West Surrey Racing Prepares for British GT Championship Debut
West Surrey Racing (WSR), a powerhouse in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with 137 victories and 18 championships, is set to enter the fiercely competitive British GT Championship’s GT4 class for the first time in 2026. The team will debut its BMW M4 GT4 Evo at the prestigious Silverstone 500 this weekend.
Carl Mitchell, WSR’s Sporting and Operations Director, emphasized that the transition to GT racing has been anticipated for years, albeit delayed. “We’ve got a wealth of experience with our personnel, and we aim to develop a structured routine,” he stated. The team is aware of the challenges ahead, particularly regarding pit stops, driver changes, and the overall rhythm of GT weekends.
The driver lineup features four-time BTCC champion Colin Turkington, returning to full-time racing, partnered with Ernie Graham, who has extensive rally experience and is transitioning to circuit racing. “Colin is a true professional driver; his feedback is invaluable,” Mitchell remarked, highlighting Turkington’s role in mentoring Graham through the adaptation process.
Mitchell acknowledged the commitment of both drivers. “This is a fully committed GT programme for WSR, and we will focus on delivering results while learning and improving,” he noted. The team aims to perform strongly at their first race and establish themselves in the championship.
Looking to the future, WSR is considering expanding its GT portfolio. “The natural progression is to add a second GT4 car and potentially a GT3 entry. We want to gauge our performance before making those decisions,” Mitchell concluded.
WSR’s foray into the British GT Championship signifies a significant evolution for the team, paving the way for future expansion in the GT racing landscape.
