Tag: BTCC

Dan Cammish and Tom Chilton made a winning start to the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season this past weekend (April 22/23) as they shared the spoils at what was a wet and wild Donington Park opener.

Lifting the curtain on the new campaign after months of excitement and anticipation, the UK’s premier motorsport series blasted back into life in spectacular style with three high-octane contests around the 1.98-mile National layout. 

Boasting enhancements to hybrid deployment and the re-introduction of the Goodyear ‘Option’ tyre this year, the unpredictable nature of the BTCC was there for all to see – and it started on Saturday as the 27-car field battled it out be a part of the Top Ten Showdown in qualifying.

Following a frenetic 30-minute session, the top ten fastest drivers progressed into the Top Ten Showdown to battle for pole position and it was Dan Rowbottom that roared to the summit of the times; 0.041 of a second ahead of his Ford stablemate Ashley Sutton. 

Behind, Jake Hill and Colin Turkington made it an all-BMW second row whilst Cammish and reigning champion Tom Ingram completed the top six.

Damp conditions greeted drivers on race day and the first of Sunday’s three contests would see NAPA Racing UK’s Cammish produce a superlative performance to kick-start the new campaign with a visit to the top step of the podium.

Following contact at the start between Sutton, Hill and Rowbottom – which ultimately forced Sutton to retire – Hill controlled proceedings out front for much of the race however Cammish remained a looming figure in his mirrors throughout. 

Closing on the Laser Tools Racing BMW in the latter stages, the three-time Porsche Carrera Cup GB title winner made his move at the bottom of the Craner Curves with two laps to go and once in the lead, he pulled clear to take victory ahead of Hill, Ingram and impressive debutant Andrew Watson.

Race two proved to be a truly wet and wild affair as heavy rain on the formation lap saw a number of drivers dive into the pit lane for wet tyres, whilst many of the front-runners remained on slicks. 

After an early safety car period, the rain only intensified and as more switched tyres, those that made the early gamble came to the fore – with Chilton leading the way. 

Along with Adam Morgan, the Hyundai ace scythed his way through the field to claim what was his first win the series in four years. Morgan would finish second on his WSR debut whilst Sam Osborne claimed a first-ever podium finish after rookie Ronan Pearson was disqualified post-race.

One of the undoubted stars of the show however was Team HARD driver Nicolas Hamilton who produced the perfect drive after switching to wets early on to clinch a career-best finish of sixth place.

The weekend’s third and final contest would see Cammish cap off a memorable day with a commanding lights-to-flag victory. Starting back on pole position virtue of the reverse grid draw, the Yorkshireman pulled clear of the chasing pack to triumph comfortably.

Behind, the battle for second place had everyone on the edge of their seats as Ingram, Sutton, Hill and Turkington all jostled for position; with the quartet going on to finish in that order.

Leaving Donington Park, Cammish holds an early seven-point lead at summit of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship with Ingram and Hill hot on his heels in second and third.

EXCELR8 Motorsport/Hyundai top the BTCC Manufacturer-Constructors Championship whilst BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCLER8 have secured a slender advantage in the BTCC Teams’ Championship. In the Independents’ category, Bobby Thompson and CarStore Power Maxed Racing lead the way after three rounds.

The Jack Sears Trophy – which is once again open to drivers that haven’t scored an outright podium in the series – saw Watson edge out Dexter Patterson to claim weekend honours.

To view the results of all BTCC sessions at Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season continues at Brands Hatch on May 14/15; with Rounds 4, 5 & 6 playing out around the Indy layout of the famous Kent venue.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is primed and ready to embark on what promises to be another memorable year after officially launching its 2023 season this evening (April 11), announcing a 27-car entry list.

Ahead of tomorrow’s (April 12) official test day at Brands Hatch, the UK’s premier motorsport the former champions, proven contenders and young challengers that are all set to battle it out for the coveted crown.

Consistency is key for many of the BTCC’s leading lights, with last year’s top six contenders all remaining with their respective outfits for the new season.

Headlining the entry is reigning champion Tom Ingram, who once again spearheads the Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 team.. Back behind the wheel of the Hyundai i30 Fastback N, Ingram will run coveted number one this year – with Tom Chilton, Nick Halstead and Ronan Pearson joining him.

