The new BMW 3 Series will make its competitive debut this weekend (6/7 April) when the 2019 British Touring Car Championship revs into life at Brands Hatch – and drivers Colin Turkington, Tom Oliphant and Andrew Jordan are quietly optimistic about their prospects.
 
The new 3 Series officially broke cover last week to great acclaim. Following a short shakedown at Brands Hatch, the car took pride of place at Hever Castle for the BTCC’s annual Season Launch before returning to the Kent circuit’s short ‘Indy’ loop for its first proper test alongside all of its competitors the following day.
 
The car proved to be both fast and reliable out-of-the-box, with BMW Pirtek Racing’s Jordan placing fourth on the timesheets amongst the 30 high-calibre contenders, barely a tenth-of-a-second shy of the outright benchmark. Spearheading the Team BMW challenge, defending BTCC Champion Turkington was not far behind in seventh, with stablemate Oliphant – a new addition to the team this year – a competitive 12^th first time out.
 
Between them, the trio covered some 330 laps – a neat coincidence given the car’s 330i M Sport moniker – leaving all three in cautiously confident mood ahead of this weekend’s season curtain-raiser.

Click below to see the latest Road to Race video episode from BMW UK:

Colin Turkington, Driver, Team BMW, said: “The Brands Hatch test was really positive. The guys inside the team have worked immensely hard and the cars were only finished the day before Season Launch, so they were literally box-fresh. It was all about getting familiar with the 3 Series while beginning to explore the limits. Time is tight and there are obviously a lot of things we still want to try, but I think we’ve got a good base and we seem to be in the ballpark pace-wise. As a race car, the 3 Series has all the right attributes but it’s hard to know what to expect at Brands Hatch – we’ll find out in qualifying what our relative form is. What is certain is that there are a lot of very fast driver/team combinations, so it’s going to be as closely-fought as ever. Everybody’s a contender, and we’ll focus on trying to score some good points through the first few weekends and then building a campaign from there.”

Tom Oliphant, Driver, Team BMW, said: “We all went to the Brands Hatch test expecting to encounter the usual teething problems you get with a new car, and the fact that we didn’t is pure testament to everybody involved in the project. I felt comfortable in the BMW 3 Series straightaway – it’s back to what I’m used to, which is front-engined, rear wheel-drive and it’s no exaggeration to say it’s the best-handling car I’ve ever driven. It’s based on a fantastic road-going model and has all the right characteristics to be a fast BTCC car, and I was blown away by the sheer quality, balance and level of grip. I feel truly honoured to drive it. It’s difficult to set targets at this stage. I think we should be quite competitive in qualifying, and while the races are more of an unknown, I’m quietly confident we will be stronger over long runs. Last year, I didn’t score well early on, so I’m aiming for three points-scoring finishes at the first weekend to start on a positive foot.”

Andrew Jordan, Driver, BMW Pirtek Racing, said: “It really is tremendous credit to WSR and BMW for rolling all three cars out at Brands Hatch last week – we genuinely thought getting just one ready on time was going to be tight. Everybody has done an absolutely phenomenal job and out-of-the-box, I’m very happy – the longer wheelbase is definitely an advantage in certain areas. From the moment it turned its first wheel, the 3 Series ran well and reliably, and I already feel comfortable. We were able to try out a lot of set-ups at the test; some worked and some didn’t, but that’s all part of building up a bank of knowledge and data. In a way, going so well does shift the goalposts a little but at the same time, I feel we need to manage expectations somewhat. Can we challenge for pole at Brands Hatch? I think there’s a chance, but the focus has to be on the three races – we need to be aiming to score in them all. In this championship, it’s all about playing the long game.”

 

 

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship fires into action this coming weekend (6-7 April) at Brands Hatch, and it'll all be screened live on ITV.

The BTCC enjoys exclusive television bragging rights in 2019, as the only major motorsport series to be broadcast on a leading UK free-to-air television network.

