Nick Halstead Lives The Dream
Youngsters are often told that it’s not the winning that matters, it’s the taking part and that was the approach taken by Nick Halstead as he embarked on his rookie season in the British Touring Car Championship.
Join the Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 Motorsport Team on track for the BTCC
We are proud to partner with current BTCC Champion Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton, Nick Halstead and newcomer Ronan Pearson, as they push themselves and their cars to the limit.
You can watch the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship on YouTube (Qualifying) and ITV4/ITVX (Races).
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About EXCELR8 Motorsport
EXCELR8 Motorsport was founded by the inspirational Justina Williams in 2010, competing in the MINI CHALLENGE and now, the BTCC. With countless race wins and podium finishes under their belt, the team has a bright future ahead which we're proud to support.
Spearheading the team at this year's championships are the talented two Toms, Tom Chilton, and Tom Ingram. Serial race winners across various levels of motorsport, they are now making the BTCC their own.
Rich motorsport heritage
For over 60 years, the BTCC has been one of the world's most famous motorsport championships, and it's not difficult to see why.
The Championship prides itself on being the most popular UK-only motorsport*, falling only behind global F1 and MotoGP audiences.
Since its inception, the BTCC has seen modified versions of everyday road cars go head-to-head, attracting millions of dedicated viewers worldwide with white-knuckle racing action.
*Source: Nielsen Fan Insights (January 2023): T2B Interest: United Kingdom
Latest news2023 Season Drivers and Results
Nick joined the Bristol Street Motors EXCELR8 team in November 2022, starting his first full BTCC season. Having previously raced with the team on a one-off in the 2021 series at Croft, Halstead decided to join the team full-time after witnessing its incredible potential.
Halstead has built up some impressive experience since his 2017 debut, despite him being a latecomer to racing, winning the AM category in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge in his second season.
Moving away from GT racing, Halstead joins teammates Chilton, Ingram and Pearson for the 2023 season, focussing on achieving class honours. Halstead will be eligible for the Jack Sears trophy which is awarded to drivers who have not yet scored an overall podium finish.
Race Schedule
The championship sees drivers race in various locations, starting at Donington Park in late April and ending at Brands Hatch GP in early October. With three races a day, the BTCC promises audiences both value for money and maximum entertainment in an action-packed atmosphere, where the excitement is truly never-ending.
Donnington Park National
22 - 23 Apr
Brands Hatch Indy
06 - 07 May
Snetterton 300
20 - 21 May
Thruxton
03 - 04 Jun
Oulton Park Island
17 - 18 Jun
Croft
29 - 30 Jul
Knockhill
12 - 13 Aug
Donnington Park GP
26 - 27 Aug
Silverstone National
23 - 24 Sep
Brands Hatch GP
07 - 08 Oct
The team has been given a new look for the 2023 season, with a new specifically-designed livery for both the drivers and cars.
The EXCELR8 Motorsport team brought Hyundai to the BTCC for the first time in 2020, with the design and build of new vehicles that were based on the Hyundai i30 N Fastback Performance. The introduction of the new Hyundai model has seen the EXCELR8 team become regular contenders for top ten finishes.
The EXCELR8 team for the 2023 season includes Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton, Nick Halstead, and Ronan Pearson, lining up in four of the most striking cars on the grid.
The new 271bhp, front-wheel drive i30 N Fastback comes with increased torsional stiffness compared to previous versions, thanks to its coupe-like bodyshell. The model offers a favourable combination of wheelbase, track width and drag coefficient that makes it ideal for BTCC racing.
Shop the road car
Hyundai i30 N Performance
With this i30 N hot hatch, Hyundai launched its 'N' performance sub-brand with the i30 N hot hatch, a model now usefully improved, primarily with a paddleshift auto gearbox option. The i30 N remains the kind of car you simply wouldn't expect from this Korean maker, with an output of up to 280PS intended to provide performance to embarrass this car's Volkswagen Golf GTI arch-rival.
Latest EXCELR8 news
BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 - The Season in Numbers
The 2023 season marked the second for Bristol Street Motors as title partner of the EXCELR8 team, which once again fielded four cars in the British Touring Car Championship.
Rookie Ronan Pearson Makes an Impression
Scottish youngster Ronan Pearson had planned to chase top honours in the MINI CHALLENGE in 2023 but the opportunity to make the step up to the British Touring Car Championship with the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 team was one that was too good to miss.
Tom Chilton Returns to Victory Lane
Ending a near four-year run without a victory proved to be the highlight of the 2023 season for Tom Chilton as the most experienced driver on the British Touring Car Championship grid embarked on his second year as part of the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 team.
'The Driver!' podcast
Celebrating sporting success from motorsport and beyond, our new podcast 'The Driver!' invites you to sit back and get to know some of the sporting industry's biggest stars up-close and personal.
Former racing driver Alice Powell hosts a range of fantastic guests including Tom Ingram as they share their experiences - both the highs and the lows, and what it really takes to succeed in the sporting world.
Stream the latest episode now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, as well as previous episodes.
Motoring excellence on the track and the road
"We're really looking forward to supporting Tom Ingram and Tom Chilton, who are both leading names in the sport, in addition to the other excellent drivers who are part of the EXCELR8 team, as they all make their presence felt this season."
Robert Forrester
Chief Executive of Bristol Street Motors
"We are delighted to not only extend our relationship with Bristol Street Motors for the 2022 season, but to also expand it to a greater level than has been the case in recent years.
The fact that we have been able to agree this new deal is a reflection of all the hard work that has gone into our BTCC programme, and it is fantastic that such an established brand can see the value that comes from competing in such a high-profile championship."
Justina Williams
Team Owner at EXCELR8 Motorsport
"It's really exciting to have Bristol Street Motors onboard again for the 2022 season, and it's great that an established automotive brand wants to be involved with the excitement of the BTCC and can see the value of all the hard work that we are putting in.
I think the car looks great in the new Bristol Street Motors livery, and with everything we learned last year, I'm looking forward to a strong season at the wheel."
Tom Ingram
Driver at EXCELR8 Motorsport
"Everyone knows that motorsport relies on sponsorship, and it's fantastic to have a major automotive company like Bristol Street Motors involved in our BTCC programme.
I'm excited about the opportunity to join EXCELR8 Motorsport and to work with Bristol Street Motors this season, and in the same way they are champions in their field, hopefully myself and Tom can fight for a championship on track during the year ahead."
Tom Chilton
Driver at EXCELR8 Motorsport