BTCC – Rainford secures maiden win with WSR clean sweep

Charles Rainford picked up his maiden win while securing a clean sweep for WSR in the process. In just his sixth BTCC race, Rainford moved up from third on the grid to take the lead.

Jake Hill came home second behind his teammate with Tom Ingram having to settle for third. It’s the first time since 2015 that three different WSR drivers picked up wins over a single race weekend.

Dan Rowbottom had pole position thanks to the reverse grid draw, and led off the line; despite a brilliant start by Hill. Rainford managed to get past Hill before making a move on Rowbottom into Paddock Hill on lap two.

The BTCC is renowned for its bumper to bumper action, but Aiden Moffat took that too literally when he was repeatedly tapping the rear end of Ash Sutton’s Ford Focus. The Scot was handed a warning and backed off.

Hill fought and finally passed Rowbottom on lap nine, and went in pursuit of Rainford ahead. Meanwhile behind, Ingram made his way from 11th on the grid up to third in his Hyundai, setting the fastest lap in the process.

A few laps from the end Rainford was under pressure, trying to keep his composure and secure his win. Max Hall going off at Clearways and parking his Cupra could have brought out the safety car, but the stewards let the race come to a natural conclusion.

On the penultimate lap Ingram fought Hill for second, making slight contact into Druids. Despite the scuffle, Hill prevailed, and it allowed Rainford to get away and secure his first win.

Rainford took first, Hill second and Ingram third. Sutton came home fourth with Chris Smiley and Josh Cook following behind. Tom Chilton recovered from a poor race one to finish seventh. Moffat, Rowbottom and Gordon Shedden rounded off the top ten.

James Dorlin, Adam Morgan, race two winner Daryl DeLeon took home points. Dan Cammish recovered from his race two DNF to take 14th with Aron Taylor-Smith grabbing the last point for 15th.

Ash Sutton retakes the lead of the championship by just five points to Ingram, with Hill third heading to the next trio of races at Snetterton.

Pos

Name

Team

Car

1 (3)

Charles RAINFORD

LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR

BMW 330e

2 (2)

Jake HILL

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport

BMW 330e

3 (11)

Tom INGRAM

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

4 (7)

Ash SUTTON

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

5 (6)

Chris SMILEY

Restart Racing

Hyundai i30N

6 (4)

Josh COOK

ONE Motorsport

Honda Civic Type-R

7 (12)

Tom CHILTON

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

8 (5)

Aiden MOFFAT

Team WSR

BMW 330e

9 (1)

Dan ROWBOTTOM

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

10 (16)

Gordon SHEDDEN

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

11 (18)

James DORLIN

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

12 (8)

Adam MORGAN

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

13 (9)

Daryl DELEON

Team WSR

BMW 330e

14 (23)

Dan CAMMISH

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

15 (15)

Aron TAYLOR-SMITH

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

16 (14)

Michael CREES

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

17 (10)

Ronan PEARSON

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

18 (17)

Sam OSBORNE

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

19 (13)

Stephen JELLEY

ONE Motorsport

Honda Civic Type-R

20 (22)

Mikey DOBLE

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

21 (25)

Dexter PATTERSON

RoKIT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport

Cupra Leon

22 (21)

Dan LLOYD

Restart Racing

Hyundai i30N

23 (19)

Nicholas HAMILTON

Powder Monkey

Cupra Leon

24 (20)

Nick HALSTEAD

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

25 (24)

Max HALL

RoKIT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport

Cupra Leon

BTCC – Daryl DeLeon secures maiden win in chaotic race at Brands Hatch

Daryl DeLeon secured his maiden BTCC win as he took the chequered flag for WSR in round five at Brands Hatch. A chaotic race dominated by tyre compounds and interrupted by two safety car periods, DeLeon was on the better soft tyre and powered to victory in his BMW. Adam Morgan finished second with Ash Sutton taking his 100th BTCC podium in third.

Race one winner Jake Hill started on pole with Charles Rainford second to make it an all-BMW front row. They sped off the line, both on the hard tyre, which would mean a deficit in pace to the soft tyre shod cars.

Dan Cammish made his way up to third, battling Rainford for second before passing him on lap four at Clearways.

