The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship continued its 2022 season in style at Brands Hatch this past weekend (May 14/15) as Josh Cook and Colin Turkington splashed their way to victory. 

Coming off the back of a sensational curtain-raiser at Donington Park last month, the UK’s premier motorsport series took centre stage at the Kent venue in contrasting conditions to produce three blockbuster races. 

Basking in bright sunshine on Saturday, qualifying around the 1.2-mile circuit proved to be a record-breaking affair as Turkington stormed to pole position, leading a West Surrey Racing 1-2-3. 

At the wheel of his BMW 330e M Sport, the four-time champion set a blistering time of 47.539 to clinch top spot ahead of his team-mates Jake Hill and Stephen Jelley. Adam Morgan made it four BMWs on the front two rows whilst Tom Ingram rounded out the top five – despite having no hybrid deployment available. 

Teams and drivers were greeted by overcast on Sunday with the heavens ultimately opening prior to race one. With a majority of the grid opting to go for wet weather tyres, Turkington held the lead in the early stages as he tip-toed his way round the first few laps, with Hill hot on his heels.

As the race progressed, Rich Energy with BTC Racing’s Cook soon became the driver to watch as he charged to the front of the field in his Honda Civic Type R. Making a number of moves at Paddock Hill Bend, Cook took the lead on lap 17 and didn’t look back – going on to claim his first win of the season.

Ingram produced a superlative performance to finish second whilst Dan Cammish enjoyed an under the radar drive to finish third, clinching his first piece of silverware with NAPA Racing UK.

Race two would see Cook double his tally for the day after he withstood a torrent of attacks. Hill would be the first to challenge the Honda ace before Cammish then staged a late charge however neither of them could unseat the wily campaigner from top spot.

Cammish would settle for second whilst Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Rory Butcher rounded out the podium in his rapid Corolla.

Having started the day at the front of the field, Turkington ended his weekend on a high as he clinched his first win of the season. Lining up third virtue of the reverse grid draw, the Team BMW driver wasted no time in moving into the lead and from there, he controlled proceedings until the end. 

Hill made it a BMW 1-2 as he shadowed his stablemate to the finish whilst Bobby Thompson bagged his maiden podium in the series after guiding his Team HARD. Cupra to third place; which in-turn netted him Jack Sears Trophy honours for a second successive event.

Leaving Brands Hatch it is Ingram that remains at the summit of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship, eight points ahead of Cook who has moved up to second. 

Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com lead both the BTCC Manufacturer-Constructors Championship and the BTCC Teams’ Championship whilst Cook and Rich Energy with BTC Racing do the same in the Independent rankings.

To view the full classification of results from the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, click here. 

Thruxton Circuit provides the next stop on the calendar with Rounds 7, 8 & 9 set t take place on May 28/29.