It’s familiar surroundings for Ashley Sutton as he bids to regain the title he lost last year. Sticking with NAPA Racing UK and the Ford Focus, Sutton partners up with Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom and Sam Osborne.

West Surrey Racing have expanded their operation to run four BMW 330e M Sports for the forthcoming season with Adam Morgan joining Jake Hill, Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley.

Expansion is the key word at Toyota Gazoo Racing UK too as they add George Gamble alongside Rory Butcher and Ricky Collard in a third Corolla GR Sport for the year. 

The newly named One Motorsport with Starline Racing once again houses perennial contender and defending Independent Drivers’ champion Josh Cook in a Honda Civic Type R. Aiden Moffat and Will Powell complete the line-up.

One of the busiest teams over the off-season has been Team HARD, who – sticking with the Cupra Leon – have swelled to six entries across three teams. 

Bobby Thompson and Dan Lloyd will lead the line under the Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils banner whilst Dexter Patterson and Jade Edwards (Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD), Jack Butel and Nicolas Hamilton (Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown) will all look to play their part too.. 

Rounding out the Class of 2023 is CarStore Power Maxed Racing; another team that have added an additional car for the new season. Multiple race winner Aron Taylor-Smith will lead the Vauxhall Astra team with rookies Andrew Watson and Mikey Doble completing the trio.

CLICK HERE for the full 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship entry list.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “It has been as busy as ever during the off-season, but now we can’t wait to get the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship started.

“The championship again boasts a hugely competitive driver line-up with an ever-growing number of genuine title contenders all looking to win the title, so it will be interesting to see who will come out on top.

“The Hybrid introduction last year proved very successful and popular among fans, but we immediately identified ways in which to tweak how the Hybrid is deployed in order further enhance the competitiveness for 2023. 

“This, plus the reintroduction of the Goodyear option tyre and the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ qualifying format now being adopted at five of the ten events, means it is set to be an extremely exciting season ahead.

“Kwik Fit, Goodyear, ITV, Cosworth, M-Sport and our other incredibly loyal partners play a massive role in this championship, and we remain always grateful for their support and enthusiasm. It’s almost time for the talking to stop and the action to get underway, so we hope you all enjoy the 2023 BTCC season.”

The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences at Donington Park on April 22/23.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has confirmed that its 2023 Season Launch will take place at Brands Hatch on Wednesday 12th April.

In what has become a standout event in recent years, thousands of spectators are expected to flock to the Kent venue to get their first look at the ‘Class of 2023’.

Official championship photography and ITV filming duties will be carried out during an exclusive invite-only event on April 11 before six hours of testing will see teams and drivers share the track the following day ahead of the season-opener at Donington Park on April 22/23.

With each of the two three-hour sessions being split by a traditional lunch break, spectators will be able to get autographs and photos with their favourite drivers during a pitlane walkabout – identical to those famously run during BTCC race weekends.

Gates for the 2023 BTCC Season Launch will open at 10:00 and fans will be able to attend free of charge.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has confirmed that the introduction of hybrid power and more sustainable fuel received almost universal praise by those that took part in the recent 2023 BTCC Fans’ Survey.

Opening in January and closing in early February, the survey attracted record numbers as the BTCC’s loyal fanbase gave their opinions on all facets of what is widely regarded as the UK’s premier motorsport series.

Whilst the final results of all categories are set to be published in due course, the BTCC’s introduction of hybrid power and a more sustainable fuel received a huge vote from supporters with nearly 80% either strongly agreeing or agreeing that the championship has taken a very positive step in introducing both elements. 

Another statistic that stood out during the early summary was an increase in women following the BTCC, with an increase in just one year of almost 5% of females taking part from the previous survey in 2021.

Overall, supporters had their say on the likes of the race weekend experience, television broadcasts, media platforms, sponsorship, road cars, environment and sustainability, leisure and lifestyle and many more.

The final results of the 2023 BTCC Fans’ Survey will be published in the coming weeks.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “With the final results summary on some of the topics still being collated, we are proud to have received such an overwhelmingly positive response to our introduction of hybrid power and a more sustainable fuel.

