The BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 team battled to a brace of podium finishes as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship headed for Brands Hatch for the second meeting of the season.

The Suffolk-based squad enjoyed a winning start to the campaign at Donington Park after Tom Chilton picked up his first win for the team, with defending champion Tom Ingram also bagging a double podium finish.

Rookie duo Ronan Pearson and Nick Halstead had also shown their potential to leave confidence high going to the shot Brands Hatch Indy circuit, with all four drivers showing solid pace in tricky conditions during the two free practice sessions – both of which were held in the wet.

The weather worsened for qualifying, with multiple red flags during the first part of the session – one of which was caused by Halstead being tipped into the gravel at turn one.

Both Ingram and Pearson would make it through to Q2 and ultimately qualified seventh and tenth on the grid, with Chilton ending up in P11 having missed out on making it into the ‘Showdown’ by just 0.001s.

Race one would be halted after a huge accident on the opening lap, with a delay approaching an hour before the action could get back underway.

Making up a spot at the start, Ingram spent the race embroiled in a battle with Rory Butcher before nipping ahead late on to grab fifth spot, but it would be a trickier start to race day for the other trio.

A broken gear linkage on the green flag lap before the restart forced Chilton to dive into the pits, but he drove well having joined the race at the back of the field rather than in his starting position to come through to 15th and bag a championship point.

That left him a place ahead of Pearson, who lost ground early on when run wide, whilst Halstead stayed out of trouble and showed encouraging pace to bring his car home in 23rd.

The opening lap of race two would prove to be key for Ingram, who scythed his way through to second spot by turn four with a series of impressive overtaking moves before settling in behind the Ford of Ash Sutton – shadowing his rival throughout as he secured his place on the podium.

Although he lost a few places in the early laps, Chilton was soon continuing to make up ground, battling ahead of Pearson on lap four at Druids before the pair worked together to fight their way to twelfth and 13th place at the finish – with Chilton just missing out on reverse grid pole.

Halstead was forced to start from the pits after an issue with the fire extinguisher before the start, which meant he headed out on track on cold tyres and found himself running alone on track where he matched his earlier result.

From tenth on the grid for race three, Ingram worked his way through to cross the line in third spot having come out on top of a mid-race battle with Josh Cook and Jake Hill, finishing ahead of points leader Dan Cammish to bring the gap between the pair down to five points.

Chilton capped his recovery from the race one dramas with another strong drive, fighting back from finding himself off line in the early laps to rise up to seventh place at the finish, with Pearson also fighting back from losing spots early on to take 13th – lapping as one of the quickest drivers to be running the medium compound tyre.

Halstead meanwhile ended the weekend with his best result, fighting throughout with Nic Hamilton’s Cupra before taking the flag in 20th place.

Tom Ingram, #1 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“After qualifying, we were on the back foot, but we have done well to come back from that, stay out of trouble and score some decent points. We didn’t do anything daft and it was a weekend of being ‘pointsy’ again. We’ve ended up with two podiums and a car that feels alive, so I can’t really complain too much.

“Four podiums from six starts this season is statistically a good return and whilst I’d obviously have liked one of them to be a win, I’m not going to argue about it too much at the moment as points on the board is what will really matter when we get to the business end of the season.”

Tom Chilton, #3 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“Race one is so important in this series and on the warm-up lap ahead of the restart, the gear linkage came out in my hand and I ended up having to start from the pits on cold tyres. I was very angry and drove like a nutter to come through to 15th and then in race two, I just tried to keep it clean and get more points.

“Missing the reverse grid by one was a shame as I think we would have been able to win race three from the front, but it was a really good fight on soft tyres. I actually lost out because I got such a good start and I ended up on the outside, which ultimately cost me spots on the dirty part of the circuit.

“I ended up in the mix and it was right old scrap, but it kept people entertained and it was a solid end to an exciting weekend, even if I didn’t get the points I wanted. If this turns out to be my bad meeting, then so be it.”

Ronan Pearson, #14 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“Overall I’d say it’s been a positive weekend for me. To make it into the Top Ten Showdown in only my second meeting was a positive start, but I made a few mistakes in race one that meant I didn’t quite get the best result possible.

“I think I was quicker than Tom in race two thanks to the soft tyre, but following him on track meant I was able to learn a lot, and we worked really well as a team to make up places and to get my first points on the board.

“A lot of cars were on the soft tyre in race three, but I was second quickest of those on the medium and only a tenth off Colin Turkington which is a huge thing for me. We’ve made up a load of ground in the Jack Sears Trophy which is also important and I’ve got something to build on when we head to Snetterton.”

Nick Halstead, #22 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“I was on the back foot after being knocked off in qualifying as it is so hard to make up places around Brands Hatch. Race one was all about learning as it was the first race in the dry this season and then the issue with the extinguisher in race two meant I didn’t have any heat in the tyres at the start and dropped back.

“I had a good fight with Nic in race three and it was good for me to get out there and battle on track as I’m here to have fun and gain as much experience as I can. Scoring points in the wet at Donington was great and even though it’s been more difficult here, I’ll keep working hard to move up the order as I know I can’t just come in and expect to be half-way up the grid in a field of this quality.”

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“Obviously we’d have liked to come away from Brands Hatch with another win, but we’ve picked up more silverware and maintained a strong position in the championship standings.

“It means we’re well placed as we now prepare for our home event and based on what we have seen from all four drivers over the first two rounds, I feel we can go there optimistic about what we can achieve.”

The BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 team will look to build on a strong start to the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season when the series heads to Brands Hatch this weekend for the second meeting of the year.

The Suffolk-based team grabbed a 13th BTCC victory during the opening weekend of the campaign at Donington Park two weeks ago, and scored two further podium finishes to secure the early advantage in both the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ standings and also the Teams’ Championship.

The Donington Park victory came thanks to Tom Chilton, who made the most of an inspired tyre choice in the second race of the weekend to grab his maiden win in EXCELR8 colours – putting him back on top of the BTCC podium for the first time in four years.

Tom’s BTCC debut came at Brands Hatch back in 2002 and the 38-year-old has enjoyed plenty of success at the Kent circuit in the past – win two wins amongst an impressive tally of 14 podiums.

Currently fourth in the standings, Tom will now look to replicate the pace shown at Donington Park to maintain his championship position, with the ultimate goal being to try and add to his win tally.

Defending champion Tom Ingram scored the other two podium finishes at Donnington Park to end the opening weekend of the season sitting second in the championship standings.

Tom topped the times when the BTCC field hit the track at Brands Hatch last month during the only official pre-season test, which was held in tricky wet conditions.

Eager to try and fight for a first win of 2023, Tom now goes into the weekend optimistic about challenging towards the front at a circuit where he has won in the Hyundai in the past.

Although he was unfortunately forced to retire from two of the three races at Donington, Nick Halstead also enjoyed his best race to date in this series as he brought home a maiden BTCC top-ten finish in race two – joining Chilton in making the most of a wise call of tyres ahead of the start.

Heading to Brands Hatch, Nick will aim to try and get three finishes from the weekend to gain additional knowledge and experience, with the British GT race winner high on confidence after his breakthrough points finish.

The only one of the EXCELR8 quartet still to score this season is Scot Ronan Pearson, although that would been very different had it not been for an unfortunate exclusion from race two at Donington.

There, the former MINI CHALLENGE racer stormed through the field to finish third on the road and grab a maiden podium in race two before his car failed the right height test. That left him at the back of the grid for race three, where he was unable to race forwards into the points having earlier shown top ten pace in race one before a trip through the gravel cost him places.

The positive for Ronan however was that strong pace shown across his debut weekend in touring cars, with points very much the target during the weekend ahead.

Tom Ingram, #1 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“Two podium finishes out of three was a good start to my title defence and it means we’re well placed in the early season standings heading into round two. We didn’t have the ultimate pace at Donington but maximised the opportunities that came our way, and I know from last season that that is massively important in a championship as competitive as the BTCC.

“Brands Hatch is a circuit where the Hyundai has been strong in the past and we showed good pace at the season launch test, albeit in changeable conditions. Given how quick the opposition was during round one, we need to be on top of our game this weekend but I’ll be coming out fighting and am hunting that first win of the year.”

Tom Chilton, #3 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“The Donington Park win was just what I needed to start the season, and has given me a massive boost in confidence after a few difficult years. It was reward for all the hard work that has gone in over the winter with my new car, and has given us a strong platform to build on in the meetings to come.

“Heading to Brands Hatch, the goal has to be to build on the results we scored in round one and at least maintain our position in the standings. The action is going to be fast and furious around the Indy circuit with the revised hybrid rules and the fact we have the option tyre back this season, but I’m confident we have the package to be right in the fight at the front.”

