Solid Start and Strong Signals for MV Truck Racing at Brands Hatch

The 2026 British Truck Racing Championship got underway over the Easter weekend at Brands Hatch Indy, delivering everything you would expect from a season opener. Close racing, a packed grid and the unmistakable atmosphere of a new campaign beginning.

Under cloudy skies and a biting cold wind, teams and drivers finally got to measure themselves after the winter break. Despite the conditions, a fantastic crowd turned out across the weekend, creating a brilliant atmosphere around the circuit.

For MV Truck Racing, the results may not have grabbed the headlines on paper, but the bigger picture from Brands Hatch was hugely encouraging.

Finding Rhythm Early

Brands Hatch Indy is never an easy place to begin a season. The short, intense layout leaves no room for error and traditionally produces plenty of incidents as drivers return from the off-season eager to make their mark.

Against that backdrop, MV Truck Racing approached the weekend with a clear objective. Build consistency, stay out of trouble, gather valuable data and establish a strong platform for the rounds ahead.

Tom O’Rourke delivered exactly that.

Qualifying saw him place 12th in Division 1 with a best lap of 1:00.407. While the position itself placed the team firmly in the midfield battle, the margins were incr

Consistency That Counts

Looking deeper into the numbers, the real strength of the weekend becomes clear.

O’Rourke was able to lap consistently in the low 1:00 range, stringing together multiple laps within a tenth of his best time . Around a circuit like Brands Hatch, that kind of rhythm is a major asset.

There was no drama, no wild fluctuations, just clean, controlled running. Even with the usual challenges of track limits, the runs remained composed and productive.

That kind of consistency is often what turns solid weekends into strong results as a season develops.

Strong Foundations and Smart Progress

Just as importantly, the weekend was clean from a reliability point of view. Aside from the odd panel scuff that comes with close racing, the truck came through the event in great shape.

That gives the team a major advantage heading into the next round. Instead of repairs, the focus is firmly on performance.

The data gathered across the weekend is already being put to use. With detailed telemetry analysed, the team is now moving ahead with a targeted engine rebuild, using real-world insights from Brands Hatch to unlock more speed and efficiency.

It is a smart, measured approach, and one that gives real confidence that more performance is on the way.

A Weekend Powered by Support

One of the standout elements of the weekend was the incredible support both on and off the track.

MV Commercial hosted a busy hospitality stand throughout the event, bringing together partners, customers, guests and a huge number of Tom’s supporters. It created a real focal point within the paddock and added to the growing momentum around the team.

Alongside the racing action, the MV Commercial Crane Challenge, run in partnership with HTF Skills Academy, proved hugely popular with fans. The challenge gave visitors the opportunity to get hands-on with specialist lifting equipment and experience the kind of precision required to operate modern crane artics and specialist commercial vehicles.

The ever-popular grid walk also delivered once again, giving fans a rare opportunity to get up close to the trucks, meet the drivers and soak up the atmosphere directly from the starting grid.

Despite the cold conditions sweeping across the circuit, supporters turned out in force all weekend. That level of backing does not go unnoticed.

A huge thank you goes to everybody who came along to support the team, as well as the sponsors whose continued backing keeps the programme moving forward.

Credit must also go to the championship organisers for delivering such a well-run and entertaining opening round to kick off the season in style.

The Bigger Picture

At the front, the usual frontrunners showed just how tight the competition is this year. The leading drivers were separated by fractions in qualifying, underlining the challenge ahead.

The dry conditions allowed for consistent running, while the tight nature of the Indy circuit kept the action intense from start to finish. It was a proper opening round that set the tone for the season ahead.

Eyes on Thruxton

Attention now turns to Thruxton, and it brings a very different challenge.

Fast, flowing, and one of the quickest circuits in the UK, Thruxton rewards commitment and confidence. Long sweeping corners, high-speed stability, and maintaining momentum are everything there. It is a track where small gains can make a big difference, and where a well-balanced, well-developed truck can really shine.

For MV Truck Racing, it is the perfect next step.

With a solid opening weekend behind them, minimal damage, and a wealth of data now feeding into development, the team heads to Thruxton in a strong position. The focus is clear. Take everything learned at Brands Hatch, apply the improvements, and push forward.

A Positive Start

The season is underway, and for MV Truck Racing, it is a start full of promise.

A consistent driver, a reliable truck, strong support, and clear direction. The results will come, and they will be built on weekends like this.

There is a real sense of optimism as the championship moves on. Brands Hatch was about laying the groundwork.

Thruxton is where the next step begins.

We're #readytogoracing! 

The support behind MV Truck Racing continues to grow as more leading manufacturers and suppliers from across the commercial vehicle industry come on board for the British Truck Racing Championship season. Each partnership plays an important role in helping the team compete both on and off the circuit, while also highlighting the strong relationships built across the truck, trailer, crane and transport sectors.

Recent sponsor announcements have included industry names such as Aspöck, specialists in vehicle lighting and electrical systems, alongside hydraulic equipment experts Edbro. The growing line-up also includes support from Foster, engineering and fabrication specialists Marvtech, and recovery and winching experts Novawinch, all of whom help strengthen the team throughout the season.

Additional backing has also come from recognised industry brands including Shur-Co, known for its sheeting and covering systems, and Sikkens, whose coatings and refinishing products are widely used across the automotive and commercial vehicle sectors. The partner network is further strengthened by Tilbox and VPG, adding even more specialist expertise and support to the programme.

As the season continues, the MV Truck Racing team will continue sharing sponsor news, race updates, event coverage and behind-the-scenes content from circuits across the UK. Follow the journey throughout the year to see how the team and its partners continue to grow both on the track and across the wider commercial vehicle industry.