Media Day is when racing teams and drivers set aside time for cameras and interviews. It’s usually done early so everyone can share photos and updates for the season.
In modern motorsport, social media is a major channel for real-time updates, behind-the-scenes content, and driver/team engagement. Media Day content is often repurposed across platforms throughout the season.
A “livery reveal” is when a team releases the car’s race paint scheme and sponsor layout for the season. In touring car series like BTCC, liveries are a big part of branding and can hint at new partnerships or team changes.
The pit lane is the strip next to the race track where teams work on the cars. During a race weekend, that’s where mechanics and teams set up and make changes.
“Championship order” means the teams are arranged based on their position in the championship. So if someone is at the end of the pit lane, it’s because of where they sit in the standings or entry order.
The “grid” is the list of cars that start the race. If it’s a “21 car grid,” that means 21 cars are expected to line up, so there’s more traffic and more competition right from the start.
BMW is one of the major manufacturers in British touring car racing, fielding cars in series like the BTCC. When the hosts say only two BMWs are confirmed, they’re talking about how many BMW entries are expected on the grid for this event/season.
A “spare car” is an additional race car kept ready in case the primary car has a problem. In touring car paddocks, teams often have backup plans because reliability issues, crashes, or setup problems can force a quick switch to keep the driver running.
Restart Racing is the racing team involved in the series. Teams like this handle the car preparation and setup, which affects how well the driver can perform.
In racing, “setup” refers to the adjustable configuration of the car—things like suspension settings, alignment, and differential behavior—tailored to the track and driver. When the driver says they’re learning new bits with the setup, they mean they’re dialing in those settings over sessions.
“Testing” in a racing context means practice sessions where teams evaluate performance and gather data, rather than focusing purely on race results. The driver’s point—“I know it’s only testing”—signals that they’re still learning the car and refining the setup.
“Up the sharp end” is racing slang for being near the front of the field—running in the leading positions where you’re fighting for wins and podiums. It implies performance and pace rather than just participating.
Driving style is basically how a driver drives—how they brake, turn, and accelerate out of corners. The team may adjust the car so it works better with that approach.
“Battle overall” means competing for the best overall results—typically the highest finishing positions across the whole race, not just within a smaller group. It suggests the team believes they can contend for top places rather than focusing only on a class or minor targets.
A “podium” finish means placing in the top three—usually first, second, or third. In touring car racing, podiums are crucial for points, prestige, and momentum toward the championship.
“New cars” means teams are running updated race cars this season. Early on, that can be a big advantage—or a learning curve—until they dial everything in.
Track limits are the rules that define where a car is allowed to drive on the circuit. If a driver exceeds those boundaries—often by cutting corners or running wide—they can be penalized or have their lap invalidated, which can dramatically change qualifying and race outcomes.
Simulation in motorsport usually means running a driver-in-the-loop or data-based practice session to model how the car will behave under the session’s rules and conditions. It helps teams and drivers anticipate issues like grip changes, traffic, and—here—how qualifying pressure and track limits might play out.
If two different finishing spots pay the same points, there’s less reason to fight for the tiny differences. Drivers may only push when they can make a bigger jump.
Qualifying is when drivers try to get the best starting spot for the race. If qualifying doesn’t give points, drivers may focus more on getting a good grid position than on racing for a score.
They’re saying you can’t just turn up and race. Getting a spot usually takes planning, training, and working with a team to get the car and driver ready.
In racing, a budget is the money and resources you need to run the whole season. If you have everything covered, it’s much easier to get the car and team ready to race.
Brands Hatch is a famous UK motorsport circuit and a regular venue for British touring car racing. Mentioning it anchors the episode’s setting—this is likely a media day at the track, which is common for BTCC teams ahead of the season.
“Round one” is the first race event of the new season, where testing form is put under real race conditions. Teams often use pre-season to prepare for round one, but race pace can differ due to setup changes, tire behavior, and traffic.
It means the car company is helping the racing team. That help can be money, parts, and engineering know-how, which usually makes it easier for the team to be fast.
“Times and tires” refers to two key performance indicators teams monitor during testing and sessions. Lap times show overall speed, while tire behavior (grip, wear, and temperature) heavily affects how consistently the car can be driven fast across stints.
Rain dramatically changes tire grip and braking distances, often forcing teams to adjust setup and driving style. Drivers may also see more variability lap-to-lap as the track dries or puddles form.