Ronan Pearson, #14 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“Donington Park was a really turbulent weekend for me with what happened in race two, but I’m putting all that behind me now and am really excited to get back in the car at Brands Hatch this weekend.

“The Indy circuit is notoriously tight and a good Saturday is going to be vital to set up the rest of the weekend. We have to stay relaxed and learn with every lap, and hopefully that will result in three strong races and my first points on the board.

“With the racing coming thick and fast, a huge thank you has to be said to the team for their work during our short turnarounds between weekend and hopefully I can reward them with some good results.”

Nick Halstead, #22 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“I’m really excited for the weekend ahead as the Brands Hatch rounds are always some of the biggest of the year with huge crowds. I’ve done loads of laps around the Indy circuit, but it will be a new challenge in the BTCC as everyone tries to find space in practice and qualifying. It’s going to be intense and I expect it to be a bit chaotic, so we need to try and have a solid day on Saturday and then push for three good results on Sunday.

“In the most difficult conditions at Donington, I was able to battle for my first points finish which gives me a lot of confidence in my driving ability, and the aim this weekend is to go out there and fight for the best results possible.”

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“We enjoyed a solid start to the season at Donington Park, and we head to Brands Hatch in confident mood given the results we secured in round one. All four drivers showed their potential two weeks ago and I fully expect them to right in the thick of the action again when we hit the track this weekend.

“There is a long way to go but it’s always positive to be leading the championship standings and the first goal is to retain our current advantage – and the best way to do that would be to try and come away from Brands Hatch with some more silverware to our name.”

EXCELR8 can today confirm a new and exciting partnership with sports marketing agency Global Sports Media for the 2023 season.

The new relationship – which covers EXCELR8’s programmes in both the British Touring Car Championship and the MINI CHALLENGE – will see the title-winning outfit benefit from the extensive experience within the Global Sports Media team, which specialises in sponsorships, partnerships, and consultancy.

Founded by Robert Dyan little over two years ago with the aim of becoming game changers in the sports marketing sector, Global Sports Media has quickly established itself as a major player in its field – playing a key role in facilitating several high-level partnerships across a number of sports involving the likes of the Scottish Rugby Union, Burnley FC, Sunderland AFC, Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Global Sports Media’s first foray into motorsport saw it facilitate Scottish teenager Katia Loggie’s move to join forces with EXCELR8 for her debut season in the Cooper Class of the MINI CHALLENGE, with her entry being backed by Saltire Energy.

That, in turn, led to Global Sports Media playing a major role in the agreement that will also see Saltire Energy support EXCELR8’s BTCC rookie Ronan Pearson throughout his debut season.

The way both partnership contracts were concluded quickly and efficiently has now resulted in EXCELR8 and Global Sports Media entering an official relationship that will see the two parties work together to develop new and exciting partnerships around the high-profile British Touring Car Championship package.

As part of the agreement, Global Sports Media branding will feature on all four Hyundai i30 Fastback N cars being run by EXCELR8 in the BTCC this season.

Robert Dyan, Global Sports Media CEO said:
“Having personally worked with Vertu Motors for more than a decade, over the past two years, we are proud to have helped build their fantastic portfolio of sports partnerships.

“Through also working with Saltire Energy for many years, it was a combination of those relationships that led to our introduction to EXCELR8 as Katia joined the MINI CHALLENGE grid.

“Brokering the deal for Saltire Energy to back Ronan’s BTCC programme, and with the immediate success of the new partnerships, it made perfect sense to make our relationship with EXCELR8 more permanent.

“As a company specialising in creating new partnerships, we are tremendously excited to announce this as we are move into motorsport for the first time, particularly with such a successful championship-winning team in EXCELR8.

“I have no doubt that this will be the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“Having worked with Rob and his team on partnerships involving both Katia and Ronan, we’ve been hugely impressed with how Global Sports Media operate.

“The speed and efficiency in how they work is a perfect fit for motorsport, and we are already reaping the rewards of our own partnership at a very early stage.

“We look forward to working more closely with Global Sports Media and strengthening a partnership that we feel can be hugely successful for years to come.”

Katia Loggie will look to benefit from the experience of multiple champions EXCELR8 after joining the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy grid for her first season of competitive motorsport.

The Scottish youngster forms part of EXCELR8’s multi-car entry into the Cooper class for 2023 as she embarks on the first phase of her racing career, with her only previous on-track experience coming from a brief spell of karting at the Boyndie circuit.

