Rounds 1, 2 and 3 take place at Donington Park tomorrow

NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish topped an incredible qualifying to claim pole position for Round 1 of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park, as the Ford Focus man pipped team-mate Ash Sutton and Team Vertu's Tom Ingram.

Just 0.031s separated the leading trio as the BTCC season kicked off in style at the famous Derbyshire circuit with the opening three rounds scheduled to take place at the venue tomorrow.

Such is the competitiveness in the BTCC that three-time champion Gordon Shedden and Team Vertu’s Adam Morgan were immediately left languishing and out of proceedings following the first qualifying group. A baptism of fire for returning champ Shedden in the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA Corolla, whilst Morgan had been at the sharp end of the action during practice. 

It was Cammish that topped the first group of 12 qualifiers, which sees only the top six cars progressing to the next phase.

The second group was similarly stacked full of talent as reigning champion Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) and record-equalling four-time supremo Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) both made their 2025 qualifying bow.

Unsurprisingly, both made it through in relative comfort, joined by the likes of Team Vertu’s Tom Chilton and One Motorsport’s Josh Cook.

The second segment sees 12 drivers vying to make it through to the ‘Quick Six’ and often proves to be one of the most competitive periods of a race weekend.

Hill and Cook were the notable competitiors that failed to make it through to the final phase of qualifying with both searching for the ultimate pace throughout the day.

The #1 WSR BMW had been on the back of the front-runners during practice and qualifying, as was Cook, but both will be looking to fight their way to the front come race day.

“It’s just tough,” said Hill. “We threw the world at it as we always do. We were still the fastest BMW but we’re just struggling. We don’t have the answers for it yet. The car felt the best it has done all of this year. It is what it is – we’re P8, we can still fight from there and I’m sure we can move forward tomorrow.”

The ‘Quick Six’ proved anything but initially as Tom Chilton’s Team Vertu Hyundai ground to a halt with an electrical problem. A brief stoppage ensued before the session became a ‘Fantastic Five’ rather than the expected half dozen of contenders.

A flurry of activity took place with just a few minutes remaining, as Cammish blasted across the line – having previously lost a number of attempts due to track limit infringements – as he eventually ended up just 0.011s ahead of Sutton, with Ingram incredibly only 0.020s further back.

NAPA Racing UK's Dan Rowbottom was fourth, ahead of an impressive run from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA's Ronan Pearson, whilst Chilton had to settle for sixth following his issue.

Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place around the 1.98-mile circuit tomorrow. Viewers in the UK can watch the action LIVE on ITV4 from 1100-1820, whilst fans in North America can view race day live via the RACER+ App. For the first time ever, the BTCC will also be broadcast LIVE to the rest of the world via the BTCC YouTube channel.

Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, said: "First pole of the year – feels good. We've been there or thereabouts all day, but I'm very proud to come good at the end when it really mattered. It does mean a lot this one as it's the only time this season when we all have the same boost, so it's a true sense of speed. I love qualifying – I've missed out on the Goodyear Wingfoot award a few times – so I'm really proud of this one."

Donington Park – Qualifying – Final Classification