• Rob Huff joins Andrew Watson on the driving strength at Speedworks-run outfit
• Cambridgeshire ace entering second full season in series – 20 years after his first
• 44-year-old setting his sights on another title to add to impressive career CV

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK has completed its driver line-up for the 2024 British Touring Car Championship campaign with the recruitment of former FIA World Touring Car Champion Rob Huff.

To motor racing fans, Huff needs little introduction. Crowned WTCC Champion in 2012 – beating no lesser rivals than Alain Menu, Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini – from 17 seasons in the fiercely-disputed series and its successor, the FIA World Touring Car Cup, he achieved a total of 34 race wins and four top three championship finishes against some of the finest tin-top talent around.

Over the course of his illustrious career, the 44-year-old has additionally worked alongside the likes of Jason Plato and Nicola Larini, and he added another title to his impressive résumé with the TCR Scandinavian Touring Car Championship laurels in 2020. Still very much at the top of his game, Huff placed third overall in the inaugural TCR World Tour last year.

The Cambridgeshire star is no stranger to the BTCC either, although his only previous full season came two decades ago, back in 2004. On the podium in just his fourth race in the UK’s premier motor racing series, he concluded his maiden campaign with two victories to his credit, and while he subsequently went on to successfully ply his trade on the international stage, he always kept a close eye on the championship where it had all begun.

When he returned for a one-off outing at Silverstone in 2017, it was like he had never been away as he reached the rostrum once again, and he then re-appeared for another single-shot weekend at Knockhill last summer – scoring points in both of the races that he finished – before speculatively testing TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s Corolla at Croft later in the year.

Having since agreed terms with the Speedworks Motorsport-run outfit, Huff – who is represented by Fewkes Sport Management, of which he is also a director – will now rejoin the BTCC grid for his second proper assault on the biggest prize in British motorsport, partnering reigning Jack Sears Trophy winner Andrew Watson on the driving strength for the 30-round campaign.

Racing will get underway at Donington Park on 27/28 April – home soil for the British-built Corolla, whose road-going cousins are produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) in nearby Burnaston. All of the action season-long will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV channels.

Christian Dick, Team Principal, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, said:

“It goes without saying that we are thrilled to bring a driver of Rob’s calibre and success on-board for the forthcoming campaign. His record in the sport speaks for itself – he has raced against, and regularly beaten, the very best in the world, and he is just as razor-sharp now as he was when he started out more than two decades ago.

“The BTCC is a unique beast that requires a very specific skillset, and we’ve obviously seen quick drivers return before after some time away and struggle to re-adapt, but when Rob rejoined the grid at Silverstone in 2017 and Knockhill last summer, he was immediately back in the groove – he gave us quite a run for our money at Silverstone, I seem to recall! I have no doubt at all that he will be firmly in the mix.

“When he tested the Corolla last year, he instantly felt at home and his wealth of experience of driving different cars will be hugely beneficial as we continue to strive to extract every last ounce of performance out of the Toyota – while offering an invaluable bank of knowledge for Andrew [Watson] to draw upon in his second season in the championship. We’re tremendously excited about the potential in the team this year and can’t wait to get going!”

Rob Huff, Driver, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, said:

“It feels like I’ve come full circle, 20 years on! I’ve always been a huge supporter of the BTCC – I began my racing career in Britain and I’ve been looking to come back for a little while. Last year, I really ramped up those efforts to return; I was given the opportunity to compete at Knockhill, which whetted my appetite for more while allowing me to get my name back in the frame and talk to people face-to-face. 

“The main priority for me was to ensure I ended up in a potential championship-winning car with people who share my passion and enthusiasm for the sport – and at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, that’s what I believe I’ve found. I spoke to pretty much every team in the championship, and I got the best feeling from Christian and Amy [Dick]. I like what they’re doing and how they’re doing it, and when I tested the Corolla at Croft, everything felt very natural and aligned fairly seamlessly. 

“I’ve got to say, I’m probably more excited for this new challenge than I have been in a long time – it just feels perfectly right – and I’m delighted to be working with Andrew [Watson], too. He’s clearly a very quick guy who represents himself very well both on and off-track, and I think he did an absolutely amazing job as a BTCC rookie last year.

