Local driver Michael Crees experienced mixed fortunes at his home track of Brands Hatch Indy Circuit over the weekend (14/15 May) during the second race weekend of the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Having shown great pace in the CarStore Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra during Qualifying, with Crees finishing just 0.4 seconds shy of pole position and a wet and rainy opening race on Sunday saw the #777 machine charge through the pack to cross the line in 12th.

Bad luck would strike, however, during the second contest, when a multi-car incident on the opening lap caused significant damage to Crees’ Vauxhall Astra. The 38-year-old was forced to retire on the eighth tour of the 1.21-mile circuit and was unable to start Round 6 due to the crucial damage the car sustained.

Since the weekend, the team is already hard at work to ensure Crees’ Vauxhall is race-ready for the next outing on the BTCC calendar, at Thruxton, in just under two weeks’ time (28/29 May).

“I’m absolutely gutted for the weekend to have finished how it did after such a strong start,” admitted Crees. “But it’s great to know the car has real pace and I can’t wait now to jump back in at Thruxton in a couple of weeks!

“I have to say a huge thank you to everyone for all the amazing support I received across the weekend. It’s always fantastic racing on home ground at Brands but it truly was overwhelming to have as many guests there and to have as much support as we did.”