All ten of its events will be live on ITV4, the ITV Hub and streamed via itv.com/BTCC with six hours of programming at every race-day this season. 

Last week, Series Organiser, TOCA, confirmed a capacity 30-car line-up, with the final entry list including ten different marques and a hugely impressive 12 models of car. Such is the enduring success of the BTCC that BMW and Toyota – two of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers – have produced all-new cars for the forthcoming campaign.

Five former champions, a record 18 race-winners, a host of young stars, several debutants, experienced heads and even an ex-Formula 1 driver make up the ultra-talented field as the appeal of the BTCC continues to go from strength-to-strength...

Brands Hatch Indy: 6-7 April

Qualifying LIVE: Saturday 6 April
ITV.com/BTCC from 1500

Raceday LIVE: Sunday 7 April
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1015-1815
ITV4+1 1115-1915
ITV Hub 1015-1815
ITV.com/BTCC 1015-1815

Highlights: Saturday 13 April
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1000-1130
ITV4 +1 1100-1230
ITV Hub Available anytime for the next 30 days

Highlights: Sunday 14 April
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 0745-0915
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Highlights: Wednesday 17 April
ITV & ITV HD 0010-0140

Halfords Yuasa Racing heads into the opening race weekend of the 2019 BTCC in optimistic mood following a promising official Season Launch Test Day for its Honda Civic Type Rs.

After a first season racing the latest FK8 version of the Honda Civic Type R in 2018, Team Dynamics Motorsport, which runs the factory-backed Halfords Yuasa Racing squad, made the most of the winter break. The car was upgraded over the off-season before the team embarked on an extensive pre-season testing programme. This stretched across the UK, from Knockhill in Scotland to Croft in Yorkshire before joining the official pre-season test day at Brands Hatch in Kent.

By the end of the full-day's running, featuring all 30 BTCC entries, Dan Cammish had set third-fastest time in his Civic Type R. Team-mate Matt Neal was ninth-fastest, less than three tenths of a second behind, despite only taking part in the generally slower morning session. The Honda squad will hope to continue its promising form when the teams return to Brands Hatch for the opening three rounds of the 2019 BTCC on 6-7 April.

“We ended last season very strongly and I took two wins in the final meeting at Brands Hatch," said Cammish. "While that was on the long circuit and the first round will be on the shorter Indy circuit, 95 per cent of it is the same and I almost got my first pole position at this opening round last season. We’ve had a good winter, made some improvements to the car and I’m definitely an improved driver. I’m feeling fit and healthy and can’t wait to get started."

Matt Neal, Halfords Yuasa Racing driver and Team Dynamics Director added: "I’m really looking forward to the first races. We are starting our second season with the Civic Type R (FK8). The winter has gone well and I’m optimistic for 2019. Brands is the best place to start the season, on the shorter Indy circuit the races have a real stadium atmosphere. If I was a fan, Brands would be one of the first circuits I'd go to."

Huge crowd attends today’s pre-season test as Sam Tordoff tops the times...

The 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is primed and ready for the opening event of the season at Brands Hatch next weekend (6/7 April), after the capacity 30-car grid completed a successful test day at the famous Kent venue.

Following Tuesday's Season Launch evening at the beautiful and historic Hever Castle, the full line-up of drivers then descended onto Brands Hatch to take part in today’s official pre-season test session.

A huge crowd greeted the cars and stars of Britain’s biggest motorsport series as fans arrived eager for their first glimpse of the latest 2019 BTCC machinery. Spectators also packed the pitlane to enjoy a first-ever Season Launch autograph signing, proving another huge hit with the public.

The atmosphere and stakes will be further raised next weekend when the serious business gets underway for Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Sam Tordoff tops testing 

More than 3000 laps were completed in today’s group test around the 1.2-mile Brands Hatch Indy circuit, as all 30-cars impressively hit the ground running ahead of the campaign.

Sam Tordoff earned early bragging rights as he sat on top of the timesheets in his first official outing for the Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance team.  