Lap five saw DeLeon take third from Rainford, his hard tyres making it hard to defend. The first piece of drama came when Dan Lloyd was punted wide on the Cooper straight. He made a pit stop but finished a lap down in 21st.

The first of two safety car periods came on lap seven when Max Hall and Dexter Patterson collided at Paddock Hill and ended up in the gravel trap. After a near ten-lap delay, the safety car was halfway down the pit lane when it was to be re-deployed.

As is standard procedure with safety car restarts, Hill was bunching up the pack. However Dan Cammish encountered an issue with his Ford Focus, causing it to stop. Cars made their way past the stricken Yorkshireman, but Aiden Moffat wasn’t as lucky; running into the back of Cammish. Causing another safety car to clear his car and the debris on the circuit.

This promoted DeLeon up to second, and on the restart he wasted no time. He passed Hill into Paddock Hill bend in what was a gutsy overtake. He pulled it off and led away to the chequered flag. This began Hill’s descent down the grid as the soft tyre cars made their way through.

The best of the overtakes on Hill however, went to Adam Morgan, who rounded the BMW on the outside at Paddock.

DeLeon strolled to the finish, taking his first win in the series. Morgan and Sutton finished on the podium, with Chris Smiley following Sutton through the grid for fourth place.

Moffat finished fifth despite the contact with Cammish, making up 15 places in the process. Josh Cook was sixth with Rainford and Hill following behind. Dan Rowbottom and Ronan Pearson rounded out the top ten.

Championship leader Tom Ingram could only finish 11th on the hard tyre, with Tom Chilton in 12th. The final three points places were taken by Stephen Jelley, Michael Crees, and Aron Taylor-Smith.

Dan Rowbottom will start the final race on pole thanks to the reverse grid draw, with Sutton and Ingram looking to fight through the grid for vital points.

Pos

Name

Team

Car

1 (7)

Daryl DELEON

Team WSR

BMW 330e

2 (4)

Adam MORGAN

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

3 (10)

Ash SUTTON

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

4 (12)

Chris SMILEY

Restart Racing

Hyundai i30N

5 (20)

Aiden MOFFAT

Team WSR

BMW 330e

6 (15)

Josh COOK

ONE Motorsport

Honda Civic Type-R

7 (2)

Charles RAINFORD

LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR

BMW 330e

8 (1)

Jake HILL

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport

BMW 330e

9 (18)

Dan ROWBOTTOM

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

10 (11)

Ronan PEARSON

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

11 (3)

Tom INGRAM

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

12 (22)

Tom CHILTON

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

13 (14)

Stephen JELLEY

ONE Motorsport

Honda Civic Type-R

14 (13)

Michael CREES

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

15 (16)

Aron TAYLOR-SMITH

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

16 (21)

Gordon SHEDDEN

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

17 (8)

Sam OSBORNE

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

18 (17)

James DORLIN

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

19 (25)

Nicholas HAMILTON

Powder Monkey

Cupra Leon

20 (24)

Nick HALSTEAD

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

21 (9)

Dan LLOYD

Restart Racing

Hyundai i30N

22 (6)

Mikey DOBLE

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

DNF (5)

Dan CAMMISH

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

DNF (19)

Dexter PATTERSON

RoKIT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport

Cupra Leon

DNF (23)

Max HALL

RoKIT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport

Cupra Leon

BTCC – Jake Hill ignites title defence with lights to flag win

Jake Hill ignited his championship defence with a lights to flag win in round four of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

BMW teammate Charles Rainford followed for a one-two finish for the WSR team; a record breaking 133rd win making them the most successful team in BTCC history. Tom Ingram claimed third place, and while briefly threatening the BMW’s in front, he managed his race well for third.

Hill and Rainford got away well at the start, settling into a formation which wouldn’t be breached for the duration of the 24 lap race. Ash Sutton was the one who started best, making three places off the grid from 13th. Dan Lloyd was given a five second penalty for a false start, taking him from seventh to ninth.

Ingram started to pressure the BMW duo on lap two, the Team Vertu driver had a promising opening weekend at Donington Park last time out, and pulled away from teammate Adam Morgan in pursuit of the leaders.

The BMW hadn’t shown much pace at Donington, but with Brands favouring rear wheel drive, they came to life here. Rainford set a new lap record not once, but twice; showing Donington was just a blip.

