Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport endured a disappointing end to the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season at Brands Hatch GP on 10–11 October. Despite the tough weekend, the team ends the year fifth in the Teams Championship and third in the Independent Teams standings.
In bright, dry conditions for free practice, Gordon Shedden was 14th-fastest with a 1:30.285, while Árón Taylor-Smith completed 15 laps and ended the session 20th.
With qualifying split into two groups, both Laser Tools cars ran in Group 2. Taylor-Smith found nearly 1.7 seconds on his practice time to go fifth in the group with a 1:29.493, just over half a second off the benchmark, placing him ninth on the combined order. Shedden lapped in 1:30.037 for ninth in the group and 17th overall, with both drivers losing a lap time to track limits.
The 10-lap Qualifying Race set the grid for Round 28. Taylor-Smith gained a place to finish eighth, while Shedden made up three positions to take the flag 14th.
Round 28 and race one of Sunday proved costly for both cars. Shedden's race ended on the opening lap when he was hit from behind and pushed into the car ahead, sustaining terminal damage. Taylor-Smith was forced to retire from eighth on the grid after three laps, when an incident sent him onto the grass, packing his radiator and causing the engine to overheat.
Starting Round 29 from 22nd and 23rd, both drivers were caught up in a single incident with other competitors. Shedden came off worse and was forced into retirement, while Taylor-Smith recovered to finish 18th, four places up on his grid slot.
Shedden at least took points from the season finale. Starting 23rd, he worked his way through the field in a safety car-interrupted Round 30 to cross the line ninth, less than five seconds behind race winner Dan Cammish, and collect seven points. Taylor-Smith had moved up from 18th on the grid but was forced to retire after 14 of the 18 laps.
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport completes the year fifth in the Teams Championship on 392 points and third in the Independent Teams Championship on 449 points.
Shedden ends the season 11th in the Drivers' Championship on 249 points, just two shy of tenth, and fifth in the Independents standings on 361 points. His 2026 campaign included a race win and four further podium finishes.
Taylor-Smith finishes 15th overall on 174 points and seventh in the Independents, having also taken a victory during the season.
Gordon Shedden, #52
“All in all, it was a very disappointing way to end our campaign. After the way the first two races went, the only thing to do in the last one was to go for it. Coming through the field to ninth made for an enjoyable race and a nice way to sign off. There have been some highs this season, that win included, and I want to thank everyone at the team and all of our partners for their support.”
Árón Taylor-Smith, #50
“Saturday was encouraging. We found good pace in qualifying, and the car felt strong in the Qualifying Race, so I went into Sunday feeling positive. Unfortunately, it just didn’t come together, and that’s motorsport sometimes. It’s frustrating to end the year that way, but there’s a lot I’m proud of in 2026, especially our win earlier in the year. Thanks to the whole team, our partners and the fans who’ve supported us all season.”
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director
“It wasn’t the finale we wanted, and Gordon’s drive in the last race was the one highlight of the weekend. Looking at the season as a whole, we’ve taken two race wins and finished third in the Independent Teams Championship and fifth in the Teams standings. It isn’t the result we had hoped for, but I can’t fault the effort of every member of the team. My thanks go to Laser Tools Racing, all of our partners and the whole crew for their hard work this year.”
