Double TCR UK champion Lewis Kent will make a return to the series in 2026 with SVG Motorsport who will run a Lynk & Co 03 for the current Civic Cup racer.

Kent raced through the first five seasons of TCR UK, taking nine wins on his way to those titles before stepping back from the championship to race on the TCR UK support package.

“I’m really excited about the upcoming season with SVG Motorsport and the Lynk & Co,” he said. “I think the 2026 season will be one of TCR UK’s strongest years yet, and I can’t wait to start this new venture with a fresh team and a fresh car, and hopefully we’ll enjoy plenty of success along the way.”

The announcement automatically places Kent as a championship favourite for next term. Along with the experience and ability that Kent brings to the table, the Lynk & Co has proved to be a front runner in TCR UK in outings in the right hands, with Viktor Anderssen and Max Hall putting the car right at the front of the field in sporadic appearances over the last two seasons.

SVG Motorsport team owner Andy Johnson said: “We feel that this is a very strong driver/car combination. Combined with a winter test program already in place, we feel that SVG Motorsport have a very strong package for our assault on our 2026 debut TCR UK campaign. Given his history, Lewis is exactly the kind of driver we’ve been looking for to join SVG Motorsport for our debut season.”

Director of Motorsport Development Russell Birch added, “SVG Motorsport are very excited and looking forward to having the very accomplished TCR driver and two-time TCR champion Lewis Kent piloting our very capable Lynk & Co 03 TCR car for 2026. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes for a little while now to bring this deal together. With Lewis driving the Lynk & Co, I feel that we are now in a strong position to fight for the 2026 TCR UK Championship.”

Kent will be looking to return to the top of the all-time TCR UK wins column after five seasons racing the Hyundai i30 N and Veloster N. In his final season he jumped to the top of the list above current BTCC racer Dan Lloyd, and was equalled by former BTCC racer Carl Boardley last term. This year a dominant Adam Shepherd moved to the top of the totals claiming his 14th race win on Saturday.

The announcement is a strong indicator of the forward motion that TCR UK is currently seeing. After its biggest field for two seasons last weekend at Brands Hatch, the interest in the series is once again on the rise with the organisers providing a calendar next year that puts the championship in front of large Truck Racing and British GT audiences, as well as two headline events at circuits that traditionally attract above average crowds.

Championship manager Jack Finlan said of the return of Kent and the arrival of SVG: “It’s great to see that Lewis will be making his return to TCR UK next season. He has been a fantastic ambassador for the championship in his previous seasons and has remained competitive during his time in the Milltek Civic Cup. Lewis returning to the grid is a clear sign of the forward steps made by the championship this year. I’m pleased that we can announce our first entry for the 2026 season, as SVG Motorsport prepare to make their touring car debut, further expanding their presence in our paddocks. I welcome them to TCR UK and look forward to seeing how they progress next year.”