Global Media Properties (GMP) proudly announces its appointment as the Exclusive Commercial Partnership Agency for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). This partnership heralds a new era of strategic collaboration aimed at driving innovation, fostering new partnerships, and enhancing consumer experiences within the UK’s premier motorsport series.

The British Touring Car Championship is one of the most prestigious and longest running motorsport championships in the world. Since its inception in 1958, the BTCC has captivated tens of millions of fans in the UK and worldwide, with its non-stop action and entertainment.

In its capacity as the Exclusive Commercial Partner, GMP will spearhead the development and execution of a dynamic commercial strategy tailored to meet the evolving demands of modern businesses and audiences. This entails reimagining the BTCC’s commercial proposition to align seamlessly with contemporary content and ROI expectations while unlocking new avenues for growth and engagement.

Moreover, GMP will extend its expertise to BTCC teams, offering support in their pursuit of new partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, further enriching the competitive landscape of the championship.

Alan Gow, CEO of the British Touring Car Championship, remarked, “As we embark on this exciting journey with GMP, we are confident that their innovative approach and strategic insights will elevate the BTCC to new heights of commercial success and audience engagement.”

Greg Albrecht, CEO of Global Media Properties, commented, “Securing the BTCC as a client is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of commercial partnerships. We are eager to collaborate with Alan and his team to unlock the full potential of the championship and deliver unparalleled value to commercial partners and consumers alike.”

For more information about Global Media Properties and the British Touring Car Championship, please visit www.globalmediaproperties.co or www.btcc.net.

About Global Media Properties (GMP): Global Media Properties is an integrated agency providing innovative commercial solutions in the realm of sports, arts and culture, entertainment, and tourism. Utilising its four core verticals of sales, content creation, data/insights, and asset development, GMP strives to unlock new opportunities and enhance experiences for partners and audiences worldwide.

Contact: Greg Albrecht, CEO, Global Media Properties (GMP): +1 (416) 399-7293 or galbrecht@globalmediaproperties.co

One Motorsport can today (21 February) announce that it will take a planned pause from competing in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for the 2024 season, with the aim of returning to the grid to fight for outright honours in 2025.

Having spent a number of years operating as a successful and totally independent front-running team in the UK’s premier motorsport series, Team Owner Steve Dudman has made the difficult decision to press pause on the outfits immediate involvement in the championship this year.

While the team may not be lining up on the grid this year, the team aims to undertake an extensive development programme and testing on its fleet of Honda Civic Type Rs, before a planned return to the entry list in 2025.

Since debuting in the BTCC, the Brackley-based outfit - formerly known as BTC Racing - has enjoyed tremendous success, with back-to-back Independent Drivers’ and Teams’ with a total of 19 wins and 52 podiums.

The highlight of earning the aforementioned Independents crowns in 2022 and 2023 showed the strength, dedication, and professionalism of every member of the race team, in particular the contribution and leadership of Paul Hartley.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision to make however it has been made for the betterment of the team and guaranteeing our future success in the sport,” said One Motorsport Team Owner, Steve Dudman.

“It goes without saying that everyone shall be facing their own challenges this year, from drivers to sponsors alike, and we are no different to that. There has been a lot of back and forth in regard to what our 2024 plans would be, but when I finally made this decision after discussion with TOCA, I knew deep down it was the right one at this time.

“We won’t be downing tools as we have clear programme of work that we want to carry out on both our chassis’, aero and cooling systems together with our engine programmes this year with our highly respected partners NBE. With what we hope will be a year on the sidelines, we can come back next season in a strong position and hit the ground running and with a fresh look in everything we do. We’ll be sure to keep everyone posted as things progress.

“I have to say a massive thank you to every team member, each supplier and race partner supplying us with such strong support in the championship that has been with us on this journey so far, as without them all, we wouldn’t have achieved anywhere near the amount of the success we have done in the series.

“A heartfelt thank you also goes to our three drivers from last year - Josh Cook, Aiden Moffat and Jade Edwards - for their unrelenting hard work and commitment. I’m sure they will enjoy plenty of success in their endeavours this year. A special mention to Bob & Donna Moffat, Phil & Sue Hartley, Debbie & Chris Palmer and the rest of the whole hospitality team, as well as our media team for their support in 2023. Also, a massive thank you to all of our friends, fans and supporters, you are all very special people to us.

“Finally, I’d like to thank Alan Gow and TOCA for their understanding and guidance on this matter. It goes without saying that we’ll be keeping a keen eye on the Championship this year and we wish the other teams and drivers the very best of luck for the forthcoming season."