Reigning champions West Surrey Racing fired out a warning shot to the rest of the field, storming into second and third positions during the morning running. The BMW manufacturer squad only completed the build of its brand new 330i M Sports less than 48 hours before the test, but Andrew Jordan and Colin Turkington proved its potency immediately out of the box.

Lap times further quickened in the afternoon and it was Tordoff again setting the pace in the older shaped Honda Civic Type R. Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher’s Tom Chilton moved into second ahead of Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Dan Cammish.

“It was a mega day,” said Tordoff. “We’ve done a full race weekend simulation. This morning we carried out a free practice and qualifying run, and this afternoon we’ve completed three race runs. The Civic Type R is on the money and is without doubt the best touring car I’ve ever driven.”

The hours spent today around the Indy Circuit mark the first collective outing for the 2019 BTCC field, and, as always with testing, lap times should be taken with a pinch of salt as teams work through demanding, varying programmes. Set-up, and bedding in new drivers and machinery is often the priority.

Home draw for Motorbase Performance

Motorbase Performance is based less than two miles away from Brands Hatch and will be banking on home support when the series kicks off next weekend.

Tom Chilton arguably carries the 2019 title hopes for the Wrotham-based squad with the multiple race-winner looking for yet more success in the Ford Focus. Chilton is joined at the team by stable-mates Ollie Jackson and Nic Hamilton – the latter being the brother five-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis.

“I’ve done so many laps today that I’m feeling a little dizzy,” commented Chilton. “We’ve struggled a bit during testing following some developments and had to push quite hard. We’re now at the point where I’m happy and hopefully we can run at the front back at Brands next weekend.”

Team HARD and AmD are other outfits that class Brands Hatch as a local circuit, whilst Jake Hill, Michael Crees and Matt Simpson are drivers based near the legendary Kent track.

Timetable and Tickets

Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will take place at Brands Hatch, with the entire race day broadcast live and in high definition on ITV4.

In addition to the three high-profile BTCC showdowns, there's also a packed support package, with Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Renault UK Clio Cup, Ginetta GT4 SuperCup, Ginetta Juniors and British F4 categories.

Tickets for the BTCC opener on 6/7 April are available in advance from £28 and £38 for the weekend for adults, with free entry for under-13s and discounted for 13-15-year-olds. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.

Before the start of racing on the Sunday, the pit lane will be open for a free pit walk for all ticket holders.

Click here for full event timetable.

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Season Launch Test Day, Morning and Afternoon Combined – Brands Hatch Indy

1 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance 47.927s
2 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.110s
3 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.126s
4 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.136s
5 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +0.186s
6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +0.264s
7 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.280s
8 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +0.292s
9 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.344s
10 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +0.355s
11 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.365s
12 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +0.369s
13 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +0.372s
14 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +0.399s
15 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.424s
16 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +0.494s
17 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +0.523s
18 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +0.523s
19 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.528s
20 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.536s
21 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +0.574s
22 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +0.786s
23 Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with Motorbase +0.824s
24 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +0.936s
25 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +0.956s
26 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +0.981s
27 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +0.996s
28 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +1.126s
29 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +1.868s
– Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport NO TRANSPONDER

Sam Tordoff topped the timesheets in the morning session at the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship's official Season Launch Test Day at Brands Hatch, with the brand new BMW 3 Series' of Andrew Jordan and Colin Turkington in close company.

The hours spent today around the Indy Circuit mark the first collective outing for the 2019 BTCC field, and, as always with testing, lap times should be taken with a pinch of salt as teams work through demanding, varying programmes. Set-up, and bedding in new drivers and machinery is often the priority, with over 1000 tours completed between the 30-strong capacity field.

Tordoff made the switch to Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance over the off-season, and the squad's newly-acquired Honda Civic Type R (FK2) set the early benchmark, staying top of the pile come the chequered flag. As an indicator, his time sits just a hundredth from Tom Ingram's 2016 lap record.

