Race two grid format changed for 2016

Following the annual TOCA/BTCC teams’ end of season meeting, a solitary change will be implemented for the 2016 campaign.

In what was a season of unpredictability and high drama which culminated in Gordon Shedden being crowned a two-time champion, TOCA trialled a variety of new regulations. One, which came under scrutiny by many, was that race two grid positions would be determined by fastest lap times in race one.

Proving to be hit-and-miss down the paddock and with the fans, a decision has been made to revert back to the old format of deciding the race two starting grid – the finishing positions of race one.

Whilst it was important to pick up points in every race, some drivers elected to use race one to set a competitive lap time – often choosing to start from the pit lane. Team BMR’s Jason Plato was the first of the championship protagonists to use the strategy at Croft, with many others following suit from then on for the rest of the campaign.

In total, Plato captured pole position on three occasions, as did Motorbase Performances’ Mat Jackson who only competed in five events. Champion Shedden notched two pole positions for race two whilst Sam Tordoff and Colin Turkington also found themselves setting the pace early on race days to take one apiece.

Increased success ballast and limitations on what race drivers can run the soft tyre will remain the same for next season after also being changed for 2015.