The 2022 BTCC Hybrid development continues apace over the next seven days as the rear-wheel drive test car officially breaks cover.

The BMW 1-Series is having its maiden shakedown at the Stafford Test Facility today and tomorrow (9/10 September) and will then join the Toyota Corolla Hybrid for a two-day Goodyear tyre test at Snetterton next week (14/15 September).

Prepared by Ciceley Motorsport, the car will be managed by Cosworth Electronics – the company appointed to design, supply and service the BTCC Hybrid System – throughout its intensive testing cycle over the next few months.

After initial installation and systems checks at Stafford, the pace will then be cranked up in Norfolk next week when the stealth-like BMW joins the all-white Hybrid Toyota on-track, with the two cars being run simultaneously for the first time. 

The test also represents a hugely important data gathering process for Goodyear, as the official tyre supplier continues its ongoing tyre evaluation ahead of the BTCC’s Hybrid era.

James Cole and Andrew Jordan will be sharing driving duties between both cars at Snetterton, with the latter warming up ahead of the Silverstone race weekend, where the Hybrid Toyota will make its competitive bow in the Kwik Fit BTCC. 

The outing will also mark the maiden event for the new 2022 customer TOCA engine – developed by M-Sport – which has been run in the Hybrid Corolla throughout its 2021 testing programme.

Although scheduled to compete in all practice sessions, qualifying and the three races, the car will take each race start from the pit-lane so as not to interfere with the championship contenders.