LIVE
Well, we have arrived at Media Day.
And thankfully the sun is out.
It's very sunny.
I'm slightly worried about getting sunburned today.
Ah, I have bought with me some spray.
And it's the spray stuff rather than the wipey stuff in.
So it's like a deodorant, but for sun cream.
Good, good.
We're planning to get plenty of pictures today.
At the very least.
That we're going up on our social media throughout the year.
We'll also be going in our booklet for the season as well,
which if you haven't seen from the last couple of years,
that will be up on social media pages for you to go and download.
And have a look at and keep you up to date throughout the season,
basically.
But we're going to try and get a hold of as many drivers as possible.
We've got a couple lined up already to go meet with, talk to.
We'll hopefully bump into some of the fans out there as well.
And we've got stickers on us ready to give out, haven't we?
Yeah, it's already quite busy looking at the car park.
So I think we're going to see certainly very busy morning.
We'll see how staying power is as the day goes on.
But yeah.
We've had a few announcements already this morning.
Ricky Collard is joining up with Virtue and Accelerate
to be the fourth Hyundai for the season.
Again, late announcement.
A little bit of a strange one hasn't done
from what we know any testing with the team or anything.
So he's going to be jumping in that car today.
We assume.
Fresh.
We assume.
So it'll be interesting to see one how he adapts and
whether he'll bring back some of his boisterous moves,
shall we say, that we've seen from previously.
It'd be a bold move if he did that today.
Yeah, it would.
It would.
But yeah, we'll see.
Elsewhere, we've had the WSR livery revealed.
We've also had a couple of livery reveals from sort of Nick Hamilton
and a tease of Ricky Collard's car as well.
Obviously, Nick Hamilton was announced yesterday
as joining Accelerate.
We've also had Jason Plato's livery revealed last night as well.
As well as the Toyota Speedworks team as well,
which means a little underwhelming,
but we'll see how they look on track today as well.
And my biggest challenge of the day is to go and find one motor sport.
That's what I'm looking out for.
We're going to see if they're here.
If they're not here, I think one can put together the pieces
and create an outcome that makes the most sense.
However, this is motor sport.
This is the touring cast.
You never know.
Yeah, we never know.
We'll catch up with you throughout the day, but until then, see you later.
Let's get to it.
Well, we've been up down the pit lane three, four times,
and one motor sport is more like gone motor sport.
It is not here.
There is no sign, trace, hint of a team
that is going to be on the grid this year.
Yeah, as you'd expect, Plato racing at the bottom of the pit lane,
being new entry to the championship.
As you can see there, retro trucks are behind us,
and he's not doing things by halves, is he?
Everything looks incredibly high key,
as you'd expect from Jason,
including having an RML truck here as well.
Yeah, but he's at the end of the pit lane, as you say,
because it's done on championship order,
and there is a conspicuous absence of one.
Unless we see something miraculous in the next few days,
it's going to be a 21 car grid.
Yeah, only two BMWs confirmed.
The other one is still up in the trailer,
so you might be right.
They might be using it as a spare car,
or unless they've got a really, really late deal
to get over the line,
but I very much doubt it at this stage.
Onward for the day.
We were lucky enough to catch up with James Dallin during the day,
and here's that interview now.
You join us here with James Dallin
of Restart Racing for this season, 2026.
A new car to yourself.
How's it been feeling out there so far?
Really good so far.
Nice to experience a different touring car.
I've only driven one before,
but every time we've gone out, it feels good.
I'm learning new bits with the setup,
and everything we do gives good feedback,
so I know whether it works or whether it doesn't.
And yeah, every session, I know it's only testing.
I know it doesn't mean a great deal,
but every session we're in the mix.
So far so good.
And you're in the top 10.
I know you said it doesn't mean anything,
but on a personal level, for cry,
top 10 in the first session,
and the first to return the grill,
it's got to be good, isn't it?
Yeah, exactly.
I think if we were driving the car and feeling,
yeah, the car feels pretty good,
and we're last, then you go like something wrong.
So yeah, it's nice to know that we're in the mix.
I think, obviously, next week is when it counts,
but we also know that we're not quite
found the sweet spot with everything yet as well.
So it's still early days.
We've done no testing other than Croft and today.
So every time we go out, we're changing something,
learning more.
Team Omega, so I'm really happy there,
settling in really well.
And yeah, it's going to be exciting, yeah.
How much are you leaning on Chris for the support?
Obviously, he was in the team last season.
