WSR to Expand Into GT Racing in 2026

West Surrey Racing, stalwarts of the British Touring Car Championship, have announced plans to branch out into GT racing starting in 2026.

The venture, aimed at competing in “high-level GT racing,” will run alongside the team’s existing BTCC program with BMW.

WSR has been highly successful in touring car racing, taking a total of 18 overall BTCC titles since 2009.

The team is looking at both GT3 and GT4 programs, with series including GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, British GT Championship, Michelin 24H Series and GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club currently being evaluated, as well as single-make series.

“This is the start of a new era for WSR and may surprise a few people, but it’s something we’ve been evaluating ever since we were asked to put together a GT program a few years ago, but decided it wasn’t quite the right time,” said Dick Bennetts, WSR team principal and managing director.

“GT racing is now at an all-time high, making this the perfect moment to move into the space alongside our BTCC program.

“There’s still work to do, like finalising which manufacturer or manufacturers we align with, selecting the right series and bolstering our team with technical and operational personnel with GT racing experience.

“By declaring our intentions now, we give ourselves the best chance to be fully up-to-speed by the start of the 2026 season.”

Carl Mitchell, the team’s sporting and operations director, added: “When I was appointed to my role last winter, it was my intention to use it to diversify WSR’s motorsport activities outside touring cars.

“It’s taken a lot of work behind the scenes to get to this point, but we are now in a position to make a commitment to GT racing in the UK and further afield.

“We are currently in dialogue with several of GT racing’s most prominent manufacturers as we close on the ideal package for this first campaign.

“We have the capability to compete in either GT3, GT4 or single-make series – or all three – and have the kind of track record across various disciplines that few organizations in the UK can match. It’s a very exciting time.”