Saturday BTCC qualifying race to set grid for Sunday opener

24 Mon Nov 2025 by Knockhill

Following discussions at the annual end-of-season meeting between TOCA – organiser of the British Touring Car Championship – and its competing teams, it has announced that there will be a Qualifying race for all cars on the Saturday afternoon at each race weekend.

The final classification of this race, the culmination of the separate free practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday, will determine the grid positions for Sunday’s opening contest.

A general overview of the Saturday format is provided below:

One 40-minute Free Practice session to take place at approximately 10:30
One Official Qualifying Session set to take place at approximately 14:00, split into Two Qualifying Groups of 15 minutes each
The group that includes the fastest set lap time overall will set the odd numbers of the grid for the Qualifying Race and the other group will take the even numbers
There will be a ten minute gap between the end of the Official Qualifying Session and pit lane opening for the Qualifying Race
Qualifying Race Distance to be approximately 15 minutes in duration (set in advance to the nearest lap count at each particular circuit)
No Option Tyres permitted to be used in the Qualifying Race – only that event’s standard dry/slick tyre and/or wet tyre may be used
Throughout the Official Qualifying Session and Race, each car will have the permitted TOCA Turbo Boost (TTB) available as per Championship order
Half points from a Championship Round to be awarded as per the finishing order of the Qualifying Race (rounded up to the nearest whole point where applicable):

Pos	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Pts	10	9	8	7	6	5	5	4	4	3	3	2	2	1	1

No Manufacturers’/Constructors’, Teams’, Independent Drivers’, Independent Teams’ or Jack Sears Trophy points will be scored in the Qualifying Race
No extra point will be awarded for leading the Qualifying Race or Fastest Lap
No extra point will be awarded for securing Pole Position for Race 1

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “A qualifying race on Saturday is another exciting introduction to the BTCC ahead of the 2026 season, and promises to be a hit among drivers, teams, fans and stakeholders.

“The addition of some short, sharp racing action on Saturday will certainly spice things up ahead of our hugely popular three-race Sunday format and will provide a further great spectacle to the weekend show for everyone.”

Further minor regulations surrounding Qualifying – tyre availability, parc ferme rules etc – were also ratified and will be made available in the full 2026 Rules and Regulations document.

Subscribe and receive the latest news about Knockhill Racing Circuit