TOCA ditches <I>BBC</I>.

The British Touring Car Championship will not be seen on the BBC next season, after the corporation admitted that it could not guarantee the series regular airtime.

Championship director Richard West announced at the weekend's Brands Hatch finale that coverage of the series would likely switch to other British terrestrial channels, after its long-time partner said that it could not fulfil the requirements of the re-emerging formula.

"Since the re-creation of the series last October, we have come a long way in a short time," West told the Daily Telegraph newspaper, "Without the intention of being arrogant, we went into our negotiations with the BBC with a set of criteria.

"We wanted regular slots that do not conflict with live touring car rounds. We wanted the package shown on a regular basis, and we wanted to continue all programmes as outside broadcasts to continue our big-screen format and link-in to live commentary.

"At the end of last week, the BBC sent us a letter in which they admitted to erratic programming, and an inability to provide regular slots, and said they could not meet the exacting standards that we put forward to them. We accepted their points, thanked them for their support and said we'd go elsewhere."

Formula One broadcaster ITV and emerging motorsport supporter Channel 4 are expected to lead the bidding for future BTCC coverage.