Some of the closest racing you’ll see anywhere is in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), and the West Surrey Racing team (WSR) has been very successful in the series for decades, mostly with BMWs.
For 2026, WSR continues to race the BMW 330i M Sport, which uses the turbocharged four-cylinder motor tuned to around 350hp and a six-speed Xtrac sequential gearbox. To keep costs lower, the series mandates that all cars use many of the same components, including the gearbox and differential, clutch, front and rear subframes, suspension, brakes and ECU. In race trim, the 330i M Sport weighs around 2,987 lbs., which is around 650 lbs. less than a 330i road car.
There are two drivers competing in the full BTCC season with WSR, with Charles Rainford driving the #99 car and Daryl De Leon in the #2. In 18 races so far this year (BTCC has three races per race weekend), the duo has four podium finishes and two wins, as well as six other top five finishes. Rainford has both wins, with one at Snetterton in late May and another at Oulton Park in early June. “To get a win at Snetterton and now at Oulton Park too is just brilliant,” said Rainford after Oulton Park. “That was probably the fastest race I’ve ever driven. It was qualifying laps from start to end – with two safety-car periods in between – and I’m super, super happy. I’m so thankful to my sponsors and the amazing WSR team.” De Leon has two podium finishes, both at Snetterton.
With four rounds and 12 races left, Rainford is fifth in the drivers’ championship and De Leon is 11th, while WSR is third in the team championship. Both drivers are doing better in the Independent Trophy points, which are counted for drivers that are not receiving financial or technical backing from a manufacturer. De Leon is second in the points for that title chase, while Rainford is right behind him in third.
Charles Rainford celebrates a win at Oulton Park.
The BTCC races next at Donington Park on August 22nd-23rd, followed by race weekends at Croft, Silverstone and Brands Hatch. You can follow along with the BTCC on their YouTube page.
—David Haueter
[Photos by WSR]