[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bmw-3-series-returning-to-btcc-grid-in-2019\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bmw-3-series-returning-to-btcc-grid-in-2019\/","headline":"BMW 3 Series returning to BTCC grid in 2019","name":"BMW 3 Series returning to BTCC grid in 2019","description":"The BMW 3 Series returns to the British Touring Car Championship for 2019, with reigning drivers’ champion Colin Turkington at the wheel. BMW has announced the impending return of the legendary 3 Series, its best-selling model worldwide, to the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) for the 2019 season. The 3 Series has a storied history in the BTCC, picking up two manufacturers’ championships and five drivers’ titles between 1988 and 2009, including back-to-back triumphs for Will Hoy, Tim Harvey and […]","datePublished":"2019-03-20","dateModified":"2019-03-20","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BMW-3-Series-BTCC-2019-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BMW-3-Series-BTCC-2019-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bmw-3-series-returning-to-btcc-grid-in-2019\/","about":["BMW","LATEST CAR NEWS","MOTORSPORT"],"wordCount":323,"keywords":["bmw","BMW 3 SERIES BTCC"],"articleBody":"The BMW 3 Series returns to the British Touring Car Championship for 2019, with reigning drivers’ champion Colin Turkington at the wheel.BMW has announced the impending return of the legendary 3 Series, its best-selling model worldwide, to the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) for the 2019 season.The 3 Series has a storied history in theBTCC, picking up two manufacturers’ championships and five drivers’ titlesbetween 1988 and 2009, including back-to-back triumphs for Will Hoy, Tim Harveyand Joachim Winkelhock from 1991-93.In 2013, the 3 Series was replaced by the 125i M Sport, which has delivered a further two drivers’ trophies and three manufacturers’ crowns. And now, in turn, the 125i M Sport is to be phased out to make way for the latest iteration of the 3 Series, the 330i M Sport.With the seventh generation of the road-going3 Series debuting this month, the 330i M Sport will make its bow at the openingevent of the new BTCC season at Brands Hatch’s Indy Circuit on April 6th and7th.Behind the wheel will be reigning champion Colin Turkington, who can thank BMW for helping to deliver 31 of his 46 BTCC race wins – memorably including the Bavarian marque’s 100th BTCC victory, at Thruxton in 2017.Turkington’s car, as well as that of his hotlyrated teammate Tom Oliphant, will be fielded by BMW’s long-term partner WestSurrey Racing. Due to a sponsorship clash, a third 330i M Sport will be driven by 2013 drivers’ champion Andrew Jordan out of the same stable, but under the BMW Pirtek Racing banner.Graeme Grieve, chief executive of BMW UK,said: \u201cThe BMW 3 Series has a rich and successful history competing in the BTCCand we are extremely proud to see that tradition continue. “This all-new BMW 3 Series is theroad-going dynamic benchmark and we have a great track record working with ourpartners at West Surrey Racing, so 2019 looks set to be a very exciting yearfor us in the BTCC.\u201d "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"BMW 3 Series returning to BTCC grid in 2019","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bmw-3-series-returning-to-btcc-grid-in-2019\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]