By lap nine Hill had settled into a rhythm, while Rainford had Ingram to deal with. The Hyundai driver putting pressure on Rainford, the rookie who was starting his fourth BTCC race.

After a few laps of pressure, Ingram decided to play the long game, and eased off, settling for third. This led to Morgan closing in, and the Excelr8 drivers running in formation.

Hill strolled to his first win of the season, in the process kick-starting his championship defence. Rainford followed home six tenths behind for his first BTCC podium. With a performance like that, it will surely be the first of many.

Ingram and Morgan followed behind with Dan Cammish having a quiet race, coming home fifth. Mikey Doble was sixth for Power Maxed Racing with Lloyd finishing seventh on the road, but dropping to ninth once his penalty was applied.

Daryl Deleon and Sam Osborne were the beneficiaries of Lloyd’s penalty, finishing seventh and eighth. Ash Sutton rounded off the top ten for NAPA Racing. Ronan Pearson, Chris Smiley, Michael Crees took points finishes with the two ONE Motorsport Honda’s of Stephen Jelley and Josh Cook taking the final points places.

Tom Ingram takes the lead of the championship, capitalising on Sutton finishing lower down the order, with Jake Hill now third. The BMW man will be starting on pole for race two, which will give him an advantage and a chance to climb further up the table.

Pos

Name

Team

Car

1

Jake HILL

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport

BMW 330e

2

Charles RAINFORD

LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR

BMW 330e

3

Tom INGRAM

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

4

Adam MORGAN

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

5

Dan CAMMISH

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

6

Mikey DOBLE

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

7

Daryl DELEON

Team WSR

BMW 330e

8

Sam OSBORNE

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

9

Dan LLOYD

Restart Racing

Hyundai i30N

10

Ash SUTTON

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

11

Ronan PEARSON

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

12

Chris SMILEY

Restart Racing

Hyundai i30N

13

Michael CREES

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

14

Stephen JELLEY

ONE Motorsport

Honda Civic Type-R

15

Josh COOK

ONE Motorsport

Honda Civic Type-R

16

Aron TAYLOR-SMITH

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

17

James DORLIN

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

18

Dan ROWBOTTOM

NAPA Racing

Ford Focus

19

Dexter PATTERSON

RoKIT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport

Cupra Leon

20

Aiden MOFFAT

Team WSR

BMW 330e

21

Gordon SHEDDEN

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota Corolla

22

Tom CHILTON

Team Vertu

Hyundai i30N

23

Max HALL

RoKIT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport

Cupra Leon

24

Nick HALSTEAD

Power Maxed Racing

Vauxhall Astra

DNF

Nicholas HAMILTON

Powder Monkey

Cupra Leon

Opinion: Árón Taylor-Smith will win a BTCC race this season, maybe even more!

Taylor-Smith in action at Silverstone last season. (Credit: Aaron Irwin)

It’s normal before a season starts to make predictions. Some are obvious, and often predictable, while others are outlandish, frivolous or even considered an outside bet. However, I can say with absolute certainty, that Aron Taylor-Smith will win a race in the forthcoming British Touring Car Championship season.

While there are 30 races in a season, it doesn’t seem too bold a claim to say he’ll win at least one, but it’s worth remembering the ability the BTCC class of ‘25 possesses. Reigning champion Jake Hill, as well as the likes of Tom Ingram, Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish and the return of three-time champion Gordon Shedden among others, mean the possibility of taking the chequered flag will be harder than ever.

So why am I so certain ATS will add to his four-win tally this season?

The popular Irishman has joined the works Toyota team for 2025, having left Power Maxed Racing. It’s the first manufacturer drive of his BTCC career, having made his debut in 2011. He’s always raced for independently backed teams, and last season saw Taylor-Smith secure the Independents title at a canter. ATS has made a habit of showing his capability to fight with the big boys, but now he joins the very teams he’s been fighting for years.

In recent years he’s become something of an expert in defensive driving. In an ageing Vauxhall Astra, ATS has been performing above expectations, regularly in the top ten among newer, arguably faster machinery. While earning high qualifying positions, Taylor-Smith had to scrap and fight for points. In spite of this, he was clearly successful, he earned two podiums at Oulton Park and Donington, and finished in the points in all 30 rounds in 2024.

