Power Maxed Racing Dominates BTCC Knockhill Practice
Power Maxed Racing showcased an exceptional performance in the British Touring Car Championship free practice session at Knockhill, securing a triumphant 1-2-4 finish. This outstanding result comes precisely one year after a catastrophic fire ravaged their facility. The Midlands-based team, known for its resilience, effectively demonstrated its robust resurgence, with its drivers occupying top positions in the practice session.
This weekend at Knockhill marks a monumental occasion for Power Maxed Racing, which has expanded its entry to four cars for the first time. The team's successful return and commanding performance in practice not only highlight their engineering prowess and strategic planning but also underscore their determination to overcome adversity. The impressive showing, particularly by Aiden Moffat and Dexter Patterson, sets a high bar for the upcoming races and signals a strong competitive presence for the team in the championship.
Dominant Performance by Power Maxed Racing
Power Maxed Racing delivered a commanding performance during the free practice session of the British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill, achieving an impressive 1-2-4 finish. This remarkable comeback occurred exactly one year after a severe fire had devastated their facilities and destroyed their Vauxhall Astras. The team's new Audi A3 Saloons proved highly competitive, with Aiden Moffat leading the pack, followed closely by Dexter Patterson, securing a Scottish 1-2. Mikey Doble, the highest-ranked Power Maxed Racing driver in the championship standings, further solidified the team's strong presence by finishing fourth. Patterson's intense pursuit of a faster lap saw him briefly lose control at Duffus Dip, but he skillfully regained the circuit, illustrating the high stakes and competitive nature of the session. The team's success underscores a year of dedicated rebuilding and strategic development, culminating in a powerful return to form.
The weekend at Knockhill held particular significance for Power Maxed Racing, as it marked their debut as a four-car entry, showcasing their ambitious expansion. Nick Halstead returned to the BTCC for the first time in 2026 with the team, completing the 23-car field. Other notable performances included Dan Rowbottom of Plato Racing Mercedes A35 Saloons, who secured the third-fastest time, and Adam Morgan, who finished fifth. Rowbottom also recorded the fastest theoretical best time by merging his best sector times, despite being one of six drivers, including Lewis Selby and James Dorlin, to incur penalties for track-limits violations. Chris Smiley of Restart Racing and reigning champion Tom Ingram of Excelr8 Motorsport, both driving Hyundai i30 N Fastbacks, secured sixth and seventh places, respectively. Daryl De Leon in his West Surrey Racing BMW and Aron Taylor-Smith of Speedworks Motorsport Toyota also featured prominently, along with Ricky Collard, who celebrated an extended deal with Excelr8, securing his participation for three additional rounds.
Competitive Landscape and Track Challenges
The free practice session at Knockhill not only highlighted Power Maxed Racing's exceptional form but also revealed a highly competitive landscape with various teams and drivers vying for top positions. Beyond Power Maxed Racing's dominant 1-2-4 finish, other teams demonstrated strong performances, indicating a challenging weekend ahead for all competitors. The Plato Racing Mercedes A35 Saloons, driven by Dan Rowbottom and Adam Morgan, showed significant speed, with Rowbottom even setting the theoretical best lap time. However, the session was not without its difficulties, as several drivers, including Rowbottom, faced penalties for exceeding track limits, underscoring the tight margins and demanding nature of the Knockhill circuit. These penalties led to black flags for some, emphasizing the strict adherence to regulations required in the championship.
The practice session saw a diverse range of vehicles and drivers performing at a high level. Hyundai i30 N Fastbacks, piloted by Chris Smiley and reigning champion Tom Ingram, consistently held strong positions, securing sixth and seventh places. Further down the field, Daryl De Leon in his West Surrey Racing BMW and Aron Taylor-Smith in the Speedworks Motorsport-run Toyota Corolla GR Sports showcased their capabilities, finishing eighth and ninth respectively. Ricky Collard, whose deal with Excelr8 was recently extended, also made a solid showing, completing the top ten. Notably, championship leader Ash Sutton and his NAPA Ford Focus Titanium teammates from Alliance Racing found themselves in the midfield, occupying positions 13 through 16. This distribution of performance suggests that while Power Maxed Racing made an impressive start, the competition remains fierce, and the upcoming races at Knockhill are expected to be intensely contested.