We caught up with Andrew Watson for his first and exclusive interview following his move to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK.

In this feature-length interview with Andrew we discuss his move to the Speedworks-run outfit, his motorsport journey, his 2023 Jack Sears Trophy success and his targets for 2024.

See the full video below via our YouTube channel. Alternatively you can find the video on our Facebook page.

Despite being a new team with Restart Racing there is a familiar face returning to the championship in Chris Smiley, who returns to the BTCC after two seasons away.

“It feels like we're back to finish off a little bit of unfinished business,” said Smiley.

The team will take over two Cupra Leon cars previously run by Team HARD, a car that Smiley believes has more potential to unlock.

“It showed flashes of pace at points last year. I think it lacked a little bit of consistency, but we can sort of sharpen up the areas where we think it's lacking in.

“It's obviously going to take me probably a little bit of time to adapt to the hybrid and just fully get back into the BTCC game.”

The return to the championship has left Smiley optimistic for the 2024 season, but he’s fully aware that the level of competition is of an extremely high standard.

“I'm not stupid. I'm under no illusion of how tough this championship is. I think if we can get ourselves a good little bit of pre-season testing, get ourselves with a setup that we think is somewhere good to start from, that will give us a platform to build on.

“Obviously, the top ten is where you have to be aiming for. It's all about consistency. It's about working with people who you've worked with for a long time, who know what you need to get out of a car.

“I'm very fortunate that Ben and Bert Taylor have stuck with me for the last seven or eight seasons now. They know me inside out and I’m looking forward to it.”

Alongside Smiley is a newcomer to the BTCC in 19-year-old Scott Sumpton.

“For my first time to get out in a car, I really can't wait for that,” said Sumton. Then to be sitting with loads of other British Touring Cars around me, waiting for the lights to go out. I can't wait for that either.”

Despite his young age, Sumpton has already had gained solid TCR experience in both the UK and overseas. 

“I've learned a lot on how to deal with a front-wheel drive, high-horsepower car. I've had a really good time in that. Over in Spain as well, we got two podiums to finish off the season in 2023.

“I think it's set me up really nicely and given me a big boost of confidence to try and go into British Touring Cars and do the best I can.

“I think Jack Sears Trophy, that's what I want to aim for, to be champion of that. Of course, it's not going to be easy – there is a lot of great competition.

“I think if we set ourselves a target and aim for that, then there's no reason why we can't do great things this year.”

The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship gets underway at Donington Park on 27/28 April, tickets for every event can be purchased here while every qualifying session and race will be broadcast live across the ITV network.

Get to know the BTCC's newest team – Restart Racing

Sutton and Ingram to battle for BTCC title at Brands Hatch 

The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is set to culminate next weekend at Brands Hatch (7/8 October), with reigning champion Tom Ingram chasing down a 45-point gap to standings’ leader, Ash Sutton, for the most coveted motorsport prize in the country.

A huge trackside audience and millions more watching on television are set to witness three final battles at the legendary 2.43-mile Grand Prix circuit, before the respective Champions will be crowned and the 2023 season will come to a close. 

Three-time champion Sutton has produced a sensational performance throughout the campaign, with the NAPA Racing UK star securing five pole positions and ten outright wins to solidify his lead of the Drivers’ championship.

His latest victory at Silverstone (23/24 September) was one of the finest performances of his BTCC career so far, as the Ford Focus driver fought from 23rd on the grid to score an extraordinary first place, after losing out on tyre strategy during mixed conditions in race one. Sutton followed this with third in race three, narrowly extending his advantage at the top by three points. 

However, a consistent and impressive run of results from Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) has kept him in contention throughout, including two outright wins, 13 further podiums and 25 top ten finishes. 

The Hyundai racer refused to let Sutton out of his sights during the latest contests at Silverstone, also fighting through the pack from 22nd to reach the rostrum in the second bout, as well as finishing second in race three. 

With 67 points still on offer before the curtains close, nothing is set in stone, and the duo is set to go head-to-head for Rounds 28, 29 and 30 at Brands Hatch in just over a weeks’ time. 

While BMW stablemates Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) and Colin Turkington (Team BMW) both slipped out of championship contention at the Northamptonshire circuit, they still have a key role to play when it comes to the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ trophy, with BMW looking to secure a record-breaking eighth title in succession.

Hill started Sunday at Silverstone on a high, after a late call on the grid to switch to Goodyear wet tyres saw him storm to a win during the opening race. However, a run of technical issues and incidents saw the 29-year-old cross the line in 20th and 8th respectively during the remaining contests.

