MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square team made an impressive start to life in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship yesterday (17 March) with a front-running performance on track during the Season Launch official pre-season test at Silverstone.

Having tested at a number of circuits during the winter with its Honda Civic Type Rs, the Silverstone event provided the only opportunity for the team to go head-to-head against its on-track rivals in an official test, with a full day of running available across two sessions.

The morning session saw drivers Jake Hill and Sam Osborne busy on track as they worked to gain valuable knowledge of Silverstone’s International layout, which is due to host the penultimate meeting of the season later in the year.

Hill would end the morning with the fastest time of the 29-car field, becoming the first driver to set a lap at an average speed in excess of 100mph, and ending up three-tenths of a second clear of the works BMW of Andrew Jordan. Osborne, meanwhile, lapped quickly and consistently in the sister Honda to end the morning’s running sitting in 20th place.

Times would drop during the afternoon, with Hill once again running right at the sharp end of the grid as he quickly slotted his Honda into second place on the times behind the Toyota of Tom Ingram.

The 26-year-old looked well set to complete a sweep of both sessions late in the day but a combination of traffic and a late red flag meant he had to settle for second on the combined times; his best lap being just 0.051s away from the fastest seen on track.

Osborne’s continued improvement was reflected by the fact that his fastest lap in the afternoon would be six-tenths of a second quicker than he had managed during the morning and meant he ended the day little over a second off the pace - and ahead of a number of former race winners.

The official BTCC website caught up with Hill following the completion of testing yesterday.

“Today was really good,” said the Kent-born driver. “We had a really strong result this morning; we tried lots of things in the car, running through lots of different scenarios, and we definitely found one that worked.

“The afternoon was more of the same, we ended up second just behind Tom [Ingram], so the feeling is really good. It was the first time the whole team has been together so it was nice to get everyone doing their job roles and working as a team.

“I’ve done the circuit in road cars but this is the first time in a touring car around here and it was good. I really like the little circuit it’s nice. It gives something different compared to the national circuit. It’s a mega little circuit, I love it and the car is definitely dialled in.

“Straight away I settled in and felt very comfortable in the Honda, it’s definitely as good as people say it is and it's nice to be getting behind the wheel of one for once rather than watching them disappear into the distance. It's definitely made me feel very confident about the year, hopefully we can get this championship underway and we can get fighting for wins.”

Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with Ginsters’ Tom Ingram topped the times during the only official Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship pre-season test at Silverstone today (17 March).

The Toyota Corolla of Ingram went fastest during the quicker afternoon session with a 1:06.171s lap time, but was closely followed by morning pace-setter Jake Hill in the MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square Honda Civic.

"It’s obviously pleasing to set the first fastest time of the season," said Ingram. "I really like the International layout – it’s a cool little track that should generate some good, exciting racing with its mixture of fast, medium and slow-speed sections.

"We saw today that the times were really close – almost a mirror image of the National circuit – and we got lots of laps in. We completed almost 100 laps in total, which enabled us to work through a lot of our planned programme and the car felt really good. We’ve definitely taken a big step forward with the Corolla over the winter, and the best bit is we know there’s even more still to extract. We’re in a really good place right now.”

Hill had already impressed during a late morning run on fresh Goodyear tyres, and the young Kent star proved his pace again later in the day – falling short of Ingram’s benchmark by just 0.051s.

With the BTCC using the Silverstone International Circuit for the very first time, it was the Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda of Dan Cammish that claimed third once the chequered flag had fallen.

The two new machines in this year’s BTCC produced hugely encouraging performances with Rory Butcher in the latest generation Motorbase Performance Ford Focus and Senna Proctor – running the Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai i30 – placing fourth and sixth respectively.

Sandwiched between the BTCC’s two latest cars on the timesheets was the #1 BMW of reigning champion Colin Turkington, with the 3 Series sporting its striking new look stealth colours for the first time.

Former champions Andrew Jordan (Team BMW) and Matt Neal (Halfords Yuasa Racing) were next in the order, whilst Ash Sutton (Laser Tools Racing) and Chris Smiley (Excelr8 Motorsport) completed the top ten.

Sutton was making his competitive debut in the Infiniti Q50, whilst Smiley confirmed the potential of the all-new BTCC Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance as both cars set lap times inside the top ten positions.

Earlier in the day Series Organiser, TOCA, announced it would be postponing the first three BTCC events of the season due to the government’s updated coronavirus directives (see separate statement).

Every attempt will be made to reschedule the early season events at Donington Park, Brands Hatch and Silverstone, although confirmation of this will be provided once further clarity regarding the eventual resumption of major sporting events is known.

