BTCC changes qualifying format for 2024

The British Touring Car Championship organisation has announced that it will change its qualifying format for 2024, introducing a “Quick Six” format which will feature three short segments.

“We’re always looking to bring further energy to the championship, but it’s also important that the competitive integrity remains,” said Alan Gow, BTCC CEO.

“So, I believe our new ‘Quick Six’ format will bring a heightened blend of competitiveness and intensity to BTCC qualifying. As well, it helps the drivers by reducing the amount of cars on track during all three of the qualifying segments.”

The completion of Free Practice 2 will see the field divided into two groups based on whether a driver finished in an odd or even position.

Each of those two groups will complete a separate ten-minute session and the top six fastest cars from each group will advance to Q2 “Top 12″.

The the fastest six cars of Q2 will then move on to the final Q3 session of ten minutes which determines the top six grid positions of the first race.

The system is inspired by the qualifying format of IndyCar.

“I’ve long admired the way IndyCar use this system for its road courses – it’s ideal for the BTCC and in keeping with our policy of providing short, sharp and intense action. The pressure will certainly be on the teams and drivers, more than ever before, to quickly ‘nail’ their qualifying laps in each short segment,” said Gow.

Qualifying 1
Each of those two groups contest a separate ten-minute session
The fastest six cars from each group advance to Q2 ‘Top 12’

Qualifying 2
The ‘Top 12’ cars qualify together in a ten-minute session
The fastest six cars advance to the Q3 ‘Quick Six’ final qualifying

Qualifying 3
The ‘Quick Six’ qualify in a ten-minute session to set the top six grid positions