“According to the fans, the BTCC is thriving in areas such as sustainability, equality and entertainment, and we will continue to strive for even greater successes in the future.

“We look forward to the final results being published over the coming weeks, but once again we would like to thank everyone for their great support by taking part in the survey in such vast numbers.”

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has announced a maximum 29-car entry for the 2023 season.

Following the December 1st 2022 entry approval deadline for all TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs), the grid of the UK’s premier motorsport series will remain at 29 for a second successive campaign. 

Notable allocations for next year include Speedworks Motorsport increasing to three cars and West Surrey Racing expanding to four cars; a result of each team having purchased one TBL from the departing Ciceley Motorsport squad. 

Team HARD has also expanded its entry to four cars for the forthcoming campaign after securing one additional TBL from Carl Boardley Motorsport.

Teams will announce full details regarding their respective entries (drivers, team names and sponsors) over the coming weeks and months, prior to the release of the finalised entry list for the forthcoming season in April.

2023 TOCA BTCC Licence Allocation

EXCELR8 Motorsport – 4

Team Dynamics – 2 

Aiden Moffat Racing – 2

Motorbase Performance – 4

Team HARD – 4

Speedworks Motorsport – 3

West Surrey Racing – 4 

Power Maxed Racing – 2 

BTC Racing – 3 

Carl Boardley Motorsport – 1 

The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasts into life at Donington Park on April 22/23.

British Touring Car Championship organisers TOCA have announced a number of changes to next year’s sporting regulations. 

Following the annual end-of-season meeting between TOCA and all participating BTCC teams, the headline amendments include the return of the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ qualifying format, the reintroduction of the ‘Option’ tyre and changes to Hybrid deployment.

The ‘Top Ten Showdown’ – which was introduced in 2020 and expanded in 2021 – will be adopted at five of the ten events.

All drivers will take part in the normal 30-minute qualifying session to record their lap times before taking a short five-minute break. The fastest ten competitors will then progress into a ten-minute pole position session to determine the top ten positions on the grid. 

Qualifying sessions at Donington Park (April 22/23), Brands Hatch Indy (May 6/7), Oulton Park (June 17/18), Knockhill (August 12/13) and Silverstone (September 23/24) will all feature the format.

The reintroduction of the Goodyear ‘Option’ tyre will take place at all events with the exception of Thruxton, where only the hard tyre will be used due to the high-speed and more abrasive nature of the track.

A majority of events will see two of the three compounds – hard, medium or soft – where the ‘Option’ tyre must be used at least once during race one, race two or race three – ensuring a variety of strategies. At Snetterton and Croft, all three tyre choices must be used across the three races.

Teams will not have to specify before qualifying or the race in which they will use their ‘Option’ tyre, with all choices being declared upon cars leaving the pit lane.

Following the successful introduction of Hybrid power into the BTCC in 2022, several enhancements have been made to ensure deployment carries a greater impact from 2023 onwards.

From next year, the top seven cars in the championship and/or top seven cars on the grid will have a reduced Hybrid time during qualifying and the races on a sliding scale, whilst the minimum speed at which the system can be deployed for those top seven has been increased.

Cars from eighth place onwards will be able to deploy Hybrid power from a reduced minimum speed, ensuring these drivers can utilise the additional power quicker than the leading order. Those cars will only have deployment for 50% of the racing laps.

Hybrid will be available to be deployed on the first lap after the safety car too, with the minimum time between deployments has been increased to five seconds, preventing drivers from staying on the power at the conclusion of one lap and heading into another.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “The changes we have made for 2023 have been done solely to keep to the core values of the championship – and that’s to make the BTCC as competitive, unpredictable, exciting and entertaining as possible.

“All year I’ve been asked by teams and drivers to bring the option tyre back for 2023, as they really enjoy the challenge it provides. So, we thank Goodyear for accommodating this and producing the three different specifications of tyres needed.

“As well, after the data-gathering and learnings from the first season using Hybrid, we identified ways in which to tweak how the Hybrid is deployed in order to better suit the competitive nature of the BTCC. Drivers throughout the field will now have to be more strategic as to when, where and how they use Hybrid.”