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Pre-Season Test – Silverstone International Circuit

1 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with Ginsters 1:06.171s
2 Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +0.051s
3 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.319s
4 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Motorbase Performance +0.441s
5 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.514s
6 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +0.609s
7 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) Team BMW +0.656s
8 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.754s
9 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.797s
10 Chris SMILEY (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +0.826s
11 James GORNALL (GBR) GKR TradePriceCars.com +0.856s
12 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +0.860s
13 Michael CREES (GBR) Clever Baggers with BTC Racing +0.890s
14 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance +0.895s
15 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR TradePriceCars.com +0.909s
16 Jason PLATO (GBR) Power Maxed Car Care Racing +0.935s
17 Tom CHILTON (GBR) BTC Racing +1.002s
18 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +1.089s
19 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +1.094s
20 Josh WEBSTER (GBR) Team Parker Racing +1.102s
21 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) HUB Financial Solutions with Team HARD. +1.147s
22 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Carlube TripleR Racing Cataclean Mac Tools +1.269s
23 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +1.294s
24 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Power Maxed Car Care Racing +1.395s
25 Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with Team HARD. +1.418s
26 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Carlube TripleR Racing Cataclean Mac Tools +1.473s
27 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.582s
28 Howard FULLER (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +1.586s
29 Andy NEATE (GBR) Motorbase Performance +2.654s

Yesterday (16 March) the government introduced updated coronavirus directives. These included asking citizens to avoid all non-essential social contact and non-essential travel, as well as advising of the withdrawal of the provision of emergency services to mass gatherings.

TOCA of course completely respects the government’s directives. The health of our entire nation  – not just our competitors, fans, marshals, officials and personnel - is of absolute importance. Accordingly, the start of the 2020 BTCC must now be delayed and we therefore advise the postponement of our first three events:

• Donington Park (March 28/29)
• Brands Hatch (April 11/12)
• Silverstone (April 25/26)

Clearly the COVID-19 situation is ever-changing and incredibly challenging for everyone. Our firm intention is to run the full season of ten events and we will work closely with the circuits and our stakeholders in order to reschedule new dates for all postponed events. These will be confirmed and announced when there is further clarity regarding the eventual resumption of major sporting events.

Following the Government’s Coronavirus latest advice, BTCC Series Organiser, TOCA, and Silverstone have taken the decision to cancel public attendance at the BTCC Season Launch taking place at the circuit tomorrow (17 March).

TOCA and Silverstone are committed to assisting in any way to support the Government’s action plan, with the health and safety of our visitors and our team as our priority.

Tomorrow's official pre-season test will still go ahead.

Trade Price Cars Racing has today (16 March) unveiled its livery for the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as the Essex-based squad confirms that GKR Scaffolding will take up the role of title sponsor for its assault on the upcoming campaign.

The new partnership will see the award-winning motor dealership competing under the 'GKR TradePriceCars.com' banner as it looks to build on an impressive debut season in the championship last year.

The team, which secured a maiden race win at Knockhill, will once again field a pair of Audi S3s in the series with a new-look driver line-up seeking to challenge for honours in the highly competitive Independents’ class.

As part of the new partnership between GKR Scaffolding and Trade Price Cars Racing, the two Audi S3s driven by Bobby Thompson and series debutant James Gornall will carry extensive GKR backing as part of a striking new livery that will make its public debut during the BTCC season launch at Silverstone tomorrow (Tuesday).

No stranger to the motorsport scene, GKR has been a major backer of new Trade Price Cars Racing driver Thompson for a number of years. In 2018, Bobby made the move into the BTCC, where he has continued to represent the brand on track for the past two years, helping GKR to not only improve brand awareness but also to embrace the B2B and marketing opportunities afforded by an involvement in Britain’s premier racing series.

"We’re delighted to welcome GKR Scaffolding on board as a title sponsor for the year ahead,” said Team Owner, Dan Kirby. “They have been a fantastic supporter of Bobby for a number of years and share the same values that we do of working hard and pushing continuously to improve, which makes this the perfect partnership going into the 2020 season.

"We’re hugely proud of the fact that they have elected to increase their involvement in the BTCC to become the primary sponsor across both Audis for the 2020 season and are confident that with GKR’s support, we can push towards our goal of challenging for silverware in the Independents’ championship."

"We’ve been involved with Bobby for a number of years, and have also worked alongside Dan and Trade Price Cars Racing in the past, so it’s great for us all to be joining together for 2020,” said GKR’s Managing Director, Neil Rowswell.