Colin Turkington saw his fortunes in reverse; while an incident in the opener ended his race early, the four-time champion went on to score BMW’s 150th victory in the BTCC during the reverse-grid finale. 

Remaining in third and fourth in the Drivers’ standings, the priority going into Brands Hatch will be securing BMW's lead in Manufacturers’/Constructors’ fight, with Motorbase Performance/Ford only 19 points in arrears. 

Josh Cook and One Motorsport with Starline Racing will be looking to celebrate Independents’ honours at the weekend, after creating an unassailable lead in the Independent Drivers’ standings at Silverstone; Cook chalked up his 13th Independents’ Trophy win of 2023 during the opening race. 

This victory ensured that the 32-year-old can’t be caught on-track at the top of the standings, whilst it also strengthened One Motorsport’s grasp at the summit of the Independent Teams’ battle with three races left to run.

In the Jack Sears Trophy fight, CarStore Power Maxed Racing’s Andrew Watson heads into the finale with an 18-point lead over team-mate Mikey Doble – 410 points to 392 – while NAPA Racing UK’s Sam Osborne runs in third, 32-points from the top spot. 

With a number of stories to keep abreast of during the season finale weekend, it promises to be an action-packed finish to the ten-event season. 

Local Lights

The locals to the much-loved Kent circuit will be looking to end the 2023 campaign on a high, with Ash Sutton, Dan Rowbottom, Dan Cammish and Sam Osborne aiming to bring the best out of their Ford Focus STs at the team’s home circuit and secure the Teams’ title – in which they lead by 119 points.

In particular, Sutton (who hails from Essex) will be looking to claim the Drivers’ championship in front of a passionate home crowd, while Kent local Hill will want to bounce back from his misfortune during Rounds 26 and 27 at Silverstone and get back to the sharp end of the tin-top action. 

Local driver Tom Chilton (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) will also be looking to make his mark and end his year on a high. After celebrating his first BTCC victory in four years during Round Two at Donington Park, the Hyundai i30N driver has led a strong season, mixed with some tricky luck.

Brands Hatch is also regarded as home turf for both WSR and Team HARD, including the latter's driver Bobby Thompson. 

Tickets, TV Times and Support Races

This weekend’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship finale (7/8 October) will once again see Brands Hatch play host as the race for the most coveted prize in British motorsport comes to a climax, and another action-packed campaign is drawn to a close.

Tickets and all the information you need to get the most out of your trip to the Kent circuit available are here.  

The final qualifying session of the campaign – which will no doubt prove pivotal in the contenders’ championship challenges – gets underway on Saturday from 1530, with ITV Sport’s YouTube channel streaming the full session LIVE, before ITV4’s race-day broadcast brings the highs, lows and everything in between to fans at home on Sunday from 1045.

Alongside the triple header of BTCC contests, culminating in the BTCC’s 2023 Champion ascending, the weekend will see further winners crowned in The Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE, ROKiT F4 British Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain and Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain.

• 

Bavarian marque BMW also celebrate following 150th BTCC victory

Rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship proved to be a memorable occasion at Silverstone (23/24 September) with plenty of reasons to celebrate for this season's leading lights.

BMW scored its 149th and 150th victories in the UK’s premier motorsport championship – thanks to triumphs from Jake Hill and Colin Turkington – but it was arguably Ash Sutton and Tom Ingram’s surge through the pack in race two that had the crowd on its collective feet.

Hill’s race one success was followed by despair for the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport man, whilst Turkington’s day improved dramatically following a dismal start, but both drivers ultimately left Silverstone with their hopes of securing the Drivers’ title now over.

Sutton’s race two victory was a highlight as both he and Ingram came from way back on the grid to reach the rostrum, before the pair scooped yet more silverware in the final encounter.

Three-time champion Sutton now leads the Drivers’ standings by 45 points from Ingram – with 67 still on offer – as the duo now go head-to-head for the title at Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time.

BMW remains in charge as it targets a record tenth Manufacturers’ crown, whilst Josh Cook moved into an unassailable lead in the Independents Drivers’ table.

NAPA Racing UK and One Motorsport with Starline Racing will also be looking to officially wrap up the Teams’ and Independents Teams’ titles at the legendary Grand Prix circuit in Kent. 

The final BTCC event of the season will take place at Brands Hatch on 7/8 October with tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend with many more watching the action live on ITV4.

Hill makes correct tyre call to win race one
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill made a late call on the grid to switch to Goodyear wet tyres, as he left his fellow contenders in his wake to win the opening BTCC race at Silverstone.

