2023 TCR UK Touring Car Championship explained

The 2023 TCR UK Touring Car Championship is the sixth season of the TCR UK Touring Car Championship. The championship features production-based touring cars built to TCR specifications and will be held over fifteen races across seven meetings throughout England and Scotland. The championship is operated by Stewart Lines' Maximum Group in partnership with the British Racing and Sports Car Club.

Calendar

The schedule for 2023 was announced on 10 October 2022 containing 15 races across 7 rounds.^{[1] [2]} Snetterton would host the season opener and move onto the 300 circuit. Both Knockhill and Croft would return for the first time since 2018 and 2019 respectively. The championship would makes its first appearance on the traditional clockwise layout at Knockhill. The series would also return to Silverstone's National layout for the first time since the 2020 season. Both Donington Park and Oulton Park would slim down to a single meeting in 2023 while Castle Combe was left off the schedule altogether. It was also announced through social media that a media day would take place at Donington Park on the 29th March.

		Circuit/Location	Date
1	1	Snetterton Circuit (300 Circuit), Norfolk)	8–9 April
	2
2	3	Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire	6–7 May
	4
3	5		10 June
	6
4	7	Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife	22–23 July
	8
	9
5	10	Silverstone Circuit (National), Northamptonshire	19–20 August
	11
6	12	Donington Park (National), Leicestershire	9–10 September
	13
7	14	Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent	21–22 October
	15

Changes

Organisational Changes

• In October 2022 it was revealed that the championship would be leaving the Time Attack UK package after 2 years to re-join the British Racing and Sports Car Club.^{[1] [3]} As part of a multi-year agreement, TCR UK would appear as the headline event at 7 BRSCC race weekends. Furthermore, the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship was announced as an official feeder series to TCR UK and would race at the same events in 2023.^[4]
• Former Ginetta Motorsport Manager Ashley Gallagher joined as Championship Manager for both TCR UK and the Milltek Sport Civic Cup.^{[5] [6]}
• A total prize fund of £75,000 was announced by the organisers. At each meeting, cash prizes would be awarded to the pole position winner and the top 3 in each race. Moreover, the top 3 in the championship at seasons end would also receive prizes as well as the overall winners of the Goodyear Diamond Trophy and Tom Walker Memorial Trophy.^{[7] [8]}

Technical Changes

• Carless Racing Fuels was introduced as the official control fuel supplier to the series.^[9] As part of this collaboration, a TCR Driver of the Day initiative was launched, with the winner receiving a 54 litre keg of control fuel.^[7]

