British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is one of the most popular and competitive motor racing series in the United Kingdom. It features production-based touring cars racing on various circuits across the UK.

History

  • The BTCC was established in 1958 and has grown to become a premier motorsport championship.
  • It showcases modified versions of popular road cars that compete in close, exciting races.

Cars and Regulations

  • The championship uses touring cars based on production models but heavily modified for racing.
  • Cars must meet specific technical regulations to ensure fairness and close competition.
  • Manufacturers like BMW, Honda, Toyota, and Audi often compete.

Format

  • The season typically consists of multiple rounds at different UK circuits such as Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington Park, and Thruxton.
  • Each race weekend usually includes practice sessions, qualifying, and three races.
  • Points are awarded based on finishing positions, leading to a Drivers’ Championship and a Teams’ Championship.

Popularity

  • BTCC is known for its intense, wheel-to-wheel racing and is a fan favorite.
  • It has a loyal fan base both at the track and through TV broadcasts.
  • The series is broadcast live on ITV and available on streaming platforms like ITVX.

Notable Drivers

  • Over the years, many famous drivers have competed in BTCC, including Jason Plato, Matt Neal, Colin Turkington, and Gordon Shedden.

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