high, medium and low-speed corners that will challenge drivers and engineers to think strategically about tyre usage this weekend. The Turn 1 right-hander in particular stands out as it is extremely fast and puts a significant load through the tyres early in the lap.
“Drivers have three sets of the soft compound and one of the hard compound allocated for the weekend, plus the option of using carryover tyres, so managing tyre allocation across practice, qualifying and the races will be vital - including deciding whether to save any of their allocated compounds for use at races later in the season.”
Jake Hill claims Goodyear Wingfoot Award at Brands Hatch Indy
Jake Hill delighted his home crowd at Brands Hatch last time out by setting the fastest BTCC qualifying lap ever around the 1.21-mile Indy circuit, claiming pole position and duly winning the second Goodyear Wingfoot Award of the season.
In fact all six drivers in the 'Quick Six' shootout two weeks ago - each equipped with Goodyear’s soft compound - posted lap times comfortably quicker than the previous qualifying record.
Speaking after qualifying at Brands Hatch, Hill said: “This new Goodyear Wingfoot Award is lovely for taking pole. I threw the world at it, and [the car] stuck. We came here and straight away had that ‘bite’ in the tyre, everywhere. It’s lovely to have a BMW that is absolutely rocking again!”
The Goodyear Wingfoot Award rewards the fastest qualifying lap at each round. Drivers accumulate points based on their qualifying results throughout the season, with the highest scorer ultimately crowned the 2025 Goodyear Wingfoot Award winner.
Butler added: “We have now entered what is the fastest era of cars in BTCC history. The cars are around 55kg lighter and more agile this year without the hybrid power systems, so the pace we’ve seen at Donington and Brands Hatch Indy proves that drivers are really able to extract the most from their tyres. Jake won the season's Goodyear Wingfoot Award in 2022, so it was great to see him back with another Goodyear Wingfoot Trophy in his hand.”
Track action at Snetterton kicks off on Saturday 24 May, ahead of the three races on Sunday 25 May.
