The 2026 TCR UK Touring Car Championship is shifting into a higher gear as two of the paddock’s most respected race-winning outfits, Capture Motorsport and MPHR, have officially announced a f joint venture for the upcoming season.

The newly unified squad brings together a wealth of experience and silverware. Last year, Capture Motorsport came close to clinching the Teams’ Championship, narrowly missing out during the season finale at Brands Hatch. By joining forces with MPHR, the team bolsters its eligibility to hunt down the title that eluded them by such a slim margin in 2025.

Leading the charge on the tarmac is a duo that blends raw speed with seasoned consistency. Race winner Brad Hutchison returns to the championship having already established himself as a perennial front-runner capable of fighting for the overall crown. Joining him is the reigning 2025 Goodyear Diamond Champion, Mark Smith, who is coming off the back of his most successful season to date, finishing ninth in the overall Drivers’ Standings.

In a clear statement of intent, both drivers have moved away from their previous CUPRA Leon Competición machinery in favour of the latest-specification CUPRA Leon VZ TCR. The VZ model turned heads during its championship debut last year, proving to be the benchmark for performance and reliability.

While Mark Smith has opted to purchase his Leon VZ TCR outright, Brad Hutchison’s car has undergone an extensive factory-spec upgrade to bring it to the latest VZ standards. This technical progression is backed by long-term partner Elland Roofing Supplies, who have stepped up as the title sponsor for Hutchison’s 2026 campaign.

The management behind this merger is brimming with optimism. Leon Pegg, Team Manager at Capture Motorsport, noted that the collaboration felt like a “natural course” to take.

“Brad has developed into a fast driver with race wins to his credit, and the team extracted the best from Mark at last year’s finale,” Pegg remarked. “Combining our efforts with both drivers now in newer TCR cars gives us immense confidence heading into the new season.”

Martin Hutchison, MPHR Team Manager, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the hard work required to remain competitive in such a high-stakes environment. “We have the opportunity to work with a race-winning outfit in Capture Motorsport. I’m excited about the fruits of our joint labour as we look to challenge for wins and titles,” he added.

For Mark Smith, the 2026 season is about evolution and defence. “The move to the latest spec of the Cupra Leon VZ TCR will only make things better,” Smith said. “I improved as a driver throughout 2025, and I cannot wait to get back on track to defend my Diamond title.”

Championship Manager Jack Finlan praised the commitment of the new joint venture. “It’s a great time to be part of TCR UK,” Finlan said. “Seeing established stars like Brad and Mark move to newer cars shows their dedication to achieving the best results possible. 2026 is building up to be our best season yet.”