Thruxton to host fastest tin-top races of the season
The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship speeds into Hampshire this weekend (8/9 June), with Thruxton boasting the honour of being the fastest circuit in the country.
The 2024 BTCC season is already shaping up to be a classic with no fewer than six race winners and a total of 11 drivers – more than half the field – having already reached the rostrum from just the opening nine races.
NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton is yet to win this season, but the reigning champion leads the overall Drivers’ standings by virtue of his seven podiums so far.
Sutton is gunning for a record fifth BTCC title, as is Team BWM’s Colin Turkington, with the dynamic duo currently occupying the top two positions in the standings.
Double winners – Tom Ingram (Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS) at Donington Park and Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) at Snetterton – are within touching distance of the summit, whilst the chasing pack also closed the gap last time out.
Thruxton is a unique challenge, however, with one man in particular enjoying an incredible record of taming the Hampshire speed bowl.
Read on for more details on the King of Thruxton, TV times, circuit timetable and the all-important ticket information…
Let him Cook!
Josh Cook’s synergy with Thruxton is one of those incredible things you sometimes get in sport, and they’re not always records you can easily decipher.
Bath-based driver Cook sees Thruxton as his home circuit, and there’s little doubting that his driving style suits the high-speed white-knuckle ride that is the 2.4-mile Thruxton circuit.
An incredible ten of his 18 BTCC victories have come in Hampshire, previously achieved in both Vauxhall and Honda machinery – the latter marque having also enjoyed exceptional results at the venue.
Now, the 32-year-old will be gunning for an 11th triumph at Thruxton, but this time in the LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ Toyota.
Cook has been quietly going about his business so far in 2024, with three podiums and solid points finishes propelling him to fifth in the overall standings – but he closed the gap slightly at Snetterton last time out and will be looking to make an even greater dent in the deficit this weekend.
TV, Timetables and Tickets
MINI fans are in for a special treat with no fewer than three championships – both old and new – joining the BTCC package at Thruxton.
The regular MINI CHALLENGE will be racing the latest models, whilst the old school Mini Se7ens and Mini Miglias will wow the crowds in their own separate contests. The fast-paced nature and slip streaming delights of Thruxton ensure these much-loved machines are set to provide some enthralling racing.
The top-level Porsche Carrera Cup GB and F4 British Championship complete a stunning bill of support races.
There’s no denying the headline act of course and that is the BTCC and its triple-header of races. To be there, just follow this links here to purchase your tickets through the Thruxton Circuit website.
Those unable to make it can watch BTCC qualifying streamed live via ITV Sport’s YouTube channel from 1515 on Saturday, before ITV4’s all-day race day broadcast gets underway at 1100 on Sunday.
Remember, for the first time in the championship’s history the BTCC is being broadcast globally this season with every race being streamed live via ITV Sport’s TikTok channel. Look out for the races on Sunday starting at 1145, 1435 and 1720.
