Multiple race-winning team Power Maxed Racing is delighted to confirm Dexter Patterson as its first driver signing for the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The talented Scotsman joins the squad as it embarks on an exciting new chapter, with Power Maxed Racing set to introduce brand-new Audi S3 machinery for the upcoming campaign.

Patterson returns to the BTCC grid in 2026 determined to build on the progress he showed last season. After what he described as ‘a season of two halves’, the 22-year-old demonstrated clear pace and maturity in the latter stages of the championship, establishing himself as one of the rising talents in the field.

Now with a fresh environment and new technical package beneath him, Patterson is targeting consistent points finishes, regular top-ten results and a Jack Sears Trophy challenge, as the team develops its new Audi S3 programme.

Dexter Patterson said: “I'm really excited to be joining Power Maxed Racing at such an important time for the team. The move to the Audi S3 makes this a fresh project for everyone, and that's something that really motivated me.

"Last season showed what we're capable of when everything comes together. For 2026, the goal is to start strongly, keep building momentum, and make sure we're fighting consistently at the front end of the grid."

Adam Weaver, Team Principal, added: “Dexter hasn't yet had the full opportunity to show what he's truly capable of in the BTCC, but his CV speaks for itself. His karting record was phenomenal, and when you add his single-seater experience to his touring car background, he brings far more depth and race knowledge than people perhaps realise.

"Heading into 2026, it was important for us to put ourselves in a position to challenge across the board, and Dexter gives us that platform. As a minimum, he'll be a serious contender for the Jack Sears Trophy, and we're determined to bring that title back to Power Maxed Racing."

The team's new Audi S3 will make its first on-track appearance during pre-season testing, with further announcements to follow in due course.

Multiple race winner Daniel Rowbottom will commence a new chapter in his Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship career this year after joining debutant team Plato Racing for the eagerly-awaited 2026 season.

In headline-grabbing news, Rowbottom will spearhead the new squad – figureheaded by Jason Plato, two-time champion and winner of 97 BTCC races – driving a Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloon designed and built by renowned engineering outfit RML.

Joining Rowbottom at Plato Racing are long-term backers Cataclean, a brand firmly established across the UK's automotive aftermarket sector, developing and manufacturing its fuel and exhaust system cleaner since 1995.

Cataclean and Rowbottom have enjoyed considerable success over the years, both on-track and through their business relationship, which has enabled partnerships such as Kwik Fit to be forged as a direct result of competing in the BTCC.

The 36-year-old debuted in the UK's premier motorsport series in 2019, and after switching to Team Dynamics, he made his mark in 2021, claiming a maiden pole position, podium and race win on his way to dominating the coveted Jack Sears Trophy.

After further success the following year, the Worcestershire racer moved to Alliance Racing in 2023, where he doubled both his career wins and podium tallies in a single season.

Playing a valuable role in helping the outfit claim consecutive Teams' Championship titles the following season, Rowbottom underwent major heart surgery just over a year ago before returning to the grid to enjoy his best season to-date in 2025.

With three wins and five further podium finishes on his way to a career-best fifth in the Drivers' Championship, Rowbottom is now poised to embark on an exciting new challenge at Plato Racing.

Playing an integral role in the launch of the new team, Rowbottom is relishing the prospect of driving the team forward on-track this season and establishing himself as a championship challenger in the A35 Saloon.

Daniel Rowbottom, Plato Racing, said: "This is without doubt the biggest move of my career so far. To be a partner with Jason at Plato Racing is a pretty special feeling and something that 10-year-old me would have never believed could be possible.

"The deal has been in the works for a while and as you would expect with Jason being involved, everything is being done properly and to the highest of levels. Being aligned with the team gives Cataclean much tighter control of our destiny and being able to maximise future opportunities.

"We've recruited some big names and the work that is going on back at base is pretty incredible; I'm confident that we've got something special with the Mercedes. For me personally, I'm really excited to be stepping into that role of leading a team and driving it forward too.

