BTCC: New Qualifying race set to debut in 2026

The 2026 BTCC Season will have a new qualifying format with a qualifying race being held.

TOCA previously announced they were planning to change the qualifying format and introduce this new Qualifying race but details were limited until it was fully ratified. It has been announced that the new format will be taking place in 2026 with all the details of how it will run including drivers championship points changes.

A forty minute practice session will be held on the Saturday morning of the weekend before the official qualifying will take place in the early afternoon. Using the current two group format, the sessions have been extended to fifteen minutes each as opposed to the ten minute sessions we've seen. The group with the fastest time will take the odd numbered positions on the grid in the order they qualified in while the other group will have the even side of the grid.

The qualifying race will be held after these group qualifying sessions as the pitlane is set to open ten minutes after the end of the second group session. The race distance will be approximately fifteen minutes in length with the option tyre not being permitted for this race. The TOCA Turbo Boost (TTB) will be set based on championship positions of the drivers just like in the current TTB system.

Half points will be awarded to the drivers up to the nearest whole point while fastest lap and lead a lap points will not be available. The pole position point for race 1 will also not be available. Manufacturers' / Constructors' standings, Overall Teams standings, both Independents standings, and Jack Sears Trophy will not be scored in the qualifying race meaning it is only points for the Overall Drivers Championship will be available in this session.