There are now just ten days to go until the British Truck Racing Championship bursts into life at Brands Hatch on April 8/9 and excitement is very much building towards what promises to be a real Easter extravaganza.
As the countdown continues, here are some of the main talking points heading into the annual curtain-raiser at the famous Kent venue:
Capacity grid primed for battle
This year will once again see a packed grid of monstrous machines battle it out for supremacy across Division 1 and Division 2. Following the entry approval deadline back in February, 2023 will see 19 full-time competitors whilst an additional spot on the grid will be filled by a number of additional entrants over the course of the campaign.
All eyes on the champion
One of the biggest questions heading into 2023 is whether Ryan Smith will win what will be an unprecedented eighth consecutive title in-a-row. Having been the benchmark for the past seven seasons, the Mansfield racer dons the coveted number one again and he’ll be looking to assert his dominance early on as he chases yet another championship crown.
Returning 2022 contenders
Of course, Smith isn’t guaranteed to have things his own way as there will be a number of familiar faces that will be looking to take the fight to him. Expected to lead the charge will be former champions Stuart Oliver and David Jenkins whilst the likes of Steven Powell and Simon Reid can’t be discounted either. Can any of them unseat the defending champion?
Stepping up to the big league
The 2023 season will see three new faces graduate from Division 2 into the BTRC’s premier category; Division 1. After clinching his third title last year, Luke Garrett has secured the remaining spot on the grid for the Brands Hatch opener and he will have some familiar company around him as both race-winners Jock Borthwick and John Bowler also make the step up.
Familiar foes poised for Division 2 fight
It’s set to be all to play for in Division 2 this year with five ultra-competitive drivers set to go wheel-to-wheel for outright glory. Former champion Adam Bint and John Powell headline the entry with Craig Evans, Paul Rivett and the returning Jim Bennett all set to be firmly in the mix as well. Question is, who will come out on top?
Convoying and the International Truck Prix
Of course the BTRC is a marathon and not a sprint; and there is plenty to look forward to over the coming months. Convoy Cymru and Convoy on the Plain are both taking place again this year whilst at Convoy in the Park, the inaugural International Truck Prix – which will showcase some of the biggest names in truck racing from around the world – takes centre stage at Donington Park.