Four-time champion Colin Turkington feels the switch to fossil-free fuels as part of a surprise rule change for the 2025 season’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is a very positive step.
Manufactured entirely from non-crude sources, its developers say performance is being increased while also playing a crucial role in maximising sustainability by being kinder to the environment.
The introduction of a 100 per cent eco-friendly fuel means time is being called on the Cosworth Electronics-developed hybrid energy recovery system that has been in operation since 2022.
Developing an extra 60bhp, the push-to-pass system was seen as an alternative to the previous success ballast system, with this coming into effect during Saturday qualifying and the following day’s three sprint contests.
However, as part of the shake-up, the additional power is going to come from each car’s turbo.
Ditching the energy recovery system also means lighter rear-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive cars, with these expected to tip the scales at 1,300kg and 1,270kg respectively.
Portadown’s Colin Turkington in action in his BMW 330e M Sport during the 2024 season
“Sustainability has been a key area of motorsport for the past decade and something I have been increasingly conscious of,” Turkington, who ended the 2024 season fourth in the title battle, told Belfast Telegraph Sport.
“The British Touring Car Championship has always been very forward-thinking in this area, and so I think going to a 100 per cent sustainable fuel from next year is a really positive step.
“With the minimum weight limit being reduced by 55kg, the car is also going to feel a lot more responsive, too, and that is going to make it a lot more fun to drive the BMW 330e M Sport on the limit at each of the tracks we will be visiting, so that bit I’m particularly looking forward to.”
The tweaks come less than a month after the competition crowned a new champion at the end of a nail-biting, title-deciding final race at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. Jake Hill finished ahead of nearest rival and 2022 title winner Tom Ingram to get his hands on the prestigious trophy.
After 30 races, the top two were separated by just eight points, with Ash Sutton third and Turkington finishing behind him despite scoring five victories, four seconds and two thirds.
Alan Gowe – the Chief Executive of the UK’s leading tin top series – claims fans can expect closer action during 2025 because of the changes.
“The introduction of 100 per cent fossil-free sustainable fuel shows that the BTCC remains committed to innovation in motorsport,” he said.
“As the highest-profile Championship in the UK, this introduction is a significant – and essential – step in maintaining the competitiveness and excitement synonymous with the BTCC, but in a more sustainable and forward-thinking way.”