Now, the 17-year-old will find herself going wheel-to-wheel with her rivals at iconic tracks including Brands Hatch and Silverstone as she bids to learn her trade in one of the most competitive one-make championships around.

Three events on the British Touring Car Championship package will also see Katia in action on the biggest stage in UK motorsport, offering an additional opportunity for the business studies student to showcase primary race partners Saltire Energy and Global Sports Media in front of a bumper audience.

Katia’s decision to join forces with EXCELR8 for her debut campaign gives her the benefit of working with the most successful team in MINI CHALLENGE history, with the Suffolk-based squad having secured multiple championship titles through the years.

In the Cooper class alone, EXCELR8 is the only team to have reached the landmark of 50 race wins, whilst EXCELR8 drivers have scored in excess of 150 podium finishes in the class.

After a full pre-season testing programme, Katia’s debut weekend in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy at Brands Hatch on Easter Weekend saw her secure three solid race finishes – gaining valuable experience to take into the remainder of the campaign.

Her next outing in the series comes at Snetterton in mid-May.

Katia Loggie, EXCELR8 Driver, said:
“I am beyond excited at the chance to race with EXCELR8 for my rookie season in the MINI CHALLENGE, as the team has shown it has the determination and skill required to win multiple championship titles.

“From the moment I was introduced to Justina, I was impressed with her professionalism and with the reputation that the team has, it left me in no doubt that it was the right place for me to be at this stage in my career.

“My long-term goal is to launch a career as a racing driver and show people what I can do, but I know I have chosen a highly-competitive series with a talented field of drivers as a starting point.

“With that in mind, my aim this season is to learn as much as possible and focus on moving forwards until I’m in a position where I can confidently challenge for some strong results.”

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“Katia is a young driver who has a huge amount of determination and we are delighted to welcome her into the team. Joining the Cooper grid is a big step for a rookie but we are looking forward to working with her during the season ahead to realise her goals, and are excited to see what she can achieve on track.”

Mike Loggie, CEO, Saltire Energy, said:
“We are delighted to support Katia as she begins her motorsport journey in the MINI CHALLENGE. Being part of EXCELR8’s driver development programme is an amazing achievement for Katia as she begins her career and works towards achieving her dream in British motorsport.

“We know she will make us proud and we are excited to see her representing both the female racing community and Saltire Energy, now and in the future.”

The BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 team made a winning start to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season for a second year in succession after a hard-fought weekend at Donington Park.

The Suffolk-based squad went into the weekend looking to impress with its revised four-car line-up, with defending champion Tom Ingram and returning team-mate Tom Chilton being joined by series rookies Ronan Pearson and Nick Halstead.

Despite losing track time in the first session to a race technical issue, Ingram showed top ten-pace in free practice as did both Chilton and Pearson, with Halstead making solid progress to shave half a second off his best time.

Come qualifying, Ingram was able to fight his way through to the top-ten shootout before earning sixth place on the grid, with Pearson and Chilton just missing out on Q2 in eleventh and 14th; both within a second of the quickest Q1 time.

Halstead meanwhile would line up in 26th after an incident at the end of qualifying saw him slide off into the gravel at turn one.

Avoiding drama ahead at the start of a wet opening race, Ingram found himself running in third place after the early laps and would remain in position through to the finish having been part of a four-way battle for the podium places throughout.

Having dropped to the back after contact on lap one, Chilton recovered well to come back through to 15th place and grab the final point, whilst Pearson was well placed in the top ten before an error at turn one saw him run through the gravel at turn one – leading to an unscheduled stop that dropped him to 24th.

Halstead would also find himself in the wars, sliding off into retirement in the slippery conditions at the Old Hairpin.

Race two would prove to be a drama-filled affair which looked set to run in dry weather before rain started to fall on the green flag lap – leading to a number of drivers diving in to change onto wet tyres before the start.

Chilton, Pearson and Halstead would be amongst those to dive in early on, and took full advantage after an early caution period as the conditions worsened to storm through the field, with Chilton climbing from 16th at the restart to lead the race within three laps.

From there, he was unchallenged at the front to grab his first EXCELR8 win, and first BTCC win in four years. Pearson looked set to join him on the podium after a stunning drive saw the Macklin Motors-backed racer climb his way up to third place, but his dream debut podium was cruelly taken away when his car failed the post-race ride height test as a result of damage sustained as he battled his way through the field.

