NAPA Racing UK adopts the saloon version of the Ford Focus for its 2026 BTCC challenge
27 February 2026 
NAPA Racing UK has opted to use the saloon-based Titanium Ford Focus to mount its challenge of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
The team’s driver line-up for the 2026 season includes four-time champion Ash Sutton, title contender Dan Cammish, race winner Sam Osborne and debutant Lewis Selby, and it has made no secret of its desire to introduce a new machine into the UK’s premier motorsport series.
The hatchback version of the Focus has guided NAPA Racing UK to a total of 36 wins and six titles since its debut in 2022. The front three-quarters of the new car bears a striking resemblance to the old car, as does the wheelbase. However, it’s towards the rear where things have changed, with new bodywork forming a sleeker, more aerodynamically efficient look that will help reduce drag. In addition, the changes to the cars should make them slightly lighter, which will aid performance.
Whilst the team evaluated several different options, the decision to remain with the Ford marque has also guaranteed that NAPA Racing UK’s long-standing and successful association with engine builders, Mountune, will continue.
All four cars will take part in a shakedown in the coming days before going on to attend the official championship pre-season tests at Croft and Brands Hatch.
Commenting on the launch, Antonio Carrozza, NAPA Racing UK Lead Engineer, said: “This is an exciting time for the entire team. It was a lengthy process to come to this decision, such were the options we had, but we feel like the saloon version of the Focus is the way to go.
The ultimate goal is to reduce aerodynamic drag. We highlighted that as an area we wanted to address last season, and this move to a different shape allows us to do just that; there are many elements that remain the same to the car, however, there will be some fine-tuning required.
Everyone involved in this project has done a fantastic job, and now the exciting bit comes next: to head out on track and begin dialling the car into what we hope will be a championship challenger.”
Pete Osborne, Alliance Racing Team Owner, added: “I can’t wait to get going. We’ve had a very busy winter with the team behind the scenes working relentlessly on reworking the Focus into a virtually new car, one that looks stunning.
“We’ve got a good test programme scheduled in for March, where the drivers and engineers will get to work on understanding the changes to the new car. Everyone is very excited for this year, and we’ll be doing our best to get the number one back on our car.”
Steve Richardson, Managing Director of NAPA UK / Alliance Automotive Group UK&IE Ltd, continued: “Having seen the methodical process in selecting this year’s car, I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made during the off-season. Being able to continue with Ford, having had so much success in previous years, along with Mountune, means we have the cornerstones of what is shaping up to be an exciting season on track.”
It’s not just the BTCC challenger that has been overhauled in recent months either, as changes have been afoot when it comes to the MINI CHALLENGE JCW car too.
Both cars, which will be driven by Joe Tanner and Cameron Richardson this season, have been fitted with the new F66 body kit, which is being rolled out across the grid after debuting on a development car last year.
BriSCA F1 driver Jack France will also head into the forthcoming season with a new machine to contend with as he looks to compete against the very best at both national and international levels.
Following the sale of one of the two stock cars that helped guide him towards the World Final yet again last year, France and his team have been fine-tuning things, ready for lights out in a couple of weeks’ time.
The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season commences at Donington Park on April 18-19.
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