Teams and drivers

Team Car Drivers Class Rounds Area Motorsport^[10] Area Motorsport with Daniel James^[11] Hyundai Elantra N TCR align=center 09 Josh Files^[12] align=center 1 align=center 115 Luke Sargeant^[13] align=center 3, 5–7 Hyundai i30 N TCR align=center 21 Andy Wilmot^[14] align=center D 2 align=center 37 Bruce Winfield align=center All align=center 76 Alex Ley align=center All align=center 117 Adam Shepherd All Restart Racing^[15] ^[16] nowrap Honda Civic Type R TCR (FL5)^[17] align=center 1 Chris Smiley align=center All Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8) align=center 27 Scott Sumpton^[18] ^[19] align=center All Essex & Kent Motorsport^[20] Hyundai Veloster N TCR align=center 4 Bradley Kent align=center 1–6 Rob Boston Racing^[21] Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2021) align=center 11 Jac Constable All align=center 99 nowrap Joe Marshall-Birks align=center All Cupra León Competición TCR align=center 21 Andy Wilmot align=center D 5, 7 Zest Racecar Engineering^[22] Cupra León Competición TCR align=center 14 Dan Kirby^[23] align=center 1–2 align=center 41 Carl Boardley align=center D 1 JH Racing^[24] ^[25] Hyundai i30 N TCR align=center 16 Callum Newsham align=center All bond-It with MPHR^[26] Cupra León Competición TCR 17 Bradley Hutchison 6–7 Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2017) 1–5 MPHR 35 Steve Gales^[27] align=center D 1–2 Cupra León Competición TCR 3 Matrix Motorsport with DW Racing Opel Astra TCR align=center 19 Jeff Alden 5–7 DW Racing^[28] Vauxhall Astra TCR 50 Darelle Wilson All JW Bird Motorsport^[29] Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2017) 28 George Jaxon 7 Cupra León Competición TCR 1 31 Matthew Wilson^[30] All Chameleon Motorsport^[31] Cupra León Competición TCR align=center 39 Lewis Brown align=center 1 CBM with Hart GT Cupra León Competición TCR align=center 41 Carl Boardley align=center D 2–7 Pro Alloys Racing^[32] Hyundai i30 N TCR align=center 45 Alistair Camp align=center 1, 6 Team AFM Racing^[33] Cupra León TCR align=center 72 Rick Kerry align=center D 1, 3, 5–7 Richmond Fire Motorsport Cupra León TCR align=center 77 Mark Smith 6–7 Paul Sheard Racing^[34] ^[35] Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR 78 Jonathon Beeson 3 Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2021) 4 align=center 87 George Heler 3 align=center 98 Oliver Cottam^[36] align=center All 223 Gary Townsend 1 Townsend Motorsport Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2021) 2–7 Jenson Brickley Racing^[37] ^[38] Cupra León Competición TCR align=center 246 Jenson Brickley align=center All Darron Lewis Racing^[39] Audi RS 3 LMS TCR (2017) align=center 285 Darron Lewis align=center D 1–3, 5

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Driver Changes

Entering/Re-Entering TCR UK

• Both Gary Townsend and Joe Marshall-Birks will move from the Ginetta GT4 Supercup to join Paul Sheard Racing.^{[34] [35]} They will also be joined by Ginetta GT5 Challenge racer Oliver Cottam.^[36]
• After an appearance in the previous seasons finale, George Jaxon will join the championship full time, driving a Cupra León Competición TCR for JW Bird Motorsport.^[29]
• Jenson Brickley joined the series driving a family run Cupra León Competición TCR.^{[37] [38]}
• Lewis Brown moved from the Mini Challenge UK to join Chameleon Motorsport.^[31]
• Darron Lewis returned full time, having made a one-off appearance towards the end of the previous season.^[39]
• Former Kumho BMW Championship champion Rick Kerry announced a partial season campaign at the wheel of a Cupra León TCR.^[33]
• Luke Sargeant joined Area Motorsport for a partial season campaign driving a Hyundai i30 N TCR.^[13]
• Former BTCC driver Carl Boardley joined the series driving a Cupra León Competición TCR for Zest Racecar Engineering.^[22]
• Dan Kirby returned the series after having last raced in 2021 for Power Maxed Racing, driving a second car for Zest Racecar Engineering.^[23]

Changed Teams

• Scott Sumpton moved from Essex & Kent Motorsport to join defending champion Chris Smiley at Restart Racing in a second Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8).^{[18] [19]}
• George Jaxon moved from Team HARD. with GO FIX to join JW Bird Motorsport.^[29]
• Alex Ley and Daniel James Motorsport joined forces with Area Motorsport.
• Having joined MPHR part way through the previous season, Steve Gales will commit to a full season alongside Brad Hutchinson in his first generation Audi RS 3 LMS TCR.^[27]
• Callum Newsham joined newcomers JH Racing and would drive a Hyundai i30 N TCR.^{[24] [25]}
• Jac Constable moved from Power Maxed Racing to join Rob Boston Racing.^[21]

Team Changes

• Paul Sheard Racing will switch from running a Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR to the latest Gen II Audi RS 3 LMS TCR.^{[34] [35]}
• Area Motorsport will enter a Hyundai Elantra N TCR for Jamie Tonks. This would be the first time this model would appear in the UK series.^[40] Bruce Winfield will also switch to Hyundai machinery ahead of the 2023 season.^[10]
• Chameleon Motorsport expanded and upgraded to the latest generation Cupra León Competición TCR.^[31]
• Daniel James Motorsport would collaborate with Area Motorsport and would run Alex Ley under the Area Motorsport with Daniel James banner.
• Restart Racing will enter an all new Honda Civic Type R TCR (FL5) for reigning champion Chris Smiley.^[17]