"Last season was my best yet in the BTCC and the target now is to build on that. I want to be BTCC Champion one day and believe this is the place where I can do just that. We've got a big year ahead of us but I believe we'll be mixing it for wins and podiums from the get-go."

Jason Plato, Plato Racing Team Owner, said: "We are all very excited to have Dan and Cataclean as a part of Plato Racing for 2026 and beyond.

"On a personal level I'm very proud to have Dan in one of our race cars; the journey he has been on, to come through open heart surgery at the end of the 2024 season is remarkable. His performances last year were the best they have ever been and his focus and determination is second to none. We're all expecting great things from Dan.

"It's also fantastic to have the backing from Cataclean. They are a fantastic company who understand how to leverage this investment in the BTCC; we're all working hard to further expand their growth in the automotive sector.

"I'm confident that Plato Racing, with Dan and Cataclean on board, will be a true force in the BTCC this coming season."

Plato Racing will announce Rowbottom's team-mate in due course.

Donington Park plays host to the opening round of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season on April 18/19.

Senna Proctor's return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in 2025 marked the end of a three-and-a-half-year absence from racing, but the experienced campaigner wasted little time in reminding the paddock of his abilities, delivering three podiums and a top-ten championship finish despite missing the opening three events.

For Proctor, that first session back at Thruxton was a mixture of anticipation and validation after years on the sidelines.

"It was great. I myself hadn't been out on a race circuit on a piece of tarmac in three and a half years, so it was nice," Proctor explained. "We performed quite well that weekend. We made it into the Quick Six and came away with three top-ten finishes, I believe.

"It was nice for me to get back out there and do the business. Sitting on the sideline, always believing you can do it, and then when you jump back in, you kind of have the proof there again and you can kick on with the season and keep getting the good results."

That opening weekend set the tone for what would prove to be an impressive campaign. Finishing tenth in the overall championship standings, having contested just seven of the ten race weekends was a significant achievement, made all the more remarkable by the lack of pre-season preparation.

"Coming away in the top ten of the championship after doing seven rounds was great. It was, I wouldn't say beyond my expectations, but it was certainly a great accolade to have," he said. "I think we just missed out on winning a race really, which probably could have come across earlier in the year. But we were still getting warmed up again at that point. We definitely can't be disappointed with how the season went overall."

The statistics paint an even more impressive picture. Had Proctor contested the full season and maintained his average finishing position, he would have split his EXCELR8 Motorsport teammates Adam Morgan and Tom Chilton in the final standings.

"That's exactly it. We were right on the money about where to go. We had zero test days before the start of the season and, you know, not driving a BTCC car in three and a half years and straight into FP1 at the fastest circuit in the country was certainly a bold move," Proctor admitted.

"But it was always justified in my head because if you believe you can do it, then you go there and do the business. For me, it was a joyful season in terms of having to watch from the sidelines to actually come back and produce the goods beyond my expectations, I suppose, so quickly."

The best weekend of Proctor's season came at his home event of Croft, where he claimed two podium finishes despite a difficult qualifying session.

"I would say that Croft was the highlight because, you know, for me the two podiums at a home round, lots of family, friends, sponsors there, was certainly a special one, especially when qualifying didn't quite go to plan on Saturday," he said. “You're kind of sat there with your head in your hands and not knowing what the next day will bring. So, to then finish on the podium twice was certainly one of the highlights."

The season finale at Brands Hatch provided another memorable moment, with Proctor charging up ten positions to take a podium in race two.

"The Brands Hatch podium was a great way to finish the season. Coming from 13th on the grid to third in race two was a real highlight of the year as well. But like I say, it's hard to overlook the Croft moments with some great memories of that circuit and some great local support."

Looking ahead to 2026, the introduction of the Saturday Qualifying Race is a change Proctor approves of, believing it would play to his strengths.

"I think another race for me is always good. I like the racing. I wouldn't say I'm bad at qualifying or bad at any aspect, but I suppose for me, I like racing," he explained. "So another race is always a positive for me. I always see myself or envisage myself going forward in a race.

