Roaring start to August as British GT returns on same weekend as BTCC

Sports Car News

The first weekend of August is due to see the British GT Championship and BTCC burst into life, as British motor sport plans for the return of racing

oultonparkbritishgt

August 1 is looking to be the date when British motor sport bursts back to life, after the British GT Championship announced that its season will start with a double-header at Oulton Park on the first weekend of August.

The latest British Touring Car Championship is due to begin on the same date at Donington, and the Silverstone Classic is also on the same weekend – although this is under review.

The rescheduled British GT calendar will feature nine races at six events and will only take place in Britain. A scheduled race at Spa will not be held this year.

All dates are subject to a relaxation in coronavirus restrictions and racing could be held behind closed doors, depending on guidance from Motorsport UK, which governs motor racing on four wheels in this country.

The size of teams could also be restricted, and social distancing put in place for drivers and personnel – including during mid-race driver changes and pitstops.

Related article

BTCC target 27-race season for 2020, beginning in August
BTCC News

BTCC target 27-race season for 2020, beginning in August

British Touring Car Championship organiser TOCA has announced plans for a revised 2020 calendar that will run from August to November. The altered schedule aims to fit 27 races into…

By Jake Williams-Smith

The British GT Championship’s revised calendar envisages 15 hours of racing across five sprint and four endurance races remains the same as planned at the beginning of the year – with the season start delayed by four months.

The compressed season means a busy August for teams, with three British GT dates penned for the month. It is also set to result in an “unavoidable clash” with the Le Mans 24 Hours on 19/20 September.

“We feel that starting the season in Britain in August is the most pragmatic approach to a very complicated situation, hence our decision not to visit Spa this year,” said Lauren Granville, championship manager.

“It’s sure to be a very busy three months for everyone but after being locked down for so long our teams and drivers are even more eager to go racing than ever before. Equally, British GT’s staff and I cannot wait to make up for lost time: we have a fabulous entry list and, now, a revised calendar that’s able to do it justice.”

 

Revised 2020 British GT calendar

Aug 1/2 Oulton Park – 2x 1hr races

Aug 15/16 Donington Park 1x 1hr & 1x 2hr races

Aug 29/30 Brands Hatch – 1x 2hr race

Sep 19/20 Donington Park – 1x 3hr race

Oct 3/4 Snetterton – 2x 1hr races

Nov 7/8 Silverstone 500 – 1x 3hr race