Race calendar and results

Round	Circuit	Pole Position	Fastest Lap	Winning Driver	Winning Team	Diamond Trophy Winner
1	Snetterton Circuit	Josh Files	Josh Files	Bruce Winfield	Area Motorsport	Carl Boardley
			Lewis Brown	Lewis Brown	Chameleon Motorsport	Carl Boardley
2	Croft Circuit	Jac Constable	Jac Constable	Jac Constable	Rob Boston Racing	Carl Boardley
			Jenson Brickley	Jenson Brickley	Jenson Brickley Racing	Carl Boardley
3	Oulton Park Island	Bruce Winfield	Bruce Winfield	Bruce Winfield	Area Motorsport	Carl Boardley
			Bruce Winfield	Carl Boardley	CBM with Hart GT	Carl Boardley
4	Knockhill Racing Circuit	Carl Boardley	Jenson Brickley	Carl Boardley	CBM with Hart GT	Carl Boardley
			Jenson Brickley	Alex Ley	Area Motorsport with Daniel James	Carl Boardley
			Joe Marshall-Birks	Carl Boardley	CBM with Hart GT	Carl Boardley
5	Silverstone Circuit National	Adam Shepherd	Scott Sumpton	Carl Boardley	CBM with Hart GT	Carl Boardley
			Bradley Kent	Alex Ley	Area Motorsport with Daniel James	Andy Wilmot
6	Donington Park National	Jenson Brickley	Jenson Brickley	Adam Shepherd	Area Motorsport	Carl Boardley
			Bruce Winfield	Alistair Camp	Pro Alloys Racing	Carl Boardley
7	Brands Hatch Indy	Jenson Brickley	Jenson Brickley	Alex Ley	Area Motorsport with Daniel James	Carl Boardley
			Callum Newsham	Jac Constable	Rob Boston Racing	Carl Boardley

Championship standings

Drivers' Standings

Points system
Position	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th	11th	12th	13th	14th	15th	Fastest Lap
Qualifying	6	5	4	3	2	1	colspan=12
Race	40	35	30	27	24	21	18	15	13	11	9	7	5	3	1	1

• Drivers' top 13 results from the 15 races count towards the championship.