"For me, logically, unless I'm on pole every single time, I think it would always improve my starting position for the Sunday morning. So yeah, I think it's a good addition."

The off-season sees Proctor determined to build on the momentum established during his comeback year.

"There's a couple of options on the table going into next year," he said. “Just try and return in a top team in a top car in one of the best motor racing championships in the world.

“To get back is to keep the dream alive and keep building momentum, because the goal is to win the championship one day and you can really do that racing season after season, building the momentum and building that continuity."

Now approaching the eighth year since his first BTCC victory at Brands Hatch in 2018, Proctor reflects on nearly a decade in and around the championship paddock with pride.

"After a few years I came back and, I wasn't one of the older ones, but I felt like more of a veteran coming back. I feel like I've been around it for years," he said. "Even not racing, I've been around the paddock and still in and around it. I started racing on the TOCA package in 2014, so I've been about for a long time.

"For me, the first couple of years with the new car, with the Astra, to get that first win at Brands Hatch was the start of what was the BTCC career."

With a successful return season now complete and ambitions firmly set on competing for the championship, Proctor continues his efforts to secure a seat for 2026, determined to maintain the momentum that saw him shine during his comeback year.

Tom Chilton heads into 2026 with the confidence of a driver who has found his home, entering his fifth consecutive season with EXCELR8 Motorsport in what marks the longest spell with a single team in his distinguished British Touring Car Championship career.

The experienced campaigner enjoyed a successful 2025 season, securing two victories, two second places, two third-place finishes, pole position and multiple fastest laps, bringing his highest championship finish in the last five years. It was a campaign that reminded the paddock of Chilton's ability when the package suits his driving style.

“This is my longest spell with one team. That is worth pointing out, actually. They must be doing something right. I think Justina Williams is doing something right.”

"Last year was a successful year for me because the cars were harder to drive," Chilton explained. "With all my experience, that's how I like driving. I wear those silly heart rate monitors. My heart rate lowers when I go more sideways. I'm weird. I know most people get more like, ah! And the heart rate goes up. Whereas I'm like, ah, happy place. I'm going sideways.

“Without the hybrid in the cars, they were lighter and more twitchy. They were more on an edge, which is how I like driving."

The stability within the team has been crucial to Chilton's upward momentum. Having spent multiple seasons with EXCELR8 Motorsport, the operation has been built around his preferences.

"I feel like the team have bent over backwards for me and done everything that I've asked for," he said. "They've even moved from Suffolk and Ipswich all the way up to Droitwich to be inside Team Dynamics. The whole team is moulded around me and I get on really well now with Tom Ingram."

That relationship with teammate Ingram has evolved into one of mutual respect and collaboration, something demonstrated during a memorable moment at Donington Park last season.

"You can see that we've got a good chemistry," Chilton said. "At Donington Park, when I was leading the race, I backed off and let him through to get some points, and then we swapped over again. Whereas if he was a bad teammate, he wouldn't have let me back through, or I wouldn't have let him through to start with.

"We started that off, and then NAPA [Racing UK] kind of had to follow suit. It's nice that we've got such a good relationship that we can work together, and we'll be inch by inch, but we'll never take each other out. And that's through respect."

The partnership with race engineer Barry Plowman has also strengthened over time. "We've been working together for years really. But he now fully gets what I'm saying and he now believes what I'm saying!” Chilton explained.

Looking ahead to 2026, Chilton welcomes the introduction of the Saturday Qualifying Race format, believing it plays to his strengths as an experienced, consistent finisher.

"You've got to finish to get points, and I’m, on the whole, quite good at finishing," he said. "I think the more races the better for me to be honest. All the young hotheads who might be quicker in one race might DNF on the next, so I think the more there are, the better it is for me.

"It's good all round. The fans who are staying the night, whether they're camping or in the caravan or in a hotel down the road and travel to watch us, they get to actually watch a race on the Saturday and talk about that over dinner Saturday night before they watch three more on Sunday."

As for targets, Chilton's ambitions are straightforward. "I've got six lovely trophies currently the other side of those doors on the windowsills, and I would like to have more than six next year. You just always want to do better, don't you?"

