Just a fortnight after its season opener, the TCR UK Touring Car Championship is back in action for two more races this weekend (5-6 April). And it’s also a quick return to Donington Park, this time on the 2.5-mile Grand Prix circuit as we join the bill of British GT, the country’s premier sportscar championship.
Those who went well in the opening rounds will be looking to keep their momentum going. Conversely, the drivers who didn’t get off to the best of starts have a chance to swiftly turn their fortunes around. Throw in some exciting new additions to the field, and we look set for more superb tin-top action.
Topping the standings ahead of another trip to the East Midlands is Capture Motorsport’s Adam Shepherd. The CUPRA Leon Competicion TCR driver was in imperious form at the opening rounds of the season last month, taking pole position, two wins and three fastest laps. Even after getting caught out early in the third race, he fought back to claim another podium and open an early 30-point lead in the championship.
Lying second in the points is teen sensation Finn Leslie. The Fiesta Junior graduate had little opportunity to gel with his Power Maxed Racing-run Hyundai i30 N TCR ahead of the opening weekend, but you wouldn’t have guessed. The Yorkshire youngster claimed two fourth-place finishes before claiming a maiden podium in the weekend finale. With expectations raised, team boss Martin Broadhurst will be keeping his young charger’s feet on the ground, but the precocious talent is clearly one to watch.
Area Motorsport pairing Steve Laidlaw and his son Sam sit third and fourth in the points, breathing down Leslie’s neck. Driving the newer CUPRA Leon VZ TCR model, the duo’s opening weekend was not without dramas, but they secured three podium finishes between them, including a two-three finish in the opening race. There is no doubt that both are genuine championship challengers, while Laidlaw Sr leads the way in the Goodyear Diamond Award for drivers aged 40 and over.
The other pre-season favourites arrive at Donington on the back of contrasting fortunes. JH Racing’s Callum Newsham (Hyundai i30 N TCR) bounced back from the opening race woe, finishing second in race two and then dominating the third contest. Carrying only 10kg compensation weight, less than all of the top four in the standings, he’ll be aiming to pick up from where he left off.
On the other hand, Brad Hutchison (Bond It with MPH Racing CUPRA Leon Competicion TCR) and Alistair Camp (Area Motorsport Hyundai i30 N TCR) endured weekends to forget. Two retirements and a censure from the clerk of the course left Hutchison with a negative points tally and plenty of ground to make up. But his family-run team are nothing if not fighters and will be going all out to reverse their fortunes. Camp, focusing purely on his TCR drive on this occasion, will surely also be a force to reckon with on his home circuit and – like Hutchison – will benefit from carrying no compensation weight.
Heading the list of new and returning faces this weekend is former TCR Germany podium finisher Bradley Burns. The reigning Audi TT Cup champion stays with Area Motorsport as he makes a guest appearance in an Audi RS3 LMS TCR. Burns may not have much experience with Gen 2 TCR machinery, but don’t expect that to prevent him from challenging at the sharp end.
Former Civic Cup racer Ryan Bensley makes a welcome return in his terrific Lynk & Co 03 TCR. Bensley impressed on his debut in the Motion Motorsport-run car at Silverstone last October, and pre-season testing has gone well, so he is likely to be a podium contender.
Luke Sargeant is also returning to the field this weekend aboard his Gen 2 Audi RS3 LMS TCR, now run by Vannin Motorsport. He is joined in the squad in a sister car by George Jaxon, who makes the switch from an older Volkswagen Golf in which he had a tough time in the opening rounds.
Others to look out for include Harry Bloor (PMR Hyundai), who, despite being somewhat overshadowed by team-mate Leslie’s heroics, made a promising debut last month, as well as the evenly matched Capture Motorsport pairing of Will Beech and Greg Saunders in their CUPRA Leon Competicion TCR cars.
Mark Smith (BSR with Richmond Fire CUPRA Leon Competicion TCR) went better than ever last time out, and the same can be said for fellow Goodyear Diamond Award contender Jeff Alden (PMR Audi RS3), who also leads the way in the Gen 1 Cup for older machinery.
The racers are in for a relatively quiet Saturday, with Qualifying being their only on-track session, scheduled for 14:45hrs. The real action gets underway on Sunday, with Round 4 of the championship timetabled to start at 11:15hrs.
The weekend is rounded off by the always lively reversed-grid race, Round 5 of the championship, with lights out scheduled for 17:40hrs. Round 5 will also be the 100th TCR UK race. The series began on 1st April 2018 with its first race held on the National layout.
For those unable to make it to Donington, all the action will be streamed live – with expert commentary and analysis – on TCR UK’s YouTube channel, using the links below.
To find out more about the TCR UK Touring Car Championship visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/ for more information and how to get involved.
To learn more about the 2025 TCR UK Touring Car Championship Calendar events, visit https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/2025-calendar/ for more information.
Stay tuned for news and updates regarding the 2025 season via our website and social media channels:
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