His new steed, the proven Toyota Corolla, has race-winning pedigree, and with a speedy Irishman behind the wheel, it’s a formula bound for success.

‘Absolute Confidence’

ATS himself has ‘absolute confidence’ in the team and sees ‘no reason at all’ why he can’t be fighting for wins, and even the title.

“Having spent the past two years trying to beat the manufacturer-backed cars, it’ll be a surreal feeling to be amongst them,” the 35 year old commented. “That just spurs me on even more to put on a show. I’ve only ever wanted a chance to fight for the overall BTCC title, and I firmly believe that joining forces with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK gives me the perfect platform and environment to create that opportunity.”

His new team, Speedworks Motorsport, were responsible for Toyota’s return to the BTCC in 2019 after a 24 year absence. They introduced the Corolla, with Tom Ingram at the wheel. In its debut season, Ingram picked up four wins on his way to sixth in the standings. Since then, the Corolla’s secured 13 wins for Ingram, Rory Butcher, Aiden Moffat, Rob Huff and Josh Cook.

Toyota will field four Corollas this season, with Taylor-Smith being joined by one-time race winner Ronan Pearson, rookie James Dorlin, and the aforementioned Gordon Shedden no less. The latter making his much anticipated return to the grid after three years away.

The signing of Shedden outlines Toyota’s intentions for the new year, and the Japanese manufacturer will be gunning for success. Their stable is full of drivers with front wheel drive experience, and with an intriguing grid taking shape, I’m certain Toyota’s next visit to the top of the rostrum, will be with ATS.

BTCC Round Six – Turkington leads BMW 1-2 with Thompson’s first ever podium

Colin Turkington took victory in Round Six of the British Touring Car Chamoionship. Team mate Jake Hill finished second for a BMW one-two with Bobby Thompson securing his first ever podium finishing third in his Team HARD Cupra Leon.

An incredible start from Jake Hill from sixth saw him fighting for the lead into Paddock Hill Bend. The Safety Car was deployed when Jason Plato locked up into Druids and put his Honda Civic into the tyre wall.

Lap six saw the restart and Tom Chilton remained in the lead with Colin Turkington hunting him down. On the end of lap seven Turkington got the better exit out of Clearways and down the pit straight they ran side by side. Going into the first corner at Paddock Turkington went around the outside and took the lead of the race.

Chilton started falling down the order, Jake Hill and Bobby Thompson passed him before he pitted on lap 16 with a mechanical issue. Lap 18 saw the end of Chilton’s race as he gambled with slick tyres. He went off at Druids and brought out a second safety car.

The race restarted on lap 23 and the BMW pair of Turkington and Hill sped away from Bobby Thompson in third place. This was how the top three would finish. Turkington took the win with Hill second. Thompson was third in his Cupra to secure his first ever podium finish.

Tom Ingram finished fourth to preserve his championship lead with Rory Butcher, Ash Sutton and George Gamble behind him. Double race winner Josh Cook was eighth with Dan Lloyd and Dan Cammish rounding off the top ten.

Pos Driver Car Team
1 Colin Turkington BMW 330e Team WSR 26:45:566
2 Jake Hill BMW330e Team WSR +1.181
3 Bobby Thompson Cupra Leon Team HARD +5.198
4 Tom Ingram Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +5.808
5 Rory Butcher Toyota Corolla Speedworks +6.186
6 Ash Sutton Ford Focus Motorbase +6.488
7 George Gamble BMW 330e Ciceley +7.031
8 Josh Cook Honda Civic FK8 BTC Racing +8.256
9 Dan Lloyd Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +9.062
10 Dan Cammish Ford Focus Motorbase +9.543
11 Gordon Shedden Honda Civic FK8 Team Dynamics +11.783
12 Ollie Jackson Ford Focus Motorbase +12.012
13 Stephen Jelley BMW 330e Team WSR +12.276
14 Adam Morgan BMW 330e Ciceley +12.336
15 Aiden Moffat Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +14.014
16 Aron Taylor- Smith Cupra Leon Team HARD +14.777
17 Jade Edwards Honda Civic FK8 BTC Racing +15.000
18 Sam Osborne Ford Focus Motorbase +15.927
19 Jack Butel Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +16.152
20 Ricky Collard Toyota Corolla Speedworks +17.075
21 Ash Hand Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +17.940
22 Dan Rowbottom Honda Civic FK8 Team Dynamics +18.645
23 Dexter Patterson Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +21.977
24 Nicholas Hamilton Cupra Leon Team HARD +25.229
25 Will Powell Cupra Leon Team HARD +1 Lap
DNF Tom Chilton Hyundai i30N Excelr8 Crash
DNF Rick Parfitt Infiniti Q50 Team HARD Mechanical
DNF Jason Plato Honda Civic FK8 BTC Racing Crash
DNS Michael Crees Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed Damage

