Experienced Ford Fiesta racer Alastair Kellett will make his debut in TCR UK this weekend, where he will be driving a Vannin Motorsport-run Audi RS3 LMS TCR at Croft.
The second weekend of the 2026 TCR UK Touring Car Championship will provide the Irishman with the opportunity to make his Touring Car debut in rounds four and five of the season.
Already a Front Wheel Drive expert in the ultra-competitive Fiesta ST240 championship, Kellett is a three-time champion, winning titles in 2016 and later in the revamped series, taking the 2024 and 2025 titles at the wheel of the MK7 1.6 EcoBoost model.
With a career that began over 25 years ago racing across the UK, the step up to the Audi with its more powerful 2 litre turbocharged engine and additional aero package will provide a new challenge to Kellett, as he races on the famous Croft circuit in North Yorkshire this weekend.
Driving the car that fellow Irishman Barry-John McHenry made his debut in at Brands Hatch, Alastair is incredibly grateful to his friend for the opportunity to go racing in a TCR car for the first time.
“I’m looking forward to joining the TCR UK Championship at Croft this weekend and making my debut as a Touring Car driver. It’s not often that the chance comes your way to drive one of these fantastic cars and I am very grateful to my friend Barry-John for allowing me the honour of getting behind the wheel of his Audi.”
“Whilst I have driven many different front wheel drive cars throughout my career, the first time I will get to sample the car is during testing before the weekend, so I’m already excited about seeing what I can do on track. More than anything, I will be out to go racing and enjoy myself as I get used to seeing what a TCR car can do at such an iconic track as Croft.”
Vannin Motorsport Team Principal Peppe Planeta welcomes Alastair on board ahead of the second race weekend of the 2026 season.
“I’m really happy to welcome Alastair to the team this weekend, he brings a huge amount experience in front wheel drive experience with him, having been the man to beat in the Fiesta ST240 Championship for the last few years, “said Peppe.
“He’s already started 2026 in the best way possible by winning races last weekend in Snetterton. We are very confident that he’ll get to grips with the Audi quickly and show what he can do when driving a Touring Car.”
Championship Manager Jack Finlan welcomes Alastair as the latest new driver to join the championship ahead of the Early May Bank Holiday event this weekend.
“It’s great to have Alastair join us at Croft this weekend as the championship resumes after a very exciting Easter weekend event. Alastair’s Motorsport CV speaks for itself, with years of experience driving Fiesta’s, showing true skill in how to extract the best out of a front wheel drive tin top,” said Jack.
“Having already enjoyed success this year, I’m very pleased to welcome Alastair to the grid and see how he goes in the Vannin Motorsport-run Audi this weekend. This is yet another example of drivers racing in UK Motorsport, who are ready to take the next step and become a Touring Car driver and stepping up to TCR UK to achieve their goal.”
To learn more about the TCR UK Touring Car Championship, visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/ for more information on how to get involved.
For more information about the 2026 TCR UK Touring Car Championship, visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/2026-calendar/.