West Surrey Racing took the covers off its new trio of BMW 330i M Sports on Tuesday morning, after a breathless winter spent putting the freshly-minted cars together in BTCC trim. Encouragingly for the BMW factory stable, all three of its drivers resided in the top ten, with Jordan and Turkington 0.076s and 0.120s shy of Tordoff's benchmark respectively and Oliphant rounding in eighth spot.

Stephen Jelley returns to Team Parker Racing for a third consecutive season and is hopeful that having the same engineers around him once again will yield positive results. He popped up fourth in the BMW 125i M Sport.

The sister AmD Civic of Rory Butcher placed fifth, marking a good start for Shaun Hollamby's stable, while Halfords Yuasa Racing's BTCC legend, Matt Neal, rounded out the top six.

The afternoon will see a further three-hour session, which can be followed via live timing over at btcc.net/live.

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Season Launch Test Day – Brands Hatch Indy

1 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance 48.087s
2 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.076s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.120s
4 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +0.132s
5 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +0.146s
6 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.184s
7 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.209s
8 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +0.260s
9 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +0.269s
10 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.328s
11 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.346s
12 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +0.363s
13 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.442s
14 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +0.565s
15 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +0.569s
16 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +0.578s
17 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +0.582s
18 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +0.626s
19 Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with Motorbase +0.664s
20 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +0.796s
21 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +0.836s
22 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +0.866s
23 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +0.960s
24 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +0.962s
25 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +0.1.058s
26 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.064s
27 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.206s
28 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +1.527s
29 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +1.808s
- Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport NO TRANSPONDER

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship kicked off its 2019 season in style today (26 March) with a special evening event at the historic Hever Castle in Kent, where drivers, teams and sponsors were joined by some of the UK’s key media outlets.
 
Series Organiser, TOCA, confirmed a high-class capacity 30-car line-up, with the final entry list including ten different marques and a hugely impressive 12 models of car. Such is the enduring success of the BTCC that BMW and Toyota – two of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers – have produced all-new cars for the forthcoming campaign.
 
Five former champions, a record 18 race-winners, a host of young stars, several debutants, experienced heads and even an ex-Formula 1 driver make up the ultra-talented field as the appeal of the BTCC continues to go from strength-to-strength.
 
Britain’s biggest motor racing championship will be the only major motorsport series to boast exclusive live coverage of every race on a leading free-to-air UK television network in 2019.
 
Long-term television partner ITV will again broadcast the action live, free-to-air and in high-definition on ITV4 and online, as well as producing extensive additional highlights programmes.
 
The long off-season was launched into action with the announcement that Kwik Fit would become the new title sponsor of the BTCC, with long-term partner Dunlop continuing as official tyre supplier.
 
This year’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will comprise 30 races across ten events at eight venues around the UK, with the hugely popular and ultra-fast Thruxton circuit being rewarded with two race weekend dates in 2019.
 
The season commences on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on 6/7 April and concludes on the world-famous Grand Prix circuit at the same venue on 12/13 October.
 
Title-holder Turkington tops stellar entry list
Reigning champion Colin Turkington headlines the jam-packed 30-driver grid for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, although the Northern Irishman faces a huge challenge in his bid to claim back-to-back titles.
 
BMW made the call over the winter months to switch from the championship-winning 1 Series to the all-new 3 Series – to coincide with the launch of the latest road car model – and its partners at West Surrey Racing have produced a herculean effort to ready three new cars in time for the season.
 
Turkington’s first outing in the car took place at Brands Hatch earlier today, whilst stablemates Tom Oliphant and Andrew Jordan also enjoyed a run in the striking new saloon. 
 
The introduction of the car is another huge tonic for the manufacturer, team and championship, but it remains to be seen if the squad can hit the ground running.
 
Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport – last year’s runners-up – secured official support from Toyota ahead of the 2019 campaign, which sees the outfit enter as a fully-fledged manufacturer for the first time. Excitement reached fever pitch when it was announced that the marque would be fielding the brand new Corolla, a model last seen in the series back in 1986.
 
