The British Touring Car Championship will introduce an all-new qualifying format for the 2024 season, which will see the field split up into multiple groups and a new top-six showdown.
The championship has experimented with two-part qualifying sessions since 2020, but has only ever utilised a two-part qualifying session at a maximum of five events, which was in the 2023 season.
For next year, the new format has been confirmed as being in place at every round ‘and beyond’ and will feature a three-part split.
Following second practice, the field will be split into two groups. The drivers in odd position numbers (1, 3, 5 and so on) will go into one group, and the drivers that finished in even position numbers will go into the other group.
Each group will contest a separate ten-minute session as part of Qualifying 1. The fastest six drivers from each group will then advance into a top twelve Qualifying 2.
Qualifying 2 runs for ten minutes, and the fastest six drivers will advance to Qualifying 3 – the ‘Quick Six’.
In Qualifying 3, one final ten-minute session will be held to decide the top six grid positions for the opening race of the weekend.
The change was endorsed by teams at the recent scheduled end of season teams meeting.
“We’re always looking to bring further energy to the championship, but it’s also important that the competitive integrity remains,” said BTCC Chief Executive Alan Gow.
“I believe our new ‘Quick Six’ format will bring a heightened blend of competitiveness and intensity to BTCC qualifying. As well, it helps the drivers by reducing the amount of cars on track during all three of the qualifying segments.
“I’ve long admired the way IndyCar use this system for its road courses – it’s ideal for the BTCC and in keeping with our policy of providing short, sharp and intense action.
“The pressure will certainly be on the teams and drivers, more than ever before, to quickly ‘nail’ their qualifying laps in each short segment.”