CityCar Cup: England has found the right formula (again)

England has long been a land of motorsport. Between its iconic circuits, renowned teams, and a passion deeply rooted in popular culture, the country is full of opportunities to get behind the wheel. But what also makes it strong is its ability to offer accessible racing formats, designed to allow a wide audience to participate in official competitions with controlled budgets. Among these championships, the CityCar Cup perfectly embodies this philosophy 👍

Launched in 2020 by the BRSCC (British Racing & Sports Car Club), this championship is quickly becoming one of the best springboards to discover car racing. Accessible, serious, educational, and above all inexpensive, it proves that you can go racing with everyday cars, without sacrificing safety or sporting standards.

And it's a hit: more than 30 cars line up at each round, the races are fiercely contested, and the atmosphere in the paddocks is as passionate as it is friendly 🥳

Small city cars transformed into race cars

The CityCar Cup technical regulations focus on models produced between 2005 and 2015: the Toyota Aygo, the Peugeot 107 and 108, and the Citroën C1 🚗

Developed jointly by Toyota and PSA, these cars share the same technical base (chassis, 1KR-FE engine, and transmission). On paper, they are small cars designed for urban commuting. With around 70 horsepower under the hood, power remains modest but enough to have fun.

Once prepared according to CityCar Cup regulations, they are transformed into real race cars: lightweight, well-balanced, and surprisingly enjoyable to drive 😋

Each car is fitted with a SW Motorsports-approved roll cage, custom GAZ Shocks suspension, Powerflex bushes, Nankang NS-2R semi-slick tires, ECU remapping by Hybrid Tune, a sport exhaust, 15-inch wheels… Nothing is left to chance. The result? A light, rigid, agile car, with performance perfectly matched to its rivals. On track, it all comes down to driving, strategy… and mindset 😎

And it's not just a feeling: once the Lexan windows, six-point harnesses, and sport exhaust are installed, it truly feels like a real race car. Far from the cliché of a tiny city car 😉

These little cars have character, and allow for door-to-door battles without having to manage an overwhelming amount of horsepower.

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Another advantage is that these are very affordable cars. In case of contact or failure, parts are easy to find second-hand and cheap. Their light weight and low power mean minimal wear: low fuel consumption (around 7 L/100 km in race conditions), long-lasting brakes, and tires that can last several meetings 👍

A true racing formula with controlled costs

The heart of the project lies in simplicity and accessibility. While many series easily exceed €20,000 to €30,000 for a race-ready car, the CityCar Cup allows you to hit the track with a much more reasonable budget.

Concretely, there are several ways to enter the championship. The easiest is to buy a complete, ready-to-race car for around £7,000, which is just over €8,000. And this is not just an estimate: cars compliant with the regulations are genuinely available at that price, built according to the official technical specifications.

➡️ Check out the track car listings on GoToTheGrid

Another option is to buy a used road car (Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107/108 or Citroën C1) and install the approved kit. These cars can be found second-hand at very affordable prices, and the kit costs £3,499 + VAT for a Gen1, or £3,995 + VAT for a Gen2. You can install it yourself, with clear documentation, standardized parts, and real camaraderie among competitors. Everything is designed to be doable without being an engineer 🤓

ℹ️ You can find the regulations and mandatory kits on the official CityCar Cup website

This economic model helps attract a new audience, especially beginner drivers who would never have had the means to enter motorsport otherwise. And for those who don’t want to own their car, many providers offer “arrive & drive” packages, including the car, transport, support, tires, fuel… You just bring your helmet, and go racing! 😍

In terms of budget, a full weekend can cost less than €2,000 all included, covering entry fees, logistics, and car rental if you go for a turnkey solution. An unbeatable price to race in a well-managed series, with live-streaming and a professional structure 😉

Onboard footage in the CityCar Cup at Cadwell Park – It’s intense! 🥵

Nankang Tyre CityCar Cup Championship – 2025 Calendar

The 2025 championship will be held over seven rounds, from April to October, with events taking place on some of the UK’s most renowned circuits.

