Team VERTU secured a sizeable haul of silverware as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship headed for Snetterton for the third meeting of the season.
The EXCELR8-run team took three podium finishes through Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Ricky Collard whilst there was a hugely popular – and emotional – win in the Jack Sears Trophy for Nicolas Hamilton.
Hamilton scored points overall in Saturday’s Qualifying Race before going on to grab three strong results on Sunday, with his finishes securing a first ever Jack Sears Trophy success.
What followed was one of the most memorable parc fermé and podium celebrations – without a dry eye left in the paddock – as Nic was joined on the rostrum by multiple champions in Ash Sutton, Tom Ingram and Gordon Shedden – as well as a huge number of fans!
Hamilton had already scored overall points this season – at Brands Hatch last time out before his impressive Snetterton Qualifying Race result – with his improved pace there for all to see, and this provided a fantastic and richly deserved reward for the tireless work, effort and spirit he has shown over the years.
It truly was one of the greatest BTCC moments in recent history and for him to be joined by three champions – with nine Drivers’ titles between them – made the occasion even more special.
Nicolas Hamilton, Team VERTU, said: “I honestly cannot believe what has happened this weekend as I never expected to walk away from Snetterton as winner of the Jack Sears Trophy. My whole focus was on developing and improving myself, and to end the weekend up on the podium was the most amazing experience.
“Thanks to the team and the car, but also through hard work from myself, I’ve been quicker here this weekend than ever before and I’m so proud of how I have driven. I’ve always said that I wanted to win a trophy, but I didn’t want to just be gifted it, and this weekend I feel like I earned it and deserved it. I know I need to work on my starts, but I was able to work my way forwards in every race because I had the pace to do it, and that is something I am massively proud of.
“I’m not going to, but I could happily hang my boots, gloves and helmet up after this weekend knowing that I have achieved the dream of a little boy who was told he would never walk. The amount of support from the BTCC paddock and from the whole community around the championship has been incredible and it was truly a surreal moment to be there on the podium seeing the everyone cheering.
“This is for everyone who has stuck by me and supported me, and even those who have doubted me as it has only fuelled my desire to reach my goal. For all those in the disabled community, hopefully this will provide further inspiration of what is possible.”
Justina Williams, Team VERTU Team Owner, said: “This is a weekend that really shows what being part of the BTCC is all about. Obviously on the one hand there is a some disappointment that our results (as a team) could have been even better, but on the other, we’ve come away from Snetterton with silverware for every driver which is a fantastic achievement.
“For Nic in particular, I’m massively proud that we have helped him to realise his childhood dream this weekend and it is richly deserved as people don’t see all of the effort and hard work that he puts in behind the scenes, never mind when he is in the car. To see members of other teams in tears when he got out of the car and then celebrated on the podium was the most amazing thing. It was most certainly a very special moment for us all.”
