BTCC: DeLeon and Rainford confirmed for WSR in 2026

Daryl DeLeon and Charles Rainford have been announced to be staying with WSR for the 2026 season.

After joining WSR last season, the pair reunite after fighting over the Jack Sears Trophy. DeLeon goes into his fourth BTCC season after debuting in 2023 with Team HARD in the Cupra Leon. He only competed in half the season but claimed a best finish of 12th at the finale at Brands. He would continue to drive the Cupra in 2024 finding points finishes fairly often and putting on very good performances throughout the season.

This first season and a half of racing would land him an opportunity to drive for BMW with WSR in 2025. The young star would impress early on, maintaining points finishes throughout the season including taking his maiden race win at Brands Hatch Indy. He would claim another overall podium later in the season at Croft to finish 13th in the standings. He would also claim the Jack Sears Trophy that season by just three points to his teammate and debutant last year Rainford.

Rainford joined WSR after a racing in Porsche Carrera Cup GB for the four years prior plus a number of historic races. Claiming third in the championship in his debut season in 2021 with five wins and eight podiums was certainly a statement. A statement which led to a championship the following year in dominating fashion.

Taking twelve wins and twelve poles from sixteen races that season, only missing out on the podium on two occasions in 2022. He would dominate the Pro-Am class all year including taking the overall victory at the finale before stepping up to Pro for 2023.

Taking a victory and a few podiums in the Pro class across the season, he would then have to fight former BTCC drivers George Gamble, Stephen Jelley and, at the time, Dan Lloyd. He would just miss out on the title after a season long battle with Gamble while taking two wins and six further podiums.

Heading into 2026, both drivers are gunning for the overall BTCC title after fighting for the Jack Sears Trophy last season. Both drivers will also want to be leading the charge for BMW in 2026 after the departures of Colin Turkington at the end of 2024 and Jake Hill at the end of last year.

With the announcement, Daryl DeLeon said: “I’m excited to continue with WSR for the 2026 British Touring Car Championship and want to thank everyone who made this possible. Racing the BMW in 2025 was an incredibly valuable and rewarding year for me in every way. Taking my first win, securing my first pole positions and winning the Jack Sears Trophy title are achievements we can all be proud of, however with the new season just around the corner the focus is now on repeating that success. I’m really happy to keep working with my engineer and crew as we continue to grow stronger together. We showed good pace during pre-season official testing at Croft, so hopefully we can carry that momentum into the season ahead.”

After re-signing, Charles Rainford said: “Racing in the British Touring Car Championship was always a long-term plan, so it’s brilliant to be able to announce a second season with WSR for 2026. I learnt so much in my rookie season and am a much stronger driver as a result. Obviously the win at Brands Hatch and the pole at Knockhill were the highlights and the support from WSR was fantastic, but some of the tougher moments may well have helped us even more. We’ve done some very good work in testing so far and we’re heading into the new season aiming high.”