The British Truck Racing Championship has today (February 15) officially kicked off the countdown to the start of the 2023 season by announcing a near capacity entry list.
Following the recent entry approval deadline for competitors with the British Automobile Racing Club, Series Promoter Truck Sport UK are delighted to unveil one of the strongest line-ups in the championship’s illustrious history.
With no fewer than six of the world’s most recognised truck manufacturers being represented on the entry list, Division 1 will see a total of 14 drivers battle it out for the coveted top prize whilst a further five will battle for supremacy in Division 2.
Star-studded line-up poised to take centre stage
In Division 1, reigning seven-time champion Ryan Smith rightly headlines the packed grid as he bids to clinch what would be an unprecedented eighth successive crown this year.
Donning the coveted number one on his five-tonne machine once again, Smith will be one to watch as always however he has a host of household names that are all set to be snapping at his wheels.
Former champions David Jenkins and Stuart Oliver – who finished second and third overall in 2022 – are both back and bidding for title glory whilst Steven Powell will look to build on what was an encouraging maiden campaign in the premier class last year.
Ten-time champion Oliver will line up alongside his son Michael and that won’t be the only family partnership in Division 1 as Simon Reid and Craig Reid also team together for a second straight season.
Bradley Smith picked up podiums in his debut campaign and with a years’ worth of experience now under his belt, he’ll be setting his sights on reaching the top step of the rostrum in 2023.
Elsewhere, the trio of Tom O’Rourke, Richard Collett and Simon Faulkner have all locked in their spots on the grid; as have a number of additional faces too.
After making a handful of appearances in 2022, Simon Cole will embark on his first full season in Division 1 whilst two drivers will step up from Division 2; proven race winners and title contenders Jock Borthwick and John Bowler.
One notable admission from the full-season entry for Division 1 is multiple race winner John Newell. Gearing up for an all-out assault on the FIA European Truck Racing Championship, Newell will compete at Donington Park and be on hand – along with a number of other drivers – to fill any vacant spots where possible over the course of the season.
Division 2 boasts an ultra-competitive entry list with former title winner Adam Bint standing out as one of the leading lights whilst regular front runners John Powell and Craig Evans will also challenge for the prestigious prize.
After making a popular one-off appearance at Convoy in the Park last year, NAPA Racing UK have secured a full-season entry with four-time Renault UK Clio Cup champion Paul Rivett jumping behind the wheel.
Rounding out the entry list for 2023 is the returning Jim Bennett, who will pilot his trusty Seddon Atkinson.
Biggest season yet for truck titans
Comprising of seven events at five of the best circuits in the UK, the 2023 British Truck Racing Championship has all the hallmarks of being one of the biggest and best yet.
Kicking the campaign off with an Easter extravaganza at Brands Hatch (April 8/9), the super-sized series will then head to Pembrey (May 20/21) for Convoy Cymru before tackling the fastest circuit in the UK – Thruxton – as a part of Convoy on the Plain (July 8/9).
The annual trip to Donington Park for Convoy in the Park (August 12/13) will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the year before the series travels to Snetterton (September 16/17) and back to Pembrey (October 7/8) before concluding at Brands Hatch (November 4/5).
For a third successive season, the British Truck Racing Championship will benefit from unprecedented live coverage as part of the British Automobile Racing Club live stream platform.
Every race – along with a host of behind the scenes content from the championship – will be broadcast for free across Facebook and YouTube, ensuring that fans don’t miss a second of the edge-of-the-seat action.