"The BTCC has been a fantastic place for us to promote the GKR brand for the past two years and this new deal allows us to continue doing that once again this season with a team that showed great professionalism in its debut season. To have two cars on the grid carrying the GKR livery is something we are very excited about, and we’re looking forward to making the most of this new partnership both on and off the track.

"For Bobby, this year provides a fantastic opportunity for him to progress as a driver and move towards the front of the grid and we’re confident of a strong year for both him and for the team as a whole."

Halfords Yuasa Racing has today (16 March) revealed the 2020 version of its Honda Civic Type R that will race in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The newly-liveried Civic Type R (FK8) was unveiled at a special event held at Halfords Yuasa Racing's Droitwich headquarters, as the team took a brief break from an intensive pre-season test and development programme.

Honda drivers Dan Cammish and Matt Neal are determined to build upon a highly competitive 2019 campaign, in which Cammish took two race wins and came within a lap of lifting the BTCC drivers' title in the very last race.

“The car looks great and we've enjoyed some excellent development over the winter, while my new two-year contract with the team gave me a huge boost,” said the Yorkshireman, a four-time race-winner in the series. “I'm going into 2020 with the same attitude as 2019 – I want to do the best job I possibly can. I very nearly won the championship last year, so I know I have what it takes.”

Halfords Yuasa Racing's pre-season preparations were briefly disrupted by an unfortunate accident suffered by Neal in January while mountain-bike training, putting the veteran BTCC driver in hospital for a few days.

While Matt recovered, the team was able to call upon a very able substitute to carry out his testing duties – Gordon 'Flash' Shedden, who in eight seasons with the factory Honda outfit, secured three BTCC crowns. The Scot put in essential development mileage before his fellow triple champion was able to resume running in March.

“My season hasn’t started off in the best of sorts with my shunt earlier in the year, but I’ve been progressing well – I jumped in this season's Honda Civic Type R last week for the first time and managed to put a significant amount of laps under my belt,” revealed Neal.

“2020 is a special year for me as I reach my 30^th season in the championship – I know I still have the pace and with Dan, I feel we have a pretty awesome team of old heads and young talent. Personally, I’ll be gunning for my fourth title, but first we need to get the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ championships wrapped up for our sponsors!"

Chief amongst those sponsors is Yuasa – the team's longest-standing partner – who will mark its tenth anniversary in the championship this year. Honda UK Managing Director Dave Hodgetts is hopeful that there will be plenty for all sides to celebrate come season’s end.

“I know that the team has worked very hard over the winter to ensure the latest evolution of the Honda Civic Type R goes as well as it looks,” he said. “With our talented duo of Matt Neal and Dan Cammish at the wheel, and Dan having come so close to the title last season, we are optimistic of another excellent season in the BTCC.”

EXCELR8 Motorsport's all-new BTCC Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance cars hit the track at the Snetterton this week (12/13 March) as the squad headed to its local Norfolk track for a jam-packed two-day shakedown, with both Senna Proctor and Chris Smiley getting good time behind the wheel.

"It’s been an enormous challenge for our team to deliver our new Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance BTCC cars, but we have a really special team of people and they have risen to the challenge with a level of dedication and professionalism that is to be commended," said Team Owner Justina Williams.

"Special thanks to Oliver Shepherd, Bradley Dyble, Marvin Humphries and Kevin Berry, along with all our suppliers, partners and team members that have been involved.

"The finished product looks great and looks fast, as we know cars that look fast, usually are! The two day shakedown and test at Snetterton were very productive with both Senna and Chris coming away feeling quietly confident that their new steeds are capable of delivering.

"Now as a team we need to rise to another challenge, beating our valiant competitors on track."

See below for images of the Hyundai taking to the track at Snetterton.

Two-time BTCC Independents’ title-holder Speedworks Motorsport will run under the ‘Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with Ginsters’ banner for the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as Tom Ingram sets his sights on the most prestigious prize in national motor racing behind the wheel of the team’s Toyota Corolla.

Having established a well-deserved reputation as the BTCC’s most prolific giant-killer for its performances and results against bigger-budgeted, Manufacturer-backed rivals, Speedworks stepped up a gear in 2019 by trading in its Toyota Avensis – a trusty companion since 2011 – for the all-new Corolla, as the Northwich, Cheshire-based outfit joined the Manufacturer ranks itself with the support of Team Toyota GB.

In Ingram’s hands, the car was a winner as early as its sixth race – in front of some 4,500 members and families from Toyota Manufacturing UK at Donington Park – in a championship commonly regarded as the world’s toughest tin-top series. The talented young Bucks-born ace added three more victories to his tally before season’s end – a dominant lights-to-flag triumph at Snetterton and a hugely popular and hard-earned double-top in treacherous conditions at Silverstone – to place sixth in the final Drivers’ standings amongst the 32 high-calibre protagonists.