Is he able to help you along the way
with setup and stuff like that and getting used to the car?
The nice thing is, so far, we've always been fairly similar.
And so this afternoon, there's something I wanted to try,
and something he wanted to try,
and so we can compare.
So he's doing some of the bits that I was going to do,
and that means I can then do some other stuff.
So yeah, really, really useful.
And like I said, Chris is always going to be up the sharp end.
So it's nice to lean on his experience.
But likewise, my driving style has been,
had a few little differences that then I've been able to help Chris
and find him a little bit of time in some corners.
And him, what's the same for me?
So really nice dynamic so far.
Obvious question, but Jack says it's got to be the aim
the season right to try and take some wins in that and compete.
Yeah, definitely.
Third row crown.
Yeah, I think there's no reason we can't battle overall.
But likewise, yeah, Jack Sears is goal number one.
Helping the team to retain independence is goal number two.
And then for me personally, I want to be on that podium overall.
So there's no reason we can't.
We'll see what happens.
But it's touring cars, isn't it?
So anything could happen.
We've seen over the entry list that the BMWs
are under the independence ban this year.
So that's going to be an interesting battle
in the independence this year.
A big team coming into the independent pool.
Yeah, and laser tools as well with MB.
That's, you know, with Gordon and Aaron in the car.
Yeah, it's going to be a tough fight for independence.
But yeah, we're in, I think we're in the right team.
Definitely in the right team.
And yeah, I think it's going to be,
it should never be easy for any team.
So it's going to be an exciting fight.
I think we've just got to make a while or some shines, literally.
But for these first couple of rounds,
knowing that we've got a good package
and the thought, you know,
keep the teams momentum from the back end of last year as well.
So a few other teams have got new cars, things like that.
So I think, yeah, who knows, but so far so good.
What are your thoughts on the other new cars
that have joined the grid?
Obviously we've had Plato racing come in with the Mercedes.
We've now got the Audi down at PMR.
Do you think they're going to be cars
that are going to take a little while
to adapt to the championship or come in all guns blazing?
Possibly. I think, you know, at this level,
every team is on top of the game.
So I think everyone's going to get used to the cars quickly.
We're seeing that in testing already.
You know, the Audi's have got some good times in this morning.
The Mercs have always been there as well at Croft and here.
So yeah, no doubt there'll be a few teething issues,
but both teams are on top of their game.
So I can't see it being long at all.
And that's, you know, it's part of the excitement for all of us.
It's nice to see new cars on the grid.
And I said, okay, the team are used to our car
and hopefully we can maximise on that this year.
But who knows, we'll find out next week, won't we?
Obviously Saturday's have changed quite a lot
coming into this new season.
How are you excited for the change
on the Saturday till a bit of a sprint?
Yeah, I think it's...
Everybody's in the same boat.
So I think, you know, we can all have an opinion
on whether it's better or worse.
But I liked the qualifying thing of last year.
I think it added the pressure on the driver
to deliver the lap.
I had to form.
Yeah, and if not, you were out and that was it.
So it was frustrating when track limits came into it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Track limits, but...
It was one corner, they were doing that week.
But likewise, I think everybody's in the same boat now.
If you don't quite get the setup right in FB1, well, tough.
You've got to try and make the most of it.
So the pressure's still on
and we've done a bit of a simulation of it this morning.
Found, yeah, okay, that's going to be interesting,
but you go into your qualifying run with whatever you've got
and drive it the best you can.
So, yeah, I think...
I say, everyone's in the same boat.
The pressure is still on no matter what.
And hopefully for everybody watching,
it's another race of excitement of stuff that could happen.
I think the risk versus reward is going to be interesting.
Are people going to push?
Are they not?
Yeah, they are going to push probably.
What do you think to the point structure
they've given for that Saturday race
with having a couple of positions
gaining the same amount of points?
Yeah, I think the hard thing is
you're not going to be able to please everyone.
So I think you can't give too many points for first place
to then allow points to drop down.
I think why it doesn't matter too much
is if you do get the same points
as the guy who's just ahead of you, fine.
But that guy ahead of you starts ahead of you in the next race.
So that's his benefit.
So I think in qualifying, you get no points.
Now we've kind of got some points.
So I think it's a...
Everybody happy to make everything work perfect.
So I think we've got to roll with it, see what happens.
And I think it'll work.
It'll work in favour for some people
one weekend and not the next.
It'll be good to watch regardless.
