Victories in Hampshire for Josh Cook, Ash Sutton and Tom Ingram

The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasted back into action following its mid-summer break with a stellar trio of races at Thruxton today (26 July).

A huge crowd descended on the Hampshire venue as 22 tin-top stars took on the fastest circuit in the UK for Rounds 13, 14 and 15 of this year’s campaign.

Josh Cook became the eighth different race winner of the season so far before title protagonists Ash Sutton and Tom Ingram added to their respective tallies.

Speedworks Corolla Racing’s Cook has long been hailed the ‘King of Thruxton’, having previously taken ten career BTCC victories around the 2.36-mile circuit, although he had been waiting since 2022 for a further success.

Sutton’s record-breaking start to the season continued in yet more exemplary fashion, maintaining his championship challenge with an impressive win and two second places.

Team VERTU’s Ingram claimed two top five finishes before a vital win in the finale, keeping Sutton within sight in the fight for the title.

Alliance Racing/Ford and NAPA Racing UK top both the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ and Teams’ tables.

Mikey Doble remains at the head of the Independent Drivers’ order, whilst LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing hold sway in the Indy Teams’ table.

A brilliant day for James Dorlin – with two top six finishes overall – elevated him to the summit of the Jack Sears Trophy standings.

The BTCC returns in two weeks’ time for its annual trip north of the border, at Knockhill on the 8/9 August.

Cook extends winning record at Thruxton

Speedworks Corolla Racing's Cook took victory in the Thruxton opener, extending his winning record at the Hampshire venue with 11 overall victories.

Having set the pace during Qualifying, before going on to win the 'Race to Pole' on Saturday afternoon, the #66 Toyota Corolla claimed a commanding lights-to-flag triumph.

It was far from easy, however, with four-time BTCC champion Sutton keeping Cook honest throughout the contest. Whilst their pace on-track looked comparable, a lack of boost available for the #116 Ford Focus Titanium meant that second place was just reward for the current standings’ leader.

There was more joy behind as Dan Rowbottom secured the first ever podium for Cataclean Plato Racing, with the Mercedes squad showing improved pace this weekend. The result also confirmed that each of the six marques have now scored at least one podium so far this season.

Rowbottom got a great start, as well as benefiting from an early scuffle between Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK – Ford) and Ingram (Team VERTU – Hyundai), and the #32 Mercedes A35 Saloon slipped into third – a position he held until the finish.

Series returnee Senna Proctor – substituting for the unwell Sam Osborne this weekend – drove brilliantly to take fourth, fending off the attentions from former teammate Ingram in the #80 Team VERTU Hyundai.

Sutton surges to sixth triumph of 2026

NAPA Racing UK's Sutton stood victorious in Round 14, extending his championship lead in the process.

Sutton got the better of good friend and opening race winner Cook, when the latter’s Toyota ran wide in the opening exchanges nd the #116 Ford Focus nipped by.

The four-time champion kept the rest at bay while Speedworks Corolla Racing's Cook fell back into the clutches of Ingram (Team VERTU – Hyundai) and later Cammish (NAPA Racing UK – Ford) in the final laps.

The battle between Cook and Ingram intensified, gradually building to a critical moment through the final chicane as the two cars went side-by-side while completely on the limit.

In truth, neither car made the corner with Ingram getting the better of it, as Cook's #66 Toyota Corolla endured a half spin before continuing.

This left Cook in the grasp of Cammish's Ford Focus in the latter stages as the pair swapped positions twice, with the latter eventually gaining the position.

There was even better news for Cammish and Cook on the final tour when a ten second penalty was confirmed for Ingram following excessive track limit infringements, meaning the pair completed the podium.

Ingram takes top spot in Thruxton finale

Team VERTU's Ingram took the chequered flag in the Thruxton finale, as the 2025 Champion stood triumphant for the second time in his title defence campaign.

A robust early move past pole-sitter Dorlin was enough to secure the deal as the young talented Restart Racing Hyundai driver fought valiantly to keep a gaggle of contenders behind.

The NAPA Racing UK Ford pairing of Sutton and Cammish were next through, but both were unable to make inroads into Ingram's early advantage as the experienced trio settled in to secure the all-important podium positions.

Team VERTU's Ricky Collard drove brilliantly from 11th on the grid to take fourth after a number of eye-catching moves – ending an often-frustrating weekend on a high for the #11 Hyundai i30N driver.

Proctor rounded off a great day with another top five finish, having been thrown into the #18 Ford Focus Titanium race seat at the final minute.

Dorlin eventually came home sixth but undoubtedly proved to be one of the stars of the Thruxton event as he scooped yet more Independents' and Jack Sears Trophy honours.