In 2020, Speedworks and Ingram will take their challenge to the next level again after aligning with Toyota Gazoo Racing, the umbrella organisation for the Japanese brand’s international race and rallying activities.

Toyota Gazoo Racing is unquestionably one of the sport’s biggest success stories in recent years and has been the guiding force behind multiple titles and a number of eminent accolades. Drivers and teams running under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner have twice been crowned champions in the FIA World Endurance Championship (2014 and 2018/19) and achieved race-winning glory in the Le Mans 24 Hours (2018 and 2019). In off-road competition, the Toyota Gazoo World Rally Team claimed the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship Manufacturers’ trophy and 2019 Drivers’ laurels.

Both series are currently led by Toyota crews, too, with British drivers Mike Conway and Elfyn Evans respectively topping the WEC and WRC standings, while the Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux was the overall winner of the 2019 Dakar Rally – one of the world’s most gruelling motorsport contests – and finished runner-up in the legendary endurance event earlier this year.

Now, Ingram and Speedworks are primed to bring the Toyota Gazoo Racing UK name to the grid in Britain’s premier motorsport series. Following the only official pre-season group test at Silverstone on Tuesday next week (17 March), the forthcoming BTCC campaign will rev into life at Donington Park on 28/29 March. All of the high-octane, doorhandle-to-doorhandle action will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4.

“To see the Corolla running under the Toyota Gazoo Racing UK banner this season will be a great incentive for everyone in the team and for all of our fans, as it connects us directly with one of the world’s most successful motorsport operations,” said Team Principal, Christian Dick. “It is an absolute honour and clear validation of the outstanding effort put in by each and every member of the Speedworks crew, of whom I am immensely proud. We are all very much looking forward to building upon what we achieved in the Corolla’s maiden campaign last year and mounting an even stronger championship challenge in 2020.”

“The last few years have been an absolute whirlwind,” said Ingram. “From our back-to-back Independent title wins to the arrival of official Manufacturer support in 2019 and now the close affiliation with Toyota Gazoo Racing, whose pedigree in the sport speaks for itself. I was privileged enough to be granted a go on Toyota Gazoo Racing’s state-of-the-art simulator last autumn, which was quite an eye-opener, alongside a guided tour of the TS050 Hybrid sports prototype that competes in WEC. The technical prowess and attention-to-detail behind both was extremely impressive, and the kind of ‘money-can’t-buy’ expertise we will be looking to channel in our pursuit of BTCC silverware this season. I can’t wait to get started!”

“We’re pleased to be able to bring our involvement in the BTCC within our worldwide Gazoo Racing activities,” said Andrew Cullis, Toyota GB’s Product and Communications Director. “Just as much about great performance and winning races, it’s a way we can help more people experience and enjoy the excitement of motorsport. We’re confident the proven race-winning combination of Tom, the Toyota Corolla and Speedworks will be doing just that through the season ahead.”

BMW’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship line-up will sport a fresh new look in 2020, as the iconic ‘M’ colours are incorporated into a striking black, red and blue livery on the three-strong stable of BMW 330i M Sport cars to be piloted by Colin Turkington, Andrew Jordan and Tom Oliphant.
 
In 2019, BMW’s new 3 Series swept all before it in the UK’s premier motorsport series, winning nine of the first 14 races in the hands of Turkington and Jordan – the most dominant performance by any single model in almost 15 years – en route to a sixth BTCC Manufacturers’ title for the brand. With the benefit of a year’s development and the added impetus of the 330i M Sport’s bold new appearance, sights are firmly set on more silverware this season.
 
Last season, Turkington raced to a hard-fought, record-equalling fourth BTCC Drivers’ crown to add to his previous successes, all similarly achieved in BMW machinery in 2009, 2014 and 2018. The Northern Irishman is working hard on his preparation as he targets further success – although he is well aware that the competition is likely to be tougher than ever before.
 
Jordan pushed Turkington all the way in 2019, winning more races than anybody else – including a brace of double-tops at Thruxton and Croft. He ultimately fell just a couple of points shy of adding to his 2013 Drivers’ trophy, despite finding himself ruled out of two races when he was blamelessly caught up in another driver’s accident at Donington Park. His title near-miss has left the 30-year-old more fired-up than ever going into 2020, particularly now he is running under the official Team BMW banner for the first time.
 