With last year’s top two teams building new cars ahead of the 2019 BTCC season, manufacturer entries from Vauxhall, Honda and Subaru may be eyeing an opportunity to steal some early ground.
 
Old guard Jason Plato and Rob Collard are the new driver pairing in the Power Maxed Racing Vauxhalls, whilst Matt Neal and Dan Cammish spearhead Honda’s hopes at Halfords Yuasa Racing.
 
Young stars Ash Sutton and Senna Proctor will represent Adrian Flux Subaru Racing, with the former hoping to repeat his 2017 championship-winning success.
 
One of the favourites for Independents’ honours will be the Motorbase Performance stable, which enters multiple race-winner Tom Chilton alongside Ollie Jackson and Nic Hamilton – brother of five-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis.
 
A trio of Mercedes drivers will undoubtedly be in contention with the Ciceley Motorsport-run pair of Adam Morgan and Daniel Rowbottom, plus Laser Tools Racing’s Aiden Moffat.
 
Another of the off-season’s notable stories included BTC Racing’s graduation to the new Honda Civic Type R (FK8). With Josh Cook and Chris Smiley carrying out driving duties in the mean-looking grey machines, the team will be looking to add to its victory tally this year.
 
Essex-based outfit AmD is again running four cars in 2019, with former F1 man and Le Mans winner Mark Blundell grabbing the headlines with his move into Britain’s biggest and best series. Blundell joins Jake Hill in the Audi S3s, whilst Sam Tordoff and Rory Butcher are the strong-looking pairing behind the wheel of two Honda Civic Type Rs.
 
Matt Simpson is another Honda racer and yet another race-winner on the grid, following a maiden success in 2018, and he has every chance of tasting more champagne during this campaign.
 
Team Parker Racing will keep fans of the BMW 1 Series happy as it runs a sole car for experienced driver Stephen Jelley. 
 
One of the most exciting pre-season stories came just 24 hours ago when fans’ favourite Jack Goff secured a last-minute seat in one of Team HARD’s four Volkswagen CCs. Bobby Thompson, Carl Boardley and Michael Crees will be the other drivers for the Kent-based squad.
 
Last but by no means least on the BTCC entry list is an all-new team at Excelr8 Motorsport, who will have Sam Osborne and Rob Smith piloting the popular MG6s.
 
In total, there will be a full grid of 30 drivers with Audi (TradePriceCars.com), BMW (Team BMW, BMW Pirtek Racing, Team Parker Racing), Ford (Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher, ROKiT Racing with Motorbase), Honda (Halfords Yuasa Racing, BTC Racing, Simpson Racing, Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance), Mercedes (Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport, Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport, Laser Tools Racing), MG (Excelr8 Motorsport), Subaru (Adrian Flux Subaru Racing), Toyota (Team Toyota GB with Ginsters), Vauxhall (Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing) and Volkswagen (RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport, GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct).
 
For 2019, TOCA has ratified a number of minor amendments to its regulations following an end-of-season consultation with the championship’s teams. Due to the incredibly closely-matched performance of the current cars, the maximum success ballast has been decreased to 54 kilograms and the remaining increments have been adjusted downwards.
 
Other rule changes were also made to the drivers’ strike system, red flags during qualifying and tyre options. Finally, Dunlop will introduce an entirely new wet tyre for the 2019 campaign.
 
In addition to these revisions, it was also decided that the advent of hybrid power – initially outlined for introduction from the 2022 season – may be brought forward to 2021 if all key parameters relating to the supply, engineering, costs, performance and testing of the hybrid units can be achieved in good time for an earlier launch. 
 
The full 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Championship field will now contest the only official pre-season test session at Brands Hatch tomorrow (27 March) before the serious business gets underway at the same circuit on 6/7 April.
 
BTCC Chief Executive, Alan Gow, said: “We are delighted to present our full field of drivers, manufacturers, teams and cars for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as we head into yet another thrillingly unpredictable campaign in the UK’s biggest and best motorsport series.
 