Drizzly conditions led to a chaotic pre-grid as teams and drivers had a critical call to make, with the vast majority of the top ten choosing to stick with slick rubber.

The tide turned – quite literally – just a few minutes before the contest as the rain began to get heavier, suggesting that Hill and a number of others lower down the order had made the right decision.

Further drama followed for pole-sitter Mikey Doble when CarStore Power Maxed Racing seemed to make a mistake during the green flag procedure as the driver was informed to continue for an unscheduled second lap, whilst the rest of the grid took up their positions.

With Doble now out of contention it was left to the four main title protagonists to battle it out, which Hill dealt with comfortably as he blasted away with the correct rubber beneath his BMW 330e M Sport.

A fully jumbled order finally settled as Hill won from NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Rowbottom, with the latter getting the better of CarStore Power Maxed Racing’s Andrew Watson in the closing stages.

Sensational Sutton strikes again
NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton produced one of the finest performances of his illustrious BTCC career so far, as the Ford Focus racer fought from 23rd on the grid to score an extraordinary victory.

Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) looked to be cruising to a second victory of the day while Sutton and fellow title contender Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) were battling their way through the order, until a safety car intervention threw the contest wide open.

The BMW 330e M Sport of Hill seemed to slow with a misfire problem following the restart and although able to continue he was quickly shuffled down the order, and ultimately out of the championship fight.

Sutton and Ingram had fought their way into the top six by that point and neither were done there as they continued picking off the front-runners until the finish.

The move that really mattered from Sutton’s #116 NAPA-backed car came on the final lap as he dived down the inside of leader Árón Taylor-Smith (CarStore Power Maxed Racing) and into the lead, whilst Ingram had got by Rory Butcher (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) for third.

With Sutton and Ingram starting the race 23rd and 22nd respectively, it was a true testament of their undoubted talent to see them reach the rostrum as their title battle intensifies towards an unmissable climax.

Turkington takes BMW’s 150th BTCC victory
Four-time champion Turkington scored BMW’s 150th victory in the BTCC, as the tin-top legend triumphed in the reverse-grid race around the 1.64-mile National circuit.

Pole-sitter Michael Crees (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) was eased out of the lead early on as NAPA Racing UK’s Rowbottom initially took over top spot.

Team BMW’s Turkington was making progress in the early laps, too, as he soon hauled his #4 machine alongside Rowbottom and into the lead.

Rowbottom was fending off the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai duo of Ronan Pearson and Ingram, whilst Sutton soon joined the battle.

Ingram slipped by Rowbottom as he hit the hybrid button with the pair crossing the start/finish line, and Sutton was eventually up to third after a late race shuffle.

The final word on this race goes to Turkington – a fitting man to take the 150th win for the famous Bavarian marque – with BMW also still gunning for its tenth Manufacturers' title.

Ash Sutton said: “I’m speechless if I’m honest. I knew it was going to be tough and it fell in our favour with Jake [Hill] having engine trouble by the looks of it. I’ve missed hybrid, it hurt here in qualifying but to get the full allocation – we haven’t had that since Round One so we made the most of it.

“Our plan was to utilise it for passing cars that we thought might be harder to overtake, and Árón [Taylor-Smith] was one of those and it just happened to be on the last lap for the win. I’m over the moon, we maximised everything, the car, the changes we made overnight were mega, so I can’t thank NAPA Racing UK enough for their effort.

“The aim is to get some points in race one at Brands Hatch and then plan the rest of the day, but we have a 45-point margin for the lead so I can’t ask for much more than that.”

Tom Ingram said: “Yeah, that [second] race was mental, probably very similar to Ash’s [Sutton] race. We just had to have the headlights on and come through. I love it when it’s like that – it’s so much fun. On the first lap someone came in like a torpedo at Brooklands and I had to completely avoid the shunt and lost six or seven places to Ash it felt like. I was hoping towards the end there would be a little battle between ourselves, which would have been great. It was really great to come back through and rescue the result out of what could have been nothing.

“The adrenaline is still going – its coursing through your veins. There’s so much energy, so much excitement and so much that could go right or wrong. Such a game of chess. There is so much risk – do you take it? When do you stick your nose in? Trying to avoid other people if they’re fighting for their own race, but it was great fun and the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 car was feeling great so this is exciting – feeling fast and feeling good.”

Jake Hill said: “There were no safety car [in race one] so that was a surprise – so many people were still on slicks. We were sat on the grid, and I thought let’s just do it. The risk versus reward just didn’t add up for me and it came through. 

