BTCC Jul 07, 2026 4:15 PM Source: BTCC Official

7-Eleven: Mikey Doble

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Kicking off our 7-Eleven series we go back to where the year began, at Donington Park, with the first of our seven race winners in 2026, Mikey Doble. The Independent frontrunner opened the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season in the best possible way, taking victory at Donington Park before later backing it up with a hard-fought podium at Brands Hatch. A perfect start to life aboard Power Maxed Racing's new Audi A3 Saloon and an early statement of intent from the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing driver.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Donington Park National – Race 1</strong></p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Doble's win in the opening round of the season arrived in unlikely circumstances. Starting Sunday as the lead Independent after staking his claim in the championship's inaugural Qualifying Race, the #88 Audi A3 Saloon fell to fifth after the opening tour of race day, making a top-step triumph seem all the more unlikely. After the Safety Car period for Josh Cook’s (Speedworks Corolla Racing) stranded Toyota Corolla GR Sport, the 2024 Jack Sears Trophy Champion started to make his way forward, and his race burst into life.<br><br>Charles Rainford (WSR) was the first car in Doble’s path, and the #88 made sure to get past the BMW 330i M Sport immediately after racing resumed. It would be lap 18 when Doble would make the eventual move for the win, without knowing it at the time. Exiting Coppice faster than polesitter and inaugural Qualifying Race winner Daniel Rowbottom (Cataclean Plato Racing), Doble passed the Mercedes A35 Saloon on the run to the final chicane to take second place on the road.<br><br>Crossing the line behind an imperious-looking Tom Ingram (Team VERTU), it appeared Doble would take the runners-up spot in the opening bout of the year, but with Ingram later disqualified for a significant overboost infringement, it was Doble who was elevated to the top step. A second career BTCC win, and the perfect way to christen Power Maxed Racing's new machinery.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Brands Hatch Indy – Race 3</strong></p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Doble was back among the front-runners at Brands Hatch at the very next event. Initially, the #88 dropped back in the early laps after starting from third in the final race of the weekend. The Audi A3 Saloon driver then produced one of the moves of the weekend as he swept around the outside of Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) and James Dorlin (Restart Racing) at Paddock Hill Bend on lap six to briefly hold second place. The Restart Racing driver would reclaim second place later that lap before Doble would once again hold the position, this time for a prolonged period.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sutton would eventually take the second spot from the #88 on lap 20 on the run up to Druids as Ingram surged clear for his own maiden win of the season, but Doble held firm to the flag for third. Resulting in his second podium of the campaign and another Independents' class victory for the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing star.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><br>Doble currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ Standings, and leads the Independent Drivers’ Standings by five points. The #88 and the full BTCC grid return to action later this month at Thruxton (25/26 July).</p>

7-Eleven: Mikey Doble

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