That saw him excluded from the results and meant a place gained for both Halstead and Ingram, who would end up classified in seventh and ninth. Halstead had taken full advantage of the early switch to wets to climb into the top ten and produced a solid drive to score his first BTCC points, whilst Ingram held on as long as he could on slick tyres before coming in to change to wets and managed to battle back up into the top ten.

The final race of the weekend would see Ingram produce a defensive masterclass to keep quicker cars behind, making the most of a strong start to grab second spot and holding the position through to the finish.

Chilton would add more points to his tally as he came from twelfth on the grid to take eighth although there was further misfortune for both Pearson and Halstead, who were the innocent victims of on-track contact – leaving Pearson back in 19th place and unfortunately putting Halstead into retirement.

At the end of the weekend, Ingram sits second in the standings with Chilton in fourth, whilst BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 lead both the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ and Teams’ standings.

Tom Ingram, #1 BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“There has been no consistency across race day and we haven’t had two races where the conditions were the same. I think we’ve done a good job to be on our toes and to change what needed to be changed at the right time, and it’s been tough for all of the guys and girls working on the cars.

“That final race was one of the toughest I’ve ever had, trying to keep four cars behind me that were quicker. It’s helped us to pick up some good points and to come away from the weekend sitting in P2 is a good start.

“As a team we’ve done a great job and for Tom to get his first win for four years is fantastic. Both Ronan and Nick have also driven well to get results on track, although it was a bit harsh on Ronan to lose the podium. He’ll bounce back, and for BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8, I’d say we’ve done really well for round one.”

Tom Chilton, #3 BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“I love the decision on the tyres we took before the second race! Leaving the pits it was 100 per cent slick tyres and when we left the grid for the green flag lap, it was 100 per cent slicks.

“However, when we went round the Old Hairpin I could see the lines on the tarmac as people were weaving and I called back to the team to say to ready the tyres and to see what it was doing in the pits. They said it was starting to rain, so I knew we had to make the change.

“I went out like a missile and couldn’t hold back and I’m so pleased for myself, for the team and for the sponsors because it’s a reward for the hard work everyone has put on. It’s been four years since my last win and it’s nice to be back on the top step of the podium.

“It was a shame to be hit off in the first race so to come back from that to grab a win, and then score more decent points in race three, is a good start. We end the weekend fourth in the standings and are top of the team standings which is great, and hopefully there is plenty more to come.”

Ronan Pearson, #14 BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“I have to say a huge thank you to the team for their efforts this weekend and I’m just gutted for everyone that we lost that result in the second race. I feel I’ve put on a really good show in the final two races and haven’t got the results to show for it through no fault of my own which is disappointing and not the way I wanted my first BTCC meeting to go.

“Although there is nothing to show for it in terms of points, I’m pleased with the pace I’ve shown and it’s been nice to get the plaudits from people but it’s results that matter, and I’ll look to bounce back at Brands Hatch.”

Nick Halstead, #22 BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“It’s been an amazing day of ups and downs. The first race was a baptism of fire and a silly mistake from me but then race two was great. We got the tyre choice right and it was brilliant to be in there fighting. I was overtaking loads of people and having fun, and I didn’t expect to have got as high as we did.

“Race three I was just unlucky to be on the end of things going through turn one and there was nothing I could do about it. It was an unfortunate end but the result in race two far outweighs any disappointment.”

Justina Williams, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“It’s fantastic to start the season with a win once again, and great to see Tom Chilton to get the well-deserved win! He has worked hard with the team over the winter to get the new car where he wants it to be. Across the board, the drivers have done a great job and the only disappointment is that Ronan wasn’t able to get the result he deserved from race two.

“Conditions have been very challenging this weekend so to come away from Donington with a win and the lead of two championships is a good start and something we’ll look to build on when we get to Brands Hatch.”

EXCELR8 can today confirm that it has agreed a new multi-year partnership with HRX to act as its official racewear supplier that will come into play for the 2023 season.

The new agreement will see EXCELR8 drivers continue to battle on track wearing bespoke HRX race suits, with the team benefitting from the expertise of the Italian firm for at least three more seasons.

The partnership covers the team’s programmes in both the British Touring Car Championship and the MINI CHALLENGE.

Since being founded by Agostino Alberghino, a man with more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing and supply of motorsport equipment, HRX has grown rapidly to become of the leading race wear manufacturers in Europe.

