NAPA Racing UK has assembled one of the most talented squads on the grid, having originally evolved from the racing outfit Motorbase Performance.
Motorbase competed in the BTCC from 2006 – winning many races and Independents’ honours – before Pete Osborne purchased the team in 2021.
A new look for 2021 saw the team racing under the Racing with Wera & Photon Group banner, with Andy Neate and Sam Osborne heading its BTCC attack.
Renamed as NAPA Racing for 2022, the team signed champion Ash Sutton and former runner-up Dan Cammish among its drivers.
A fresh multi-year deal alongside NAPA UK from 2022 brought with it an exciting new dawn for the outfit, that ultimately saw the squad claim the coveted BTCC Teams’ Championship 57 points clear of its nearest rivals.
2022 was just a taste of things to come, however, as last year proved to be a record-breaking campaign for NAPA Racing UK – run by the now-named Alliance Racing.
Sutton and Cammish were joined by Osborne and Dan Rowbottom in a full NAPA Racing UK four-car outfit.
Sutton won the Drivers’ championship in commanding fashion, whilst the squad also scooped both the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ and Teams’ titles in a memorable hat-trick.
The team has retained its quartet of drivers for 2024.
Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS
EXCELR8 Motorsport stepped up to the BTCC in 2019 after securing a deal to take over the running of two MG6 GTs from AMDTuning, together with the TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs) required to enter them.
The agreement marked a new venture for EXCELR8, an established heavy-hitter in the MINI CHALLENGE. In addition to constructing over 75 of the high-powered CHALLENGE JCW race cars for both the UK and overseas markets, the Norfolk-based outfit also fields multiple drivers across the three classes of the British series.
The team ran Sam Osborne and Rob Smith throughout its maiden campaign of BTCC competition, before moving to Hyundai machinery and the all-new i30N for 2020, building the car from the ground up while recruiting a fresh driver line-up in the shape of race-winners Senna Proctor and Chris Smiley.
Having enjoyed its most successful campaign to date in 2020, which included a podium for the brand-new machinery during the season opener at Brands Hatch, EXCELR8 Motorsport increased to four cars the following year, with Rick Parfitt Jnr, Jack Butel and Smiley being joined by multiple race-winner Tom Ingram. The efforts from the team and Ingram saw the squad clinch its maiden victory and end the campaign fifth in the standings.
2022 confirmed EXCELR8’s place as one of the BTCC’s leading lights, with Tom Ingram and Jack Butel joined by BTCC race winners Tom Chilton and Dan Lloyd. Entering the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ battle for the first time, the squad took third overall with its quartet of Hyundai i30Ns, as well as third in the Teams’ Championship, while Ingram would claim a maiden overall Drivers’ title with the squad.
Aiming to build on this successful sweep, Tom Ingram and Tom Chilton were joined by Nick Halstead and Ronan Pearson in 2023, as the rookies aim to utilise their team-mates’ experience in Britain’s premier motorsport series. Ingram put up a valiant title defence and would eventually finish as runner-up.
The squad has retained its quartet of drivers for 2024.
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport
Running under the ROKiT MB Motorsport banner, the Mark Blundell-led outfit joined forces with multiple champions West Surrey Racing for the 2022 BTCC campaign.
MB initially entered the UK’s premier motorsport series alongside partners AmD in 2020, with a fresh new driver line-up in the form of Jake Hill and Sam Osborne, which saw the pair garner numerous points finishes and several podiums throughout the campaign.
In 2021, Hill – joined by race winner Ollie Jackson – competed in the team’s Motorbase Performance-run Ford Focus ST. Hill took two wins and competed for the overall title for the first time in his career, eventually ending up fifth in the final Drivers’ standings.
Building on 2021’s momentum, Hill led a one-car assault for 2022 in a WSR-built and run BMW 330e M Sport. The Kent racer had a brilliant campaign, doubling his win total, as well as securing 13 more podiums and 381 more points than his 2021 season. This meant Hill was in the fight for the crown right until the dramatic finale at Brands Hatch.
In 2023, the outfit announced a striking new title partnership with premier automotive tools specialists, Laser Tools, to form Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport. Both parties united in their bid to embark on a fully-fledged title assault in the upcoming campaign, with Jake Hill just narrowly missing out.
The combination will likely be one of the favourites once again for the 2024 campaign.
