Photo: BTCC

Alan Gow predicts exciting 2023 as new BTCC season launched

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Series chief Alan Gow has predicted another action-packed season for the BTCC after the 2023 campaign was officially launched.

A special event at the London Golf Club ahead of the only official pre-season group test at Brands Hatch tomorrow (Wednesday) confirmed the exact make-up of the 27 car field – with the piece of the already announced jigsaw being the make-up of the six-car entry at Team HARD.

Bobby Thompson and Dan Lloyd will run together under the Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils banner, with Dexter Patterson and Jade Edwards teaming up in the Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD entry. Jack Butel and Nic Hamilton are then entered as Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown.

In what will be the second season for the hybrid era, a number of revisions will take place in terms of the regulations – which includes a reduction in the amount of time the hybrid system can be used and the return of the option tyre.

The ‘Top Ten Showdown’ also returns for five meetings, including the season opener at Donington Park later this month.

“It has been as busy as ever during the off-season, but now we can’t wait to get the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship started,” Gow said.

“The championship again boasts a hugely competitive driver line-up with an ever-growing number of genuine title contenders all looking to win the title, so it will be interesting to see who will come out on top.

“The Hybrid introduction last year proved very successful and popular among fans, but we immediately identified ways in which to tweak how the Hybrid is deployed in order further enhance the competitiveness for 2023.

“This, plus the reintroduction of the Goodyear option tyre and the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ qualifying format now being adopted at five of the ten events, means it is set to be an extremely exciting season ahead.

“Kwik Fit, Goodyear, ITV, Cosworth, M-Sport and our other incredibly loyal partners play a massive role in this championship, and we remain always grateful for their support and enthusiasm.

“It’s almost time for the talking to stop and the action to get underway, so we hope you all enjoy the 2023 BTCC season.”

2023 BTCC Entry List:

1 – Tom Ingram, EXCELR8, Hyundai i30 Fastback N
3 – Tom Chilton, EXCELR8, Hyundai i30 Fastback N
4 – Colin Turkington, West Surrey Racing, BMW 330e M Sport
6 – Rory Butcher, Speedworks Motorsport, Toyota Corolla GR Sport
11 – Andrew Watson, Power Maxed Racing, Vauxhall Astra
12 – Stephen Jelley, West Surrey Racing, BMW 330e M Sport
14 – Ronan Pearson, EXCELR8, Hyundai i30 Fastback N
16 – Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R
17 – Dexter Patterson, Team HARD, Cupra Leon
19 – Bobby Thompson, Team HARD, Cupra Leon
22 – Nick Halstead, EXCELR8, Hyundai i30 Fastback N
24 – Jake Hill, West Surrey Racing, BMW 330e M Sport
27 – Dan Cammish, Motorbase Performance, Ford Focus ST
28 – Nicolas Hamilton, Team HARD, Cupra Leon
32 – Dan Rowbottom, Motorbase Performance, Ford Focus ST
33 – Adam Morgan, West Surrey Racing, BMW 330e M Sport
37 – Ricky Collard, Speedworks Motorsport, Toyota Corolla GR Sport
40 – Aron Taylor-Smith, Power Maxed Racing, Vauxhall Astra
42 – George Gamble, Speedworks Motorsport, Toyota Corolla GR Sport
66 – Josh Cook, One Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R
70 – Will Powell, One Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R
77 – Sam Osborne, Motorbase Performance, Ford Focus ST
88 – Mikey Doble, Power Maxed Racing, Vauxhall Astra
96 – Jack Butel, Team HARD, Cupra Leon
99 – Jade Edwards, Team HARD, Cupra Leon
116 – Ash Sutton, Motorbase Performance, Ford Focus ST
123 – Dan Lloyd, Team HARD, Cupra Leon