TOCA Junior Championship Reimagined for 2026
The new TOCA Junior championship, initially scheduled to debut in 2025, has been pushed back to 2026. The decision comes after a period of reassessment aimed at enhancing the series’ appeal and managing costs more effectively. TOCA Junior was intended to replace Ginetta Junior at British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) events following the manufacturer’s shift to the British GT package in 2023. The original plan featured a bespoke rear-wheel-drive tin-top called the Chevron B1417, but the series struggled to attract sufficient entries. Despite a strong turnout of successful teams at the championship’s official launch in August 2022, only two teams—Graves Motorsport and Toro Verde—officially committed to the series. This lack of interest compelled the organizers to rethink their strategy.
Centralized Car Operation to Reduce Costs
To address the issue, series director Dave Beecroft announced that all cars in the TOCA Junior championship will be centrally run in 2026. This approach aims to significantly reduce costs for participants. Beecroft, who has experience with centrally-run categories from his time as an engineer in the SEAT Cupra Championship that supported the BTCC in the mid-2000s, explained the rationale behind this decision. "The parents I’ve spoken to all like this idea because they don’t have to negotiate with teams," he said. "You can’t chequebook it with doing lots of testing because we can control the testing—it massively reduces the costs. I think if we had gone down this route in the first place, we would’ve had a lot of interest. When you look at it from a cost point of view, it makes so much more sense." This centralized operation will ensure a level playing field and make the series more accessible for young drivers.
Potential for Future Success
Despite the delay, Beecroft remains optimistic about the championship’s future. He believes that the decision to focus on 2026 will allow organizers to better market and promote the series to a fresh group of teenage karters. "We’ve got a year to market and promote it to the karters," Beecroft added. This extra time will enable the series to build a stronger foundation and attract more interest from young drivers and their families. The revised format and cost-control measures are expected to make the TOCA Junior championship a more attractive option for aspiring racers looking to make their mark in motorsport.
Impact on BTCC Schedules
The postponement of the TOCA Junior championship leaves a significant gap in the BTCC schedules, as it was set to appear at all 10 events in 2025. However, BTCC boss Alan Gow has stated that it is too late to introduce major replacements or changes to the calendar. "It’s obviously too late to put in any replacements," Gow explained. "People aren’t going to change their calendars in February or March—it’s too late in everyone’s diary to do that." The existing support series, including British Formula 4, Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Porsche Sprint Challenge GB, and Mini Challenge, will continue to run alongside the BTCC, ensuring that the overall race day experience remains robust and engaging for fans.
Open to Future Adjustments
While immediate changes to the calendar are not feasible, Gow is open to the possibility of adding a one-off TOCA Junior event later in the season. "Perhaps. I’m always open to that," he said. This flexibility indicates that the BTCC management is keen to support the new series and will explore opportunities to integrate it into the racing lineup as soon as it is ready. The focus for now is on ensuring that the existing support series continue to thrive and provide a diverse and exciting racing environment.
Looking Forward to 2026
With the new format and centralized car operation in place, the TOCA Junior championship is poised to make a strong debut in 2026. The organizers are committed to marketing and promoting the series to ensure it becomes a popular and successful entry-level platform for young drivers. By lowering the financial barrier and providing a well-managed, competitive environment, TOCA Junior aims to bridge the gap between karting and circuit racing, offering a clear pathway for aspiring racers to pursue their dreams. The series’ future looks promising, and motorsport enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating its arrival on the BTCC scene.