Pos Driver SNE CRO OUL KNO SIL DON BHI valihn=middle Total valign=middle Drop valign=middle Points 1 Carl Boardley 6 5 2^2 5 10 1 1^1 4 1^1 1^4 7 4 10 4^5 5 425 22 403 2 Alex Ley 5^5 2 10 Ret 3^2 Ret 6^4 1 6 11 1 6 3 1^3 3 366 15 351 3 Jenson Brickley 8 8 8 1^F 8 4 5^6F 2^F 2^2 2 8 2^1F Ret 6^1F 2 380 33 347 4 Jac Constable Ret 19 1^1F 6 2^3 8 2^2 10 4^6 4 11 3^4 7 7 1 346 9 337 5 Adam Shepherd 16^3 6 6 2 5^5 5 3^5 3 5^5 Ret^1 Ret 1^2 2 3 Ret 333 0 333 6 Bruce Winfield 1^2 3 7 4 1^1F 6^F 4 Ret 7 Ret^2 3 5^3 8^F 8 9 337 15 322 7 Joe Marshall-Birks 7 7 5^6 3 6 15 7^3 6 3^3F 3^6 12 Ret^5 4 5^6 Ret 280 1 279 8 Brad Hutchison 9 9 9 8 7 3 Ret 7 9 8 4 8 DSQ 10 7 219 22 197 9 Callum Newsham Ret 11 4^4 7 Ret Ret 8 DSQ 15^4 7 DNS 12 6 2^2 4^F 187 12 175 10 Chris Smiley 3^4 Ret Ret^5 9 4^4 7 9 Ret Ret 6 DNS 7 DSQ Ret^4 DNS 152 0 152 11 Matthew Wilson 13 16 14 13 13 10 10 5 12 10 2 11 11 13 DNS 140 3 137 12 Scott Sumpton DSQ 13 Ret 12 DNS DNS 12 8 11 9^3F 9 10 5 Ret DNS 109 0 109 13 Bradley Kent 11 4 3^3 Ret Ret^6 9 Ret Ret 8 Ret Ret^F Ret^6 14 105 0 105 14 Oliver Cottam Ret 14 12 10 15 Ret 11 11 13 5^5 Ret 17 12 9 DNS 91 0 91 15 Darelle Wilson Ret 18 16 DSQ 9 2 Ret 9 Ret 13 5 14 Ret Ret 13 98 12 86 16 Alistair Camp 10 10 9 1 75 0 75 17 Lewis Brown 4^6 1^F 69 0 69 18 Andy Wilmot 13 11 16 6 14 6 59 0 59 19 Luke Sargeant 14 11 12 10 18 9 11 8 67 9 58 20 Josh Files 2^1F Ret 42 0 42 21 Rick Kerry Ret 17 12 Ret 14 14 15 15 12 10 33 0 33 22 Jonathan Beeson 11 12 Ret Ret 10 27 0 27 23 Garry Townsend 14 20 15 DSQ Ret 13 13 12 14 Ret 13 13 13 DNS DNS 39 12 27 24 Dan Kirby 12 12 11 16 23 0 23 25 George Jaxon 18 21 Ret 11 9 0 9 26 Mark Smith Ret DNS Ret 12 7 0 7 27 Darron Lewis 15 15 Ret 14 Ret Ret Ret DNS 5 0 5 28 Jeff Alden 15 Ret 16 16 15 Ret 2 0 2 29 Steve Gales 17 22 17 15 DNS Ret 1 0 1 30 George Heler Ret 14 3 9 -6 Pos Driver SNE CRO OUL KNO SIL DON BHI valihn=middle Total valign=middle Drop valign=middle Points