Live Audio
Live Timing
Technical Overview
All cars have been built to the same NGTC regulations. These technical regulations are designed to dramatically reduce the design, build and running costs of the cars and engines.
In 2022, the BTCC became the first major touring car series to implement hybrid power as the new hybrid era was launched, alongside the introduction of the new M-Sport TOCA engine.
For the 2024 campaign, several enhancements have been made to the hybrid system to ensure the deployment carries a greater impact.
NGTC allows independent teams to compete on a level playing field against manufacturer-backed efforts by keeping costs down whilst at the same time rewarding precise engineering and all-important split-second strategy.
The foundation for NGTC is an emphasis on some common components – turbo, wastegate, intercoolers, ECU (engine control unit), instrumentation and dash, power management system, six-speed sequential gearbox, fuel tanks, differential, subframe, steering, brakes, clutch, wheels, dampers and suspension – which dramatically drives down costs for teams looking to compete in one of the world’s most attractive motor sport arenas.
Teams have the option of running either TOCA’s unbranded NGTC-spec engine or, whether privateer or full manufacturer-backed entries, developing their own powerplant to the regulations, as long as it is from the same ‘family’ as their chosen model of car – all are 350+bhp 2-litre turbo-charged engines
An overview of the Technical Specifications are below:
Engine:
350+bhp 2-litre turbo-charged direct-injection engine with ‘fly by wire’ throttle control
Low cost to develop, build, buy and maintain – either by teams and/or race engine-builders developing their own, or through lease/purchase of the 2022 specification TOCA/M-Sport prepared engine
Engine can be sourced from a manufacturer’s broad ‘family’ range, including subsidiary marques under their effective control
Common Owen Developments turbo charger and PWR intercooler to be used by all cars
Hybrid:
The electric motor generator unit (MGU) is incorporated into the BTCC Xtrac gearbox for better packaging and also to satisfy the requirement for the cars to run on full electric power when exiting the pits the first time in each session
The MGU has its own cooling system
The MGU has no impact on the turbo engine or its exhaust sound as it is deployed through the gearbox
The 48v battery is contained in a crash proof structure and has its own cooling system. It is mounted on the floor of the passenger compartment, inboard of everything in the car and is inside its own carbon-fibre safety cell designed to withstand a 60g impact
The entire vehicle strategy system has been packaged into one unit. This means that the battery management, motor control strategies, cooling and all of the control surrounding the internal combustion engine is managed by the Cosworth Antares 8 ECU (Electronics Control Unit)
Battery charging (if needed between races) is carried out via a 240v wall socket, taking less than one hour to be fully charged. However, normally the hybrid battery regeneration during the race is more than sufficient to keep the battery fully charged (LIGHTNING LOGO)
Drivetrain:
Xtrac 6 speed sequential-shift gearbox and differential
AP Racing carbon clutch with steel cover
Drive-train layout (i.e. front or rear wheel drive) as per base vehicle
4WD base car keep engine orientation as production which defines driven wheels
Suspension:
RML designed full front sub-frame incorporating suspension, brakes, transmission and engine location that attaches to specified roll cage locations. Multi-adjustable double wishbone suspension with SPA Penske coil-over dampers
RML designed rear sub-frame that attaches to specified roll cage locations. Multi-adjustable double wishbone suspension with SPA Penske coil-over dampers
Hydraulic Power Steering
Bodyshell:
2, 3, 4 or 5 door of a minimum 4.4m length (2 or 3 door cars must share the same basic body profile as the 4/5 door model)
Equalised width of 1890mm
Specified front aerodynamic device incorporating flat floor, apertures for radiator, brake cooling ducts, intercooler and side exits
Specified rear wing profile
Stylised front & rear wheel-arch extensions
Increased driver protection
Latest specification FIA Homologated seat
Side exhaust permitted
80 litre ATL fuel tank
Lifeline fire extinguisher system
Base vehicle must be freely on sale in the UK through the manufacturer’s normal dealer network at time of homologation
Equal base vehicle weights, for front and rear-wheel drive – 1280 kilos
Wheels/Tyres:
Specified Rimstock 18” centre-lock wheel
Goodyear: Hard, Medium, Soft and Wet compounds
Brakes:
AP Racing specified package
AP Racing specified pedal-box
Electronics:
The entire vehicle strategy system has been packaged into one unit from 2022. This means that the battery management, motor control strategies, cooling and all of the control surrounding the internal combustion engine is managed by the Cosworth Antares 8 ECU (Electronics Control Unit)
Common power management box and switch panels
Common Cosworth wiring loom design
Judicial camera system to be run by all cars
Sustainable Fuel:
From 2022 the BTCC will use 20% sustainable fuel
TOCA has selected a fuel that is considerably more sustainable than that which has recently been introduced to petrol station forecourts throughout the UK (E10).