So there's a few people online worried
that the grids are not small this year, etc.
Just from a driver's point of view,
how hard is it to get on this touring car?
Obviously, yeah, I mean, that says it all.
But I mean, I don't think people quite realise
just how difficult this is to get into.
It's not a case of you can just turn up and drive.
There's a lot of work that goes into this.
I mean, there'll be people out there
that work harder than me.
But likewise, I work seven days a week
for 15, 16 hour days.
And I'm trying this year to get into a habit
of a week of a race, only work the Monday or Tuesday
and then try and catch up on sleep and rest a little bit.
Because it's very hard when you come to the weekends.
They're very full on.
But when you've been flat out,
just trying to make it happen in the first place,
it's difficult.
So that's proven from last year.
Last year we had the budget.
We had everything in place for the season.
And through no fault of anybody's,
it then started to fall apart during the year
and the money dried up.
So it was evidence of even if you do get it all
sort of pre-season, you never really truly know.
And there's a lot of stuff going on in the world
that you've just got to be grateful for whatever you do get on track.
And so I was very, very nearly not here for this year as well.
And so it's credit to restart Pete and Chris there
and give them the opportunity to be back.
And it's through no lack of trying or you throw everything at it
and just it either works or it doesn't.
And so all I can say is,
I've just got to enjoy every single second of being here.
I know how easily it can be taken away.
And yeah, enjoy it while it lasts really,
but it's very, very tough.
And everybody's in the same boat.
Nobody's got it easy.
So it's not a case either of how hard you work,
but it's off.
Everybody's working their asses off.
And sometimes it still doesn't happen.
So yeah, like I said, just enjoy every second of it.
That's all I can do.
Obviously you're nice and happy here now at restart racing.
Were there any other offers on the table?
Or was this sort of like the only real offer that you had
and it came late on?
Yeah, no, there were.
There were and I was in talks with PowerMax for a while,
which was quite an ongoing thing.
I had a couple of chats with one as well.
So they're not out here.
But yeah, I think Faye played its part
and we've ended up in the right place.
For me, for the team, everything's just a great fit here
and we're supporting each other really well.
And I couldn't be happier.
So yeah, it's end of last season.
I didn't expect to be here,
but I couldn't be more happy to be here now.
Excellent.
Thanks for spending a short amount of time with us.
Oh, you're welcome.
Good luck for the season ahead.
And hopefully we'll see you take on a few trophies
across the season as well.
Yes, that's fine.
So it's the end of the day at Brands Hatch.
We are here with Charles Rainford, who, hello,
sets the fastest time in FB2,
which is the big chick in the book.
Of course it has.
Yeah, we missed out on it at Croft
by me just not kind of hanging it all on the line
and that was much more of a qualifying style lap.
So yeah, of course, I'm very happy
that how our whole of our pre-season has been going.
Does it look pretty smooth from the outside?
And obviously you mentioned there at Croft,
like you weren't quick with the car.
The package as a whole was quick with barrels top of the time.
And obviously you have topped the times today.
It's a pretty good market to be laying down
to the rest of the field ahead of the new season.
Yeah, of course it is.
I mean, we'll see how we get on at round one.
But certainly very happy after the day.
You know, a lot of teams play funny games
and I know that we weren't playing any.
So yeah, I'm very happy obviously.
And yeah, we'll see how we get on in a week and a half time.
You mentioned the teams do play funny games during pre-season
and there's no comment any further than that.
Do you see playtime racing coming into the fold?
Obviously new car and the Savies as well.
Manufacturer backing.
Do you think they're going to be challenging?
Yeah, of course.
They've got either way in.
I think they're going to be there.
You know, you know, RML know what they're doing.
Jason knows what he's doing.
Robo knows what he's doing.
And the engineer is like, it's going to be a good outfit.
It is a good outfit.
You can see that already.
I've not actually kept up on what I normally go through
and check out everyone's times and tires and stuff like that.
So I don't know yet what they were doing or where they ended up.
But certainly when I was following Robo a few points today,
it's a quick car and it will be a quick car.
So yeah, obviously it's great to have Jason back
and as a team owner as well.
It's great, isn't it?
It's going to make for a very competitive season,
hopefully.
Always, always.
No, it's not.
It's a good start for you.
It's a good start.
We've got another one.
We've got another one.
That's what I told him.
It's always a slightly odd and obvious question,
but what is the goal for this season?
