The top ten most read touring car stories of 2024
As we end the touring car year of 2024, it’s time to take a look back at the most read news of the past year on TouringCarTimes.
2024 marks the 29th year for TouringCarTimes covering the top touring car championships in the world, so join us as we take our annual look at the news that interested you readers the most.
10 – FIA announces new TC Lite category
The first article in the top ten is when the FIA announced a new set of technical regulations meant to create an accessible, entry-level touring car class.
TC Lite will sit below TCR and will comprise of two subclasses – TCL4 and TCL5 – that are based around the existing Rally4 and Rally5 regulations, and which will allow teams and drivers to use the same car for rally and circuit competition. Read the full article here.
9 – Tom Ingram and Tom Chilton to spearhead Team VERTU charge in 2025 BTCC
The ninth most read article of 2024 is EXCELR8 Motorsport announcing that Tom Ingram and Tom Chilton will drive for them in the 2025 British Touring Car Championship season.
After three successful campaigns of competing under the Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS name, the Hyundai i30 N squad will evolve into Team VERTU next year following the news that the Vertu Motors group will consolidate its three main retail brands. Read the full article here.
8 – Twelve car entry set for Croft
The struggles of TCR UK ahead of the Croft round became the eighth most read story of 2024 on TouringCarTimes.
Four drivers were out from the previous meeting at Oulton Park due to incidents and other changes within the teams. Read the full article here.
7 – Bobby Thompson ruled out of Thruxton BTCC weekend
The seventh most read article of 2024 is the announcement that Bobby Thompson had ruled out his entry for the BTCC round at Thruxton.
The BMW outfit highlighted ‘financial complexities’ as the reason for Thompson’s absence, along with no confirmation on when he would return to the grid. Read the full article here.
6 – One Motorsport pauses BTCC programme
The announcement of One Motorsport not taking part in the 2024 BTCC season made it to number six on the list.
The 2023 Independents’ champions had retained three TOCA BTCC Licences for the 2024 season but would instead focus on ‘an extensive development programme’ with its Civic Type Rs ahead of a planned return to the grid in 2025. Read the full article here.
5 – Ronan Pearson and EXCELR8 part ways with immediate effect
As we enter the top five, we find the announcement of EXCLER8 Motorsport splitting with Ronan Pearson.
The decision had been taken after the two parties reached a crossroads in their relationship, with the amicable decision being viewed as the best move for both sides at this time. Read the full article here.
4 – Cupra confirms 50% of planned Leon VZ TCR production booked
The fourth most read article is the one of Cupra announcing that it had 50% of its planned Leon VZ TCR production booked.
The new Leon VZ TCR, which was unveiled in November 2023, featured new bodywork, a gearbox upgrade kit, a redesigned front-suspension and more. Read the full article here.
3 – Stephen Jelley confirms BTCC departure
As we enter the top three, the announcement of Stephen Jelley’s BTCC departure claimed the first podium spot.
Jelley had been widely rumoured to be leaving West Surrey Racing after a three-year stint running under the Team BMW banner, which included a win at Oulton Park back in 2022 and a best championship finish of eleventh. Read the full article here.
2 – BTCC officially launches 2024 season at Donington Park
The second most read story of 2024 at TouringCarTimes is the annual British Touring Car Championship season launch.
A total of 21 entries were announced for the 2024 season during the season launch, which was held at Donington Park. Read the full article here.
1 – Jade Edwards rules out chances of securing 2024 drive
The most read TouringCarTimes article of 2024 is when Jade Edwards confirmed that she would not race in the British Touring Car Championship, underlining her popularity among fans.
Edwards had been working behind the scenes to raise the sufficient funds to secure a drive, with many linking her to Power Maxed Racing; although this would not come to fruition.
Edwards made her debut in the series in 2020 for a one-off event at Silverstone before contesting the 2021 and 2022 campaigns with BTC Racing. Read the full article here.
Thank you!
The TouringCarTimes team would like to extend our gratitude to all of our readers and wish you all a great 2025!
Previous years of the top ten most read articles
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