BTCC Round Five – Cook secures double win despite multiple challenges

Josh Cook secured his second win of the day in Round Five of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

It’s the first double win of the season as he held off charges from Jake Hill and then Dan Cammish to take the chequered flag.

The start saw the BMW pair of Hill and Colin Tarkington shoot off the second row of the grid to pressurise Cook.

Tom Ingram started falling down the order with Gordon Shedden, Tarkington and Ash Sutton all fighting for position, going three wide down the pit straight.

Hill was the one taking the fight to Cook up front. The BMW man was using his rear wheel drive speed to fight Cook’s front wheel drive Honda. But the Civic driver is an expert in defensive driving.

While one BMW was excelling, Tarkington in the other was falling down the order and couldn’t cope with the front wheel drive cars behind him.

As the leading pair fought, Cammish in his Ford Focus was closing in on the pair. Making it a three way fight for the win.

On the penultimate lap Hill went for a move at the Druids hairpin. But he lost the rear end and spun his BMW, letting in Cammish who took the fight to Cook for the final lap and a half.

Cook held off Cammish for another win, with Cammish and Rory Butcher finished third in his Toyota. Ash Sutton was fourth in the second Ford Focus while championship leader Tom Ingram finished fifth.

Gordon Shedden was sixth while Hill recovered to finish seventh after a spin. Dan Lloyd was eighth with George Gamble ninth and Turkington rounded off the top ten.

Pos Driver Car Team
1 Josh Cook Honda Civic FK 8 BTC Racing 21:48:632
2 Dan Cammish Ford Focus Motorbase +0.253
3 Rory  Butcher Toyota Corolla Speedworks +0.932
4 Ash Sutton Ford Focus  Motorbase +4.381
5 Tom Ingram Hyundai I30N Excelr8 +7.185
6 Gordon Shedden Honda Civic FK8 Team Dynamics +10.086
7 Jake Hill BMW 330e Team WSR +10.384
8 Dan Lloyd Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +10.889
9 George Gamble BMW 330e Ciceley +11.965
10 Colin Turkington BMW 330e Team WSR +12.666
11 Bobby Thompson Cupra Leon Team HARD +13.032
12 Tom Chilton Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +13.558
13 Jason Plato Honda Civic FK8 BTC Racing +17.570
14 Ollie Jackson Ford Focus Motorbase +18.143
15 Jade Edwards Honda Ciivc FK8 BTC Racing +18.316
16 Aron Taylor-Smith Cupra Leon Team HARD +22.026
17 Ricky Collard Toyota Corolla Speedworks +23.999
18 Stephen Jelley BMW 330e Team WSR +24.900
19 Jack Butel Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +25.117
20 Sam Osborne Ford Focus Motorbase +31.305
21 Nicholas Hamilton Cupra Leon Team HARD +38.800
22 Rick Parfitt Infiniti Q50 Team HARD +39.506
23 Will Powell Cupra Leon Team HARD +1 Lap
24 Aiden Moffat Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +3 Laps
DNF Michael Crees Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed Mechanical
DNF Dan Rowbottom Honda Civic FK8 Team Dynamics Damage
DNF Ash Hand Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed Damage
DNF Dexter Patterson Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools Damage
DNS Adam Morgan BMW 330e Ciceley Mechanical

BTCC Round Four – Cook takes win in thrilling wet-dry race

Josh Cook took victory in Round Four of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch in a wet-dry race.

it was front wheel drive cars that locked out the podium with Tom Ingram in the Hyundai second and Dan Cammish third in his Ford. The WSR BMW trio that qualified first, second and third fell away throughout a compelling race.

The track conditions were greasy, with a mix of wet and dry portions of the Kent circuit. Rory Butcher the only driver to gamble on slicks. He went off on the formation lap down the Cooper straight but recovered to start ninth.

