With the new season drawing closer, we take a look at the headlines from January 2024…

10 January:
Scott Sumpton will make his BTCC debut in 2024 after inking a deal with Restart Racing. Sumpton is the first debutant confirmed on the grid for the season and will partner Chris Smiley in a two-car line-up.

11 January:
Dexter Patterson will not be back for a third season on the grid after switching into the GT4 European Series with the new Mahiki Racing team. Patterson will partner former MINI CHALLENGE racer Stephen Lake in a Lotus Emira GT4.

17 January:
Jack Butel won’t be part of the grid in 2024 after confirming a switch to the Porsche Carrera Cup for the new season. Butel will line up with the Toro Verde team as he ends his BTCC stint after four years.

18 January:
Dan Lloyd has become the third driver from Team HARD’s 2023 line-up to confirm a move away from the BTCC for the new season. Like Jack Butel, Lloyd will move to the Carrera Cup GB with the Toro Verde outfit.

20 January:
Speaking in New Zealand, WSR Dick Bennetts has confirmed his team has three drivers signed for 2024 and that a new engine is being developed for the new season. With Jake Hill already confirmed, Colin Turkington and Adam Morgan are both also expected to return, although Stephen Jelley is expected to move on.

22 January:
As anticipated, Stephen Jelley won’t be on the grid with WSR, with issues around the construction industry – the core family business – leading to a change in his plans for 2024. Jelley is now expected to join the list of drivers moving into the Carrera Cup GB.

30 January:
Rory Butcher is the latest driver to bow out of the BTCC ahead of 2024 having elected to take a sabbatical from the series. Rumours suggested that the Scot wouldn’t be part of the Speedworks team this season, and he has now elected to take a year out to focus on other commitments. He is expected to compete in GT racing during the new season.

31 January:
Josh Cook moves over to Speedworks for the new season after inking a deal to compete in one of two Toyotas being run as a satellite squad. Cook will compete under the LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ banner, meaning the Toyota Gazoo Racing UK entry is slimmed from three cars down to two.