Tom Ingram admitted that clinching a maiden Kwik British Touring Car Championship title at Brands Hatch last weekend (October 8/9) as a ‘lifelong dream come true’.

Having previously missed out on the coveted crown on a number of occasions, the Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com driver produced a flawless performance at the Kent to come out on top of a thrilling four-way battle for outright honours.

Ingram went into the final weekend of the season sitting third in the points but pole position in Saturday’s qualifying session put him in the pound seat for race day in front of a packed trackside crowd. 

Converting pole into a brace of lights-to-flag victories in the opening two races, the 29-year-old went into last race with an 11-point advantage where a fine drive to fifth place was enough see him crowned champion.

Commenting on his title success, Ingram said: “I can’t believe it – this is a lifelong dream come true. I’ve been thinking about this moment for literally my entire life. The BTCC is what I always wanted to do. It’s what I always wanted to win. I’ve had a few years of coming into the finale with a chance and it not quite working out, so I honestly can’t put into words what this means and what an incredible feeling it is.

“I felt so relaxed going into the weekend, really chilled and actually more excited than anything else. I also knew I would need to attack – this was not the time to be ‘pointsy’ – and in all my years of driving around in circles, I’ve maybe only once before had a car as good as the Hyundai was at Brands Hatch.

“I said at the start of the weekend that after coming so close on so many occasions, I really didn’t want to be the bridesmaid anymore and it’s insane to think we’ve finally done it. I’ve got an absolutely fantastic team around me at Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com – they’ve worked tirelessly all year to make this happen, and this title is as much theirs as it is mine.

“I honestly cannot thank every single person who has helped me along this journey enough. I fell in love with the BTCC when I was just five-years-old, and when you’ve devoted your whole life to something, as my family and I have done… I simply don’t have the words. This isn’t going to sink in for quite some time.”

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns in 2023, with Donington Park providing the backdrop for the season-opener on April 22/23.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship brought the curtain down on its 2022 season at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 8/9) with Bristol Street Motors with TradePriceCars.com’s Tom Ingram being crowned champion for the first time ever. 

On what proved to be one of the most thrilling finales in the series’ illustrious history, the Hyundai i30N driver produced a flawless performance in front of a bumper crowd to overturn a seven-point deficit and write his name into the history books.

After being in contention for six successive seasons, the 29-year-old finally secured the most coveted prize in UK motorsport with pole position, two victories and a fifth place around the world-famous Grand Prix layout of the Kent circuit. 

Outgoing champion Ashley Sutton settled for runners-up laurels whilst Jake Hill, Colin Turkington and Rory Butcher rounded out the top five in the standings. 

NAPA Racing UK clinched the Teams’ Championship whilst BMW wrapped up the Manufacturer-Constructor Championship for a record-extending seventh consecutive year. 

Josh Cook claimed the Independent Drivers’ Championship for the first time whilst also helping Rich Energy BTC Racing do the same in the Independent Teams’ Championship. Bobby Thompson was the final champion to be crowned after he edged out George Gamble to lift the Jack Sears Trophy. 

Ingram’s pursuit of the title began during Saturday’s final qualifying session of the season where he obliterated the lap record to take pole position ahead of Butcher and Sutton. 

Lining up on the front row for the first of Sunday’s three bouts, the front-wheel-drive ace made a perfect getaway and despite having to deal with two safety car restarts, he didn’t put a wheel wrong to clinch a pivotal win which vaulted him to the standings summit.

Behind, Butcher held firm in second whilst Hill came out on top of an almighty battle for third which saw Sutton – who was suffering from a turbo failure – and Turkington firmly in the thick of the action. 

Race two saw Ingram extend his lead in the points and with it, take a giant leap towards what would be maiden crown, as he made it two out of two. Despite having to contend with immense pressure from Hill, the front-wheel-drive ace was perfection personified in his way to his fifth win of the season.

That result set up a three-way showdown heading into the final race of the season, with Ingram leading Hill by 11 points and Sutton a further three in arrears. 

Starting from tenth virtue of the reverse grid draw – which was made by Jason Plato on what was his final BTCC appearance – Ingram achieved what had been a lifelong dream as he claimed the crown with a superlative drive in the finale.

