After a seemingly endless winter break, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns this weekend with the first round at the Brands Hatch Indy layout. 2018 saw the championship celebrate its 60th anniversary with another thrilling season, where 17 different drivers took victory across the 30 rounds of the series. All signs suggest 2019 will be much the same, as the pre-season test day had the fastest laps for 27 cars within one second of each other: but what’s new for this year?

The Changes

All photos courtesy of: www.btcc.net All photos courtesy of: www.btcc.net

Regulations

- The most notable change to the regulations comes to the ballast system used in the championship. Previously, the largest ballast amount was 75kg: this is now down to 54kg, to account for how competitive the grid is now. The lower ballast weights have also been adjusted to fall in line with this.

- Any driver who causes a red flag to be called in qualifying will now lose their fastest lap of the session, and will not be permitted to continue in the session when green flag running resumes.

- The strike system used for drivers has also been adjusted. Three reprimands (which are issued for on-track driving offences) will result in a strike, with three strikes causing a driver to drop to the back of the grid. Greater punishments, such as four strikes meaning a race ban, follow on from this. Strikes can also be given for more significant incidents (e.g. directly causing another driver to retire from a race).

- Tyre options have been changed, and a new Dunlop wet tyre has been introduced.

Calendar

- Due to the unfortunate closure of Rockingham at the end of 2018, there is obviously no round at the circuit for this season. This slot on the calendar has been filled with a second visit to Thruxton.

Cars

- The grid size limit for the championship has been reduced from 32 to 30, in an effort to aid some circuits that were struggling to deal with the sheer size of the paddock in recent years.

- There are two high profile additions to the grid with the BMW 330i M Sport and the Toyota Corolla; both of which are being run with manufacturer backing. Sadly, there will be no Alfa Romeo Giulietta on the grid this season with Rob Austin taking a break for this season. This makes for a grid with 10 manufacturers and 12 models of car, as BMW (125i M Sport and 330i M Sport) and Honda (Civic Type-R FK2 and FK8) each have two representatives on the grid.

The Teams and Drivers

Adrian Flux Subaru Racing

- Subaru Levorg GT / Manufacturer / Senna Proctor (No. 18) and Ashley Sutton (No. 116)

Subaru are back for their fourth season in the BTCC and retain Ash Sutton for 2019. Rumours had suggested Sutton might switch over to TCR Europe for this season, but instead he has returned for what will surely be another title push. Partnering him this season is Senna Proctor, another young driver who has proven his talent in recent seasons. In his two years in the manufacturer-backed Vauxhall Astra, Proctor demonstrated his potential and, based on how close he came to Sutton’s pace in the pre-season test day, he looks to be a strong partner for Sutton.

BMW Pirtek Racing

- BMW 330i M Sport / Manufacturer / Andrew Jordan (No. 77)

Armed with new machinery, it’ll be interesting to see where Andrew Jordan will stand this season. After swapping teams a few times in recent years, Jordan seems to be at home at WSR and the continuity of remaining with the same team can only be beneficial. While he often seems to be one of the unluckiest drivers on the grid for mechanical faults, his pace is definitely there and it would be a real shock if he isn’t toward the sharp end of the grid.

BTC Racing

- Honda Civic Type-R (FK8) / Independent / Chris Smiley (No. 22) and Josh Cook (No. 66)

A team that has established itself as a very solid independent team lately, BTC Racing’s acquisition of two FK8 Civics speaks to the ambition of the team going forward. New recruit Josh Cook had a very strong season last time out, finishing sixth in the driver’s standings. With the new Honda, it’s entirely possible he could perform even more strongly in 2019. Chris Smiley enters his third year with the team this season. In his fairly short time in the series so far, Smiley has developed significantly and earned his first win last season: he has a good chance of adding to that tally this year.

Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport

- Mercedes-Benz A-Class / Independent / Daniel Rowbottom (No. 32)

Dan Rowbottom makes his BTCC debut in 2019, having raced in Renault Clio Cup UK for the last three seasons. In the last two years he has finished in the top five in the driver’s standings, so a BTCC move is a logical progression. The A-Class has proven to be a strong platform over its time in the championship, so should provide a good base to grow into the series with for Rowbottom.

Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance

- Honda Civic Type-R (FK2) / Independent / Rory Butcher (No. 6) and Sam Tordoff (No. 600)

After running a pair of MG6s last season, AmD have switched to the proven FK2 Civic for this campaign. Rory Butcher stays with the team, and after hauling the ageing MG to some very respectable results last season it’s exciting to imagine what he could achieve in 2019 with one of the strongest cars on the grid. Sam Tordoff completes potentially one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid, and with the FK2 Tordoff could well be a serious contender this season. His second place in the driver’s standings in 2016 is evidence enough that he has serious pace, which he has shown again in the pre-season test day as he topped the times.

Excelr8 Motorsport

- MG6 GT / Independent / Sam Osborne (No. 4) and Rob Smith (No. 37)

Taking over the running of the MG6s this season is new to the series outfit Excelr8 Motorsport. Previously the team has been responsible for building cars for the Mini Challenge, while also running entries in the series. Rob Smith steps up from the Mini Challenge where he raced with Excelr8, while Sam Osborne comes from the Renault Clio Cup UK. With the team and both drivers being new to the championship, 2019 looks to be a learning year for Excelr8; though the team has hinted at bigger plans for the future.

GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct

- Volkswagen CC / Independent / Bobby Thompson (No. 19) and Michael Crees (No. 777)

Team HARD have stuck with their Volkswagen CCs for 2019, along with driver Bobby Thompson for the first of their two teams. In his debut season Thompson managed to break into the top 10 on two occasions, which considering the age of the CC is a respectable first season. Michael Crees joins having won the Ginetta GT4 Supercup Am Class in 2018. The step up to the BTCC is a significant one, so it may take Crees a while to adapt to the new machinery.

Halfords Yuasa Racing

- Honda Civic Type-R (FK8) / Manufacturer / Matt Neal (No. 25) and Dan Cammish (No. 27)

One of the top teams in the championship, 2018 was largely a development year for Team Dynamics and their new FK8 Civic. With other rivals adapting to new cars, 2019 presents an opportunity for the team to have a serious title challenge again. Matt Neal is an icon of the championship, and proved last season he still very much has the pace to compete with the crop of new drivers coming through in the series. One such newer driver to the series is teammate Dan Cammish, who had a fairly successful debut season last year. His two wins in the final meeting of last season indicate he could be a real force this season, and both drivers will certainly fancy their title chances this season.

Laser Tools Racing

- Mercedes-Benz A-Class / Independent / Aiden Moffat (No. 16)

2019 sees Laser Tools Racing break away from Ciceley Motorsport to run as their own operation. Aiden Moffat continues his spell with the team, who have re-built their A-Class over the winter as they aim to kick on from some encouraging results last season. Moffat has a decent amount of experience in the championship now as he enters his sixth full season in the series, despite only being 22 years old, and it seems likely he’ll add to his three previous race wins.

Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport

- Mercedes-Benz A-Class / Independent / Adam Morgan (No. 33)

Adam Morgan remains with family-run team Ciceley Motorsport for the 2019 season. Morgan has frequently achieved strong results in recent years, finishing in the top 10 of the driver’s standings in the last six seasons. Three wins in a season with fairly few repeat winners demonstrated his pace last season, so it would be no shock to see Morgan sticking around the sharp end of the grid this season.

RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport

- Volkswagen CC / Independent / Jack Goff (No. 31) and Carl Boardley (No. 41)

A last minute change of driver personnel sees Jack Goff return to the BTCC grid, after he had previously announced he would have to miss this season. He takes the place of Mike Bushell, who was forced to drop out of his drive. Goff has proven his pace with two wins last season and sixth and eight place in the driver’s standings in 2017 and 2018 respectively. While the CC is far from the strongest package on the grid, Goff should be able to get the most out of it. Carl Boardley had a taste of the BTCC last season in a one weekend drive at Knockhill, and joins the series full time after finishing as runner-up in the Ginetta GT4 Supercup in 2018.

ROKiT Racing with Motorbase

- Ford Focus RS / Independent / Nicolas Hamilton (No. 28)

Having competed in four rounds of the 2015 BTCC season with AmD, Nic Hamilton has returned to the championship for a full time drive with Motorbase. Hamilton’s entry into the BTCC in 2015 was particularly notable as he became the first disabled driver to compete in the series; his cerebral palsy requires him to use specially modified controls in his car. At the pre-season test day Hamilton more than held his own, and will surely be one of the most popular drivers on the grid this season.

