Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport heads to the home of British motorsport this weekend, as Silverstone hosts the penultimate round of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and MB Motorsport’s 200th race!
The team travels to Northamptonshire looking to build upon a battling weekend at Croft, where Scotsman Gordon Shedden fought back from a qualifying race setback to secure yet another podium, continuing his impressive recent form. Alongside him, stablemate Árón Taylor-Smith battled hard in North Yorkshire to score valuable points despite race-day setbacks.
Now, the focus is firmly set on maximising every opportunity for results and points as the team continues its push for Independents honours in both the teams’ and drivers’ standings with only two rounds to go!
The weekend will take place on Silverstone’s 1.6-mile National Circuit. Renowned for its simple yet fast layout, featuring three straights and three corners, the configuration offers plenty of overtaking opportunities, with the closely matched BTCC field often producing intense racing throughout the lap.
Silverstone has also proved a happy hunting ground for both Árón Taylor-Smith and Gordon Shedden in the past. The circuit was the scene of Árón’s Independent title triumph in 2024, when he secured a brace of Independent wins to help seal the championship. Gordon has enjoyed plenty of success at the home of British motorsport too, with the Scotsman claiming two race victories and six podium finishes at the circuit across his BTCC career.
Heading into Round Nine of the 2026 season, Gordon sits tenth in the Drivers’ Championship, with Árón occupying 15th. Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport currently sits fifth in the Teams’ Championship and second in the Independent Teams’ Championship, where the battle for the top spot remains super close. Gordon also occupies second in the Independent Drivers’ standings, 33 points shy of the leader. Since Thruxton, Gordon’s form has been sublime behind the wheel of the Corolla, racking up a podium at each of the last three rounds and scoring an impressive 95 points in the process - the fifth most in the championship.
This weekend also sees MB Motorsport achieving a major milestone, with race two on Sunday seeing the team take to the grid for their 200th race in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Across the seven years competing in the UK’s premier racing championship, the team have collected 24 wins, 70 podiums and the 2024 BTCC Drivers’ Championship.
Following Saturday morning's opening 40-minute Free Practice session (10:05), the all-important Qualifying Groups (14:00) and 11-lap Qualifying Race (15:05) will determine the grid spots for Sunday's three races.
Sunday's races are scheduled for 11:15, 14:30 and 17:20, with all three broadcast live on ITV4 and ITVX.
Árón Taylor-Smith (#50) said:
“I’m looking forward to getting back on track at Silverstone and putting the disappointment of Croft behind us. We know the potential that’s in the car, and the team has been working as hard as ever to make sure we’re in the best possible position to challenge this weekend.”
“Silverstone is a circuit I’ve always enjoyed, and one that holds plenty of fond memories for me as a driver, so I’m looking forward to getting out there and putting that experience to good use. The goal is to execute every session as well as we can, maximise every opportunity and give ourselves the best possible chance of fighting for the results we know we’re capable of achieving.”
Gordon Shedden (#52) said:
“The goal for this weekend is to carry the momentum from the podium at Croft into Silverstone. We showed strong pace in the car throughout the previous weekend, so we know what we’re capable of and the kind of results we can achieve.”
“Since the summer break, we have found some impressive form out on track, with trips to the podium in three out of the last four rounds and some bumper points hauls to go along with this. We are firmly in the battle for the Independent Drivers’ Championship with just two rounds to go, and I am confident that we can keep this podium momentum rolling if we get everything right at Silverstone this weekend!”
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said:
“Our main aim for Silverstone this weekend is to continue the progress we’ve made throughout the season and put ourselves in the best possible position to outscore our rivals in our challenge for Independents’ honours by the end of the campaign.”
“We’ve shown strong qualifying and race pace as the season has progressed, with a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to ensure we have the Corolla performing at its best, which is evident in our performances after the summer break. Both Gordon and Árón have put in some impressive displays since Thruxton, and we need to keep this positive momentum going if we are to score as many points as possible in our hunt for both Independent Teams’ and Drivers’ glory.”
“This weekend also marks a major milestone for the team, as MB Motorsport will compete in its 200th race this upcoming weekend, and I express my thanks and gratitude to all of our partners and those who have made this journey possible.”