At the front, Daniel Lloyd ended a rollercoaster season with victory ahead of Cook and Butcher however it was the battle for fourth that had everyone’s attention. Sutton, Hill and Ingram ran nose-to-tail in the closing stages and following a last lap pass on Hill at Paddock Hill Bend, Ingram shadowed Sutton across the line to wrap up an emotional title victory.

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 2023, with the start of brand-new season poised to start at Donington Park on April 22/23.

The 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is set to go down to the wire at Brands Hatch this weekend (October 8/9) with no less than four drivers in contention to lift the most coveted prize in UK motorsport. 

In what has been another blockbuster season for the BTCC, a gripping showdown is set to play out around the legendary Grand Prix layout of the Kent venue in three highly-anticipated encounters.

Seven points separate the top three – the closest margin since 2011 – and at the top of the pile is reigning champion Ashley Sutton. Aiming to clinch what would be a record-equalling fourth crown, the NAPA Racing UK driver is relishing the prospect of writing another piece of history in his already illustrious career.

“I’m absolutely buzzing and can’t wait to get to Brands Hatch this weekend!” Sutton stated. “If you’d have told me early on in the season that we’d be heading into Finals Day leading then I’d have bit your hand off. 

“Seven points between three of us is nothing; you really couldn’t script it. Anything can and usually does happen at the final round but I’m feeling very comfortable with the situation I’m in as I know the demands that come with the finale, both in and out of the car. 

“I love the Grand Prix circuit and I’m confident the car will be really strong. I’m just ready to go now!”

Sitting second in the standings is ROKiT MB Motorsport’s Jake Hill. Having been one of the standout performers this year, the West Surrey Racing driver enters the weekend riding a wave of momentum and full of confidence he can capture what would be a maiden title.

Looking ahead to the weekend, the BMW driver said: “I’m immensely proud to be in the position I’m in and have the team I have around me. I’ve chipped away during the second half of the season and now we’re within a few points of the top now.

“I’ve got to be open-minded and be prepared for all eventualities, it is the BTCC after all. Qualifying – like it has been all year – is going to be so important. Hopefully we can be up near the front on Saturday and then go from there on Sunday.”

Two points adrift of Hill is the Bristol Street Motors with TradePriceCars.com entry of Tom Ingram. Making history by becoming the first race-winner of the hybrid era, the Hyundai i30N racer has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the year and heading into the weekend, he’s feeling relaxed. 

“I feel really well placed and excited going into the weekend,” Ingram said. “I’ll be going there off the back of a win and with a decent amount of hybrid too. I’ve been in the position of going into the finale in contention before so it’s nice and familiar.

“There’s seven points with three races to go – I don’t know a year like it. This is going to the last lap of the last race. I don’t think you can rule any of us out from lifting that title come Sunday night.”

Colin Turkington is the fourth and final driver to enter the weekend with a mathematical chance of being crowned BTCC champion for what would be a record-breaking fifth time. 

After enduring a frustrating three races at Silverstone last month, the Team BMW trails Sutton by 27 points and the contender with the most to do – however he can’t be discounted at all. 

“I’ve got to just get my head down and make the most of what I’ve got,” Turkington stated.  “At this stage that’s a chance at winning, but that’s all I need to keep me focused on delivering my best.

“The strategy for me as 4th in the standings is really simple – drive as hard and as fast as I can – let’s aim towards the 67 points and see where it gets me.  I’ve got nothing to lose!”

With a total of 67 points on offer across the weekend at Brands Hatch, the battle for supremacy is likely to throw up plenty of thrills and spills; and go all the way to the 30th and final round of the campaign. 

It won’t just be the BTCC Drivers’ Championship that will be settled either as champions will be crowned in the BTCC Teams’, Manufacturer/Constructors’, Independent Drivers’, Independent Teams’ Championship’s, as well as the Jack Sears Trophy.

To find out more information on this weekend’s season finale, CLICK HERE.

British Touring Car Championship Chief Executive Alan Gow has reiterated plans for a significant new junior series to join the TOCA package from the 2024 season onwards.

Following confirmation that Ginetta will switch across to the British GT support bill on a full-time basis next year, a vacancy on the bill of the country’s most high-profile motorsport package has been left.

