Plans for a new junior category to support the British Touring Car Championship from 2027 have been revealed. The series will feature a bespoke rear-wheel-drive car developed by Power Maxed Racing.
The new car will be designed by long-time PMR technical director Martin Broadhurst in partnership with PMR engineers and is set to feature a sequential gearbox.
PMR chief Adam Weaver said the exact specification of the car is still being determined and told Autosport it could be powered either by a naturally-aspirated engine or “it may well be a low-litreage 1.2 or 1.4 turbo”.
“It would be nice to have a car on display three or four rounds into the BTCC next year,” he added.
The championship will be operated by PMR’s sister operation Power Maxed Motorsport and follows unsuccessful attempts to launch an unrelated new junior series on the BTCC undercard this year.
The TOCA Junior Championship was also due to feature a bespoke rear-wheel-drive racer and was masterminded by Junior Saloon Cars boss Dave Beecroft.
However, amid a lack of interest from drivers and teams in the Chevron B1417 machine, the category’s launch was postponed until 2026. Then, in July, it was revealed that BTCC organiser TOCA had ended its association with Beecroft.
At the time, BTCC chief executive Alan Gow said he would evaluate alternative proposals for a new championship and has now selected to go with the PMR-spearheaded option.
Alan Gow
Photo by: JEP
“We are pleased to announce the introduction of a dedicated Junior championship within the BTCC package, commencing in 2027,” said Gow.
“Having received expressions of interest, it was clear that Power Maxed Racing were best placed to independently develop, build and supply the bespoke car for this exciting new championship.
“We look forward to sharing these plans as the programme progresses. We remain committed to creating the ideal and highest profile stepping stone for emerging talent and supporting the UK’s ongoing legacy of producing top-level racing drivers.”
Power Maxed recently suffered a devastating fire at its Midlands headquarters that destroyed its Vauxhall Astra BTCC machines, alongside a host of other cars and equipment.
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It has been able to remain on the BTCC grid by fielding a pair of Cupra Leons sourced from other teams and drivers and is now working on a long-term solution for next year.
“We’re still waiting for a manufacturer to step forward and offer us shells,” said Weaver about the plans to build new cars.
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