Beyond his racing commitments, Chilton maintains a rigorous training schedule throughout the off-season. "I'm doing six hours training a week every week, two hours every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday," he said. "And I'm a parent of four kids, so there's no breaks."

With continuity, experience, and a proven winning package at his disposal, Chilton enters the 2026 BTCC season determined to add to his trophy collection and challenge at the sharp end of the UK's premier motorsport championship once again.

Successful collaboration between TOCA, Goodyear and Kwik Fit continues

Kwik Fit will be the Title Partner of the British Touring Car Championship for an eighth successive season thanks to its ongoing collaboration between TOCA and Goodyear.

The UK’s leading automotive retailer has held the role since 2019 and has been a huge supporter of the UK's most popular motorsport championship ever since.

The brand has contributed significantly to the continued success of the championship through its activations and promotional efforts involving customers at race circuits, across its national network of centres, within online retail operations, and via its own marketing and social media channels.

Kwik Fit has worked closely with BTCC and Goodyear throughout, ensuring that this collaborative effort delivers value to all stakeholders within the championship, especially the fans.

The BTCC continues to go from strength-to-strength with more than 385,000 fans attending trackside, around 15 million people watching the television action in the UK, with many more watching around the world via its live global streaming service.

Kwik Fit’s partnership with the BTCC includes branding at the circuits, podiums, interview backdrops, cars, drivers and team clothing as well as digital collateral. Kwik Fit will also continue to bookend the opening and closing credits and in the advertising breaks of the ITV broadcasts. 

Central to this collaboration and as announced at the end of last year, Goodyear and TOCA have renewed their long-standing partnership through to the end of 2031.

Goodyear has been the official tyre partner of the BTCC since 2003, as well as holding title sponsor rights for most of that period. This latest agreement takes the relationship to a near 30-year collaboration – making it one of the longest-standing and most iconic partnerships in motorsport.

The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship gets underway at Donington Park on 18/19 April.

Andy Lane, Kwik Fit Marketing Director, said: “This will be our eighth year partnering the BTCC and we’re still as excited about the upcoming season as we were for our very first. Our aim from day one has been to add to fans’ enjoyment of the races, whether they’re at the circuits, watching on TV or following the championship online.

“This year we are looking forward to bringing an even bigger interactive area to the race weekends. A huge part of the excitement of the BTCC is the atmosphere created by the fans, and we thoroughly enjoy playing our part in that.

“Kwik Fit will once again be supporting Air Ambulances UK across the season. Last year the BTCC family raised over £28,500 for the charity and we hope to top that this year. We can’t wait to meet up with the teams for testing and the Season Launch – and then of course, for the serious business to begin.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “We welcome the continuation of this flourishing partnership and look forward to strengthening the collaboration between TOCA, Goodyear and Kwik Fit even further.

“The team at Kwik Fit have fully embraced this partnership since joining our distinguished list of loyal partners back in 2019 and they’ve never looked back. The activations trackside, online, on television and in its centres – in collaboration with our own dedicated media team – has shown the ways in which such a partnership should be delivered.”

Moving to WSR at the start of 2025 marked a new challenge for Daryl DeLeon. Coming from a right-hand drive, front-wheel drive CUPRA, to a left-hand drive, rear-wheel drive BMW… and it required adaptation.

The transition proved to be one of the stories of the season as the young talent took overall race day honours before collecting his main silverware target at the end of the season. 

“To be honest, I didn’t really have any problem with, you know, swapping sides,” DeLeon said. “The main thing was, of course, it’s rear-wheel-drive. So, the way you drive it is slightly different. And for me, it was just about adapting to that.”

The collaboration with engineer Jenner Collins played a crucial role in this adjustment. “I had rear-wheel drive experience previously, but with the touring car and to really get the final hundredth out of the car was something that WSR and my engineer, Jenner Collins, helped me with,” he explained.