The BTCC’s new-for-2022 fuel – designated Hiperflo® R20 – has a total of 20% renewable components, comprising 15% second generation ethanol content and 5% of renewable hydrocarbons.
It is calculated by the manufacturer that this will give approximately an 18% reduction in greenhouse gasses when compared to current pump fuel, significantly lowering the fuel’s impact on the environment.
Click here to download the full 2024 Sporting and Technical Regulations
PLEASE NOTE: These regulations may be amended by TOCA during the course of the season with all teams and officials notified of any changes via official championship bulletins.
Key Rules And Regulations
A brief overview of some of the key rules and regulations, with full 2024 Sporting and Technical Regulations available as a download at the bottom of this page:
Technical Overview
All cars have been built to the same NGTC regulations. First introduced in 2011, these technical regulations are designed to dramatically reduce the design, build and running costs of the cars and engines.
The NGTC regulations allows independent teams to compete on a level playing field against manufacturer-backed efforts by keeping costs down whilst at the same time rewarding precise engineering and all-important split-second strategy.
The foundation for NGTC is an emphasis on some common components – turbo, wastegate, intercoolers, ECU (engine control unit), instrumentation and dash, power management system, six-speed sequential gearbox, fuel tanks, differential, subframe, steering, brakes, clutch, wheels, dampers and suspension – which dramatically drives down costs for teams looking to compete in one of the world’s most attractive motor sport arenas.
Teams have the option of running either TOCA’s unbranded NGTC-spec engine or, whether privateer or full manufacturer-backed entries, developing their own powerplant to the regulations, as long as it is from the same ‘family’ as their chosen model of car – all are 350+bhp 2-litre turbo-charged engines.
In 2022, the BTCC became the first major touring car series to implement hybrid power as the new hybrid era was launched, alongside the introduction of the new M-Sport TOCA engine.
For the 2024 campaign, several enhancements have been made to the hybrid system to ensure the deployment carries around double the impact, whilst a new 'Quick Six' qualifying format has also been introduced.
TOCA BTCC Licence
Entry to the BTCC requires a TOCA BTCC Licence (TBL). A limited number of TBLs are available to teams. Teams may sell, gift, lease, assign or loan their TBL to other existing teams or eligible new entries on a season-long basis only, subject to the approval of TOCA as to the integrity of both recipient and transaction
Race Weekend Format
There are 10 events in the current season, with each event run across a weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
On Saturday there are two Free Practice sessions of 40 minutes, followed by the new 'Quick Six' qualifying format – see story for more information.
On Sunday there are three BTCC races of equal distance
The points system is 20-17-15-13-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 for the top 15 finishers. This method of scoring is also be applied to independent drivers’ and teams’ championship and the overall teams’ – see full regs for details.
Single bonus points are awarded for the fastest qualifier, fastest lap in each race and for leading a lap during races.
Goodyear Tyres
Drivers and teams unanimously requested the reintroduction of the Goodyear ‘Option’ tyre at all events with the exception of Thruxton, where only the hard tyre will be used due to the high-speed and more abrasive nature of the track.
The majority of these events will utilise two of the three compounds – hard, medium or soft – where the ‘Option’ tyre must be used at least once during race one, race two or race three – ensuring a variety of strategies. All three tyre choices must be used across the three races at other noted events.
Teams will not have to specify before qualifying, the race in which they will use their ‘Option’ tyre, with all choices being declared upon cars leaving the pit lane.
