Roaring start to August as British GT returns on same weekend as BTCC

The first weekend of August is due to see the British GT Championship and BTCC burst into life, as British motor sport plans for the return of racing

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May 14th 2020

August 1 is looking to be the date when British motor sport bursts back to life, after the British GT Championship announced that its season will start with a double-header at Oulton Park on the first weekend of August.

The latest British Touring Car Championship is due to begin on the same date at Donington, and the Silverstone Classic is also on the same weekend – although this is under review.

The rescheduled British GT calendar will feature nine races at six events and will only take place in Britain. A scheduled race at Spa will not be held this year.

All dates are subject to a relaxation in coronavirus restrictions and racing could be held behind closed doors, depending on guidance from Motorsport UK, which governs motor racing on four wheels in this country.

The size of teams could also be restricted, and social distancing put in place for drivers and personnel – including during mid-race driver changes and pitstops.

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The British GT Championship’s revised calendar envisages 15 hours of racing across five sprint and four endurance races remains the same as planned at the beginning of the year – with the season start delayed by four months.

The compressed season means a busy August for teams, with three British GT dates penned for the month. It is also set to result in an “unavoidable clash” with the Le Mans 24 Hours on 19/20 September.

“We feel that starting the season in Britain in August is the most pragmatic approach to a very complicated situation, hence our decision not to visit Spa this year,” said Lauren Granville, championship manager.

“It’s sure to be a very busy three months for everyone but after being locked down for so long our teams and drivers are even more eager to go racing than ever before. Equally, British GT’s staff and I cannot wait to make up for lost time: we have a fabulous entry list and, now, a revised calendar that’s able to do it justice.”