Jake Hill made the best start from second but Colin Tarkington retained his lead on the opening lap. Dan Lloyd went wide at Clearways as the conditions were tricky at best.

Cook in his BTC Racing Honda Civic was making his way through the order, moving into third on lap seven to break the BMW stronghold.

Halfway through the race on lap 12 Butcher’s dry tyre gamble started to pay off. He’d fallen to 26th and 24.6 seconds off the lead.

Cook took second from Hill at Paddock bend on lap 13 with a dive down the inside before replicating the move on lap 17 on Turkington to lead the race.

The BMW’s faded away, while Butcher was scything his way through the order. Making his way into the points and cutting the gap to the leaders.

 

Cook strolled to the win with Ingram second and Cammish third. Hill finished fourth with team mate Turkington fifth. Adam Morgan was sixth with Butcher’s incredible recovery drive ending in seventh place. Gordon Shedden was eighth in his Honda with reigning champion Ash Sutton ninth. Dan Rowbottom rounded off the top ten.

Pos Driver Car Team
1 Josh Cook Honda Civic FK8 BTC Racing 21:44:124
2 Tom Ingram Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +0.802
3 Dan Cammish Ford Focus Motorbase +4.209
4 Jake Hill BMW 330e Team WSR +5.037
5 Colin Turkington BMW 330e Team WSR +7.691
6 Adam Morgan BMW 330e Ciceley +10.120
7 Rory Butcher Toyota Corolla Speedworks +10.848
8 Gordon Shedden Honda Civic FK8 Team Dynamics +11.670
9 Ash Sutton Ford Focus Motorbase +12.509
10 Dan Rowbottom Honda Civic FK8 Team Dynamics +14.385
11 Ash Hand Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +15.034
12 Michael Crees Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +15.344
13 Tom Chilton Hyundai i30 N Excelr8 +15.459
14 George Gamble BMW 330e Ciceley +16.222
15 Dan Lloyd Hyundai i30 N Excelr8 +17.661
16 Bobby Thompson Cupra Leon Team HARD +19.664
17 Jason Plato Honda Civic FK8 BTC Racing +20.553
18 Jade Edwards Honda Civic FK8 BTC Racing +28,181
19 Jack Butel Hyundai I30N Excelr8 +28.884
20 Stephen Jelley BMW 330e Team WSR +29.631
21 Aron Taylor-Smith Cupra Leon Team HARD +34.740
22 Aidan Moffat Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +35.759
23 Ollie Jackson Ford Focus Motorbase +35.985
24 Sam Osborne Ford Focus Motorbase +36.219
25 Dexter Patterson Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +36.748
26 Ricky Collard Toyota Corolla Speedworks +40.999
27 Nicholas Hamilton Cupra Leon Team HARD +47.763
28 Rick Parfitt Infiniti Q50 Team HARD +48.505
29 Will Powell Cupra Leon Team HARD +1 Lap

BTCC Brands Hatch – Sutton celebrates title with win in final round

Ash Sutton celebrated his title win by cruising to his fifth race win of the year in the final race of the season at Brands Hatch.

He burst through from fourth on the grid to stroll to the win in his Infiniti. Dan Rowbottom and Tom Ingram rounded off the podium after a race-long battle between the pair.

Rory Butcher had a poor start which allowed Sutton to fly into third. He was soon past Chilton into second, with Rowbottom into third as he passed Chilton on lap two.

Sutton’s team mate Carl Boardley spun off and his season ended early at Graham Hill bend.  As did Colin Turkington’s, with his title challenge over, he had a moment coming out of Graham Hill bend and pulled into the pits.

Lap three and Sutton made his move for the lead past Stephen Jelley into Paddock Hill bend.

Jack Mitchell went off in his Cupra Leon to bring out the final Safety Car of the season. While this neutralised the race, Sutton still had everything under control.

He pulled away into the distance and left Rowbottom and Ingram to squabble for second place. The Hyundai driver couldn’t quite get the better of the Team Dynamics Honda and Rowbottom took second in an impressive debut season having replaced Matt Neal.

Jake Hill finished fourth with Josh Cook having to settle for third in the championship and couldn’t capitalise on Turkington’s retirement having won the first two races of the season.