“We have a potent line-up of champions, race-winners and emerging young talent, with a wide variety of cars and body styles represented on the grid. The two newest models – the BMW 3 Series and Toyota Corolla – are sure to cause quite a stir, and the commitment demonstrated by those two manufacturers in introducing new cars is testament to the championship’s rude health and enduring appeal.
 
“That is further endorsed by the confirmation that the BTCC is the only major motorsport series to benefit from extensive live, free-to-air UK coverage in 2019, which means fans unable to follow trackside won’t have to miss a moment of the thrilling doorhandle-to-doorhandle action.
 
“We have a new title partner in Kwik Fit, who are already looking to maximise their involvement in the greatest show in British motorsport.
 
“That is just one fascinating thread of what looks sure to be another captivating, drama-fuelled campaign – so whether you are following on television, online or soaking in the smells, sights and sounds at close quarters, strap yourself in and get ready to enjoy the ride.”
 
Please click here for the full 2019 entry list.

Team HARD. Racing has announced that Right Choice Insurance will return to the fold as a team partner alongside newly-announced driver Jack Goff.

RCIB Insurance first adorned Team Principal, and then driver, Tony Gilham's Vauxhall Vectra back in 2011. The forthcoming campaign marks its ninth season in the BTCC and brings close friends Mike Joseph and Tony Gilham back together in a working relationship once again.

The team are anticipating continued growth and expansion this year, with Goff sealing a last-minute return to the squad that started it all for him in the BTCC. The High Wycombe racer is no stranger to flying the flag for RCIB and the last time team, sponsor and driver worked together was in a memorable race at the end of 2013 when Goff managed an Independents' victory and second overall in the final race of the year. 

"Not only is it great to be back with the team that gave me my opportunity in the BTCC but to have the backing of Mike Joseph of RCIB with their continued support means so much to me," said Goff.

"Just over a day ago we were looking at a year away from racing for the first time in over 20 years. This season was looking like I’d be a fan of the BTCC, watching at home for the first time since my debut in. It’s a late deal but I have every confidence in my ability and having seen the way the team has come on over the last few years it will be interesting to see how we fair come the season opener in just two weeks time.

"It feels like coming home in many ways and very much a family atmosphere which is great, so to do it with the guys that all started together feels even better.”

Mike Joseph, RCIB Managing Director, added: “Having been there at the beginning when Team HARD first brought Jack onto the BTCC grid, it gives me great pleasure to be working with them both again and keeping Jack on the grid for 2019. Jack is a truly great talent and in the Volkswagen CC I can see him having a great season alongside Carl Boardley. Jack is a great ambassador for our brand, and it will be very interesting to see what we can achieve together.”​

Stephen Jelley and Team Parker Racing will combine once again for a third-straight year in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and the second in the BMW 125i M Sport.

Jelley and the team are looking to build on a strong finish to the season which included qualifying just 0.023s off pole position at Knockhill. With the knowledge of a years’ worth of running in the BMW, hopes are high for 2019.

The new BMW 3 Series that will contest the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in the hands of Colin Turkington, Tom Oliphant and Andrew Jordan officially broke cover today (26 March) ahead of the BTCC’s annual Season Launch.
 
It was revealed last month that the BMW 3 Series – one of the most evocative cars in BTCC history and synonymous with success in Britain’s premier motor racing championship – will return to the grid this year.
 
Since then, interest in the project has been running high, with significant anticipation leading up to today’s livery unveil and countless gallons of midnight oil burned back at the workshop of BMW’s long-time preparation partner, West Surrey Racing.
 
The result – the race-tuned 330i M Sport, sporting the iconic BMW M Motorsport colours – is a stunning feat of engineering with a timeless look. It is scheduled to roll out on-track for the first time this morning at Brands Hatch, before appearing at Hever Castle this evening and returning to the Kent circuit for a full day’s testing alongside all the other BTCC teams tomorrow (27 March).