The first win of DeLeon's BTCC career, at Brands Hatch, was particularly special. “It was probably one of the best days of my life… for all of us to come back at Brands much stronger and to win every single race on the Sunday was quite special. I hadn’t even had a podium before my win, so when I crossed the line in first, I was very happy,” DeLeon said.

Reflecting on the season as a whole, DeLeon highlighted the progress he made alongside the team. “It’s a nice feeling to know that the team are fully giving it their maximum to make the car strong so as well I was progressing myself with a few techniques,” he said. “Each weekend was just learning, and since Croft especially, we just got stronger and stronger towards the end of the year.”

DeLeon’s qualifying pace also stood out. He finished joint third in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award, alongside Ash Sutton, and scored two back-to-back poles late in the season. “I’d always said I was a better racer than qualifier, but then towards the end of the year, working closely with my engineer Jenner Collins, he really helped me get the maximum out the car.” 

For DeLeon, Croft was the turning point. “We went into the break and reflected, we planned to come back stronger with my engineer, we were much stronger in qualifying and overall race pace. And when I got that podium at Croft, I was very happy because I felt like it’s one of the best I’ve ever driven,” he said.

Preparation was central to his approach. “I’d always jump on a call with my engineer and discuss ideas, and we would jump on the sim. I’d obviously drive the track on the sim, make some changes myself, and then see how that reacts to the car,” he said. “Of course, you can’t quite exactly get the real replica of what it’s going to do in real life versus the sim, but it gives you an idea of what you’re looking for when you approach the race weekend.”

On the Jack Sears Trophy, DeLeon reflected on his achievement in his second full BTCC season: “I was very confident at the start of the year with WSR, but the Jack Sears competition last year was very strong. Of course, we had an inter-team battle with my teammate for the championship. When I crossed the line and I was the champion, I was really, really happy… of course I was, but I was also sort of relieved because there’s a lot of hard work that goes into the championship and it was just nice to be rewarded for that.

“Especially with the way Brands, the last round went, starting from pole and then having to do an engine swap. So that wasn’t ideal, but we managed to take back the lead before race three, so I was super relieved.”

Across the season, DeLeon combined adaptation, preparation, and collaboration with the top class WSR squad to deliver a breakthrough year, culminating in his first overall victory and the Jack Sears Trophy. 

Charles Rainford reflects on a rookie Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign that delivered an early breakthrough victory, standout qualifying pace and valuable lessons as he looks to build on his debut season in the UK’s premier motorsport series.

The WSR driver wasted little time in making his mark on the BTCC, claiming a memorable maiden victory at Brands Hatch in just his sixth championship race, alongside a front-row qualifying result during only his second weekend in the series. It was a moment that, even now, still carries significant weight for the 27-year-old.

“I don’t think it really hit me until much later in the year just how big an achievement that was,” Rainford admitted. “Qualifying that weekend was amazing. The car felt really, really good from the start, and we were right at the sharp end in practice.

“I was quickest in the first two qualifying sessions, which was great, and then Jake [Hill] just pipped me in the final part. It was the first time I really knew I could be right up there, and maybe I got a little bit into my own head.”

Race day brought further highlights. After a measured opening contest to take home the #99’s first podium in the BTCC and a tougher second race on the hard tyre, Rainford charged through the field to take his first BTCC win in race three, a result made even more special by the wider significance for WSR.

“It wasn’t a reverse-grid pole, it was a reverse-grid race but not from the front, so it wasn’t straightforward,” he said. “The plan in race one was always to sit behind Jake and bring home a one-two for WSR, which also made us the most successful team in [British] touring car history.

“To come through and win my first race after that was amazing. It wasn’t easy at all, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Reflecting on the season as a whole, Rainford describes a campaign of steady progress despite the challenges faced by the BMW package early on.

“It’s no secret that we struggled with the car at the start of the year,” he explained. “The weight changes definitely affected us more than some others, but we found ways to improve it as the season went on.

“The biggest highlight was the turnaround from where we started to where we finished. Halfway through the year, the one-two-three in qualifying at Knockhill really showed how far we’d come, and from there the results were strong for the rest of the season.”