Because obviously last year in the Jack Seas.
Yeah, I mean, obviously.
You're not going to be further about that.
Let's just park that one.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
So what is the...
You know what?
The way that I am, the goal has to be the championship right now.
We start on zero points.
My main aspiration and goal for this year
is there's always a photo that goes on at Silverstone on,
I think it's the Friday or something,
where they get all the championship protagonists
that can still mathematically win the championship in one photo.
And I want to be in that photo.
I think we will then see how Duoboy is going into the last round,
but really in my head, I need to be in that photo and we'll see.
And obviously this year, BMW independence,
independent championship on the radar for you as well.
I know it's down from the main one.
It's almost like what I said about the Jack Seas last year.
If you want to win the independent championship,
you have to go for the independent championship.
I'm going to try and do it in my head going for the overall.
So you know what?
Like with the Jack Seas, that came into effect.
Then it was the last round, I was like,
okay, actually let's start thinking about the Jack Seas a little bit
because it was possible.
And it'd be the same thing with the independence,
but I know where I'm going to start playing games
and letting people pass just because it's easier.
My main focus is still trying to go for that main championship.
Absolutely.
What are your thoughts and feelings on the shake-up for Saturdays now
and having just one free practice session?
Right now, I love it.
Ask me on Sunday afternoon and we'll see what we think.
But no, I think it's good fun, isn't it?
You know, it bring more fans into a Saturday, hopefully,
which is always good for our support especially.
And I normally go quite well in little amount of testing time.
So I like doing a lot of prep.
We try and hit the ground running as much as we can.
And that normally suits me.
So we'll see what happens with the first one.
But looking at the rule book,
I still got to read through the whole regulations for this year,
but looking at the rules during that part,
I'm quite excited about it.
Yeah.
Excellent stuff.
And there's been a little bit of disquiet online.
It's a smaller grid this year.
We've been asking jobs, you know, just...
I don't think people understand how hard it is to get on this racing grid.
Yeah.
Without going into statistics,
how hard has it been to get yourself back on the grid for this year?
Honestly.
It's drunk to 21 in the stands.
Totally.
And it's difficult, right?
Yeah, it's hard work, obviously.
I mean, I'm incredibly lucky.
I've got some amazing partners in Cognition and Underwater,
MEV building services,
DMJ Drainage, CCK, you know, that's not bad, is it?
But certainly, like, I'm very lucky, you know,
that I have some fantastic partners that allow me to do this.
But it is so, so hard to get onto the grid.
And it almost frustrates me at times
when some people online don't see that
and you start getting hate comments
and you're like, just to be here is incredibly difficult.
So give the people that even aren't winning every weekend a break
and it is incredibly hard to do.
Nobody's here by luck.
They're here by sheer bloody hard work.
100%.
And obviously, like, the teams won't just take anyone, you know,
like, you have to bring, you have to bring budget
and you have to be quick in the car.
So, yeah, it's super hard work.
I would say, like, the biggest race of the year
is always goes on from October to April
because it's just the hardest period.
It really is.
And it's almost like, yeah, totally.
And even like, you know, we talk a lot about men's mental health.
There's a lot of that that goes on
because you go from being in October to on a race weekend.
Let's be honest, like a rock star.
Like, it's nuts.
Our fan base is one of the most incredible fan bases
I've ever experienced.
And you go from that to all of a sudden, there's nothing.
You're not driving and it's dark and it's cold.
So, yeah, I mean, the whole men's mental health.
I felt it at this point.
Yeah, I became like a recluse in early Jan.
I was like, give myself a slap around the face.
I know, like, come on, let's get training.
Let's go out there.
Let's get ready to go again.
So, yeah, it's interesting.
It is interesting.
But certainly just to be on the grid is a massive achievement for anyone.
Absolutely, I completely agree.
Have you found many tweaks and bits and pieces today,
especially that you've been able to make on the car
to make those improvements?
Or have there been plenty of things that you've tried
that you've actually gone backwards on?
Yeah, there was one particular thing we tried on the car today
which I didn't think would work, but actually it did.
So that was very interesting.
For our whole pre-season, big difference to last year
because last year, obviously I was new to championship,
new to the car, new to the team.
So as much as I knew people within the team,
I was learning what the car does and it's like,
okay, we're going to try a roll center change.
I was like, what's a roll center?
Or we're going to try a bar change or a try a rake.
What all these different tools do within the car?