EXCELR8 has worked with HRX for a number of years, with the relationship starting when it became the official supplier of race suits for teams and drivers competing in the MINI CHALLENGE.

Having been impressed by the high levels of service, and quality of the product provided, that relationship expanded when EXCELR8 moved into the BTCC back in 2019, with the stylishly-designed suits being used by the team helping it secure awards for its high levels of presentation.

The new three-year deal comes on the back of EXCELR8 securing the 2022 BTCC title in fine style, and will see the Suffolk-based outfit continue to fly the flag for HRX alongside teams competing across the globe in series including Formula 2, the World Endurance Championship, the WRC and Extreme E.

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“We’re delighted to extend our partnership with HRX for at least three more years as they have now played an important role in our racing programme for many seasons.

“The race suits that HRX provides for our drivers to use are of the highest quality, whilst the service we are provided with is second to none.

“As a team, we have always placed a lot of emphasis on presentation and our HRX race suits ensure that our drivers not only look the part, but can also benefit from the very latest safety innovations every year.”

Agostino Alberghino, HRX Racewear Founder, said:
“EXCELR8 has been a great partner for us in recent seasons and we are pleased to have been chosen by the team to continue as its racewear supplier for another three years.

“After the team secured a deserved BTCC title in 2022, we look forward to enjoying more success with EXCELR8 in 2023 and beyond. On a personal level, I am very proud that the team has decided to extend our relationship in this way.”

The BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 team will get its defence of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship underway this weekend when the 2023 campaign bursts into life at Donington Park.

The Suffolk-based squad secured a first BTCC title last season thanks to Tom Ingram after a dramatic season finale at Brands Hatch, meaning the team heads into what will only be its fifth season in Britain’s premier racing series proudly carrying the coveted #1.

Despite the success enjoyed on track last year, which included seven wins and a total of 15 podiums, the team has been hard at work over the off-season refining its Hyundai i30 Fastback N, whilst also embarking on the build of a brand new chassis that will make its competitive debut this weekend.

Ingram heads into his first weekend as reigning BTCC champion on the back of a solid showing in the only official pre-season testing at Brands Hatch last week, where he topped the times in mixed weather conditions.

Last season, he secured the first win of the BTCC’s hybrid era at Donington Park and returns this time around in confident mood about his chances of making a strong start to 2023.

Returning team-mate Tom Chilton is also full of confidence going into round one on the back of a busy pre-season testing programme at the wheel of the new chassis in recent weeks.

The multiple race winner – one of the most experienced drivers on the grid – has his sights firmly fixed on returning to the podium during the season ahead, and is optimistic about his chances at a circuit where he has secured silverware in the past.

The 2023 line-up is completed by two series rookies, with MINI CHALLENGE graduate Ronan Pearson preparing to line-up on the BTCC grid for the first time.

The Scot grabbed his maiden MINI CHALLENGE win at the circuit last season and has enjoyed a solid pre-season as he gets to grips with the Hyundai, including going close to the top ten in last week’s test as he hit the track alongside his rivals for the first time.

The Macklin Motors-backed racer will hope to impress amongst those drivers eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy, as will Nick Halstead as he embarks on his first full season in the series.

Although Halstead has made a single appearance in the series having been drafted into the EXCELR8 line-up for a one-off outing at Croft in 2021, the British GT race winner heads into the new campaign ready to embrace the fresh challenge that a switch back to sprint racing will present.

Keeping expectations in check, Halstead makes the trip to the East Midlands eager to kickstart his season with three solid finishes.

The opening weekend of the year will be the first of five to feature a two-part qualifying session, with the usual 30 minutes of running being followed by an additional ten minutes where the ten quickest drivers will do battle for pole.

That session at 15:40 on Saturday will be followed by three races on Sunday at 11:30, 14:40 and 17:25 – all of which will air live on ITV4.

During the three races, a new element of strategy will be introduced with the return of the Goodyear Option tyre, which each driver must run on one occasion, whilst the regulations around the hybrid system have been revised to have a greater impact on the on-track action.

Tom Ingram, #1 BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“Winning the championship last season was an amazing feeling and whilst there is pressure that comes from being the defending champion, I’m heading into 2023 feeling relaxed as I now know that I can win the title.

“We showed last season that the Hyundai was a strong package but you can’t afford to stand still in the BTCC and a lot of hard work has gone in over the winter to refine the car to give us the best possible chance of defending the title.

