BTCC target 27-race season for 2020, beginning in August

The 2020 British Touring Car Championship will target a nine-event calendar in a revised schedule due to coronavirus

Colin Turkington at Brands Hatch, 2019

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British Touring Car Championship organiser TOCA has announced plans for a revised 2020 calendar that will run from August to November.

The altered schedule aims to fit 27 races into the season, with the first event held on 1-2 August at Donington Park – the first of four race weekends in five weeks. The championship is set to conclude on the 14-15 November weekend at Brands Hatch.

Only one event has been omitted from the revised schedule, with a second visit to Silverstone deemed to be unfeasible due to scheduling constraints.

The condensed nine-event calendar remains provisional, however. Organisers note that the coronavirus pandemic may continue to affect the new plans.

“These are incredibly challenging times for the whole nation. Through it all, we have seen the importance of being both adaptable and pragmatic… and the BTCC is no different,” BTCC chief executive Alan Gow said.

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“So it’s entirely logical to draft plans and lock-in our provisional dates, with the ability to amend those if circumstances dictate.

“Obviously this calendar presents a hectic four months, with three separate back-to-back events and four events in the first five weeks alone.

“But our teams and drivers are fully up for the challenge – there’s such enormous energy, enthusiasm and passion for the BTCC that everyone will want to just roll up their sleeves and get the action underway when the time comes to go racing.

“However, the over-arching element will always be to ensure we have the correct procedures and protocols in place, in order to provide a safe environment.

“But before that time comes the most important thing we can all do is to please stay safe and also protect the health of others.”

The BTCC boss told Motor Sport previously that the series would not be likely to host a race behind closed doors due to the number of people required to run an event safely.

Revised 2020 BTCC calendar

Race Date Rounds
Donington Park 1-2 August 1,2,3
Brands Hatch 8-9 August 4,5,6
Oulton Park 22-23 August 7,8,9
Knockhill 29-30 August 10,11,12
Thruxton 19-20 September 13,14,15
Silverstone 26-27 September 16,17,18
Croft 10-11 October 19,29,21
Snetterton 24-25 October 22,23,24
Brands Hatch 14-15 November 25,26,27