Each race weekend follows a classic format: one qualifying session and two to three 20-minute races, depending on the track layout and the weekend’s schedule.

2025 Calendar - Nankang Tyre CityCar Cup Championship

• 5–6 April 2025 – Snetterton 300
• 10 May 2025 – Oulton Park International
• 7–8 June 2025 – Anglesey International
• 19–20 July 2025 – Snetterton 300
• 16–17 August 2025 – Silverstone National
• 6–7 September 2025 – Croft
• 11–12 October 2025 – Silverstone International

A serious but relaxed atmosphere

One of the great things about the CityCar Cup is the paddock atmosphere. You’ll meet a wide variety of profiles: young rookies, gentleman drivers, former karting racers, and even engineering schools. The mood is friendly, but everyone stays focused on their goals. Teams regularly interact, and mutual support is a core part of the championship’s DNA. If you have a technical issue, there’s always someone willing to help. It’s very similar in spirit to what you’d find in the Twin’Cup in France 💪

The championship is also a great playground for students through the Student Motorsport Challenge. University teams design, prepare, and run their own cars, competing both against other student teams and more experienced competitors in the championship. It’s an excellent training ground to discover all aspects of motorsport: engineering, strategy, driving, communication… And the top teams shine season after season. Northbrook Racing, for example, has won the student title three years in a row, becoming a benchmark in the category.

2025: Heading for endurance with the Silverstone 24H

Big news for 2025: for the first time, the CityCar Cup will have its own class in the famous Silverstone 24 Hours race. Previously reserved for teams from the C1 Racing Club, this endurance event is now open to CityCar Cup-homologated cars. It’s a small revolution for the series, which until now had been limited to sprint formats.

The race will take place on Silverstone’s Grand Prix layout, during the first weekend of May. On the agenda: 24 hours non-stop, with driver changes, strategy, sometimes changing weather conditions, fatigue management… in short, a true endurance challenge on a legendary circuit. The minimum entry fee is set at £900, with the option of staggered payments — a very competitive price for this type of event 😋

ℹ️ The race will not count toward the championship, but cars must fully comply with the 2025 CityCar Cup technical regulations. The sporting regulations will be the same as in other classes: pit stops, driver changes, penalties, fuel management… A rare opportunity to experience endurance racing in a professional setting, while keeping the accessible spirit that makes the series so successful.

The Gen2 cars are here: a smooth transition

The championship keeps evolving. In 2024, the first second-generation car, known as Gen2, made its debut on track. These newer models allow the fleet to gradually modernize while keeping the DNA of the CityCar Cup intact: affordable, reliable, competitive cars with equal performance across the grid.

The Gen2 cars are built on the same mechanical base as the Gen1s (notably the 1KR-FE engine), but incorporate updates from newer versions of the Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 108, or Citroën C1. The philosophy remains unchanged: ensure perfect technical parity, keep costs down, and offer real driving enjoyment 🤗

In 2025, several Gen2 cars are expected to make their official entry into the championship, marking a smooth transition toward a more modern field. All without disrupting the balance with existing cars.

This gradual renewal shows that the championship is not resting on its laurels. The organizers are thinking ahead, adapting, and preparing for the future with care, all while continuing to offer a consistent and exciting platform for drivers 👍🔥

An action-packed 2024 season until the very end

The past season once again lived up to expectations. Stuart Bliss took the overall win, succeeding his brother Richard, who was crowned champion in 2022. A great family story, and proof that consistency and hard work pay off. On the student side, Northbrook Racing dominated their championship once again, while Brady Pollock impressed in the rookie class with a very promising first season, finishing third overall.

With the arrival of Gen2 cars, the move to endurance racing, and the paddock’s incredible energy, the 2025 season is already shaping up to be the most exciting one since the series began 🎉

The CityCar Cup: real racing without breaking the bank

The CityCar Cup proves that it’s possible to compete in serious racing without spending a fortune. The format is structured, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the experience is as educational as it is addictive.

For those who want to start out, improve, or simply enjoy driving, it’s a rare opportunity — and an accessible one. Once you’re on the grid, it’s hard not to want to come back 😉