Race grids
The grid for race one is decided during Saturday’s qualifying session(s)
The grid for race two is based on the finishing order of race one
The grid for race three is based on finishing positions, however there is also a reversed-grid element to the starting order. Numbers representing the cars that finished from sixth to 12th position in race two are put into a bowl, and one number is drawn at random. The corresponding car will start on pole, with the cars that finished ahead of it reversed i.e. if number six is chosen, the car that finished sixth in race two will start from pole ahead of the car that finished fifth, fourth, third etc. The remainder of the grid follows as per the finishing order of race two
HEM
Following the successful introduction of Hybrid power into the BTCC in 2022, several enhancements have been made to ensure deployment carries a greater impact in 2024.
The top seven cars in the championship and/or top seven cars on the grid will have reduced Hybrid time during qualifying and the races on a sliding scale, whilst the minimum speed at which the system can be deployed for those top seven has been increased.
Cars from eighth place onwards will be able to deploy Hybrid power from a reduced minimum speed, ensuring these drivers can utilise the additional power quicker than the leading order.
These cars – from eighth place onwards – will only have Hybrid deployment available for 50% of the racing laps, ensuring a greater tactical element throughout the race with those drivers having to be more strategic in choosing which of those laps to use it.
Hybrid can now also be deployed on the first lap after the safety car and the minimum time between deployments has been increased to five seconds, preventing drivers from staying on the power at the conclusion of one lap and into another. Dashboard display will show each driver the number of HEM seconds, or laps, they have remaining:
Position
Qualifying & Race
Qualifying
Race
Deployment Minimum Car Speed (KPH)
Hybrid Seconds/Lap
Laps with Hybrid
A Circuits
B Circuits
1
135
1
1
5
2
135
3
2
6
3
135
5
3
7
4
130
7
4
8
5
130
9
5
9
6
125
11
6
10
7
125
13
7
11
8
115
15
8
12
B Circuits are Brands Hatch (Indy), Knockhill & Silverstone, all other circuits are A.
Jack Sears Trophy
Eligible drivers will be those that have never scored an outright podium position. Any driver subsequently scoring an outright podium during the season, will be ineligible for the JST from the next season. Previous overall JST winners are ineligible.
Click here to download the full 2024 Sporting and Technical Regulations
PLEASE NOTE: These regulations may be amended by TOCA during the course of the season with all teams and officials notified of any changes via official championship bulletins.
Champions
In Depth
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport launch celebratory anniversary livery
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport are delighted to reveal the team’s striking new livery for the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign. This year’s iteration of the affectionately named ‘Laser Beamer’ is a particularly special one for the team as title partners, Laser Tools Racing, celebrate their tenth campaign in the UK’s premier motorsport series.
With this in mind, the team’s WSR-run BMW 330e M Sport features the iconic Laser Tools Racing chrome blue with the livery designed to feature ten chevrons from every angle of the car. In addition, the team will be running a one-off celebratory logo to mark the anniversary on the roof and rear quarter.
Once again the team’s on-track efforts will be spearheaded by fan favourite, Jake Hill. Having finished third in the Drivers’ Championship in 2022 and 2023, the Kent-based driver is looking to challenge once again for overall honours and is delighted to be doing so in a special livery for him and the team.
“It is fantastic to see the covers come off our 2024 challenger today and I have to say, although I loved the Laser Beamer last year, I think we have managed to top it once again this time around. The chrome blue has been iconic across the series for so long so it’s only right we have levelled this up in 2024 as Laser Tools Racing celebrates its tenth anniversary in the championship.
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director of Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, is grateful for the continued support of the team’s loyal partners with the team having left no stone unturned heading into the new season.
“It is always a proud moment to reveal the car in pre-season as it is always the culmination of a lot of work behind the scenes. We’re really proud to be supporting Laser Tools’ ten-year anniversary in 2024 and are hugely thankful to all our partners who remain on this exciting journey with us, and to some new friends who have joined the excitement for 2024. Our team and WSR have been working feverishly since the close of the new season and here’s hoping that those efforts will be rewarded in the coming months.”
Laser Tools Racing’s Motorsport Sponsorship Coordinator, Keith Anderson, has played a pivotal role in the team’s decade in the BTCC and the launching of their ten-year anniversary car marks a proud moment for the organisation.
“I’m not quite sure where the time has gone but it is fantastic to mark a decade of success for Laser Tools Racing in the BTCC with the launch of our 2024 challenger. We think the livery is a fitting marker for this anniversary and we cannot wait to see Jake leading from the front in the second iteration of the Laser Beamer in a few weeks time.”