The three champions of the 2025 TCR UK season will be given the opportunity to test a BTCC car as part of their prize after the end of the 2025 campaign.

The overall champion will be joined by the Gen 1 Cup and Goodyear Diamond winner in trying out an NGTC Vauxhall Astra with Power Maxed Racing, with the backing of tyre supplier Goodyear.

With TCR UK moving to BTCC organising club BARC for this year this is an attempt to allow the TCR format to become a ground for preparation for prospective BTCC drivers, with Power Maxed themselves running two rookie racers in the series in two examples of the Hyundai i30 N TCR machine.

Goodyear Tyres manager Mickey Butler said: “Drivers put in a lot of hard work during a race season, so it’s good to see that the three champions from TCR UK this year will be rewarded with the opportunity to step up to the next level and test drive a current BTCC spec car. Goodyear are proud to be the official Tyre Partner to TCR UK and to be involved in this amazing prize.”

This will be the second time Goodyear has offered this opportunity. In 2021 Lewis Kent – on the back of a second successive TCR UK title – was gifted a test by Butler and Goodyear, going on to run a Motorbase Ford Focus in very wet conditions, outpacing the regular BTCC drivers who had set marker times.

Series promoter Stewart Lines brought Goodyear (under the Dunlop brand) to the championship under his tenure as TCR UK boss. “I’m incredibly grateful for the support that Micky Butler and Goodyear have provided to TCR UK since they came on board back in 2019,” he stated. “Their ongoing commitment to the championship is a clear sign of their belief in the TCR concept and its growing stature within UK Motorsport. The BTCC Test prize means that Goodyear will be supporting this year’s TCR champions as they learn about current spec NGTC cars. Goodyear are a very loyal and supportive championship partner, and we look forward to working together with them ahead of the start of the 2025 season.”

Lines himself raced a Power Maxed BTCC Astra in 2019 at Donington Park as part of the season finale for the Touring Car Trophy, which incorporated the TCR UK championship, while Power Maxed, who return to TCR UK this year, have had successful seasons in the series with race wins and championship challenges with former racer Jac Constable.