Of course, I absolutely love Formula 1 and some might even call me a fanatic, but I also have a real passion for the British Touring Car Championship.
When I was younger, we used to attend the Days of Thunder events at a local track just 20 minutes away, Rockingham Motor Speedway. I used to love watching the cars thunder around the oval, taking in the noise, the speed, and the sheer excitement. They ran ASCAR, the UK’s answer to NASCAR, along with pickup trucks and the brilliant Mini Legends. Watching them jostle for space on the track, especially the Minis, always made me smile.
Sadly, those events eventually stopped running. The track was sold and later turned into a car storage facility. It’s a real shame because Rockingham had so much potential. Over time, it was left to deteriorate, with the grandstands eventually deemed unsafe after years of neglect.
So I was thrilled when I discovered the British Touring Car Championship. These races are genuinely exciting to watch. The championship is full of talented and entertaining drivers, which keeps things unpredictable and engaging. It is not unusual to see different winners in each race, and that variety really adds to the excitement.
Unlike Formula One, BTCC often delivers races packed with overtakes, some a little questionable, and thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles throughout the field. For me, the final race of the day is always the highlight. By that point, there is nothing left to lose and it is often when the boldest moves and riskiest decisions are made. The drama this adds to the championship is just brilliant.
One of the things I love most about BTCC is the lack of snobbery. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed. You can wander into the paddock during the lunch break without needing a brightly coloured VIP pass. No one gets ignored and you are never made to feel like an outsider. The drivers are down to earth, approachable, and happy to chat. It is not unusual to bump into one just walking through the paddock. There are no swarms of photographers or pushing crowds chasing autographs. Instead, it feels like a proper family-friendly event.
I remember my brother casually wishing Ash Sutton, a multiple-time champion, a good morning. Rather than brushing him off or walking past in silence, Ash simply nodded and returned the greeting. It was a small moment, but it really stuck with me. It felt completely different from the polished and distant atmosphere that often surrounds Formula One.
And this kind of experience is not unusual. While attending the Autosport International show at the NEC, we queued up to meet Tom Ingram. He spent so much time chatting with us, which was honestly really lovely, especially as I was a little nervous to meet him. Our conversation lasted so long that a queue started to build behind us. We could have talked for ages, and at no point did he try to hurry us along. In the end, we had to gently wrap things up ourselves, take a quick selfie, and thank him for his time. He was genuinely kind, very funny, and incredibly down to earth. If you have not already, take a look at his social media. He is a very entertaining guy, and his dog Yuri is absolutely adorable.#
With Donington Park being fairly close to me, it has naturally become one of my favourite races to attend each year. It usually features twice on the BTCC calendar, once at the start of the season and again later in August. With tickets priced far more reasonably than many other motorsport events, it makes for a brilliant day out or even a full weekend of racing.
I usually attend on the Sunday, and with adult tickets around £35, it is fantastic value for money. While Donington has just one main grandstand, most spectators bring their own chairs, windbreakers and umbrellas. Personally, I love having my own seat, and we find it easiest to pack our chairs and food into a trusty little trolley. There are no restrictions on bringing in food, so we often load up a freezer box with snacks and drinks for the day. Once you find your perfect viewing spot, you can even sneak in a cheeky little nap between races if the weather’s kind.
There are also plenty of stalls to browse, offering a great selection of motorsport merchandise. You can often find Formula One gear at much cheaper prices, along with collectables and rare items that are hard to come by elsewhere. The prices are reasonable, and the stallholders are always friendly, with a genuine passion for motorsport that makes chatting with them a pleasure.
Throughout the weekend, there are also opportunities to meet the drivers, including a pit walk during the lunch break. It is a brilliant way to get closer to the action and meet some of the biggest names in the championship.
And of course, there is no shortage of food stands offering a wide range of options at decent prices. This always comes in handy if you run out of soup or fancy a hot chocolate or portion of chips when the weather turns cold and rainy. Yes, it does rain—but honestly, I just snuggle into my chair, layer up, pull on my poncho and sit comfortably under my umbrella. By not sitting in the grandstand, I also avoid the worry of blocking anyone’s view next to me, which makes the experience even more relaxed.
I absolutely love Donington and cannot recommend these races enough. Here are a couple of tips for anyone planning to attend
Just like at Formula One general admission, you need to get to the gate early if you want a good spot. That said, we have arrived a little later than planned and still found space, although perhaps not exactly where we wanted.
Patience is key. Much like F1, you are not going to get out of the car park quickly. Donington sits beside a single carriageway road next to an airport, so it will take some time to get in and out of the track. It is a good idea to have some dinner planned to eat in the car or to keep some spare soup handy. There is no point getting frustrated because you will not get anywhere faster.
That said, be careful with your music choices while queuing. My brother and I got some interesting looks when we were singing Lil Jon’s Get Low with the windows down. Not exactly little ear-friendly!
Attending BTCC is a fantastic way to enjoy a motor race, especially considering the pricing of Formula One these days. Most importantly, have fun. Nobody is judging you here—we are all just passionate motor racing fans.
Have you ever been to a BTCC race? Perhaps Donnington? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Sincerely,
Catherine
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