The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns to Donington Park this weekend (26-26 August) for the series’ second visit to the Leicestershire circuit in 2023. This time however, the turbocharged field of tin top aces will be competing on the full Grand Prix layout for the first time since 2002. 

The 2.5-mile circuit features the ultra-quick Fogarty’s chicane, plus the hard braking zones for the Melbourne and Goddards hairpins. BTCC racing is dramatic enough as it is, but throw in the extra corners and overtaking opportunities, and frenetic action should be the outcome.

With NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST driver Ash Sutton threatening to run away with this year’s championship race, the addition of an unfamiliar circuit layout could be just the tonic needed to turn the battle on its head– only two of this year’s grid have ever raced a BTCC car on the full course! 

Even though the three-time champion holds a decent advantage at the front, Sutton can’t be complacent, especially considering that he’s not won at Donington Park since 2020. 

“This is the biggest points lead I’ve ever had in the BTCC and while it’s nice, I’m not getting too excited yet” he says.

“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.” 

Demonstrating the topsy-turvy nature of the series, reigning champion Tom Ingram thought he’d reclaimed the lead of the series last time out at Knockhill, winning on the road only to be disqualified afterwards for failing a ride height test. The Bristol Street Motors with Excelr8 driver at the wheel of a Hyundai i30N, went from stealing the championship lead to instead being 37-points adrift, but was fastest in an official test day at the circuit last month. 

“It’s the first time driving this place in anger in a touring car which is an interesting one for us” he comments. “It’s a circuit we’re all familiar with yet now feels very unfamiliar because we’ve never driven it in anger. It’s good, it’s a nice challenge, it’s nice to mix things up and we’ll definitely see the advantages and disadvantages across the different cars, but a change is good and nice to come somewhere new.”

Meanwhile, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport contender Jake Hill is the form driver at the moment, with four wins from the last nine races. He’s 13-points further adrift of Ingram, but despite hailing from Kent, is a regular at Donington Park, frequently visiting the circuit for numerous test days and therefore familiar with the full length circuit, even if it’s not from behind the wheel of a modern BTCC machine. 

Hill’s fellow West Surrey Racing BMW-runner Colin Turkington is always a threat, and has three wins of his own this season. He’s one of the two contenders to have raced in the BTCC on the full circuit and his rear-wheel drive machine could be well suited to the layout.

Sutton’s teammate Dan Cammish won two of the three races on the shorter National circuit earlier this year, while teammate Daniel Rowbottom and Hyundai runner Tom Chilton (the second driver on the grid to have BTCC Donington Park GP experience) are the other drivers to have stood on the top step of the podium this season. 

With 20 other turbocharged tin top battlers on the grid featuring local drivers Stephen Jelley (Leicester), George Gamble and Sam Osborne (both Nottingham), and three headline races to look forward to this weekend, plus further action for the MINI Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Porsche Sprint Challenge GB and the F4 British Championship, there’s drama all the way through from Saturday morning until 6pm on Sunday.

Fans can meet the stars of the show with an open paddock and the free of charge pit walk at Sunday lunch time. On the main Sunday race day, there will be big screens in the most popular viewing areas, whilst a trade area with merchandise and displays will be open all weekend. The Garage 39 restaurant, café and bar will host live music from The Rascals on Saturday evening. 

Tickets are available at advance rates until 4pm on Thursday (24 August), with main race day tickets available at £34 for adults, with discounted rates for teenagers aged 13-15 and free entry for children under-13. For more information and to book tickets, call 0344 225 4422 or click here.