Consistency is key for the BTCC’s leading lights, with last year’s top six contenders all remaining with their respective outfits for the new season.
Champion Tom Ingram (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8), Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK), Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport), Colin Turkington (Team BMW), Rory Butcher (Toyota GAZOO Racing UK) and Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) were the standout drivers in 2022, and there’s little to suggest that the sextet won’t be back in contention this time around – but they’re likely to be joined by an ever-growing chasing pack.
Of the others looking to mount a serious title charge… the names of both Dan Cammish and Adam Morgan immediately jump off the page.
Cammish had a topsy turvy return to the BTCC with NAPA Racing UK last year, but his talent and experience would suggest that a second season with the squad is likely to reap rewards.
Meanwhile, Morgan has his first-ever manufacturer-backed drive in the championship; it doesn’t get much better than a graduation to West Surrey Racing’s Team BMW. Stephen Jelley completes the line-up at WSR, alongside Turkington and Morgan, making this one of the strongest outfits on the grid.
Similarly, NAPA Racing UK and Toyota GAZOO Racing UK boast extremely talented drivers, with Dan Rowbottom and Sam Osborne completing the former’s line-up, whilst George Gamble and Ricky Collard will be gunning for silverware with the latter.
The newly named ONE Motorsport with Starline Racing may see Cook as its standout contender, but the recently signed Aiden Moffat and Will Powell will undoubtedly have their moments too. Scotsman Moffat will be looking to join the front runners on a regular basis.
Team HARD has six entries across three teams. The line-up is one of its most impressive and interesting driver rosters, led by the likes of Bobby Thompson and Dan Lloyd (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils), whilst, Dexter Patterson, Jade Edwards (Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD.), Jack Butel and Nic Hamilton (Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown) will have their part to play in the squad’s overall challenge.
Aron Taylor-Smith has moved to head up CarStore with Power Maxed Racing’s expanded three-pronged effort, with rookies Andrew Watson and Mikey Doble completing the trio.
Last and of course by no means least, it’s the formidable Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 team, led by reigning champion Ingram.
What this squad has achieved in a short space of time is nothing short of phenomenal, and with Ingram being joined by Tom Chilton, Nick Halstead and Ronan Pearson, the team will be targeting all titles this year.
The hybrid era now moves into its second season. With enhancements to its deployment, as well as the re-introduction of the Goodyear option tyre and a further expansion to the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ qualifying format (see separate story), it is set to be an absolute cracker from the outset.