Tom Chilton recorded his best finish of the season in sixth. Shedden finished seventh with Jack Goff, Butcher and Jason Plato rounding off the top ten.

The title went to Sutton, who won his third title and his second successive championship.

Pos Driver Car Team +/-
1 Ash Sutton Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools 30:22:671
2 Dan Rowbottom Honda Civic Type R Team Dynamics +1.369
3 Tom Ingram Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +1.502
4 Jake Hill Ford Focus ST MB Motorsport +3.274
5 Josh Cook Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing +8.001
6 Tom Chilton BMW 330i M Sport Ciceley +8.960
7 Gordon Shedden Honda Civic Type R Team Dynamics +9.682
8 Jack Goff Cupra Leon Team HARD +10.043
9 Rory Butcher Toyota Corolla Toyota Gazoo +11.992
10 Jason Plato Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +13.002
11 Ollie Jackson Ford Focus ST MB Motorsport +14.806
12 Chris Smiley Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +15.345
13 Dan Lloyd Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +15.962
14 Aron Taylor-Smith Cupra Leon Team HARD +17.214
15 Tom Oliphant BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR +17.461
16 Adam Morgan BMW 330i M Sport Ciceley +17.697
17 Sam Osborne Ford Focus ST Motorbase +19.176
18 Aiden Moffat Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +19.397
19 Senna Proctor Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing +20.545
20 Jade Edwards Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing +21.143
21 Sam Smelt Toyota Corolla Toyota Gazoo +21.462
22 Andy Neate Ford Focus ST Motorbase +31.965
23 Nicholas Hamilton Cupra Leon Team HARD +32.503
24 Stephen Jelley BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR +42.127
25 Andy Wilmot Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +1 Lap
Retirements
DNF Jack Mitchell Cupra Leon Team HARD Crash
DNF Colin Turkington BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR Damage
DNF Carl Boardley Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools Crash
DNS Rick Parfitt Hyundai i30N Excelr8 Mechanical

 

BTCC Brands Hatch – Ash Sutton crowned 2021 champion as Josh Cook dominates race two

Josh Cook won in race two at Brands Hatch in the BTCC but it was Ash Sutton who stole the headlines as he sealed his third BTCC title.

The Infiniti driver finished sixth meaning he had enough of a gap over Colin Turkington to seal his second successive title win.

There was chaos on the opening lap when Senna Proctor went off at the Druids hairpin. Further into the lap Ollie Jackson was spun around, and collected Tom Oliphant and Adam Morgan too. Inevitably the Safety Car was deployed.

On the restart Cook pulled away under some initial pressure from Dan Lloyd. On lap seven Rory Butcher was nudged onto the grass going into Druids in a tussle with Aiden Moffat. Moffat collected damage and spun going into Graham Hill bend.

Sutton was doing what he needed to seal the win but another Safety Car was deployed on lap 13 when Nicholas Hamilton went off into the gravel trap.

There was little action following the restart and Cook cruised to his fifth win of the season from Lloyd and Gordon Shedden who rounded off the podium.

Turkington was fourth with Dan Rowbottom fifth, Sutton finished sixth and was overcome with emotion on the slow down lap as it sunk in that he’d won his third title, the youngest driver to ever do so.

Butcher, Stephen Jelley, Jake Hill and Jack Goff rounded out the top ten,

Pos Driver Car Team +/-
1 Josh Cook Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing 30:55:544
2 Dan Lloyd Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +0.587
3 Gordon Shedden Honda Civic Type R Team Dynamics +1.432
4 Colin Turkington BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR +1.745
5 Dan Rowbottom Honda Civic Type R Team Dynamics +2.352
6 Ash Sutton Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +3.169
7 Rory Butcher Toyota Corolla Toyota Gazoo +4.073
8 Tom Chilton BMW 330i M Sport Ciceley +4.333
9 Stephen Jelley BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR +4.805
10 Jake Hill Ford Focus ST MB Motorsport +5.706
11 Jack Goff Cupra Leon Team HARD +6.809
12 Tom Ingram Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +6.924
13 Sam Smelt Toyota Corolla Toyota Gazoo +7.358
14 Sam Osborne Ford Focus ST Motorbase +7.903
15 Carl Boardley Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +8.533
16 Jade Edwards Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing +11.243
17 Jack Mitchell Cupra Leon Team HARD +12.094
18 Jason Plato Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +12.246
19 Andy Wilmot Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +15.083
20 Aron Taylor-Smith Cupra Leon Team HARD +59.263
21 Rick Parfitt Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +1 Lap
22 Aiden Moffat Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +1 Lap
Retirements
DNF Nicholas Hamilton Cupra Leon Team HARD Spin
DNF Chris Smiley Hyundai i30N Excelr8 Damage
DNF Andy Neate Ford Focus ST Motorbase Damage
DNF Tom Oliphant BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR Crash
DNF Adam Morgan BMW 330i M Sport Ciceley Crash
DNF Ollie Jackson Ford Focus ST MB Motorsport Crash
DNF Senna Proctor Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing Crash

