Silverstone returns, and the stakes have never been higher. As the British Touring Car Championship heads to the National Circuit for its second-last round of 2025 (20-21 September), Birch is ready to be part of the intensity, the speed, the fine margins — because every moment on track echoes into what needs protecting off it.
The Season So Far
Birch Commercial Director Tom Chilton has shown hisenduring competitiveness this season. His Team VERTU Hyundaii30 Fastback N Performance has been strong, capable of fighting at the front when everything aligns. Birch’s sponsorship behind Tom’s car isn’t just about branding; it’s a commitment to excellence, both in racing and in preservation.
Recently, at Donington Park, Chilton converted his first pole position in 14 years into a victory in Race 1 — a reminder that experience and persistence still count when the field is tight. With championship pressures ramping up, every result is multiplied. Tom will be looking to carry momentum into Silverstone.
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Why Silverstone Really Matters
Silverstone is one of the BTCC’s most demanding circuits, even in its shorter National layout. Long straights, tight corners, kerbs that expose suspension, and braking zones that favour drivers bold enough to balance their cars with trail-braking. Overtaking is frequent but mistakes are punishing.
Last year, Tom Chilton showed he can set the pace here:he led both free practice sessions and pushed under the lap records in qualifying with his Hyundai. He has other history at Silverstone too: early in his career, Tom’s first ever BTCC victory came here, and he has won multiple races at Silverstone in Ford machinery before.
“Silverstone has always felt like a second home to me. It’s where I took some of my earliest wins in the BTCC, and every time I go back there’s this mix of history and excitement. Even on the National layout, it never gives you anything for free — you have to fight for every tenth.”
As the penultimate round, Silverstone is often where championship contenders either land decisive blows or leave the door ajar for rivals. For Tom, strong performance here could set him up well for the final round. Equally, a difficult weekend could force damage limitation.
What’s Needed to Win
To succeed at Silverstone, Tom and Team VERTU will need:
- A finely tuned setup balancing straight-line speed with good grip through the technical sections.
- Precise tyre use: choosing the best compound(soft vs medium) when track conditions change will be critical. So willmanaging tyre wear across multiple races.
- Brilliant execution in qualifying. Silverstone layouts leave less margin for mistakes; starting position strongly influences the ability to control the early stages of each race.
- Consistency across all three races. With points on the line in each race, maintaining strong finishes is just as important as chasing wins.
- Keeping the car safe post-race. With so much to lose, preserving the mechanical condition between sessions is key — a reminder that preservation off-track matters as much as performance on it.
“The National circuit is short and punchy, but that makes it one of the hardest places to qualify well. You’ve got the long straights where you need the car to be slippery, then Brooklands and Luffield where it has to be really planted. Getting the Hyundai balanced for both ends of the lap is always a big challenge.”
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Birch’s Perspective: Preservation Off & Performance On
This is where Birch’s story aligns with Tom’s. The car Tom races at Silverstone is built for attack, but needs care when the engines witches off. Just as Silverstone demands precision, so does storage. Birch provides climate-monitored storage so that cars aren’t stressed by humidity swings, heat, moisture — all things that quietly degrade performance over time.Components stay reliable; surfaces stay stable; the car is ready when you next put it on track or under lights.
What to Look Forward To
- Will Tom build on Donington success to fight at the very front at Silverstone?
- Could he snatch another pole, perhaps matching or bettering his Free Practice showings from last year?
- What drama will the penultimate round bring? The grid is tight, a little contact or mistake could swing championship momentum.
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In Summary
Silverstone is more than just another BTCC round. It’s a test of character, machine, and preparation. For Tom Chilton, it’s an opportunity to show that experience still wins races. For Birch, it’s a reminder that every thunderous lap needs the foundation of quiet, diligent preservation. On 20-21 September, the roar of engines, the squeal of tyres, the fight for position will be loud — but so will the importance of what happens when the dust settles.
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“I’m feeling confident heading into Silverstone. Donington gave us momentum and reminded everyone what we can do when things click. The aim now is to carry that form into the last two rounds — strong results here could make all the difference in how we finish the season.”
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