The British Touring Car Championship have postponed their opening three rounds - including the Easter visit to Brands Hatch.

Brands revealed their 2020 racing calendar last month and the first of two visits from the BTCC was one of their early headliners.

The Championship was due to head to the West Kingsdown circuit over the Easter holidays, April 11-12, where organisers would have been expecting a bumper crowd.

The returning Mat Jackson and series legend Jason Plato were among those due to be racing, but the fears of coronavirus have led event organisers TOCA to postpone the early rounds.

A statement issued by TOCA on Tuesday said: “Yesterday (March 16) the government introduced updated coronavirus directives. These included asking citizens to avoid all non-essential social contact and non-essential travel, as well as advising of the withdrawal of the provision of emergency services to mass gatherings.

“TOCA of course completely respects the government’s directives. The health of our entire nation – not just our competitors, fans, marshals, officials and personnel - is of absolute importance. Accordingly, the start of the 2020 BTCC must now be delayed and we therefore advise the postponement of our first three events.”

These are the season opener at Donington Park on March 28/29, the Easter event on Brands’ indy circuit and Silverstone two weeks later.

TOCA’s statement added: “Clearly the COVID-19 situation is ever-changing and incredibly challenging for everyone.

“Our firm intention is to run the full season of ten events and we will work closely with the circuits and our stakeholders in order to reschedule new dates for all postponed events.

“These will be confirmed and announced when there is further clarity regarding the eventual resumption of major sporting events.”

Prior to the BTCC event Brands are due to host the British Truck Racing Championship, over the weekend of April 4-5.

Brands are selling tickets for the event but have assured race goers that refunds will be available if anything changes.

They say: “Please be reassured you can book tickets with confidence. In the unlikely event a race meeting is postponed, all tickets will be valid for the rescheduled event.

“If you let us know that you can’t make the rescheduled date, you will get a refund. If a race meeting is cancelled entirely and not rescheduled, you will automatically get a refund.

“We will review the effect on season pass holders throughout the season and ensure that any significant loss of entitlement is managed fairly.”

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