And now, taking everything we learned from last year,
I now know exactly what all the different changes do
and how much of a step each incremental thing is.
So I've just got a lot more tools in my arsenal.
If we have a tricky qualifying session
and we've got to kind of make a change
for a race for a Sunday morning,
I now know exactly what I want from the car
and what tool fits that.
So yeah, that should make a big difference through the year.
I'm quite looking forward to that.
I noticed some bits on the car today
when we were looking around
that there are a couple of new aero features on it.
Eagle-eyed, very, very good.
It's just behind those front wheels
where that lower piece of body work
is almost curved into that arch.
100%.
It's very different to the other teams.
Is that an edge that you're looking for?
Yeah, exactly.
So we went testing end of last year in November time.
It was at Sneserson.
And I had a Porsche tubing all over my car
for just measuring airflow.
And it was very, very interesting.
We put loads of piece of body work on
that some bits were made up.
And that seemed to be the most effective.
So yeah, I just think it also looks amazing.
And with the new headlights as well,
it looks so, so angry.
It's good, it's good.
And of course this year,
you've got Aldi's and Mercedes.
You've got the German trio back in the sea,
back on the grid.
Sorry, hopefully you guys have come out on top.
Oliver said, yeah, it's very exciting.
As you've been here a year now,
what circuit you've most looked forward to going back?
Obviously last year you said you were learning
how to circuit.
You're learning it in this car.
Now you've kind of got all that information,
which circuit you're not way to get back to
and put all this back in practice.
You know what?
I just absolutely love not going back.
It's just so good.
Like the car, yeah, anyway, 100%.
If you were to come over a circuit now
and take back to the port,
they'd go, I don't know if you're doing.
Yeah, literally.
It's when you go through the first corner,
like obviously I know a lot of the viewers won't,
may not get the chance to experience what it's like
in a British touring car around there.
But you go through turn one at Duffers
and honestly, if you get to the top of the hill
when you're in qualifying
and you turn more to the right,
you will roll.
And we're doing that every single lap.
You fill the car, come up,
get to its panel at this point, tip,
and then fly back down again.
And it's just absolutely nuts.
Like the chicane as well, it almost feels like a lottery.
If you were just going to throw a whole bunch of balls
in the air, it's like, okay, which one I catch?
Oh, a good one.
Next lap, oh, a bad one.
And it's like, the bounce, obviously,
I've never had two practice sessions around there,
qualifying and three races.
But I could not make it consistent through there.
Like you can find some mega time on one lap.
Okay, I think I'm going to do the exact same thing
on the next lap.
And it bounces weird and you're having a big slide.
So yeah, it's an edgy circuit.
And I just absolutely love that.
And it might rain.
And it might rain.
I love the rain.
It's in the name.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Thanks for joining us, Charles.
Thank you, pleasure as always, guys.
I really hope the season goes well for you
and hopefully throughout the season
we'll catch up with you once again.
A hundred percent.
I am an avid listener as well.
I do listen to everyone.
I've also listened to everyone through last year.
It's really helping them as well.
That's it.
No, it's good.
It's good.
You guys are doing a great job.
So carry on.
I appreciate it.
It is now the end of me today, 2026.
It has been hot, hot, hot today, hasn't it, Sam?
Yeah, I was just going to see what temperature I've got.
24 and a half degrees on the car.
Yes, we've caught the sun a little,
as you may see if you're watching on YouTube.
You worse than me because you don't wear sun cream
in the same way I do.
Yeah, I need sort of like a little umbrella for myself
while I'm taking pictures, I think.
I mean, the head that size would be a gazebo.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Yeah, media day is all rounded up.
We have 21 drivers for the 2026 season
and the only sort of surprise
which we kind of know about last night
was obviously Collard coming along,
joining the party at virtue.
I think that it's been an interesting day.
There's been lots of running,
so we haven't been able to do as many driver interviews
as we did last year
because last year it was cold and wet
and drivers wanted to have a fair bit of time
between sessions.
There's also more set up to try
because of the different conditions.
So, day was glorious and lots of drivers,
well basically the whole grid, got lots of laps.
Yeah, there were a hell of a lot of laps.
Yeah.
And drivers completed nine on probably 100 laps each.
Yeah, I'd have said so easily.
So, it's session two
because that's what I've got up in front of me at the moment.
Well, it was a session that was bookended
by the BMWs.
Rainford was the fastest.
You've probably heard already how we've chatted to him,
depending how Sam edits this.
