British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC for short), organised by the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC). The 2026 regulations provide for two classes and five races per event. Here are the most important rules.
There are two classes, Class 1 and Class 2. Each class has its own standings, so points are scored per class.
Bonus: 1 point for the fastest lap in each class in each race, but only for drivers who are classified finishers.
There are no dropped results. Every event counts.
Shortened races: if at least 50 per cent of the scheduled duration is completed, full points are awarded. If at least two laps but less than 50 per cent are completed, half points are awarded. If fewer than two laps are completed, no points are awarded.
Bonus, trophies, race number
Environmental bonus: teams receive up to 10 points per entered driver if at least 75 per cent of the fuel they use for transport is HVO (renewable diesel). In 2026 that equals 1,000 litres per team, verified by fuel card.
Trophies in Class 1: places 1 to 3. In Class 2: places 1 to 3 if there are at least five starters; with fewer, only the winner.
Race number 1 is reserved for the previous year’s Class 1 champion, if he wishes to use it.
Anyone who fails to attend the podium ceremony forfeits all prizes and 5 championship points.
The weekend
Five races are held at each event. At the Le Mans round there are four.
There is a single qualifying session for both classes. If there are many entries, it may be run separately.
Where possible, a race lasts at least 15 minutes.
In 2026 there are seven events with 34 races: Brands Hatch (Indy), Thruxton, Pembrey, Snetterton, Donington Park, Le Mans and Brands Hatch (Indy) once more.
A driver whose qualifying time is more than 110 per cent of the fastest time in their class is not automatically allowed to start. The stewards may still admit them.
Starting grid
Reversed grids are used from the third race onwards:
Race 1: fastest qualifying time.
Race 2: second-fastest qualifying time.
Race 3: result of race 1, with the top eight reversed.
Race 4: result of race 2, with the top eight reversed.
Race 5: result of race 3, with the top eight in each class reversed.
Newcomers always start at the back of the grid.
Penalties
Speeding in practice: the practice times are deleted and the driver starts the race from the back of the grid.
Speeding in the race (for more than 1 second): a 10-second time penalty the first time, a drive-through penalty the second time, disqualification the third time.
Jump start: a time penalty of at least 10 seconds.
Exceeding track limits: first it is noted, then the black-and-white flag, then 5 seconds, then a further 10 seconds, then a drive-through penalty and finally the black flag. The penalties are cumulative.
Anyone who goes faster than 170 km/h in a session is excluded from the event.
Basic rule
All classes follow the technical regulations of the European Championship, except for the lambda check, the data interface (CAN) and the front-axle caster angle.
The engine may have a maximum displacement of 13 litres. Trucks built to European Championship specification must use a 63-millimetre air restrictor.
The speed-measuring device must work properly; otherwise the truck is excluded from the race.
Class 2
Additional engine and technical requirements apply in Class 2:
The engine and ECU must be freely available on the open market; no factory racing engines.
The engine must have been in series production five years before the championship year.
Banned: the MAN D26, Iveco Cursor 13 and Buggyra/CAT C13 racing engines. Allowed: the older MAN D28 and a pre-2010 Iveco Cursor 13 without common-rail injection.
Electronic injection only, no purely mechanical systems.
The rear axle comes from a road truck (18-tonne rigid or 38-tonne articulated truck, load capacity of at least 11.5 tonnes).
Shock absorbers with one setting only (soft or hard). Anyone who upgrades significantly can be moved up to Class 1, and points already scored are not carried over.
Success restrictors
The organiser fits an air restrictor to the trucks of the top three in the championship: 63 millimetres for the leader, 65 millimetres for second place, 67 millimetres for third.
This slows down whoever is out in front. For the first round, the top three from the previous year’s standings receive one.
Tampering or incorrect fitting counts as a technical infringement.
Licence and class
Required: a British race licence for trucks (Motorsport UK Race National Truck) or a higher or international FIA truck licence, in each case with a medical certificate.
Access to Class 1: races in Class 1 within the last five years, or four Class 2 events with no more than four penalty points on the licence, or sufficient proof of experience.
Newcomers in Class 2: start at the back of the grid until they have completed 20 races with no more than four penalty points. In qualifying they must stay within 110 per cent of the fastest time in their class; otherwise they are excluded from the event.
Costs
Entry fee for the full season: £13,900.
Limited entry: £6,750 for three events, with Pembrey and Le Mans compulsory. Each additional event costs £2,250.
Penalty points on the licence are doubled and deducted from the championship points.
Sources: British Automobile Racing Club (BARC), 2026 British Truck Racing Championship regulations, version 1. As of: 9 October 2026. Information provided without guarantee; the official regulations are binding.
This page was translated automatically from German.German original →