Simpson Racing

- Honda Civic Type-R (FK2) / Independent / Matt Simpson (No. 303)

Simpson Racing enters their first season as a fully independent team, having dropped their affiliation with Eurotech Racing mid-way through last season. Matt Simpson has three seasons in the FK2 Civic under his belt now, so has the benefit of familiarity heading into a season where so many drivers are with new teams and cars. Simpson achieved his first victory and a third place last season, and was frequently in and around the top 10.

Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing

- Vauxhall Astra / Manufacturer / Rob Collard (No. 9) and Jason Plato (No. 11)

In stark contrast to their line-up last season, Power Maxed Racing have gone for a driver pairing with near-unmatched experience in the championship. Jason Plato may have struggled in his last couple of seasons with Subaru, but a return to front-wheel drive seems like the perfect way for him to return to form. Rob Collard has also had a difficult last two seasons, though for different reasons. High-speed accidents in the championship across 2017 and 2018 forced Collard to miss portions of both seasons on medical grounds. A fresh start with a new team for 2019 will hopefully provide a smoother season for Collard, who had previously been with WSR since 2010.

Team BMW

- BMW 330i M Sport / Manufacturer / Colin Turkington (No. 1) and Tom Oliphant (No. 15)

Despite only completing the build process of their new 330i entries fairly late in the off-season, WSR still must be considered obvious title contenders. Reigning champion Colin Turkington has stuck with the team for 2019, despite it at one point seeming likely he would move into WTCR for this season. His new teammate for this season is Tom Oliphant, who drove for Ciceley Motorsport last season. In his first season in a front-wheel drive touring car Oliphant was usually found in the lower points scoring positions, but did break into the top ten five times over the season. Now in a more familiar rear-wheel drive layout, the 2019 season gives him a real chance to step up to the next level in the championship.

Team Parker Racing

- BMW 125i M Sport / Independent / Stephen Jelley (No. 12)

Running the sole BMW 125i on the grid this season, Team Parker Racing first ran the car last season. Stephen Jelley had previously raced in the BTCC back in 2008 and 2009 with WSR, when he picked up two victories. Since returning to the series in 2017 he hasn’t quite had results of that level, though he was very unfortunate to miss out on a potential podium at Knockhill last season due to factors beyond his control.

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher

- Ford Focus RS / Independent / Tom Chilton (No. 3) and Ollie Jackson (No. 48)

Motorbase continue to run their Fords for 2019 in the now familiar Shredded Wheat livery, and also retain the services of Tom Chilton. Chilton had a strong second season back in the BTCC last time out, finishing third in the driver’s standings. He has made clear his intentions to fight for the driver’s title this season, and is definitely a strong shout to achieve his aim. Ollie Jackson joins from AmD, where he scored his first series podium last season. With an experienced team in the form of Motorbase behind him, he has a chance to try and replicate that result this season.

Toyota Team GB with Ginsters

- Toyota Corolla / Manufacturer / Tom Ingram (No. 80)

With a remarkable 2018 campaign behind them, Speedworks were rewarded with manufacturer backing to build a brand new car for 2019. The return of the Corolla name over 30 years since it last graced the BTCC has brought lots of excitement, and the man tasked with piloting the new car is Tom Ingram. In the last two seasons Ingram has finished third and second in the standings respectively, which considering Speedworks are a one-car team is seriously impressive. While 2019 is likely to be a development year for the new car, it’s surely only a matter of time before Ingram is back right at the front of the field.

TradePriceCars.com

- Audi S3 Saloon / Independent / Mark Blundell (No. 8) and Jake Hill (No. 24)

TradePriceCars.com are a new team to the BTCC, but will receive backing from AmD for the 2019 season. Their pair of Audis were raced by the AmD team last season, so they should have the ideal people supporting them. Mark Blundell is perhaps the most stand-out signing of the season: the former Formula One driver and Le Mans 24 Hour winner makes his touring car debut to add yet another star name to the field. Jake Hill switches from Team HARD, where he scored his first BTCC podium last season, though he only competed in the first half of the season. Hill showed promising pace in the pre-season test, breaking into the top 10 on the timing sheets.