And then De Leon was the slowest.
He also did the 32 laps and was the slowest.
So, whether they're trying something a little bit different,
not sure.
I think that what stuck out for me today
is that the Audis have been quick out of the box.
So, even when the rest of the field started to do push laps,
Dover and Patterson led FB2
most of the session.
And even when the push laps from the other people came,
Patterson was fourth, Dover was fifth.
So, that car, let's look at the boxes,
Dover also headlined the FP1 practice.
I think Patterson was second or third in that.
The Toyota looked quite quick as well.
Cook was whether in, well, Cook was third.
However, we did see today both the Toyota,
and they're not Toyota Gazoo now.
Speedbox Toyota, thank you.
With what looked to be puncture issues
coming through Paddock Hillbend.
Yes, both of them have little excursions
through the gravel.
Cook less so.
There are a couple of red flags brought out
to due to Halton having offs,
and then one due to Buxton towards the end of the day as well.
The Mercedes looks okay.
Nothing stunning, nothing appalling.
They look very low, which was a little bit of a surprise.
Very much working back to the super touring Audis,
if you remember those,
a lot of the super touring cars actually
that sat very low on their wheels.
Yeah, I mean, you say it wasn't if expected,
I would broadly agree.
However, they did finish today, or FP2,
Morgan in eighth, and Robotton,
I can't now see on the 13th.
Yeah, so, yeah, I mean,
it's difficult.
You've got to take us a pinch or so,
as Charles said in his interview with us,
because Ingram and Chilton finished down in 17th and 18th.
Do I expect them to be there,
come donning some park in a few weeks' time?
Absolutely not.
So, I mean, what's important today
is that everybody got good runnings in their car.
Even people like Collard and Hamilton,
which would be the first time.
I know actually that Hamilton did do a test last week,
but for Collard, his first time in the car,
and Hamilton has had limited running in the car,
so it's important they both got out and raced trim.
As you say, I think the big other stories from here
is that there is no one motorsport on the grid,
barring a miracle.
I don't see them being on the grid by Donnington,
and there's no Steven Jelly or anybody else
for that matter at WSR in the third car.
What else was I going to make the point of there?
I've completely forgotten.
It's been a long day.
BMW being independent, maybe?
That's exactly what it was.
Well done.
Yes, yes.
So confirmation, the BMW are for the first time
since, I think, 2014, an independent entry.
They did win the title that year,
and they will now be, of course, eligible
for both the independent driver and independent team.
We'll probably discuss that more in the season preview
about our feelings on that.
I think that's fair to say.
I have some feelings, but perhaps in a sweatbox of a car
after being up for near enough 13 hours now,
probably isn't the best time for me to deliver it.
Yes, we've talked and chatted to a couple of people today
that have given us some interesting information
that we need to digest and possibly release across the season.
But, yes, it will be interesting to see how the season develops.
Very much looking forward to the first round at Donnington.
We will both be there, of course.
Absolutely.
And in the back of my mind, I'm still going,
oh, yeah, it's going to be between Sutton and Ingram.
But the rest, I really don't know.
No, I completely agree with you.
One last closing thought for me is that,
thank you, gentlemen, that came up to us today
and had a chat with us.
We had quite a long chat with quite a few of you,
gave out some stickers, et cetera, et cetera.
It still blows our minds that people A, recognize,
doesn't think they were actually worthwhile coming to talk to.
So genuinely, thank you, everyone.
And anyone who did see us,
we didn't feel comfortable coming up to us.
That's absolutely fine.
But if you do want to in the future,
we'll always chat touring cars
and we enjoy it as much as it baffles us.
Yeah, we are definitely car people.
But until we bring you our season preview,
there'll also be a predictions podcast.
Yeah, Sam's changed the rules because he lost.
More on that later.
We'll be keeping up to date with all the news
as we get into the new 2026 season.
With that, bye-bye.
About this episode
Brands Hatch media day for BTCC 2026 kicks off in sunny conditions and turns into a full-on grid check: livery reveals, driver meetups, and lots of track running. Big news includes Ricky Collard joining Virtue/Accelerate as a fourth Hyundai, plus multiple team car updates and the WSR livery. Interviews with Restart Racing’s James Dallin and Charles Rainford highlight early testing progress, independence-class ambitions, and excitement around Saturday’s new format. The vlog also notes key absences (notably One Motorsport) and BMW’s return as an independent entry.