“We all share the same values, and we’re all pushing for the same goal, which is to drive the whole team forward and to arrive at Brands Hatch at the end of the season in with a shout of winning the title. The competition at the top in the BTCC is always fierce, which means consistency is key. Points win prizes – and ultimately, championships.”

ITV SPORT AND BTCC IN GROUND-BREAKING MOVE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA GIANT

TOCA – organisers of the BTCC – is delighted to announce today (27 March) that every race of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will be streamed LIVE around the globe via TikTok, thanks to a world-first agreement with its partners at ITV Sport.

This ground-breaking agreement is in addition to the BTCC’s expansive and existing UK television contract with the ITV network, which sees around eight hours of broadcast - live and free - from each event across ITV4 and ITVX, as well as the continued highlights and catch-up offerings across the network.

As the BTCC continues to look to bring the championship to a new audience, an agreement has been finalised to ensure that EVERY race will also be streamed LIVE and IN FULL via the ITV Sport TikTok channel – both in the UK and globally.

It is the first ever sport to be streamed live via TikTok by ITV Sport, and it is also thought that it is the first major sporting organisation to stream its entire competition all season across the giant social media platform.

Following its launch in 2016, TikTok has since become one of the world's most popular online platforms, now reaching more than one billion active monthly users worldwide, with some 45% of those in the 18-34 age group, whilst women make up around 57% of all users - further highlighting ways in which the BTCC will be brought to a new, younger and more diverse demographic.

The announcement is also fantastic news for the BTCC’s loyal global fanbase, as this agreement will see every race in the UK’s premier motorsport championship broadcast live right around the world for the first time in its illustrious 66-year history.

This forward-thinking world-first decision is one of the most significant in the history of the BTCC and the result of a broadcasting strategy review that started in September last year. Details of the full broadcast schedule will be published over the coming weeks.

The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship comprises 30 races across 10 race weekends at the UK’s finest circuits, with the season opener taking place at Donington Park on 27/28 April.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “This is a truly ground-breaking move for the BTCC. I’m incredibly proud that we will be the first major motorsport championship in the world to have its entire race season streamed live on TikTok. It’s the real ‘cherry on the top’ of our ongoing and vast UK coverage, which is live and free on ITV4 and ITVX.

“Most importantly, this agreement will introduce the BTCC to a massive new and completely different demographic – a younger and more diverse audience – which is exactly what we, and in fact all of motorsport, are looking to achieve. This is very big news for the BTCC, our teams and our partners as we cement the future of the UK’s most prestigious motorsport championship.”

Andrew Hill, Senior Producer at ITV Sport, said: “This is a hugely exciting and innovative development in ITV’s production of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Live streaming BTCC races on TikTok, alongside our regular ITV4 and ITVX coverage, will help us to reach a much wider audience and enable a new generation of fans to enjoy the thrills and spills of the number-one championship in British motor racing.”

Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing has today (27 March) revealed the striking new livery that will adorn the Vauxhall Astra challengers of Árón Taylor-Smith and Mikey Doble for the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season. 

The unveiling sees Evans Halshaw feature prominently across the two front-wheel-drive machines, as well as the race suits of Taylor-Smith and Doble, after being announced as the new title sponsors of the Worcestershire-based squad last week. 

Showcasing a number of other key commercial partnerships as well, both cars - decked out in their now recognisable blue, yellow and white colour scheme - look set to be two of the most eye-catching cars on the grid.

This season will see the team compete in the UK’s premier motorsport series looking to go one better in both the Independent Teams’ and Drivers’ Championship, having claimed runners-up laurels in each category last year.

Multiple race-winner Taylor-Smith has his sights set on adding to his silverware collection whilst Doble - who was one of the standout rookies in 2023 - is eager to capture the coveted Jack Sears Trophy. 

Adam Weaver, Power Maxed Racing Team Principal, said: “We’re extremely proud to continue working with all of our fantastic partners, as well welcoming some new ones, ahead of what promises to be another ultra-competitive year in the BTCC.

“Everyone has been working extremely hard behind the scenes so it is great to finally be able to showcase our new look. The real work begins next month but with the developments on the cars we’ve undertaken - and the testing schedule we’ve got in place - we’re feeling confident.”

“Flying the Evans Halshaw branding this year has injected even more life into the entire Power Maxed Racing crew and the car really does looks incredible,” added Irishman Taylor-Smith. 

