The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship brought the curtain down on its 2024 season in action-packed style at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 5/6) asĀ Jake Hill was crowned champion for the first time.
On what was one of the most dramatic final days of the season in recent memory, the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver held his nerve in front of a capacity crowd on the world-famous Grand Prix circuit to cement his status as a tin top great.
Arriving at the Kent venue tied on points with Tom Ingram at the top of the standings, Hill charged to an impressive eighth win of the season in race one before adding a brace of podium finishes – the latter of which was enough to seal the coveted title.
Hillās journey to clinching the biggest prize in UK motorsport has been nothing short of sensational this year with one pole position, eight wins and a further eight podium finishes being tallied over the course of the ten-event campaign.
Whilst unable to overhaul Hill from clinching the coveted crown, Ingram settled for runners-up laurels whilst outgoing Ash Sutton, Colin Turkington and Dan Cammish completed the top five in the standings.
Elsewhere, NAPA Racing UK claimed the Teamsā Championship for a third straight season but they were unable to stop BMW from sealing a record-breaking tenth Manufacturers-Constructors Championship.
Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing were the dominant force on their way to a maiden Independent Teamsā Championship while drivers ĆrĆ³n Taylor-Smith and Mikey Doble clinched the Independent Driversā and Jack Sears Trophy titles respectively.
Qualifying on Saturday afternoon set the scene for an action-packed Finalās Day as Turkington secured the Goodyear Wingfoot Award – which is awarded to the top qualifier – by snaring his fourth pole position of the campaign.
Race one would see drama ensue from the get-go as Ingram found himself caught up in an incident that ended the races of Sutton and Josh Cook within a couple of corners. Hill would escape unscathed from the incident and ultimately powered his way to a crucial win.
The tables would turn in race two as Ingram produced a stellar opening few laps to dispatch both Hill and Turkington before he cruised to victory. That result meant that just one point – in Hillās favour – separated the pair heading into the final race of the year.
In what was an epic showdown, Sutton produced a clinical display in the wet conditions to sign off his tenure as champion with a victory however it was behind him where everyoneās attention was fixed.
Ingram initially got the better of Hill in the opening exchanges although it didnāt take long for the tide to turn and soon it was the BMW driver on the front foot. At mid-distance he found a way past Ingram and from there he didnāt look back as he went on to finish in second place.
With Ingram unable to strike back, Hill held his nerve and swept his way to an emotional first BTCC title.
To view the full classification of results from all BTCC sessions at Brands Hatch, as well as the final championship standings, CLICK HERE.
The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return in 2025, with a brand-new season poised to start at Donington Park on April 26/27.