“I was in this amazing rhythm. That only happens once or twice in a year when you find that rhythm and it was just amazing. This win is for Dan Kirby, my former Team Principal at Trade Price Cars Racing. I loved Dan to bits and my thoughts are with his family and friends. This one is for you Dan.”

Colin Turkington said: “It seemed slicks were the way to go in race one, but we made the wrong call. I then struggled in race two for balance even though I was making progress. The car just wasn’t in the window then, but it was in race three. I could see Tom [Ingram] in P2 and the lights getting closer, but I had a few more hybrid laps than him. It was nice to still feel in control at the end.

“Since I joined BTCC and West Surrey Racing in 2009 we had a great run of success – the BMW has always been a potent weapon in BTCC. We go to Brands Hatch with some work to do, but the cars are looking fast, and I hope we can end the season on the high.”

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Silverstone 

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 22 Laps
2. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +5.355s
3. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +7.430s
4. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +19.464s
5. Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +20.642s
6. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +21.197s
7. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +22.257s
8. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +22.776s
9. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +27.538s
10. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +29.078s

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Silverstone 

1. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK 24 Laps
2. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.411s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1.405s
4. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +2.257s
5. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +2.578s
6. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +3.093s
7. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +3.774s
8. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +3.942s
9. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +4.659s
10. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +4.984s

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Silverstone 

1. Colin Turkington, Team BMW 25 Laps
2. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.559s
3. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +5.541s
4. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +4.984s
5. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +8.583s
6. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +9.389s
7. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +10.693s
8. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +14.564s
9. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +017.090s
10. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +17.287s

Penalties: 

Race Two
Jack Butel was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points during Round 26 of the Championship, for an incident with Dexter Patterson.

Aiden Moffat was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points during Round 26 of the Championship, for an incident with Jake Hill.

Race Three
Adam Morgan was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points during Round 26 of the Championship, for an incident with Rory Butcher.

Ash Sutton produced a thrilling performance at Knockhill this past weekend (August 12/13) to extend his advantage at the top of the Championship standings to 37 points.

On what proved to be a wet and wild trip north of the border, the NAPA Racing UK driver splashed his way to an eighth win of the season in the reverse grid bout after previously starting on slick tyres in Race One and putting pressure on Jake Hill to clinch second place in Race Two.

Arriving at the Scottish circuit holding a slender six-point lead over Tom Ingram, the three-time champion endured a frenetic weekend and a race day that will live long in our memories.

The 29-year-old was focused when it came to qualifying on Saturday as he chalked up his fourth pole position of the year, maintaining NAPA Racing UK’s unbeaten run in the process.

Sunday’s opening contest will undoubtedly go down as a modern-day classic. Starting on slick tyres, he played his part in a captivating duel with Josh Cook in the opening exchanges before heavy rain began to fall.

With conditions worsening, a majority of the field headed for the pit lane for wet tyres but Sutton remained out front on slicks. After a brief safety car period the series leader pitted and rejoined the fray to finish sixth.

The weekend’s second encounter - held in the dry - saw Sutton come close to victory as he shadowed Jake Hill all the way to the chequered flag. Wasting no time in progressing up to second from the third row of the grid.

Once onto the back of the BMW, Sutton made a number of minor attacks but he ultimately never came close enough to making a move for the lead; leaving him to settle for second.

Race Three was a great success for Sutton as he navigated the wet weather to win by almost ten seconds. Starting sixth, he scythed his way through to second before setting off after leader Ronan Pearson.

After closing in on the Hyundai driver, Sutton made a pass for the lead and from there he charged off into the spray, extending the gap to Cook who finished second.

Ashley Sutton (NAPA Racing UK): “I think that weekend sums up the BTCC perfectly; it’s unpredictable and you never quite know what is going to happen next! To come away with another win and having extended the lead in the championship is phenomenal - but there is still a long way to go.

“Sitting on the grid before race three - with the rain coming down - I knew there was the chance to take a win; I’m over the moon we managed to hook it all up. The car was on absolute rails and that’s down to everyone’s hard work at NAPA Racing UK!

“This is the biggest points lead I’ve ever had in the BTCC and while it’s nice, I’m not going to get too excited just yet. There is plenty of racing still to come and as we’ve seen, anything can happen. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing and aim to hit the ground running at Donington Park.”

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will continue in less than two weeks’ time on August 26/27 as the series heads back to Donington Park - this time on the Grand Prix circuit - for Rounds 22, 23 & 24.