“To be able to build on all of our fantastic partnerships very exciting too. Everything has really come alive - from the car, to the suits and all of the team wear - which is fantastic to see. It’s a bit cliché but if the car goes as well as it looks we should be on for a great season.”

“I think the new livery is going to kick a new lease of life into the Astra this year,” concluded Doble. “It’s got a very modern appeal to it and I reckon it’’s going to look even smarter when its out on-track. 

“As always, it’s great to welcome new sponsors onboard and I hope they, as well as the amazing BTCC fans, enjoy our eye-catching new livery, race wear and merchandise this season.”

The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season officially launches at Donington Park on Tuesday 16th April before returning to the Leicestershire venue a little over one week later for the opening rounds on the 27-28 April.

Dave Newsham scored a maiden Independents' Trophy victory in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for BTC Norlin Racing, with a hat-trick of top ten finishes around Fife's Knockhill Circuit showing the progress being made at the fledgling outfit.

Norlin has been a consistent points-scorer throughout its maiden BTCC campaign, with its two battleship grey Chevrolets a proven chassis in the championship.

Inverness-based racer Newsham steered the team to a best result of fourth at Donington Park, though this past weekend's haul of two tenth placed finishes and a seventh was stronger still, all-in, and that seventh spot yielded a first trophy for the team with Newsham taking the chequered flag as the best of the Independent drivers after a battling performance in race two.

"What a great weekend at my home circuit," said a delighted Newsham. "Our best qualifying of the season followed by three top ten finishes.

"The highlight was standing on the podium as Independent winner and seeing the delight on the faces of this fine team. You can't beat a bit of silverware...

"Knockhill is not the best circuit for our car, so to get these results here is more than we could have wished for.

"The final three rounds of the championship will suit the Chevrolet much better, so I can't wait to get to Rockingham to continue pushing forwards.

"Thanks everyone for the overwhelming support."

Wins for Plato, Sutton and Ingram at Knockhill

Team BMW’s Colin Turkington moved to the top of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship standings after scoring a podium hat-trick at Knockhill.
 
Adrian Flux Subaru Racing stars Jason Plato and Ash Sutton claimed a win apiece, whilst Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram came out victorious in the final encounter at the Fife circuit.
 
Plato converted his 50^th BTCC career pole position into a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the opener, as he signalled his return to form in style.
 
The front four – all rear-wheel drive machines – made an even getaway off the line, meaning Plato led from team-mate Sutton, and the two Team BMWs of Turkington and Rob Collard.
 
The battle remained tense throughout the 24-lap race with the quartet often covered by just a second. The Subaru duo of Plato and Sutton even made a failed attempt to briefly switch positions, in order to provide the latter with a potentially vital championship point for leading a lap, but when the chequered flag fell it was the elder statesman who had taken a hugely deserved win.
 
Sutton then secured his fifth win of the 2017 BTCC season as he pipped Plato in race two.
 
The race commenced in frenetic fashion as a multi-car accident saw no fewer than five cars fired out of the contest. With cars littered in the gravel and across the track, the race was inevitably red flagged and a lengthy stoppage followed.
 
Plato led away from the restart and the Subaru duo remained inseparable throughout. The slightly lighter machine of Sutton had the edge, however, and he would finally make a move stick on lap 11. Plato kept his young prodigy honest for the remainder of the duel, but Sutton held on to fire himself within two points of the championship summit.
 
Turkington maintained his position at the top of the standings as he claimed his second podium of the day for Team BMW. Collard finished fourth in the sister Bavarian machine, as he kept up his own championship challenge.
 
Speedworks Motorsport’s Ingram won the final encounter around the tight 1.3-mile circuit after getting the better of an early battle against Ant Whorton-Eales’ AmDTuning.com with Cobra Exhausts Audi and Rory Butcher’s Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo Ford.
 
The Toyota man never looked back as he took his third win of the 2017 campaign to reignite his championship challenge – it was also the first win at Knockhill for the Japanese marque since Julian Bailey’s success in 1993.
 
Reigning champion Gordon Shedden grabbed a hugely popular second place finish, whilst Turkington completed his podium hat-trick with third.
 
Turkington leads the standings by four points from Sutton, whilst Shedden is a further eight points back. BMW and Team BMW top the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ tables.
 
Ingram and his Speedworks Motorsport squad are heading the Independents’ order, whilst Senna Proctor maintained his advantage in the Jack Sears Trophy.
 
