BTCC returns to action at Thruxton

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns this weekend after its World Cup-influenced seven-week layoff with three races at the fastest track on the calendar – Thruxton.

NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton leads the championship having only failed to finish on podium three times from the first 12 rounds of the season and taking five wins, six fastest laps, and four second places along the way.

It's been a stellar season so far for the four-time champion and the newly-configured Ford Focus Titanium Saloon, with him holding a 48-point advantage of reigning champion Tom Ingram, who after a difficult start to the year with a disqualification and a retirement at Donington Park on the opening weekend of the season, took three consecutive podiums at the most recent event at Oulton Park to etch into Sutton's mammoth advantage.

Behind the usual suspects up top are Sutton's teammate Dan Cammish, second season sensation Charles Rainford, and Ricky Collard who despite only being confirmed for the first part of the season at the start of the year, will remain in his Team Vertu Hyundai season for Thruxton. Japanese driver Osamu Kawashima, who raced on the BTCC package in Ginetta support races in the mid-2010s revealed on social media during the break that he is set to race in the ninth and 10th weekends of the season (Silverstone National and Brands Hatch Grand Prix) for Team Vertu, but it’s not yet clear who he’ll replace, if indeed anyone.

There are some other changes coming in the rest of the field, too.

West Surrey Racing has finally added a third BMW to its ranks having teased as much earlier in the year. That will be driven by Scottish youngster Lewis Gilbert, who will remain in the No. 29 BMW 330i M Sport for the rest of the season.

“I’m thrilled to make my touring car debut with WSR and to join the BTCC, a series I’ve watched and loved for a long time,” he said. “I’m only half a season into my car racing career and already fortunate to be in a position to move into the BTCC, which has been a long-term aim since I started karting.

“WSR are the most successful team ever in the BTCC and with all the championships they won in single-seaters before that and the experience they have, I know I’m in the best place possible. I definitely feel like I’m in at the deep end with the fastest circuit on the calendar – Thruxton – first, and then my home track at Knockhill, which couldn’t be more different, straight after. But with the knowledge around me at WSR, I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

At Speedworks Corolla Racing, Max Buxton will step aside for Ryan Bensley who made three starts for Team Vertu at Snetterton last season, with Buxton moving into a test and development role.

“I’ve loved the first part of the year and yes, naturally, every racing driver wants to be on the grid, but I’ll continue to keep working away behind the scenes. I'm grateful to Speedworks for continuing to invest in my development,” said Buxton. “This certainly isn't the end of my BTCC journey – in many ways it's just another step along it. The goal is to be back on the grid as soon as possible, and I'll be using this opportunity to keep learning, keep developing and make myself an even stronger driver when that chance comes.

“I'll still be with the team at every event, supporting Ryan and Josh [Cook], working alongside the engineering team, supporting the team’s Rising Stars program and contributing wherever I can. I'm determined to keep improving and make sure I'm ready when the opportunity arrives.”

Almost exactly one year on from the devastating fire that threatened to destroy Power Maxed Racing and close it down for good, the team will add a fourth car to its ranks for the very first time.

After a solid start to the year with its three new in-house developed Audi S3 Saloons – with Mikey Doble winning the season opener and taking a podium at Brands Hatch, and Aiden Moffat and Dexter Patterson both regularly in the points – Nick Halstead will return to the BTCC once again. Halstead drove for PMR last season, but relocated to Australia at the end of the season. He’ll return for the rounds at Knockhill in Scotland on Aug. 8-9.

“Expanding to four cars is a significant step for Power Maxed Racing and reflects the continued progress the team has made in recent seasons. It’s a credit to everyone involved, both on and off-track,” said PMR team principal Adam Weaver. “When we looked at the opportunity to add a fourth entry, Nick was a natural fit. He understands how the team operates, integrated well in 2025, and has continued to build experience since then.

“With it also commemorating the anniversary of the fire, with Nick providing so much support in getting back racing this time last year, it’s very fitting that he is getting in the car at Knockhill. We’re pleased to welcome him back and look forward to working with him again.”

PMR is also set to show the new BTCC Junior category car to the public at Thruxton this weekend, too.

Following Thruxton and Knockhill, the series returns to Donington on the weekend of Aug. 22-23 for three races around the full Grand Prix Circuit, having tackled the shorter National layout earlier this year. Then there's Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on Sept. 5-6, before Silverstone's short National circuit and Brands Hatch's full GP layout to see out the year.

All three of this Sunday's races will be live on RACER+. See this weekend's Racing on TV page for air times.