TOCA has today confirmed that the British Touring Car Championship season start will be delayed, with the first three events at Donington Park, Brands Hatch and Silverstone being postponed until later in the year.
The UK government announced on Monday that all non-essential social contact should be avoided, with people urged to work from home and not travel unless essential.
On Monday, TOCA had confirmed that the public would not be permitted to attend the season launch at Silverstone in a last-minute change of policy.
The BTCC season will now not begin until the event at Thruxton on 16 – 17 May at the earliest.
The full statement reads:
“Yesterday (16 March) the government introduced updated coronavirus directives. These included asking citizens to avoid all non-essential social contact and non-essential travel, as well as advising of the withdrawal of the provision of emergency services to mass gatherings.
“TOCA of course completely respects the government’s directives. The health of our entire nation – not just our competitors, fans, marshals, officials and personnel – is of absolute importance.
“Accordingly, the start of the 2020 BTCC must now be delayed and we therefore advise the postponement of our first three events:
- Donington Park (March 28/29)
- Brands Hatch (April 11/12)
- Silverstone (April 25/26)
“Clearly the COVID-19 situation is ever-changing and incredibly challenging for everyone. Our firm intention is to run the full season of ten events and we will work closely with the circuits and our stakeholders in order to reschedule new dates for all postponed events.
“These will be confirmed and announced when there is further clarity regarding the eventual resumption of major sporting events.”
More to follow…