The BTCC returns in two weeks’ time at Rockingham (26/27 August) for Rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the series.

Jason Plato said: “We found something in qualifying yesterday which we thought about after scratching our heads and it looked like we had a bit of a differential issue. We had a complete change of that unit last night and the car’s a different machine now. We think we’ve found the gremlin. I’m just so happy to be competitive again. I’m pretty awful to be around when things aren’t going well – this is my life. It’s everything about my life and when there’s stuff you just can’t get a handle on, it’s frustrating. We’ve found the problem now and that was for all you people who said I was too old…”

Ash Sutton said: “Jason (Plato) kept me honest to the very end. It was a great race though and I knew the ballast would bring it back to me later on and work in my favour. He just lost his straight-line speed compared to mine as the time went on. Jason and I get on well and we race hard but we race fairly – we know where we stand with each other. I was more pleased for him getting pole yesterday then I was for myself getting second and I need a wingman don’t I? I really extracted everything from the tyre midway through and pulling that little gap so when they went I had to play the clever game. The battle’s on for sure and it’ll definitely go right to the wire. I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Tom Ingram said: “It’s been a long time coming hasn’t it. I had a funny feeling after about five laps, saying to the team ‘when do you think the safety car will be then?’. It never goes that easily does it? Amazingly though, it went perfectly and I got the jump at the restarts. Ant (Whorton-Eales) made a mistake at the chicane which allowed me to get through. My word, the Speedworks guys have given me a great car this weekend. What’s really been annoying is that our struggles haven’t been our fault. If it were mistakes on my part or from the team, then it’d be okay but when it’s not it gets very frustrating. We’ve got a great team and a great car underneath us. I heard people saying it was a fluke at the start of the year and this shows it wasn’t.”

Colin Turkington said: “If I could keep finishing third between now and the end of the season I’d be in pretty good shape but Knockhill has been great. It’s always a circuit I enjoy coming to. I wouldn’t have expected that. It shows you don’t always have to win the races to score the most points. I go home tonight satisfied but also quite aware of the hard work that lies ahead. There’s nobody slow out there, everybody’s fast and those reverse grid races are incredibly tough. I picked my way through and just survived at the end.”

Gordon Shedden said: “I could see the BMWs coming! The safety car definitely helped – it saved my bacon. The car was good but it was just lacking a bit. Tom (Ingram) had mega pace and drove really well so I’ll take second place. Rory (Butcher) was driving well and it’s that first touring car meeting and just realising what goes on in the first few laps. He did well and he was fast, he’ll come out stronger in the next one. For my title challenge, it was good to end the day with a podium and second spot, and it was great to see such a huge crowd come out here at Knockhill. Onwards and upwards to Rockingham.”

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 19 – Knockhill

1 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing 24 laps
2 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.216s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.902s
4 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +1.580s
5 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +11.188s
6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +16.492s
7 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +21.946s
8 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +28.348s
9 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +29.167s
10 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +29.991s

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 20 – Knockhill

1 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing 22 laps
2 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.238s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +3.198s
4 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +5.063s
5 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +6.831s
6 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +9.401s
7 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +25.803s
8 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +25.954s
9 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +26.361s
10 Ant WHORTON-EALES (GBR) AmDtuning.com with Cobra Exhausts +28.889s

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 21 – Knockhill

1 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport 27 laps
2 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.167s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +1.556s
4 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +4.172s
5 James COLE (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +4.463s
6 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +5.179s
7 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +5.538s
8 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +5.784s
9 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo +6.333s
10 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +7.193s

Penalties:

Race One:

Adam Morgan received a verbal warning for gaining an unfair advantage in an incident involving Dave Newsham.

Race Two:

Andrew Jordan received a £1000 fine and three penalty points for an incident involving Matt Neal.

Josh Price was excluded from Round 20 for overtaking or failing to slow down under flag signals.

Race Three:

Jake Hill received a £500 fine and three penalty points for an incident involving Senna Proctor. This was his third strike and as a result, Hill will start Round 22 from the back of the grid.

MG Motor UK, one of the UK’s fastest growing car brands, is backing a nationwide campaign to make mobile phone use as unacceptable as drink driving. Launched in the light of tough new anti-mobile fines in March, the government-backed initiative was launched by THINK! and will be promoted throughout MG Motor UK’s growing network of over 70 dealerships across the UK.

