Tens of thousands of horsepower is poised to thunder into Hampshire this weekend as the British Truck Racing Championship takes centre stage at Thruxton for what are guaranteed to be five blockbuster races.
Lifting the curtain on the 2026 season in spectacular fashion at Brands Hatch last month, the UK’s biggest motor racing series has the need for speed as it prepares to take on the fastest circuit in the country – a sight that is always something to behold.
Division 1 – the series’ premier class – appears to be as competitive as ever this season and that statement was reinforced at the aforementioned season-opener as four different drivers stood on the top step of the podium.
Stuart Oliver, Ryan Smith, Craig Reid and Richard Collett all charged to victory but it is ten-time champion Oliver that enjoys a share of the early lead in the championship standings with his son, Michael Oliver.
The Team Oliver Racing duo kicked off their campaigns in sublime fashion with Stuart tallying a brace of wins while Michael battled onto the rostrum three times. It was near-perfect for them but what they can’t do now though is rest on their laurels.
Former champion David Jenkins netted a hat-trick of podiums and sits two points back while reigning ten-time champion Smith is a further point in arrears after hustling his Daimler Freightliner to an impressive win.
Reid marked his return to the series with a pole and win but some misfortune in a couple of contests means that he has work to do this weekend. Another driver that will be one to watch after turning plenty of heads is John Bowler.
Elsewhere, Neil Yates will hope to continue his consistent start to the new term and hot on his heels is the series’ most experienced driver, Collett. Rolling back the years in the final race at Brands Hatch, the MAN driver will have a spring in his step after claiming a famous victory.
Rounding out the Division 1 ranks and looking for an upturn in front-running fortunes is the popular Steven Powell, Scotsman Tom O’Rourke, rookie Nathan Smith and the returning Simon Reid.
Track action begins this Saturday morning with a solitary practice session taking place at 09:00 before qualifying decides the grid at 10:25. Race one and race two will then be held at 13:30 and 17:35 respectively later that afternoon.
Three more races – at 10:45, 14:10 and 17:20 – will then conclude the weekend’s action on Sunday. As always, all five races will be available to live on YouTube, via the official Truck Sport UK channel.