While he fell just short of his pre-season points target, Rainford remains satisfied with his debut year. “I think I did a solid job,” he said. “It wasn’t everything I might have hoped for on paper, but given how challenging the car could be at times, especially early on, I think it was a good foundation to build from.”

Qualifying pace emerged as a consistent strength throughout the year, something Rainford feels could be further rewarded with the introduction of the new Saturday Qualifying Race.

“I’m actually really excited about the new rules,” he said. “I’m one of those drivers who does a lot of preparation before the weekend, so my FP1 and FP2 are usually very strong.

“Now, without one of those practice sessions, it means you’ve got to hit the ground running straight away. Hopefully, my qualifying will be like my FP1 always was, really strong, and then you go straight into a race without time to change things.”

“It puts more importance on preparation, but that suits me well,” he added. “It’s another race, another opportunity, and more action on a Saturday is good for everyone.”

Beyond performance, Rainford admits that simply lining up on the grid has brought moments that have stopped the race winner in his tracks.

“I used to watch BTCC all the time with my dad when I was younger,” he said. “Lining up for the first race at Donington felt surreal. All the cars I’d grown up watching on TV were suddenly around me on the grid.

“I also wasn’t expecting the level of fan engagement I got personally. It was amazing, but it did take some getting used to at first.”

Looking ahead, Rainford is keeping his objectives simple as discussions continue over his plans for the upcoming season.

“The main thing is to keep learning and improving,” he said. “There are definitely areas I can work on from last year, no matter what I’m doing next.

“In the second half of the season, I made a conscious effort to take it all in a bit more and enjoy the process, not just think about the next race.”

The off-season, meanwhile, is being used to reset and prepare both physically and mentally.

“It’s a lot of training, a lot of work behind the scenes and a lot of discussions,” Rainford explained. “Winter is a good time to really structure your training properly.

“I had moments last year where things like power steering issues became a challenge, so it’s about being physically ready for anything like that if it happens again. Just getting fitter and stronger really.”

As for when fans can expect confirmation of his 2026 plans, Rainford offered cautious optimism.

“We’re still talking about when to announce things,” he said. “Hopefully within the next month or so, fans will hear what we’re up to.”

With a breakthrough victory already to his name and a season of experience behind him, Rainford now looks to turn early promise into sustained success as he prepares for the next chapter.

Árón Taylor-Smith believes continuity will be the key ingredient as he prepares for a second season behind the wheel of a Toyota, as part of the new Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport and Speedworks Motorsport collaboration, convinced that the foundations laid can now be turned into sustained front-running success in the BTCC.

Taylor-Smith’s move to the Corolla marked the beginning of a longer-term project rather than an instant reset, something the Irishman feels is essential in such a competitive era of the championship.

“Continuity breeds success in this championship,” Taylor-Smith explained. “All you have to do is look at anyone who’s had sustained success; it’s always a long-term project.

“I never expected everything to click in year one, no different to how it was at PMR [Power Maxed Racing]. From year one to year two, there, we saw a massive jump, and I see this following a similar path.”

With the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport partnership now in place, Taylor-Smith feels he is ideally suited to the structure around him.

“I look at it as a three-year journey,” he said. “Year one, you learn what works and what doesn’t, year two you start winning races, and year three you have a real crack at a championship. It’s about finding a home that can accommodate that, and I genuinely believe this is the best fit for my future.

Going into 2026, Taylor-Smith heads into the new year with his future already secured and announced, a situation he believes offers a significant competitive advantage.

“It makes a huge difference,” he admitted. “This championship is incredibly hard… regardless of whether you’re with a front-running team or a newer outfit.

“To have everything signed off this early is a credit to my partner network. Their support has given me the best opportunity I’ve ever had in the BTCC.”

That early confirmation has allowed Taylor-Smith and the team to shift focus immediately towards development.

“We’ve already been working flat-out,” he said. “I’ve been in contact with Craig Porley almost daily since everything was agreed. This is the time of year when races are won and lost.