Oliphant made a positive impression upon his return to rear wheel-drive last season, tallying a brace of podium finishes in only his second year in the series. After leading laps in 2019, the 29-year-old is now targeting the top step of the rostrum as he bids to turn the experience he gained into champagne celebrations.
 
BMW’s stealth-like 2020 BTCC challenger will first take to the track in public at the official pre-season test at Silverstone next Tuesday (17 March), before the new season begins at Donington Park on 28/29 March. All of the race day action will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4.
 
The trio of Team BMW entries will also proudly carry the BMW First logo throughout the campaign, promoting an aftercare subscription service the brand is developing that will offer customers exclusive access to a range of benefits and products to enhance the BMW ownership experience. An interest register will soon be available, offering customers the opportunity to be the first to hear about this exciting new programme.

"The start of a new BTCC season is always an exciting time, but particularly so this year as we approach it with a dynamic new livery on the BMW 330i M Sport and all three drivers now competing in Team BMW colours," said BMW UK CEO, Graeme Grieve. "Replicating last year’s outstanding achievements will be no mean feat given the calibre of competition in the BTCC – which seems to go up every year – but in Andrew, Colin and Tom, we know we have the drivers to get the job done and the car is clearly a well-proven package. I’m looking forward to seeing how we shape up when the lights go out at Donington Park at the end of this month.”

“As ever in this business, the winter ’off-season’ is almost busier than the racing season itself, with countless hours put in back at the workshop to ensure we extract every last ounce of performance available," said West Surrey Racing Team Principal, Dick Bennetts. "The BMW 330i M Sport was an immediate success last year and the results it achieved out-of-the-box were something very special indeed, which is testament to the skills and stellar efforts of the entire WSR crew. We believe we have further developed and honed the BMW over the past few months, and whilst we are well aware that our competitors will similarly have made progress, we are confident in our capabilities and expect to be firmly in the fight.”

“When conversations started last year about radically changing the livery for 2020, we all felt a fresh new look would be a really positive move for our partners and fans," said Turkington. "It’s created a real buzz ahead of an exciting new BTCC season! The BMW 3 Series is a stunning car and this new image reflects that perfectly. Looking forwards to the new season, I’ve no doubt about our potential and I’m feeling positive about the consistency we have with the 3 Series and the people, but we also have to move the game on – we have to make it count. The opportunity to test the car before the season kicks off has been extremely useful, and we’ll continue with this development programme at Silverstone on Tuesday. The competition in this championship comes from every possible angle, and the challenges grow year-on-year. I have to keep looking for gains, but success is like a drug to me – it inspires me to keep on pushing and keep on growing.”

Team HARD. Racing has hit the track today (10 March), unveiling the squad's new liveried Volkswagen CCs and the return of Right Choice Insurance Brokers (RCIB) as title partner ahead of the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Unofficial testing sees the Kent-based team's Volkswagen CCs take to the tarmac at Guadix circuit in Barcelona over the next three days, where current conditions are somewhat sunnier than those being experienced in the UK.

The two-car RCIB-backed team is led by experienced race winner Jack Goff, whilst Howard Fuller joins the fray after regular driver Mike Bushell was ruled out for medical reasons.

Tony Gilham, Managing Director of Team HARD. Racing is delighted to continue the team’s relationship with RCIB CEO Mike Joseph: “Mike and I have a great working relationship and have been friends for ten years now. Mike has supported the team and helped us grow to where we are today. It’s great to have his full backing for the 2020 season, it’s a great compliment to our team’s business hub and marketing capabilities.

"It was important to retain Mike and RCIB as a partner to the team as we finally feel that we are ready to capitalise on our potential. I can’t thank Mike enough for his support over the last ten years and I’m excited to repay his trust as we kick on from a positive end to the 2019 season!”

Goff, who is a long term RCIB-backed BTCC star, is confident of a strong season: “It’s brilliant to have RCIB back on board, they were with me in my first season with Team HARD. Racing in 2013 where I achieved my first podium in the BTCC. They were then with us again in 2019 when we had the first win for Team HARD. Racing so you could say the three of us have a very special relationship.

"Their support means a huge amount to me and the team and I am incredibly proud to carry their logos on my car once again in the 2020 BTCC season. I am looking forward to a successful season on and off-track together as we push harder than ever before to mix it at the sharp end!”

Team HARD. Racing is currently undergoing its first ever winter test in Spain while stablemate Nic Hamilton joins the two RCIB-backed boys on track at the characteristic circuit. The fourth Team HARD-run car of Carl Boardley in his BMW 1 Series is taking part in a separate unofficial group test at Brands Hatch.