Josh Cook and Aiden Moffat both know what it takes to conquer the classic ‘old-school’ challenge of Brands Hatch’s legendary ‘GP’ circuit – they have done so in the past, and they are aiming to repeat the feat as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign draws to a close in Kent this weekend (5-6 October).
Cook was a podium-finisher around the ‘GP’ layout in 2016 and 2018 – in the latter of those instances, missing out on victory by a scant 32 thousandths-of-a-second following an epic duel with multiple champion Ashley Sutton. Three years on, he sped to a double win at the track as he fell just three points shy of snatching the runner-up spoils in the overall standings.
The Bath-born ace has subsequently sped to second-place finishes at Brands Hatch in each of the latest two seasons in the UK’s premier motor racing series, and he returns still in mathematical contention for the biggest prize in British motorsport – the coveted BTCC Drivers’ crown.
While that would require a very special set of circumstances – at 63 points away from the top of the table with only 67 remaining in play – two-time Independents’ champion Cook is in a rich vein of form, having finished lower than fourth just once in the most recent six races. He is eager to keep that run going.
In the sister British-built, Speedworks Motorsport-prepared Toyota Corolla GR Sport, LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ stablemate Moffat first stood on the BTCC podium at Brands ‘GP’ in 2016, going on to chalk up his second career triumph at the circuit 12 months later, ahead of future title-winners Tom Ingram and Sutton.
It was also the scene of the 28-year-old Scot’s debut on the TOCA package in Ginetta Juniors back in 2010, and following a 2024 campaign marred by persistent ill-fortune, there is nothing Dalkeith native Moffat would like better than to banish his bad luck and return to the rostrum this weekend.
Following Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session at 15:40 – streamed on ITV Sport’s YouTube channel – every moment of Sunday’s doorhandle-to-doorhandle action will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4, beginning at 10:30. All three races will additionally be shown on the ITV Sport TikTok channel, in the UK and globally.
Christian Dick, Team Principal, LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ, said: “It seems incredible to say we’ve reached the end of another BTCC season, but here we are with just three races left to run at a track where the Toyota Corolla has always performed well, as proved by multiple podiums in recent years.
“Josh’s excellent performances and commendable consistency mean he is still mathematically in the hunt for the Drivers’ title. While that is admittedly the longest of long shots, a top four championship finish is very achievable – and with a fair wind, maybe even third. That would be no less than he deserves for a stellar display season-long.
“Aiden has produced some of his best BTCC performances on Brands Hatch’s ‘GP’ loop which, considering his characteristic commitment, is no great surprise around a circuit that truly rewards bravery. What he has been lacking for much of this year has been luck, but with a clean run, we have every confidence that he too can be firmly in the fight for silverware.”
Josh Cook, Driver, LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ, said: “To be heading into the weekend within reach of the title I think is a nice accolade for the team and all of our efforts this year; being mathematically in with a shout still shows what a good job we’ve done in our first season together. Realistically, of course, we’re not a genuine contender, so we’re just going to go there, make the best of the opportunity, try to carry on some of the form we’ve shown over the latter part of the campaign and keep taking steps in the right direction.
“I’ve historically gone well at Brands ‘GP’. I love the circuit – it’s one of my favourites – so I’m really looking forward to it and will be aiming to round out the season with some more podiums and maybe even a win if we can, to try to finish on a high. I can’t wait to get going!”
Aiden Moffat, Driver, LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ, said: “The atmosphere on BTCC finale weekend is always something special, and Brands Hatch GP is a track I love and where I’ve had some good races and good memories in the past. It’s a bit more ‘old-school’ out the back of the lap, and not overly forgiving when you get it wrong – but for me, that level of jeopardy and commitment only adds to its appeal.
“We’ve had such consistent bad luck over the second half of the season, which has taken the wind out of our sails a bit, so it would be nice to have a weekend without any issues at last. We showed earlier in the year that when everything is running well, we have the pace in the car to fight for the podium – so hopefully we can enjoy a change of fortunes at Brands Hatch to help us to go out on a high.”