“By the time you arrive at Donington in April, it’s too late. This championship is about finding an edge, and getting signed early has allowed us to do exactly that going into 2026."

Asked to reflect on the highlights of his 2025, Taylor-Smith points not only to on-track performances but also to the progress made off-track.

“We had some really strong runs at Donington GP and Silverstone,” he said. “Those weekends showed me the path to success.

“But what I’m most proud of is the work we did behind the scenes. Not every weekend went our way, and we had issues that were out of our control, but we showed real resilience.”

“That’s something you absolutely need in this championship,” he added. “With 40 races now, nobody is going to have a perfect season. It’s about bouncing back, and I think we showed that really well, particularly later in the year.”

Taylor-Smith also welcomes the introduction of the Qualifying Race format, believing it adds excitement while placing greater emphasis on preparation.

“If you told me we were racing more, I’d always say yes,” he smiled. “All I want to do is drive these cars.

“It does put more pressure on preparation, though. If you turn up and something isn’t right in free practice, your whole weekend can be compromised. You need to know exactly what you’re doing with the setup, and the mechanics need to be spot on.”

“I think it spices things up,” he added. “Change is good. Fans want action, and the sprint format is really exciting. It’s reignited the championship, and I honestly think we’re heading into one of the most exciting seasons yet.”

Looking ahead, Taylor-Smith is clear in both ambition and mindset. “I want to do everyone proud who I represent,” he said. “That’s the most important thing.

“But I believe we can win races. I know I can win races. I’m going into this season feeling like I’ve got everything I need to do the best job I’ve ever done in this championship.”

Confidence is matched by commitment, with Taylor-Smith already deep into his off-season preparations.

“There’s no off day now,” he admitted. “I’ve been on the simulator every single day since the last race, even on Christmas Day!

“This is my life. There are no lifeboats. People see us on ten Sundays a year, but they don’t see the early starts, the stress. That’s a massive undertaking in itself.”

Now entering his 11th season in the championship, the significance of the moment is not lost on him.

“It still feels surreal,” he said. “This is everything I ever dreamt of growing up, and I’m incredibly proud to be doing it.

“These months are about simulator work, communication with engineers and maximising partnerships. Getting everything signed early has given us a huge head start, and now it’s about using that advantage properly.”

New Sporting Director commences BTCC role

Stuart Murray begins his new role as BTCC Sporting Director today (19 January), having taken over from long-serving Championship Co-ordinator Dan Mayo.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said the hugely experienced Murray. “It’s a major change and the next step of my career. I’ve been working away at international level for a number of years, but this is the pinnacle of motorsport in the UK, and the role has far greater scope.

“It’s certainly a step up in prestige in terms of the championship and role. It’s cliché but like so many others I grew up playing the TOCA game and went to watch a BTCC race weekend at Donington Park in 1994. Growing up in Northern Ireland though it was mainly motorcycle road racing, karting or watching F1 on TV with my Dad.”

Murray’s first significant motorsport position was in Dubai with the ASN of the United Arab Emirates, where he oversaw a vast range of sporting, technical and safety responsibilities.

The Northern Irishman then joined the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in 2018 – most-recently based in Geneva as Deputy Director of Circuit Sport. He also held the position of Category Manager for Touring Cars and GTs, which included the overseeing of the FIA GT and Touring Car Commissions, as well as organising the FIA GT World Cup in Macau.

In his new all-encompassing position, Murray will oversee the sporting and administrative operation of the British Touring Car Championship, issuing regulations, managing team/driver relations, and ensuring smooth event delivery among many other tasks.

“The most similar experience – a role that I enjoyed immensely – was as the ASN in the UAE,” continued Murray. “Events like the Desert Challenge, where the role would range from Event Manager and working in Race Control right through to ordering t-shirts or working with customs. It involved pretty much everything, which I am sure will stand me in good stead in the BTCC.

“The FIA role was often a bit different, as the promoter held the commercial rights while the FIA looked after the sporting, technical and safety.