As part of the project, a mirror hanger will be displayed in every new MG3 and MG GS parked on dealer forecourts, as well as any of its used cars sold during over the spring. A key element of the campaign is to encourage drivers to use the glove compartment as a ‘phone compartment’ – in which to store your mobile while driving. Stickers will be provided with every car sold via the MG network to support this vital change in attitude.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor, said: “As a brand that prioritises driver safety, backing the THINK! campaign and helping to change attitudes towards mobile phones was a simple decision. With 96% of people agreeing that using your phone while driving is both unacceptable and dangerous, we hope this campaign raises awareness and changes driving habits.”

From 1^st March, 2017, drivers caught using their mobile phone saw fines increase from £100 to £200 and penalty points rising from three to six. 

Andrew Jones, Road Safety Minister, said: “Our message is simple and clear: do not get distracted by your mobile phone while driving. It may seem innocent, but holding and using your phone at the wheel risks serious injury and even death to yourself and other road users.

“Doubling penalties will act as a strong deterrent to motorists tempted to pick up their phone while driving. New drivers face a harder penalty with their licence being revoked if caught. 

“Everyone has a part to play in encouraging their family and friends not to use their phones while driving and MG is doing just that by sharing the THINK! campaign stickers and hang tags.”

Over the course of this BTCC race weekend at Donington Park, all members of the MG Triple Eight RCIB Insurance Racing team are wearing specially commissioned campaign t-shirts highlighting the campaign. At the MG trade stand, are carrying the campaign materials and are supported by the products that MG can supply with Bluetooth capability identifying that there 'is simply no excuse to be on your phone when the technology exists to keep you in touch whilst your phone is safely stowed'. This is backed by a BTCC fans affinity scheme that runs for thirty days from each round giving trackside fans access to special reduced terms on all MG models.

Team HARD's trio of Toyotas are running a new livery for the final weekend of the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, as the squad's boss Tony Gilham explains a new partnership with TAG Industries...

The summer break is over and the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is back as the bandwagon rolls into Snetterton and there are more ways than ever before for 2016 to keep up with the action.

The tens of thousands of fans trackside this weekend can compliment their viewing with the LIVE section of the BTCC website, where you can access circuit commentary and live timing, whilst the ITV Hub App will broadcast live coverage throughout Sunday to selected mobile and tablet devices.

Those unable to attend in Norfolk may also choose to use the ITV Hub App (download from App Store, Google Play, Amazon etc) in order to watch the live action while on the move, or you can watch from a desktop computer via www.itv.com. Saturday’s qualifying session will be streamed live online at www.itv.com/btcc.

ITV4 is broadcast an incredible eight hours of live coverage on Sunday for each and every BTCC race, plus a magnitude of support contests, being shown from 10:30am.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship enjoys unrivalled and unprecedented television coverage in the UK thanks to its long-standing partnership with the ITV television network, which will continue to screen the BTCC live and free-to-air until at least 2022. The BTCC also enjoys extensive coverage overseas, which includes CBS Sports Network’s highlights programme in North America.

To get yourself in the mood you can catch up with ITV’s 90-minute highlights programme from Croft on the ITV Hub here.

The following programme schedules are provided by ITV (UK only) and CBS Sports Network (North America) for the Snetterton weekend, while schedules for future events can be found via the BTCC on TV page. Viewers in other regions should check local listings:

Snetterton

Saturday 30 July
itv.com/btcc: 1545-1630

Sunday 31 July
ITV: 1030-1800 (LIVE)
ITV Hub: 1030-1800 (LIVE)
ITV4+1: 1130-1900
itv.com/btcc: 1030-1800 (LIVE)

Thursday 18 August
CBS Sports Network: 2100 (ET)

Colin Turkington topped an extremely close qualifying session at Oulton Park earlier today (4 June), bringing home the first pole position for the Subaru-backed squad.

If that was a relative surprise then many will have been startled by the man in second place – young rookie Daniel Lloyd in only his second event for Eurotech Racing. Sam Tordoff was third after his own impressive lap, and shortly after the dust had settled we caught up with the top three drivers...

 

Team BMR RCIB Insurance's Warren Scott, Jason Plato and Colin Turkington talk to BTCC.net from The Autosport International Show 2016 on the exciting deal with Subaru and on the campaign ahead in 2016.