The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is starting to fall into place with the release of the TOCA BTCC Licences and announcement of multiple drivers in the past couple of days. Here is a roundup of all the important news for the championship.
TOCA BTCC Licences announced
29 TBLs have been issued for 2023. Changes to 2022 sees Speedworks Motorsport increase to three places and WSR, to four. Each team purchased one of the TBLs held last season by Ciceley Motorsport who have now left the championship to pursue pastures new.
The complete list of 2023 TBLs is as follows:
|
TEAM |
TBLs |
|
EXCELR8 Motorsport |
4 |
|
Team Dynamics |
2 |
|
Aiden Moffat Racing |
2 |
|
Motorbase Performance Ltd. |
4 |
|
Team HARD |
4 |
|
Speedworks Motorsport |
3 |
|
WSR |
4 |
|
Power Maxed Racing |
2 |
|
BTC Racing |
3 |
|
Carl Boardley Motorsport |
1 |
Adam Morgan joins WSR for 2023 assault
It wasn't just Ciceley Motorsport's licence that WSR took over for 2023, they've also signed their star driver Adam Morgan for a race seat. Morgan has 11 race wins in the BTCC and in the 2022 season drove the same BMW 330e M Sport that all three WSR drivers raced with as well. He will now make his Manufacturers/Constructors debut with the outfit that claimed a seventh consecutive title in 2022.
"I couldn't be more excited to join the best team in the BTCC," declared Morgan. "Walking through their headquarters and seeing the trophies and photos on the wall of their former drivers; Senna, Hakkinen, Mansell, and the way the cars are prepared in the workshop… It's obvious why they've won so much.
"Having raced WSR-built BMWs for the past two years, I know the car and for the first time in my career, I'll just be focused on the driving, rather than other team jobs."
Jake Hill and MB Motorsport team up again for 2023
2022 BTCC title challenger Jake Hill has announced that he will remain with MB Motorsport and WSR for the 2023 season. Building on last year's close fought title fight, the partnership are looking to better third-place in the Drivers' Championship next season.
"I really am over the moon to get everything signed, sealed and delivered so early looking ahead to the 2023 season," said Hill. "I'm very grateful for the continued support and faith that MB Motorsport have shown in me since 2020 and I have no doubt that we will be taking our BMW 330e M Sport back to the front of the grid once again thanks to our partnership with WSR.
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director of MB Motorsport, said: "Last year was a really memorable one for our growing organisation and we were so close to that perfect conclusion to the season at Brands Hatch in October. Everyone knows how highly I rate Jake and there is no better organisation than WSR to be spearheading our title assault - we are very pleased to be continuing to work with them both."
Bobby Thompson re-signs with Team HARD
2022 Jack Sears Trophy winner Bobby Thompson will remain with Team HARD for the 2023 BTCC season with an eye on the overall Independent Drivers' title driving the Cupra Leon
Thompson said: "I'm excited to be remaining with Team HARD. next year. They have provided me with the opportunities to make huge steps in my career, including my BTCC debut in 2018.
"Looking ahead to next season, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't absolutely buzzing for it! We came off the back of last season with a really strong package at Silverstone and Brands Hatch and I think we have a huge opportunity to challenge for the Independent Drivers' Championship next year. I'm under no illusions as to the work needed to take the next step, but I believe that both myself and the team are ready."
Tickets for all BTCC events at MSV circuits are on sale now at reduced prices. For even more, the Four-Wheel Season Pass is available giving access to all car and truck events at MSV circuits. Click here for the list of 2023 events and click here for more information about MSV Season Passes.