Circuit Racing

The British Touring Car Championship proudly rolls back into Scotland

9 August 2023
by Jon Bolton
3 min read

It’s back! This week, the Kwik-Fit British Touring Car Championship proudly rolls back into Scotland’s National Motorsport Centre, Knockhill Racing Circuit, in the Kingdom of Fife.

The series can be rightly proud of its heritage that dates back to 1957/58. For over 65 years, the British Touring Car Championship has been regarded as one of the best saloon car racing championships in the world – and this year is no different featuring the second season of the new hybrid era for the BTCC. Top professional race teams with some of the best racing drivers do battle at up to 140mph throughout a packed grid of Toyotas, Hondas, BMWs, Fords, SEATs and more. 

There are four Scots on the grid in 2023 with Rory Butcher, Aiden Moffat, Dexter Patterson and Ronan Pearson, all battling the best of the best saloon car racers in the UK including multiple champions Ash Sutton, Colin Turkington and reigning champion Tom Ingram.

Elsewhere in the Support Classes, there is plenty of local talent at this event: Joe Tanner in the Vertu Mini Challenge, and the Porsche Carrera Cup has Ross Wylie and David Stirling well in the mix.

Sustainable Fuel

The BTCC became the first major touring car championship in the world to announce a transition to hybrid power when plans were outlined in August 2018, and the new system came into effect last year.

The fuel is considerably more sustainable than that which has recently been introduced to petrol station forecourts throughout the UK (E10). The BTCC’s new-for-2022 fuel – designated Hiperflo® R20 – has a total of 20% renewable components, comprising 15% second generation ethanol content and 5% of renewable hydrocarbons. It is calculated by the manufacturer that this will give approximately an 18% reduction in greenhouse gases when compared to current pump fuel, significantly lowering the fuel’s impact on the environment.

Read more of the Technical Overview here.

Timetable

Live Timing

  • Live timing for the BTCC and its support races, as well as testing, is provided by Timing Solutions Ltd. This service allows you to follow free practice and qualifying as well as race day action via a timing screen from your computer or mobile phone – https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/233203

Television Coverage

Qualifying LIVE: Saturday 12 August

Raceday LIVE: Sunday 13 August

  • ITV4 and ITV4 HD – 11:15-18:15
  • ITV4 +1 – 12:15-19:15
  • ITV.com/BTCC – 11:15-18:15

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About the author

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Jon Bolton

Jon is our Regional Training Coordinator, and also our Communications and Publicity Manager.
 
He went on his first rally at the age of 5 when his uncle was marshalling the Cropton Forest stage on the Lombard RAC Rally. That was in the days of Roger Clark and the all-conquering Escorts. The sounds and smells of rally cars have never lost their appeal. As an adult, working on an ambulance crew covering Cadwell Park in the mid 90s, he frequently encountered drivers who had come to an abrupt stop somewhat sooner than they had anticipated.

Jon is a licenced rescue team member and Motorsport UK Trainer and Rescue Trainer. He sits on Motorsport UK's Rescue and Recovery Sub Committee, as well as being a member of Motorsport UK's national training team for Safeguarding.

He is a STEM Ambassador, and a Scottish Regional and UK National Judge for F1 in Schools, a not-for-profit social enterprise aiming to change the perception of STEM-related subjects through global competition.

jon.bolton@motorsport.scot

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