“Donington Park was a happy hunting ground for us last season and the success we enjoyed in the opening round gave us a platform to build on in the events that followed. The aim this weekend is to do the same again and put some good points on the board, and I’m full of confidence – and ready to get down to business.”

Tom Chilton, #3 BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“Despite the mixed conditions we’ve all faced in pre-season testing, I feel it’s been the best pre-season I’ve had for a number of years and the running we have done has allowed me to really get to grips with my new car.

“Thanks to the hard work that the team has put in, it’s doing everything that I want it to do and I can honestly say that I haven’t enjoyed driving a car this much for quite a while.

“I want to hit the ground running for round one and after a productive test at Donington Park last week, I genuinely feel we can be in the mix for a podium finish. If we get close to that, it would be a big step forwards from last year and a good way to start the season.”

Ronan Pearson, #14 BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“I honestly cannot wait for the weekend and knowing I’ll be lining up on the grid for my first race in the BTCC is the realisation of a dream. Getting to this position has been a huge achievement in itself and now I plan to make sure I enjoy every minute!

“Donington is one of my favourite circuits and holds fond memories from last season, so it’s a great place to be heading for my first race weekend in the Hyundai. We had a good test last week and whilst I’m not going to put pressure on myself by setting any goals and targets, I feel confident that we could achieve some strong results to start the season.

“Throughout pre-season, I’ve tried to stay open-minded about things and the approach has served me well, so I’m going to adopt the same mindset for this weekend and see what happens.”

Nick Halstead, #22 BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said:
“Going into this season, I feel more prepared than I have ever felt on the back of a busy testing programme and I can’t wait for the real action to begin. I’m feeling very confident but at the same time, I know I still have a lot to learn about racing in a series that is as rough and tumble as the BTCC, so I’m not setting myself any big goals.

“When I did my previous outing at Croft, I was using a car that wasn’t mine and had no testing beforehand, so this weekend for me is where I think my BTCC career will really start. The team has done a fantastic job to get the car suited to me and how I want to drive it, and I think that has been reflected in the lap-times I’ve been able to put in during testing.

“We had a good day at Donington Park last week, and now I just want to get started!”

Justina Williams, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“It’s hard to believe that the start of another season has come around already, but we are ready and raring to go this weekend at Donington Park. It’s been a busy winter back at base building up the new car and introducing a number of new developments which I feel leave us in fantastic shape going into 2023.

“Despite the fact that weather conditions have been far from ideal during testing, as has been the case for everyone, all four drivers have performed well on track and that leaves us confident of making a strong start to our championship campaign.

“Having won the title last season, we are now the team that the others want to beat, but we’re more than ready for the challenge.”

BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 can today confirm a new partnership with leading media technology company Spicy Mango for the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.

Founded a decade ago, the team behind Spicy Mango has more than 100 years of combined experience in delivering a range of technical services to an impressive list of clients across the globe – including the likes of Eurosport, Discovery and ITV.

Spicy Mango took its first steps into motorsport last season as a partner of MINI CHALLENGE racer Barry Ward, who has since joined forces with EXCELR8 for his second year in the BTCC-support series.

That, in turn, opened the door to a wider relationship between the company and the EXCELR8 team, which will once again run a four-car programme in the BTCC alongside a multi-car assault on both classes of the MINI CHALLENGE.

The new partnership will provide the team with the opportunity to make use of the extensive expertise within the Spicy Mango team as it bids to retain its position as the team to beat in Britain’s premier racing series – having scored a first championship title last season.

Work is now underway to fully explore how Spicy Mango’s industry-leading product portfolio can be used by EXCELR8’s engineering and technical team over the season ahead, which kicks off at Donington Park.

Chris Wood, Spicy Mango Chief Technology Officer, said:
“Having taken our first step into motorsport last season with Barry, we were introduced to EXCELR8 when he decided to sign with them for the upcoming MINI CHALLENGE season.

“The team has clearly established itself as one of the best in British motorsport in recent years, and we are hugely excited by the prospect of now working with EXCELR8 during the year ahead.

“Not only does this partnership give us the opportunity to build on our sporting heritage, it also gives us the chance to aid the team in remaining at the front of a championship where the smallest of margins can make a huge difference.”

