This weekend sees the start of the 2022 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.
Fans have been counting the days until the return of the UK’s biggest national motorsport series. Teams and drivers will be at Donington Park, ahead of three races this Sunday that promise plenty of on-track action.
New for 2022 is the introduction of hybrid power, designed to keep the series relevant and exciting.
If you are new to the BTCC, this guide tells you everything you need to know.
What is the British Touring Car Championship?
The BTCC is one of the oldest motorsport competitions in the world, with roots that stretch back to 1958. Production-based cars, like those driven by millions across the country, have been the foundation of the series since it began.
Each race weekend consists of a qualifying session on Saturday, followed by three individual races on the Sunday. Various regulations aim to make the racing as competitive as possible, with a real emphasis on entertaining spectators and those watching at home on TV.
The series has become well known for close-contact action, with plenty of rubbing and barging between drivers. It means a BTCC race weekend is unlikely to come without a dose of drama and controversy, along with unpredictable results.
Which cars are used in the BTCC?
Cars used in the BTCC are meant to resemble modified versions of those parked on fans’ driveways. That means a mixture of compact saloons and family hatchbacks, ranging from the BMW 3 Series to the Honda Civic Type R.
Using standard production cars as a base helps reduce the overall cost of competing. BTCC cars are built to Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) rules. This includes standardised parts for suspension, aerodynamics, brakes and wheels.
Teams can choose to build their own engine, or use a standard motor developed by the BTCC organisers.
What is the new BTCC hybrid powertrain?
In order to stay relevant to the cars driven by BTCC spectators, the series committed to introducing hybrid petrol cars for 2022.
Although not as complicated as the systems used in Formula One, drivers can use the hybrid electric power for an additional performance boost.
An electric motor is integrated into the standard Xtrac gearbox, and is powered by a 48-volt battery. This can be charged from a 240-volt wall socket before the race, but is also regenerated by braking when the cars are on-track.
Hybrid power can be deployed for a maximum of 15 seconds per lap. The BTCC believes this should give drivers a 15-metre advantage, increasing overtaking opportunities.
An external LED light system will show when a driver is using their hybrid boost.
Will hybrid power change BTCC racing?
The BTCC previously made use of ‘success ballast’ to keep competition relatively equal amongst competitors. Now, the hybrid powertrain should prevent one driver from gaining an uncompetitive advantage.
Drivers can deploy their hybrid boost for a limited amount of time during qualifying, and for a set number of laps in a race.
How frequently a driver can use the hybrid system will be determined by their championship position for qualifying, plus their finishing position on race day.
Successful drivers will receive fewer hybrid deployment opportunities, helping to keep the field competitive.
Which car manufacturers compete in the 2022 BTCC?
Unlike its heyday in the 1990s, the BTCC currently has only a small roster of car manufacturers competing.
The 2022 season will see BMW and Toyota taking part as official factory-backed teams, using the 3 Series saloon and Corolla hatchback respectively.
Several other teams are classed as manufacturer/constructor entries for 2022, including the new NAPA Racing UK (Motorbase) outfit.
Do the rules make BTCC racing competitive?
Chief executive Alan Gow is renowned for trying to make racing in the BTCC as close as possible. Various rules and regulations aim to stop situations like those that often occur in Formula One, with a single team or driver dominating the competition.
Starting positions are dictated differently for each of the three races across the weekend, grid places for race one are determined by qualifying on Saturday, and race two is based upon the finishing positions of race one.
Finally, race three uses the finishing order of race two, but with randomised reversed positions. It is all intended to encourage overtaking and prevent races from being a foregone conclusion before they even start.
Is contact allowed between BTCC cars?
Despite being a non-contact series, the BTCC’s packed grids, and rules that encourage competition, result in cars getting up close and personal on-track.
However, the championship organisers have taken an increasingly strict view on contact, punishing drivers who cause unnecessary collisions.
A panel of three stewards reviews any incidents that happen on the circuit, with penalties handed out to those judged to have breached driving standards.
Who is the defending BTCC champion?
Proving that independent teams can challenge the major manufacturers, Ashley Sutton is the current BTCC Drivers’ Champion. Sutton drove the Laser Tools Racing Infiniti Q50 to victory in 2021, taking his third title win.
For 2022, Sutton has moved to the NAPA Racing UK team, driving the #1 Ford Focus ST. His car will be easily identifiable by the gold Kwik Fit number plates it will wear throughout the season.
The 2021 Manufacturers’ Championship was won by BMW (West Surrey Racing), with the Teams’ title claimed by Laser Tools Racing.
Daniel Rowbottom was the winner of the 2021 Jack Sears Trophy. This is contested by drivers who have never previously achieved a podium position in the BTCC.
Will I know any of the BTCC drivers for 2022?
The relative accessibility of BTCC means it appeals to drivers from a wide range of racing backgrounds.
BTCC regular and Fifth Gear TV presenter Jason Plato is the most familiar name on the grid. Plato has said the 2022 season will be his last before retirement.
Last year, Jade Edwards became the first female driver to contest a full BTCC season since 2007. She is back again with the BTC Racing team for 2022.
Nic Hamilton, the younger brother of Formula One superstar Sir Lewis Hamilton, also returns for 2022.
Rick Parfitt Jr., son of the late Status Quo musician Rick Parfitt, will be driving an Infiniti Q50 in his second BTCC season. He has previously raced sports cars in the British GT Championship.
Which support races does the BTCC have for 2022?
The BTCC is the main draw on each race weekend, but it is not the only on-track action taking place. Numerous other support championships happen at each event, ensuring a packed day of racing.
Leading the support act is the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, which has helped develop a range of endurance racing drivers since 2003.
Other championships include the Mini Challenge UK, the Ginetta GT5 Challenge and the single-seater F4 British Championship.
How can I watch the BTCC in 2022?
A long-term agreement between the BTCC and ITV means the race series is available on free-to-air television.
Freeview channel ITV4 will show live coverage from each race day. Highlights will also be shown on ITV4 and ITV after each event.
The Brands Hatch Indy (15 May) and Oulton Park (12 June) events will also be broadcast live on ITV for three hours on each race day.
Fans can watch race action online through the ITV website, which also screens live qualifying on Saturdays. ITV’s BTCC coverage is led by veteran motorsports presenter, Steve Rider.
2022 British Touring Car Championship calendar
The BTCC will span 10 race weekends during 2022, with a traditional season-opening event at Donington Park.
| Rounds | Venue | Dates |
| 1 – 3 | Donington Park | 23 / 24 April 2022 |
| 4 – 6 | Brands Hatch (Indy Circuit) | 14 / 15 May 2022 |
| 7 – 9 | Thruxton | 28 / 29 May 2022 |
| 10 – 12 | Oulton Park | 11 June / 12 June 2022 |
| 13 – 15 | Croft | 25 June / 26 June 2022 |
| 16 – 18 | Knockhill | 30 / 31 July 2022 |
| 19 – 21 | Snetterton | 13 / 14 August 2022 |
| 22 – 24 | Thruxton | 27 / 28 August 2022 |
| 25 – 27 | Silverstone (National Circuit) | 24 / 25 September 2022 |
| 28 – 30 | Brands Hatch (GP Circuit) | 08 / 09 October 2022 |
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