Despite only planning to fill one slot for the 2023 season in order to alleviate some stress on the timetable, Gow has confirmed that he aims to bring a top-level junior championship to the TOCA stable for 2024.

“We want to introduce a top-level junior series to the TOCA package from 2024 onwards,” said Gow. “I should note that we are not talking about an already existing series. We are looking for something fresh, new and exciting to bring to the most popular and high-profile motorsport package in the UK.

“Not only will this be fantastic news for the tens of thousands of fans trackside and the millions more watching on our live ITV network coverage, but I strongly believe this is an important step and a vital injection for the racing pyramid in this country and beyond.

“Young drivers – and indeed their teams, sponsors and all stakeholders – who are looking to reach the pinnacle of their respective fields really do need to flourish and develop within a high-profile environment and only the BTCC support race package provides the kind of season-long exposure that developing drivers should have.

“The process has already begun and whether this championship comes entirely from a third-party manufacturer or organisation, or indeed whether TOCA plays a role in the introduction of a new series, is yet to be determined. Although the end result is quite simple; I want to have the best junior series that this country can produce, in order to help develop and generate our finest and most complete drivers for the future.

“We will obviously carefully assess any applications for a new junior series from 2024 and award the slot to the most appropriate and impressive – it’s a fantastic opportunity for the development of junior drivers in the UK and one we’re all excited about.”

“The emails keep arriving ,” Gow concluded. “With regard to the full support series for 2023, we will only be filling one slot so as to take some strain off our race weekend timetables.

“We will take this opportunity to have different guest series’ joining the bill during the course of the 2023 season. So, it will likely be two, three or even four different championships filling the vacant slots at various times during the year, which will provide more variety for the fan base as well as giving those championships unprecedented levels of exposure.”

The chosen series’ will join Porsche Carrera Cup GB, British Formula 4 and the MINI Challenge on the BTCC support bill and any further announcement will be made by TOCA in due course.

Four drivers will head into the final three races of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season in contention to be crowned champion next month following an action-packed weekend (September 24/25) at Silverstone. 

Brands Hatch will provide the setting for the 2022 finale in less than two weeks’ time and it will see Ashley Sutton, Jake Hill, Tom Ingram and Colin Turkington all arrive with a mathematical shot at lifting the biggest prize in UK motorsport – with a maximum of 67 points set to be on offer at the famous Kent venue.

The penultimate event of the season at Silverstone saw its fair share of thrills and spills as both Hill and Ingram, along with Rory Butcher, enjoyed a share of the spoils around the 1.64-mile National circuit.

Qualifying at the Home of British Motor Racing on Saturday underlined how competitive the BTCC currently is with no less than 26 drivers being covered by less than second. At the top of the times, nobody could stop Toyota Gazoo Racing UK’s Butcher as he clinched pole position by the narrowest of margins. 

Just 0.037s separated the Scotsman and title contender Hill, who secured his sixth front-row start of the season. Hot on their heels was the duo of Adam Morgan and Ingram who locked out row two whilst Dan Cammish completed the top five.

Butcher converted his front-row start into a superb first win of the season in the opening contest after he soaked up immense pressure from the BMW duo of Hill and Morgan. Storming clear in the early running, the Toyota man was forced to deal with a safety car period but he ultimately didn’t put a wheel wrong to triumph. 

Further back, action was rife throughout the field with the likes of Ingram, Sutton, Cammish and Gordon Shedden in the midst of many wheel-to-wheel battles. Notably, Turkington endured a torrid time as a spin and further contact saw him non-score. 

Race two saw Hill stamp his authority on proceedings with a commanding victory. In what was a carbon copy of the day’s earlier bout, the MB Motorsport driver shadowed Butcher up until mid-distance before, after a brief safety car period, he hit the front following a fine move at Copse. 

Once out front, the rear-wheel-drive ace got his head down and pulled clear of the chasing pack, which was led by Butcher and three-time champion Shedden. Title rivals Sutton and Ingram rounded out the top five after a captivating cat-and-mouse battle down the three long straights of Silverstone.

