2027 BTCC Format Changes

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will have a new-look weekend structure next season, following talks between series organiser TOCA and the teams at the annual end-of-season meeting.

• Two practice sessions on Saturday

Saturday’s action will open with a pair of 25-minute practice runs. Last year there was only one session, so drivers and teams will now get a second chance to fine-tune their cars before qualifying.

• One group for qualifying

Qualifying will be a single 20-minute session with the whole field on track together, setting the grid for the Qualifying Race. Teams will also be able to run the minimum fuel load required for the session.

That’s a big change from 2026, when the field was split into two groups with 15 minutes each, and cars were held under parc fermé conditions from the start of qualifying until the Qualifying Race was over.

• A longer wait for the ‘Race to Pole’

The Qualifying Race, known as the ‘Race to Pole’, will be roughly half the length of a regular BTCC race. Teams will get a longer gap between qualifying and the race, whereas in 2026 the pit lane opened just 15 minutes after the second qualifying group ended.

• Reverse grid shake-up

The reverse-grid draw for Sunday’s final race will now involve the drivers who finish between 10th and 16th in race two. Last year’s draw covered those who finished 6th to 12th.

• Friday shakedowns make a comeback

Selected events will bring back Friday shakedowns, letting teams get some track time before Saturday’s practice. In recent seasons, shakedowns have been held away from the circuits earlier in the week, at a time and place chosen by each team.

More to come

TOCA is still finalising further changes, including updates to the boost regulations, and will confirm the details in due course.