August 1-2, British Touring Car Championship, Donington Park

After what has seemed like an eternity of waiting, Donington Park will host the return of British Touring Car Championship in August when this country’s premier championships finally get underway.

While select club events have already taken place under new safety guidelines, the BTCC will be the first big-name category to roar into life during what has been a difficult and disrupted year so far. So what better to blow away the cobwebs than three high-octane tin-top races around Donington’s National loop?

It marks the start of a tight and rapid year for the BTCC, with 27 races in the space of 15 weeks, and there’s already been much change. Subaru will no longer be part of the series after a four-year spell, but Hyundai joins the fun via ExcelR8’s pair of new i30 N Fastbacks.

Last season’s second-place man Andrew Jordan will not get another bite at the cherry as he announced his withdrawal from the series due to funding problems resulting from the COVID-19 shutdown. That leaves the Team BMW squad a car light, and it is not yet known if it will replace Jordan, or hold the car as a spare. It will also be the first time since 2002 that Dunlop is not badging the series, with its parent company Goodyear taking over the tyre supply.

The new and compressed season has a tough act to follow after 2019’s thrilling finale at Brands Hatch. Team BMW’s Colin Turkington won his fourth BTCC title as rivals Jordan and Dan Cammish saw the trophy slip through their fingers in the most dramatic of fashions. Cammish will be desperate for a second shot at the crown, and a number of other drivers will hope that the chaos of 2020 so far also throws up a surprise or two on track that can make it their year.

More July/August events

Formula 1 British Grand Prix July 31 – August 2, Silverstone Round four of the 2020 F1 season takes place at Silverstone where Lewis Hamilton has had the measure of rivals over recent years. Will 2020 see a repeat of his 2019 heroics? The race is followed on August 9 by a second Silverstone clash, the 70th Anniversary GP, the season’s fifth round.

August 1-2 DTM, Spa

August 7-9 GT World, Misano

Indy 500 August 23, Indianapolis Racing at the Brickyard returns with the delayed Indy 500. The 104th running of IndyCar’s crown-jewel event will also include Fernando Alonso, who will make another effort to take the final victory in the pursuit of motor sport’s ‘Triple Crown’.

August 5-13 Formula E, Berlin

British GT August 1-2, Oulton Park August 15-16, Donington Park British GT returns, and also features a tight schedule. It begins at Oulton Park, with the second round taking place at Donington Park just two weeks later. It will still feature big grids of both GT3 and GT4 machinery.

NASCAR July 23, Kansas – August 2, New Hampshire – August 9, Michigan – August 16, Watkins Glen How many NASCAR races would you like in a month? NASCAR was the first major series to resume racing amid the pandemic and there’s been no let-up in the schedule. We’ve already had eight different winners so far this term.

August 15 WEC – 6h of Spa

MotoGP July 26, Jerez – August 9, Brno – August 16, Red Bull Ring MotoGP begins in Jerez with the Spanish circuit playing host to two rounds. It will be followed up with the Czech Republic GP and the first of two rounds at the Red Bull Ring. Can anyone stop Honda star Marc Márquez from taking his ninth world title?

August 15-16/21-23 DTM, Lausitzring