Graeme Grieve, CEO, BMW UK, said: “We are delighted to show off our new BMW 3 Series BTCC contender. BMW has been a major player in the championship for more than 30 years, and we are proud to celebrate that heritage with a car that encapsulates the very ethos and essence of the brand. The 3 Series is our best-selling model worldwide, and to bring it back to the grid clothed in the classic M Motorsport colours is very special indeed. We are all very excited to see what it can do."

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, West Surrey Racing, said: “First and foremost, I must pay tribute to the extraordinary job that each and every member of WSR has put into preparing our new BMW 3 Series race cars. The attention-to-detail that has gone into the build is second-to-none, and everyone – including our technical partners – has given 110 per cent to ensure we are ready to go racing. It has been a Herculean effort, but the result as you can see is outstanding, and before the serious business of testing gets underway, I hope everybody involved can take a small step back for a moment and appreciate just what they have achieved.”

Colin Turkington, 2009, 2014 and 2018 BTCC Champion, said: “I know just how hard everybody at BMW and West Surrey Racing has worked to pull everything together over such a short space of time, and to now see this car in the garage and ready to take to the track is a source of immense pride, satisfaction and a job well done. Having won my first BTCC Drivers’ title in a 3 Series, the confirmation that BMW were bringing the car back to the championship was the best news ever. The Team BMW livery is stunning, and those unmistakeable M Motorsport colours add a real sense of presence and heritage. Now that the car is ready to go, my motivation levels are sky-high and I can’t wait for my first few laps.”

BMW Pirtek Racing can today reveal the all-new BMW 330i M Sport that Andrew Jordan will use for his assault on the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
 
The car, based on the seventh-generation of BMW’s best-selling model, has been developed over the course of the winter by West Surrey Racing, which will be entering its 13^th season representing the German manufacturer.
 
Andrew himself will be entering his third year as a BMW-backed driver, with BMW Pirtek Racing once again entered into the series with support from BMW UK.
 
Since joining forces with West Surrey Racing and BMW at the start of 2017, Andrew has secured four race wins and a further six podium finishes, with a best finish of fifth in the championship standings last year.
 
The 29-year-old heads into the new campaign seeking to add to his tally of silverware across the past two seasons, with the ultimate goal of fighting for a second championship title to add to the one he secured in 2013.
 
Having run a special livery in 2018 as part of Pirtek’s 30^th anniversary celebrations, Andrew will debut a new look on his 330i M Sport for the season ahead, which blends Pirtek’s traditional blue, red and yellow colours with the white now adorning Pirtek’s fleet of vans across Europe.
 
The new car replaces the BMW 125i M Sport that Andrew has raced for the past two seasons, and which has proven to be the most successful car of the current NGTC era – with more wins, podiums and fastest laps than any other model.
 
Andrew will sample his new BMW Pirtek Racing machine for the first time today at Brands Hatch before the car makes its public bow during the BTCC season launch at the same venue tomorrow.
 
Andrew Jordan, #77 BMW Pirtek Racing 330i M Sport, said: “The work that has gone into the new BMW Pirtek Racing 3 Series in such a short amount of time is incredible and I think the end result looks fantastic. I have to say a massive thank you to all of the team, and everyone else who has been involved in the build, as they have really pulled out all the stops to get the car ready for the start of the season.
 
“As a road car, the new BMW 3 Series is a seriously good looking machine and that’s certainly something that has carried across to the racing version. The design work that has gone into it is second to none, and the end result is a hugely impressive car that I think the whole team should feel very proud of.
 
“The 3 Series also really suits the new look Pirtek Racing livery that we’ll debut this season, which combines our traditional colours with flashes of white. Throughout my time with Pirtek, I’ve been lucky enough to race in some good-looking cars, but I think that the new BMW in our 2019 livery is the best of the lot.
 
“Whilst it is always a step into the unknown when you drive a new car for the first time, I’m hugely excited about getting behind the wheel of the BMW Pirtek Racing 3 Series for the first time, and the start of the season can’t come soon enough.”