“This opportunity gives me the chance to get involved from the ground up and I can’t wait for that. Working as part of a compact, highly professional and experienced team is something I’m immensely looking forward to.”

Following an extensive handover process between Mayo and Murray, much of the BTCC plans for 2026 have already finalised, as Murray now works closely alongside both the Communications and Technical Directors, as well as under the stewardship of Chief Executive Alan Gow.

Mayo also stays within the BARC family as the new Circuit Manager at Croft Circuit, with the BTCC set to have its first official pre-season test at the North Yorkshire venue in late March.

“I had the opportunity to work alongside and shadow Dan for the final three events of last year,” concluded Stuart. “He has been doing this job for 25 years and his phone would ring 20 times an hour about anything and everything. They are big shoes to step into, it will be a great challenge, but he has left this role in a fantastic position for me to continue with.

“He hasn’t disappeared of course and his new role at Croft means we’ll often be crossing paths. If I can do nearly as good a job as Dan has done over many years, then I’d be absolutely delighted.”

Chris Smiley looks back on a 2025 British Touring Car Championship season that delivered front-running pace and strong early results, ultimately just coming up short to teammate Daniel Lloyd for the Independent Drivers’ title.

For the first time since his return to the championship, the Northern-Irishman was reunited with the Hyundai i30N package, finding himself firmly in the mix for overall top-ten honours and Independents’ success.

“Yeah, it was a year of two halves,” Smiley reflected. “The second half of the year was still good, but we lost points early in six races where we didn’t score at all.

“With low ride height issues, being excluded at Thruxton, technical problems at Snetterton and Oulton Park. You add up the points we lost in those races and it would’ve put us somewhere in the top five overall. The Independents’ would’ve been pretty straightforward, really.

“We kind of gave it away with all the silly things that went on, and the other guys just mopped up when we made those mistakes.”

The frustration is sharpened by just how strong Smiley and the car had been across the year, with results and raw pace underlining how quickly he, the team and the new package had come together.

“If you look at the first half of the year, before Thruxton, I was sitting high up,” he said. “From there on, the luck just didn’t go our way, but the speed was always there.

“I broke the lap record three or four times in FP2 this year. All the right ingredients were there. It was just a case of things that were out of my control not falling our way.”

The #22 believes the foundations laid during the season can provide encouragement for him in the future, particularly given the lack of preparation of the year prior.

“I’ve been in the championship for at least ten seasons now, so it’s not a lack of experience,” he explained. “With the car being so last-minute last year, we did very little testing, so to come out of the blocks the way we did was impressive.

“We know the overall speed is there. Now it’s just about focusing on the fine details and ironing out the little annoyances.”

The introduction of the new Saturday Qualifying Race is another change Smiley believes could create fresh opportunities, particularly for drivers who can hit the ground running early in the weekend.

“I don’t think it changes everything, but it definitely creates more opportunity,” he said. “Last year, qualifying was brutal; you could be quick enough for pole, make a mistake in Q1, and suddenly you’re starting 17th.

“Now you’ve got to make sure the car is absolutely right for FP1 because you’re effectively qualifying from the very start of the weekend. You don’t have time to build into it anymore.”

“Being consistently in the top ten is where you need to be in this championship now,” he added. “That’s how you put a title challenge together; scoring points in every race, every weekend.”

As for targets, Smiley’s ambitions remain firmly focused on climbing the overall order. “My aim is to finish as high as possible in the main championship,” he said. “I’d love to be in the top five overall, and obviously the Independents’ as well.

“You can’t predict wins or poles at this point, the field’s too close for that, but the goal is to put a clean, consistent season together and make the most of every opportunity.”

With renewed motivation, lessons learned and excitement building as the new season approaches, the BTCC race winner is clear on one thing: the hunger to compete remains as strong as ever.

“You get to the end of the year and think it’s nice to have a break,” he said. “Then Christmas passes and suddenly you’re excited to get back in the car, to see everyone again.

“With all the changes in the championship, new teams, new cars and drivers moving around, there’s opportunity early in the season. The focus now is just being as fit and as ready as possible when it all starts again.”