Justina Williams, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“When we first spoke to the team at Spicy Mango, they introduced us to some interesting technical ideas that will allow us to streamline how we operate as a team, and their knowledge and expertise will certainly bring something new to our racing programme.

“In such a highly competitive championship, you are always looking for something that can give you an advantage over your rivals. Working with Spicy Mango on this new technical partnership is something that I feel will do just that, and provides us with a fantastic opportunity to add to the success we have enjoyed so far.”

Josh Porter will make his return to the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE this season after rejoining EXCELR8 for his debut in the headline JCW category.

Porter first joined the team back in 2019 when he was just 16-years-old, making the move from karting into the Cooper Am category for his car racing debut.

Scoring pole position for his debut at Snetterton, Porter would grab a maiden victory at Croft and went on to win again at Cadwell Park en-route to a top-four championship finish.

Graduating into the main Cooper class the following season, Porter would score four podium finishes in nine starts to once again finish inside the top four, whilst there would be a further trip to the podium in 2021.

Having taken a year out of racing in 2022, Porter would instead spend the season working alongside EXCELR8’s MINI CHALLENGE JCW team and will now form part of the on-track line-up when he returns to competition during the year ahead.

Porter’s JCW debut will come at Donington Park for the first three races of a 20-race season that will see him competing exclusively on the British Touring Car Championship support package.

Josh Porter, EXCELR8 JCW Driver, said:
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to join the JCW grid this season, especially after taking a year out last year. From the moment I watched my dad racing in the Cooper S class, it has been a dream to race JCWs and it’s unbelievable to think that it’s going to happen this year.

“It’s a huge step for me in my career and after a lot of training and testing, I’m ready to get my head down for the season ahead.

“I have a lot of confidence in the car and I know that I have one of the best teams in the paddock behind me. The main aim is to learn as the season goes on and make sure I enjoy the experience, as that is what it’s all about for me.”

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“We’re delighted that Josh will be making his return to racing with us this season, and even more so that he’ll be doing it in the JCWs. During his time in the Cooper class, he produced a number of hugely impressive performances, and the off-track experience he gained working with the JCW team last year can only benefit him during the season ahead.

“We are looking forward to seeing what Josh can do in the JCWs and are confident he has a big part to play in aiding our championship challenge.”

BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 can today confirm a new and exciting partnership with WSC Finance as the team bids to defend the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship title.

The new agreement sees WSC Finance join an impressive list of commercial team partners, which includes the likes of Bristol Street Motors, Hansford Sensors, Mairon and Draper Tools.

Although new to the market, the team behind WSC Finance brings together more than 25 years of experience in the finance industry – and extensive knowledge of working across a wide range of sectors.

That includes the automotive and motorsport worlds, where the business is able to assist teams and individuals when it comes to financing the various elements required to run a successful on-track programme.

That includes everything from spreading the cost of a race car or transporter, to helping to finance the specialist engineering equipment required to compete at the highest level.

As an official partner of the team – which secured its first British Touring Car Championship title last season – WSC Finance will not only work with EXCELR8, but also with the team’s existing roster of drivers, whilst it will be on hand at events throughout the season to provide EXCELR8’s additional partners with access to its industry-leading expertise.

As part of the new deal, WSC Finance branding will feature on all four Hyundai i30 Fastback N cars being fielded by EXCELR8 in the BTCC this season, whilst the company will also have an involvement with teenage racer Harvey Riby, who is competing in his rookie season in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy with EXCELR8 this year.

Justina Williams, EXCELR8 Team Owner, said:
“We are delighted to welcome WSC Finance onboard as one of our official Team Partners for the new season.

“The knowledge and expertise that they bring to the team is first rate, and we have already held discussions over some innovative and exciting ideas to take our relationship forwards in the coming months – and that’s before we’ve even hit the track for round one!

“We’re looking forward to working on those ideas and are confident that this new partnership can be a huge success both on, and off, track.”

William Dun, WSC Finance co-founder said:
“With years of experience behind us, this is an exciting time to have introduced the WSC Finance brand and we can’t think of a better partner than EXCELR8 to showcase our involvement in motorsport given the success that the team has enjoyed in recent years.

“Whilst we have a proven track record in helping to fund people involved in the motorsport industry, our knowledge and expertise extends into a wide range of sectors, and we are excited to use this new relationship to showcase everything that we have to offer.

“This is the first stage in what we hope will be a long and fruitful partnership, and we have some interesting ideas that we look forward to developing in the coming months.”