Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 3-series returning to BTCC for 2019

Race-tuned 330i M Sport to debut at Brand Hatch in April, with reigning champ Colin Turkington amongst its drivers

BMW has revealed its new BTCC racer for the 2019 season, and it’s a version of the new 330i M Sport. The 3-series hasn’t been seen in the championship since it was replaced by the 125i M Sport in 2013, but now it is back, piloted by three-time BTCC champion Colin Turkington, alongside teammate Tom Oliphant, who was a newcomer to the the series last year.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The race-tuned 330i M Sports will make their first track appearance at Brands Hatch on 6-7 April. With 31 of Turkington’s 46 BTCC wins claimed in BMWs, we’d say the new car is in good hands.

> BMW touring cars - the all-time greatest hits

West Surrey Racing has been the driving force behind BMW’s BTCC efforts for over a decade now, and will remain so for 2019. As well as the two Team BMW cars, WSR will also run a third 3-series for 2013 champion Andrew Jordan, who will be driving under the BMW Pirtek Racing banner. Team Principal at West Surrey Racing, Dick Bennetts, said: ‘We are delighted to be bringing the BMW 3-series back to the BTCC. We achieved a great deal of success with the fifth-generation model between 2007 and 2012, so we are hugely excited to see what the latest version is capable of.’

The 3-series has had an extremely successful history in BTCC, claiming five drivers’ titles and two manufacturers’ crowns between 1988 and 2009 thanks to drivers such as Frank Sytner and, of course, Turkington. Of the 3-series’ return, the latter said: ‘As far as pre-seasons go, it doesn’t get much better than this! Back in 2009 I clinched my first drivers’ title in a BMW 3-series, and to commence a new chapter with the new model for Team BMW is a dream come true.’

With the next-generation BMW 1-series expected to adopt front-wheel-drive, the switch to the real-wheel-drive 3-series for BTCC could prove to be a wise one.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era
Jaguar 2026 front
News

New Jaguar GT seen on the road: 1000bhp production car prepares to launch Jag’s new era

Jaguar’s new electric GT continues testing ahead its late-2025 reveal
7 Feb 2025
Alpine A110 R Ultime is faster than a 991 Turbo S at the Nürburgring
Alpine A110 Ultime
News

Alpine A110 R Ultime is faster than a 991 Turbo S at the Nürburgring

The most focussed A110 yet lowers the Nordschleife time of the A110 R by 20 seconds, going some way to justifying its expected £180,000 price tag
7 Feb 2025
Polestar 1 (2019 - 2022) – review, history and specs of a modern unicorn
Polestar 1 front
Reviews

Polestar 1 (2019 - 2022) – review, history and specs of a modern unicorn

One of the most appealing electrified vehicles on offer from any manufacturer, but not without its flaws
8 Feb 2025