Goodyear to deploy soft and hard compounds to tackle “tough and twisty” Croft

Goodyear will supply drivers with its soft and hard compound tyres for the next three rounds of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Croft this weekend. The North Yorkshire venue will host rounds 16, 17 and 18 of the championship and is well known as one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, with its combination of fast-flowing corners, long straights, and slow, technical sections designed to test both driver precision and courage.

Goodyear will supply three sets of its white-walled soft compound tyres and one set of the red-walled hard compound for drivers this weekend. Each driver may also choose to use up to two sets of carryover tyres from previous events, but the medium compound, which is expected to be the more popular carryover choice for this event, is only allowed to be used during free practice sessions.

The 2.1-mile Croft track is distinctive for its fast, flowing opening sector that contrasts a slower and technical final sector. It is characterised by its punishing Hairpin that demands maximum traction for the run onto the start-finish straight. The circuit's bumpy nature and the importance of using the kerbs, particularly through the opening Clervaux, Hawthorn Bend and Chicane segment, means drivers cannot afford to go off line if they want to maintain competitive lap times.

Michael Butler, Goodyear's BTCC Event Leader, explains: "Croft is a tough and twisty circuit that really tests the limits of both driver and tyre performance. It requires a car setup that focuses on stability in high-speed corners such as the Jim Clark Esses. Compliance is crucial, especially when using the kerbs in the first corners to carry momentum. The final section through the Complex and into the Hairpin is much more technical, so traction becomes absolutely key, particularly out of the Hairpin and onto the start-finish straight. That, paired with the circuit's bumpy characteristics, means we always get exciting racing at Croft. We’re in for a true test of driver skill and bravery all weekend."

The circuit's tough reputation is well-established among the drivers, too. Talking to Goodyear at the start of the season, Árón Taylor-Smith (Toyota Gazoo Racing UK) singled out the circuit’s famously tight Hairpin as the corner that “puts the most focus on traction” across the entire calendar.

Leeds-born Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK), a race winner at Croft, relishes competing at his home venue but also acknowledges its challenges: “The layout is fast and flowing, yet also really technical in the final section. You've got to be brave in places, but precise too. That balance makes it a real driver’s circuit, and it’s one I always look forward to.

“Historically, Croft has always been extremely tough on tyres. It’s always a balancing act. You can push tyres hard, say in qualifying, but if you try to do that every lap, you'll have nothing left by the end. Our races are relatively short, but you still need to manage your tyres well to maintain pace across the stint.”

Tom Ingram claims Goodyear Wingfoot Award at Oulton Park

The Goodyear Wingfoot Award found its latest recipient at Oulton Park as Tom Ingram claimed the trophy for the first time this season at the Cheshire track in June. 

The Team VERTU star will be looking to carry that qualifying momentum further into the demanding Croft weekend, where his championship-winning expertise could be significant in his bid for the season-long Goodyear Wingfoot Award. Heading into Croft, he leads the standings by a single point as a result of his superb qualifying consistency this season, having been in fourth place or lower on the grid at every event so far this year.

The Goodyear Wingfoot Award has seen four different drivers take the trophy so far this season, so Ingram is to face stiff competition from others who have their eyes on the prize. The consistent pace required to secure pole position among such a competitive field becomes ever more critical as the season progresses and the championship battle intensifies.

Butler adds: “At the midpoint of the season, it’s all to play for at the top of the Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings. We know that consistency in qualifying is crucial, as every point counts in this closely fought contest. The pressure will be on all the drivers to deliver their very best as the season moves into its second half at Croft.”

The Goodyear Wingfoot Award rewards the fastest qualifying lap at each round. Drivers accumulate points based on their qualifying results throughout the year, with the highest scorer ultimately crowned the 2025 Goodyear Wingfoot Award winner.

Track action at Croft gets underway on Saturday 2 August, ahead of three races on Sunday 3 August.

Goodyear Wingfoot Award standings: