This season's championship kicks off tomorrow with rounds 1-3 on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. SInce Gordon Shedden won his second title at the same venue back in October there have been a number of changes to team and driver lineups, although the technical and sporting regulations, as well as the race calendar, are largely unchanged.
Halfords Yuasa Racing - Honda Civic Type R
The reigning champion's team see a return of Halfords sponsorship this season, black and orange replacing the corporate red and white. The team will continue to be led by Shedden and veteran team-mate Matt Neal, so continuity is the watchword, and while a new third entry for Andy Neate should mean another competitive car in the mix, I fear it's more likely to mean some robust driving and battered panels in the midfield battle. With the best handling car, manufacturer support and deep experience, Honda will again be the team to beat.
Subaru Team BMR - Subaru Levorg GT
The latest superteam on the block switches from VW to Subaru for 2016, on the basis that the Levorg's boxer engine and rear-wheel-drive layout is the best theoretical combination for the regulations as they currently stand. Former champions Jason Plato and Colin Turkington return with team boss Warren Scott on the driving strength. Fourth driver Aron Smith was unsurprisingly dumped after his uncomradely performance in last season's finale, and talented youngster James Cole takes his place. The car has barely turned a wheel heading in to the first round, so expect them to be playing catch-up over the balance of the season.
<Complicated set of sponsors> West Surrey Racing - BMW 125i M Sport
Rob Collard and Sam Tordoff will continue to campaign the rear-wheel-drive BMWs. Andy Priaulx has ended his long association with BMW to drive for Ford in GT racing, so his seat is taken by Jack Goff, moving across from Triple Eight MG after taking one win and finishing 9th in the points in 2015. WSR will want to bounce back after a poor title defence in 2015, and will be keen to take full advantage of the circuits that reward the BMW's good braking, traction and tyre preservation.
MG Racing RCIB Insurance - MG6 GT
After a disappointing season in 2015, Triple Eight will be hoping a change of colour scheme heralds a change in fortunes. RCIB Insurance come in as main sponsor from BMR, and two new drivers join the team. Josh Cook showed moments of promise in an uncompetitive Chevrolet Cruze last season, while 2015 Renault Clio Cup champion Ashley Sutton steps up into a plum drive for his BTCC debut.
Motorbase Performance - Ford Focus ST
Though not a manufacturer entry, Motorbase have strong race-winning pedigree, and retain Mat Jackson to drive their self-built Focus. 2013 champion Andrew Jordan comes in to replace James Cole in the other car, bringing Pirtek sponsorship with him from MG, and either car could be a strong outside bet for the title.
Selected others
Two-time race winner Adam Morgan returns in the distinctive yellow-and-black Mercedes A-Class, with the talented but inconsistent Aiden Moffat.
Tom Ingram returns in the Toyota Avensis run by Speedworks Motorsport, looking for this to be a breakthrough year after two runner-up finishes last season. Fan favourite Rob Austin will also campaign an Avensis, moving to front-wheel-drive for the first time, with Handy Motorsport.
Dave Newsham will be getting his boots muddy in the British Rallycross Championship this year, while Nicolas Hamilton is not expected to return either. Celebrity interest will be maintained however, arguably, by the presence of Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher (no, me neither) in a Power Maxed Racing Chevrolet Cruze.
2016 calendar
3 April - Brands Hatch (Indy)
17 April - Donington Park
8 May - Thruxton
5 June - Oulton Park
19 June - Croft
31 July - Snetterton
14 August - Knockhill
28 August - Rockingham
18 September - Silverstone
2 October - Brands Hatch (GP)
Halfords Yuasa Racing - Honda Civic Type R
The reigning champion's team see a return of Halfords sponsorship this season, black and orange replacing the corporate red and white. The team will continue to be led by Shedden and veteran team-mate Matt Neal, so continuity is the watchword, and while a new third entry for Andy Neate should mean another competitive car in the mix, I fear it's more likely to mean some robust driving and battered panels in the midfield battle. With the best handling car, manufacturer support and deep experience, Honda will again be the team to beat.
Subaru Team BMR - Subaru Levorg GT
The latest superteam on the block switches from VW to Subaru for 2016, on the basis that the Levorg's boxer engine and rear-wheel-drive layout is the best theoretical combination for the regulations as they currently stand. Former champions Jason Plato and Colin Turkington return with team boss Warren Scott on the driving strength. Fourth driver Aron Smith was unsurprisingly dumped after his uncomradely performance in last season's finale, and talented youngster James Cole takes his place. The car has barely turned a wheel heading in to the first round, so expect them to be playing catch-up over the balance of the season.
<Complicated set of sponsors> West Surrey Racing - BMW 125i M Sport
Rob Collard and Sam Tordoff will continue to campaign the rear-wheel-drive BMWs. Andy Priaulx has ended his long association with BMW to drive for Ford in GT racing, so his seat is taken by Jack Goff, moving across from Triple Eight MG after taking one win and finishing 9th in the points in 2015. WSR will want to bounce back after a poor title defence in 2015, and will be keen to take full advantage of the circuits that reward the BMW's good braking, traction and tyre preservation.
MG Racing RCIB Insurance - MG6 GT
After a disappointing season in 2015, Triple Eight will be hoping a change of colour scheme heralds a change in fortunes. RCIB Insurance come in as main sponsor from BMR, and two new drivers join the team. Josh Cook showed moments of promise in an uncompetitive Chevrolet Cruze last season, while 2015 Renault Clio Cup champion Ashley Sutton steps up into a plum drive for his BTCC debut.
Motorbase Performance - Ford Focus ST
Though not a manufacturer entry, Motorbase have strong race-winning pedigree, and retain Mat Jackson to drive their self-built Focus. 2013 champion Andrew Jordan comes in to replace James Cole in the other car, bringing Pirtek sponsorship with him from MG, and either car could be a strong outside bet for the title.
Selected others
Two-time race winner Adam Morgan returns in the distinctive yellow-and-black Mercedes A-Class, with the talented but inconsistent Aiden Moffat.
Tom Ingram returns in the Toyota Avensis run by Speedworks Motorsport, looking for this to be a breakthrough year after two runner-up finishes last season. Fan favourite Rob Austin will also campaign an Avensis, moving to front-wheel-drive for the first time, with Handy Motorsport.
Dave Newsham will be getting his boots muddy in the British Rallycross Championship this year, while Nicolas Hamilton is not expected to return either. Celebrity interest will be maintained however, arguably, by the presence of Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher (no, me neither) in a Power Maxed Racing Chevrolet Cruze.
2016 calendar
3 April - Brands Hatch (Indy)
17 April - Donington Park
8 May - Thruxton
5 June - Oulton Park
19 June - Croft
31 July - Snetterton
14 August - Knockhill
28 August - Rockingham
18 September - Silverstone
2 October - Brands Hatch (GP)
