For the first time in the series, 2019 saw the same driver take both the Independent Drivers’ title and Jack Sears Trophy in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Having joined the series mid-way through 2017, 2019 was clearly Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance driver Rory Butcher's year as he achieved his first podiums, wins and fastest laps in the BTCC, alongside the two Championship titles.

The first event of the year, at Brands Hatch, saw Butcher scoring top points in the Jack Sears Trophy category, leading the standings from the off. In the Independent Drivers’ Standings, however, the Scot left the Kent circuit fourth, with main rival Josh Cook taking the lead.

By the mid-summer break, Butcher had maintained his lead in the JST and gained the lead of the Independent Drivers’, with a 43 and six-point advantage in the two, respectively.

As the Brands Hatch finale approached, Butcher had once again slipped in the Independent Standings, leaving BTC Racing’s Cook 22 points ahead. But it was a trio of commanding drives on finals day that saw the 32-year-old rise to take the top spot by day's end, beating his main opponent by a mere two points, having both achieved the same number of wins and podiums in the class.

Butcher’s bid for the Jack Sears Trophy prior to the conclusive event was stronger, with the Scot leading the standings approaching the Kent circuit’s legendary Grand Prix layout. With Team BMW’s Tom Oliphant only 11 points in arrears, it was still all to play for.

It was two top place finishes in the category that sealed JST victory for Butcher, leading Oliphant by 36 points as the curtain came down on his third campaign in the championship.