The weekend’s third and final race saw Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com’s Ingram come to the fore as he cruised to a comfortable victory. Starting fourth, the Hyundai driver was in the right place at the right time as drama kicked off in front of him on lap one, with Morgan, Cammish and Josh Cook all in strife.

Despite having to contend with several safety car periods, Ingram remained relatively unchallenged out front to clinch his fourth victory of the season ahead of series leader Sutton and race one winner Butcher. 

With just one final race meeting left to run, Sutton holds a slender five-point lead at the summit of the Drivers’ Championship over Hill, with Ingram a further two markers adrift. Four-time champion Turkington will head into the event with the most ground to make up as he trails Sutton by 27 points.

Cook has provisionally wrapped up the Independent Drivers’ Championship whilst Rich Energy BTC Racing have edged closer to clinching the Independent Teams’ crown. 

BMW remain on course to win a seventh successive Manufacturer-Constructor title however they will need things to fall their way if they want to lift the Teams’ Championship, as NAPA Racing UK hold a commanding lead. 

In the Jack Sears Trophy, Bobby Thompson sits on the cusp of lifting the coveted title as he holds a 49-point lead over George Gamble in the category. 

To view the full classification of results from all BTCC sessions at Silverstone, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will bring the curtain down on its 2022 season on October 8/9, with three races scheduled to play out around the Grand Prix layout of Brands Hatch.

Dan Cammish, Ash Sutton and Josh Cook scored victory on what proved to be a blockbuster race day in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton this past weekend (August 27/28) to set up what promises to be a grandstand finish to the season.

Entering the business end of the 2022 campaign, the UK’s premier motor sport series put on  a show around the fastest circuit in the country for the bumper crowd that had flocked trackside. 

With every point proving to be crucial in deciding the destiny of the title, the battle for pole position in qualifying was as important as ever on Saturday afternoon; with NAPA Racing UK’s Cammish ultimately claiming bragging rights by a mere 0.017s.

Leaving it late in the session, Cammish powered his Ford Focus ST to the top of the times to pip Thruxton specialist Cook, who had held provisional pole for a majority of qualifying. Title contenders Jake Hill and Sutton locked out the second row whist Gordon Shedden rounded out the top five.

Cammish cruised to a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the opening contest whilst drama kicked off behind him. Sailing off into the distance as soon as the lights went out, contact between three of the chasing pack had everyone on the edge of their seats. 

Hill, Sutton and Cook came to blows through the Complex however they all emerged unscathed, although the latter was sent plummeting down the field. As the dust settled, Shedden picked his way through to second with Sutton hot on his heels in third; that would be where they’d finish. 

Race two saw NAPA Racing UK’s dream day continue as they recorded their first-ever 1-2 finish, with Sutton marking his 200th race in the BTCC with victory. 

Like he had done earlier in the day, Cammish dominated proceedings and had looked on-course to double his tally before the team made the decision to let Sutton through with two laps to go, allowing him to secure those extra few points in the fight for the title.

After dropping to third on the opening lap, Shedden – who in-turn was celebrating his 400th start in the series – enjoyed a relatively trouble-free run to third whilst Hill was fourth once again.

The third and final race of the weekend saw the ‘King of Thruxton’ Cook charge to a tenth career victory around the circuit. Starting fourth, the Rich Energy BTC Racing driver produced a superb opening two laps to fight his way to the front.

Once there, the Honda Civic Type R racer punched in a string of scintillating laps to pull clear of the chasing pack which was led by four-time champion Turkington. Cook would ultimately romp to a comfortable victory ahead the Northern Irishman and his BMW team-mate Stephen Jelley, who rounded out the rostrum.

Just two events and six races now remain in the 2022 season with Turkington sitting at the summit of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship. Elsewhere, Team BMW lead the way in the BTCC Teams’ Championship standings. 

Cook and Rich Energy BTC Racing continue to top the Independent Drivers’ and Independent Teams’ categories, with BMW setting the pace on the Manufacturer-Constructors’ leaderboard. In the Jack Sears Trophy, Bobby Thompson remains out front having further extended his lead. 

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Thruxton, CLICK HERE.

The penultimate event of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will see Rounds 25, 26 & 27 play out around the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, on September 24/25.