Thruxton

The British Touring Car Championship returns to Thruxton Circuit for the 2026 season. This event features Rounds 13, 14, and 15 of the championship and brings high-speed racing action to the UK's fastest circuit. Thruxton stands as one of the most challenging venues on the BTCC calendar, where drivers push their cars to the limit on sweeping corners and fast straights.

The Thruxton Circuit

Thruxton Circuit sits near Andover in Hampshire, England. The track measures 2.356 miles (3.792 km) and contains 12 corners. Drivers face demanding high-speed sections that require precision and skill. The circuit features an elevation change of 11 meters and an abrasive surface that tests both cars and tires throughout each race.

Key corners at Thruxton include Allard, the Complex (which comprises Campbell, Cobb, and Segrave), Goodwood, Village, Church, Noble, and the Club Chicane. Each corner presents unique challenges. The track's layout uses the perimeter roads of a former airfield, creating long straights where BTCC cars reach speeds over 190 mph.

Race Format for 2026

The 2026 BTCC season introduces a new race format at Thruxton. Saturday afternoon features a Qualifying Race that determines the starting grid for Sunday's opening race. This Qualifying Race awards championship points to the top 15 finishers on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-5-4-4-3-3-2-2-1-1 basis.

Sunday at Thruxton delivers three full BTCC races of equal distance. Each Sunday race awards points to the top 15 finishers using a 20-17-15-13-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system. Drivers can earn bonus points for setting the fastest lap in each Sunday race and for leading a lap. The 2026 championship consists of 10 events totaling 40 races across the season.

Teams and Drivers at Thruxton

The 2026 BTCC season fields a competitive 21-car grid at Thruxton. NAPA Racing UK runs four Ford Focus Titanium Saloons for four-time champion Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish, Sam Osborne, and debutant Lewis Selby. Team Vertu enters reigning champion Tom Ingram in a Hyundai i30 Fastback N alongside Tom Chilton, Nicolas Hamilton, and returning driver Ricky Collard.

Plato Racing makes its BTCC debut in 2026 with former champion Jason Plato leading the team. Dan Rowbottom and Adam Morgan drive Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloons for the new outfit. West Surrey Racing fields BMW 330i M Sport machines for Charles Rainford and Daryl De Leon.

Speedworks Motorsport maintains its lineup with Árón Taylor-Smith, Gordon Shedden, Josh Cook, and Max Buxton in Toyota Corolla GR Sport cars. Power Maxed Racing expands to three Audi S3 Saloons driven by Mikey Doble, Aiden Moffat, and Dexter Patterson. Restart Racing defends their Independent Teams' title with Chris Smiley and James Dorlin in Hyundai i30 Fastback Ns.

Technical Regulations

The BTCC operates under Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) regulations through the end of the 2026 season. All cars use 100% renewable fuels. Teams must use standardized components including an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox, AP Racing carbon clutch, brakes, and pedal box. Other spec parts include fuel tanks, turbos, wastegates, intercoolers, dampers, suspension, a Cosworth electronics package, and 18-inch Team Dynamics wheels.

The championship uses TOCA Turbo Boost (TTB) instead of success ballast to balance competition. The top seven cars in the championship standings run with reduced boost time, while cars further down the order receive more boost access. The TOCA BTCC engine remains available to all teams.

Thruxton requires teams to use Goodyear's hard compound tires due to the track's abrasive surface. Tire management becomes a critical factor in achieving strong results at this circuit.

Circuit History

Thruxton began as RAF Thruxton in 1940, serving as a World War II airfield that supported the D-Day landings. Motorsport arrived at the site in 1950 with motorbike races. Cars started racing at Thruxton in 1952. The current circuit layout was established in 1968, utilizing the airfield's perimeter roads. The BTCC held its first race at Thruxton in 1968.

The circuit has become a cornerstone of British motorsport over the decades. The British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) maintains its headquarters at Thruxton. Planning restrictions limit the circuit to only 12 days of motorsport activity per year, making each event special.

Notable Circuit Facts

Thruxton holds the title of the UK's fastest circuit. BTCC drivers regularly exceed 190 mph on the main straight. In 1993, Damon Hill drove his Williams Formula One car around Thruxton at an average speed of 147 mph, completing a lap in 57.6 seconds. This time stands as an unofficial track record.

Josh Cook holds the record for the most BTCC wins at Thruxton with ten victories. Honda cars have enjoyed particular success at this circuit over the years. The track's unique surface and layout create close racing and opportunities for overtaking in multiple areas.

The 2026 Thruxton BTCC event promises close competition among Britain's best touring car drivers and teams. The combination of high speeds, technical corners, and the new Qualifying Race format will test every aspect of driver skill and car setup at this historic venue.