BTCC Donington Park – Turkington wins 60th race to match Andy Rouse’s tally

Colin Turkington took his 60th British Touring Car Championship win in a lights to flag victory for the BMW driver.

He has matched touring car legend Andy Rouse’s tally of 60 in an uneventful race for the Northern Irishman. His 330i M Sport was ballast free and meant he had the advantage out front.

The Safety Car was deployed on lap one as Jack Butel and Sam Smelt clashed coming out of Redgate, ending both their afternoons.

The restart came on lap four with Turkington pulling away thanks to those behind him having ballast to deal with. Newly crowned Jack Sears Trophy winner Dan Rowbottom and Dan Lloyd were both given five second penalties for jumping the start.

Following his race two penalty, Tom Ingram was doing his best to hold on to eighth with title rival Ash Sutton behind him. The fight was close, with Stephen Jelley in the mix too.

The win was looking like a foregone conclusion by lap 11 as Turkington was far ahead. Behind him Jake Hill passed Rowbottom for second but was too far back to challenge Turkington. Josh Cook tried to get through too but couldn’t make the move stick and fell to fifth with Rory Butcher sneaking past too.

Sutton finally passed Ingram into Coppice corner and came home eighth, with only one title rival in Turkington ahead of him.

The BMW man took the win, with Hill four seconds back. Aiden Moffat capped off a fine weekend with third, Butcher and Cook were fourth and fifth once Rowbottom’s penalty was applied, he finished sixth with Lloyd seventh after his penalty was applied too. Sutton, Jelley and Ingram rounded off the top ten.

Pos Driver Car Team +/-
1 Colin Turkington BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR 22:27:150
2 Jake Hill Ford Focus ST MB Motorsport +4.096
3 Aiden Moffat Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +4.945
4 Rory Butcher Toyota Corolla Toyota Gazoo +7.401
5 Josh Cook Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing +7.752
6 Dan Rowbottom* Honda Civic Type R Team Dynamics +11.136
7 Dan Lloyd* Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +13.260
8 Ash Sutton Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +13.594
9 Stephen Jelley BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR +18.258
10 Tom Ingram Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +19.615
11 Ollie Jackson Ford Focus ST MB Motorsport +20.201
12 Aron Taylor-Smith Cupra Leon Team HARD +22.557
13 Gordon Shedden Honda Civic Type R Team Dynamics +24.079
14 Jack Goff Cupra Leon Team HARD +24.251
15 Jason Plato Vauxhall Astra Power Maxed +24.651
16 Chris Smiley Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +25.309
17 Carl Boardley Infiniti Q50 Laser Tools +25.679
18 Tom Chilton BMW 330i M Sport Ciceley +25.887
19 Sam Osborne Ford Focus ST Motorbase +26.533
20 Tom Oliphant BMW 330i M Sport Team WSR +27.104
21 Jack Mitchell Cupra Leon Team HARD +28.928
22 Rick Parfitt Jr Hyundai i30N Excelr8 +29.252
23 Andy Neate Ford Focus ST Motorbase +33.338
24 Nicholas Hamilton Cupra Leon Team HARD +41.519
25 Adam Morgan BMW 330i M Sport Ciceley +47.549
26 Jade Edwards Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing +2 Laps
Retirements
DNF Senna Proctor Honda Civic Type R BTC Racing Mechanical
DNF Sam Smelt Toyota Corolla Toyota Gazoo Collision
DNF Jack Butel Hyundai i30N Excelr8 Collision
  • – Rowbottom and Lloyd handed five second penalties for jumping the start.
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