After putting in his drive of the season last time out at Donington Park GP, Tom Ingram (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8) pulled off a similar feat scything through the field alongside title rival Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) at Silverstone a year ago… the scene of the next 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship event.

The unusual Sunday kicked off with polesitter Mikey Doble making the error of doing an extra formation lap, leaving Colin Turkington to lead the field off the line from second on the grid.

Adding to the unpredictability was the weather, with rain forecast a number of cars took to the pitlane on the formation lap to put on a wet set of tyres. Ingram, third, and Sutton, fifth, took to grid on slick tyres.

Making the wrong call to stay out on dry tyres as the rain began to pour, the two championship protagonists would find themselves starting race two in 22nd and 23rd.

The first lap would not go well for Ingram, who after an incident involving Jack Butel at Brooklands, fell behind his title rival Sutton. After the first tour of 22 laps, progress for the pair would begin.

Labelled a ‘champion’s drive’ by Tim Harvey on the ITV commentary, Sutton led the charge through the field to take victory as the title rivals combined to produce 41 overtakes in the second race of the day.

It was a frenetic day for the championship battle, as it commenced with Sutton leading Ingram by 42 points and Jake Hill by 62 points.

After a win in the opener, Hill’s championship charge seemed back on the cards as race two began with the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver on pole, whilst his main NAPA Racing UK and the Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 rivals started outside of the points.

This all came crashing down after such an optimistic start to the race, as Hill initially retained and extended his lead off the line. A mechanical issue then unfortunately plagued his BMW 330e M Sport, causing the Kent racer to drop to 12th, before further contact resulted in the #24 finishing in 20th.

Despite the poor luck that fell Hill’s way, the incredible drives from both Sutton and Ingram were the outstanding factor. That performance, from the eventual 2023 champion Sutton alone, meant Hill was two points outside mathematical contention heading into the final event at Brands Hatch.

All roles are reversed as we head back to Silverstone one year later as Hill leads the championship by nine points to the #80 with the #1 a further 11 points back. Who will head to Brands Hatch on top this time around?