^1 2 3 4 5 6 – Qualifying position ^F – Fastest lap

Notes and References

1. Web site: NEW YEAR, NEW INITIATIVES: TCR UK ANNOUNCES 2023 CALENDAR. 10 October 2022. tcr-uk.co.uk. en-US. 23 December 2022.
2. News: TCR UK issues seven-round provisional 2023 calendar. touringcartimes.com. 10 October 2022. 23 December 2022.
3. News: BRSCC & TCR UK Touring Car Championship Agree Multi-Year Deal. BRSCC. 10 October 2022. 11 February 2023. BRSCC.
4. News: BRSCC Announces Fiesta Junior Championship As Official TCR UK Junior Support Series. BRSCC. 27 October 2022. 11 February 2023. BRSCC.
5. Web site: Ashley Gallagher to Lead TCR UK and Milltek Sport Civic Cup Into New Era. 4 November 2022. tcr-uk.co.uk. en-US. 11 February 2023.
6. News: TCR UK brings in ex-Ginetta motorsport manager. touringcartimes.com. 5 November 2022. 11 February 2023.
7. Web site: TCR UK introduces £75,000 cash prize fund for 2023. 9 February 2023. tcr-uk.co.uk. en-US. 11 February 2023.
8. News: TCR UK reveals new £75,000 prize fund. touringcartimes.com. 9 February 2023. 11 February 2023.
9. Web site: Carless Racing Fuels & Vital Equipment Join TCR UK as New Control Fuel Partner for 2023. 22 November 2022. tcr-uk.co.uk. en-US. 11 February 2023.
10. News: Bruce Winfield sticks with Hyundai for 2023. TouringCarTimes. 3 January 2023. 3 January 2023.
11. News: Alex Ley set for first full programme. TouringCarTimes. 27 January 2023. 27 January 2023.
12. News: Multiple TCR champion Josh Files joins Snetterton grid. TouringCarTimes. 4 April 2023. 4 April 2023.
13. News: Luke Sargeant to run partial campaign with Area Motorsport. TouringCarTimes. 3 March 2023. 3 March 2023.
14. News: 2023 TCR UK TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP - CROFT - ENTRY LIST. tcr-uk.co.uk. 2 May 2023. 2 May 2023.
15. News: Chris Smiley to defend title in 2023. touringcartimes.com. 23 December 2022. 23 December 2022.
16. News: The Champion is Back! Smiley Returns for TCR UK Title Defence in 2023. tcr-uk.co.uk. 23 December 2022. 23 December 2022.
17. News: Restart Racing to debut new FL5 Honda in 2023. TouringCarTimes. 28 March 2023. 28 March 2023.
18. News: Scott Sumpton joins expanded Restart line-up. touringcartimes.com. 20 December 2022. 23 December 2022.
19. News: Sumpton Switches to Honda for Second Season in TCR UK. tcr-uk.co.uk. 20 December 2022. 23 December 2022.
20. News: Bradley Kent makes Veloster switch. TouringCarTimes. 17 January 2023. TouringCarTimes. en-US. 17 January 2023.
21. News: Rob Boston Racing launches TCR programme with Jac Constable. TouringCarTimes. 17 February 2023. 17 February 2023.
22. News: Carl Boardley makes TCR UK switch with Zest Racecar Engineering. TouringCarTimes. 10 March 2023. TouringCarTimes. en-US. 10 March 2023.
23. News: Dan Kirby to make TCR UK return in Cupra. TouringCarTimes. 3 April 2023. 3 April 2023. TouringCarTimes.
24. News: Callum Newsham makes Hyundai switch with newcomers JH Racing. TouringCarTimes. 15 February 2023. 15 February 2023.
25. News: Callum Newsham set for 2023 return in JH Racing Hyundai. tcr-uk.co.uk. 15 February 2023. 15 February 2023.
26. News: Brad Hutchison returns for second season. TouringCarTimes. 14 January 2023. TouringCarTimes. 14 January 2023.
27. News: Steve Gales sticks with MPHR. TouringCarTimes. 3 February 2023. TouringCarTimes. 3 February 2023.
28. News: Darelle Wilson returns with his Vauxhall Astra for 2023 TCR UK season. touringcartrophy.co.uk. 15 March 2023. 15 March 2023.
29. News: George Jaxon confirms full-season programme with JW Bird. TouringCarTimes. 6 January 2023. 6 January 2023.
30. News: Matthew Wilson continues with JW Bird. TouringCarTimes. 1 February 2023. 1 February 2023.
31. News: Lewis Brown joins Neil Trotter in Chameleon line-up. TouringCarTimes. 20 January 2023. TouringCarTimes. en-US. 20 January 2023.
32. News: Pro Alloys Racing to run TCR UK programme. TouringCarTimes. 6 April 2023. 6 April 2023.
33. News: Rick Kerry to run ex-Tonks Cupra in TCR UK debut. TouringCarTimes. 8 February 2023. TouringCarTimes. en-US. 8 February 2023.
34. News: Paul Sheard Racing confirms Audi programme. TouringCarTimes. 28 December 2022. 28 December 2022.
35. News: Paul Sheard Racing Bring Gen II Audi to the 2023 TCR UK Season. tcr-uk.co.uk. 28 December 2022. 28 December 2022.
36. News: Paul Sheard Racing adds third Audi for 2023. TouringCarTimes. 13 January 2023. 13 January 2023.
37. News: Privateer Cupra programme bolsters 2023 entry. TouringCarTimes. 10 January 2023. 10 January 2023.
38. News: Jenson Brickley steps up to TCR UK for 2023. tcr-uk.co.uk. 10 January 2023. 10 January 2023.
39. News: Darron Lewis to make full-time TCR UK return in 2023. TCR UK. tcr-uk.co.uk. 24 January 2023. 24 January 2023.
40. News: Jamie Tonks to give Hyundai Elantra UK debut. TouringCarTimes. 12 January 2023. 12 January 2023.