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Thruxton

1. Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing - Toyota 16 Laps
2. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK - Ford +0.653s
3. Daniel Rowbottom, Cataclean Plato Racing - Mercedes +3.422s
4. Senna Proctor, NAPA Racing UK - Ford +6.334s
5. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU - Hyundai +7.005s
6. Adam Morgan, Cataclean Plato Racing - Mercedes +8.451s
7. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK - Ford +13.797s
8. Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing - Audi +14.533s
9. James Dorlin, Restart Racing - Hyundai +15.925s
10. Árón Taylor-Smith, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport - Toyota +23.102s

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Thruxton

1. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK - Ford 16 Laps
2. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK - Ford +9.305s
3. Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing - Toyota
4. Daniel Rowbottom, Cataclean Plato Racing - Mercedes +10.761s
5. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU - Hyundai +11.826s
6. James Dorlin, Restart Racing - Hyundai +14.532s
7. Adam Morgan, Cataclean Plato Racing - Mercedes +14.633s
8. Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing - Audi +18.740s
9. Árón Taylor-Smith, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport - Toyota +18.900s
10. Gordon Shedden, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport - Toyota +19.322s

2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Thruxton

1. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU - Hyundai 19 Laps
2. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK - Ford +0.663s
3. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK - Ford +4.603s
4. Ricky Collard, Team VERTU - Hyundai +5.167s
5. Senna Proctor, NAPA Racing UK - Ford +7.261s
6. James Dorlin, Restart Racing - Hyundai +11.857s
7. Gordon Shedden, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport - Toyota +14.473s
8. Tom Chilton, Team VERTU - Hyundai +15.149s
9. Dexter Patterson, Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing - Audi +16.268s
10. Mikey Doble, LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing - Audi +16.584s

Penalties:

Race 1

Chris Smiley received a one-place penalty in Round 13 of the championship, for an incident involving Árón Taylor-Smith - click here for the penalty report.

Ricky Collard originally received a 10-second time penalty in Round 13 of the championship, for repeated track limits offences. The Clerk subsequently rescinded the time penalty for mitigating circumstances - click here for the penalty report.

Race 2

Daryl De Leon received a one-place penalty in Round 14 of the championship, for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in an incident involving Charles Rainford  - click here for the penalty report.

Josh Cook received a one-place penalty in Round 14 of the championship, for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in an incident involving Dan Cammish - click here for the penalty report.

Ash Sutton was investigated in Round 14 of the championship, for a potential start infringement. The Clerk deemed that no infringement had occurred - click here for the penalty report.

Race 3

Tom Ingram received a five-second time penalty in Round 15 of the championship, for a start infringement - click here for the penalty report.

Team VERTU's Tom Ingram took the chequered flag in Round 15 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton, as the 2025 Champion stood triumphant for the second time in his title defence campaign.

An early robust move past pole-sitter James Dorlin was enough to secure the deal as the young talented Restart Racing driver fought valiantly to keep a gaggle of contenders behind.

The NAPA Racing UK pairing of Ash Sutton and Dan Cammish were next through but both were unable to make inroads into Ingram's early advantage as the experienced trio settled in to secure the all-important podium positions.

Team VERTU's Ricky Collard drove brilliantly from 11th on the grid to take fourth after a number of eye catching moves – ending an often frustrating weekend on a high for the #11 Hyundai i30N driver.

There was heartbreak for LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing's Aiden Moffat as he made up an incredible 12 places before a mechanical issue brought his Audi to a halt.

Senna Proctor rounded off a great day with another top five finish, having been thrown into the #18 Ford Focus Titanium seat at the final minute following Sam Osborne's illness.

Dorlin eventually came home sixth but undoubtedly proved to be one of the stars of the Thruxton event as he scooped yet more Independents' and Jack Sears Trophy honours.

There was a frenetic late fight for seventh, which initially seemed to be going the way of Cataclean Plato Racing's Dan Rowbottom, before he eventually wound up 11th.

When the dust settled on the scrap it was Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Gordon Shedden that had sealed the position down the inside of Rowbottom's Mercedes through turn one in the closing laps, and he was subsequently followed by Tom Chilton (Team VERTU), Dexter Patterson (Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing) and Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing).

Tom Ingram, Team VERTU, said:

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Race 3 - Thruxton - Final Classification:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	19	27:54.942		1:15.705	10
2	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	19	27:55.605	0.663	1:16.920	10
3	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	19	27:59.545	4.603	1:17.016	10
4	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	19	28:00.109	5.167	1:16.808	10
5	18	Senna PROCTOR	NAPA Racing UK	19	28:02.203	7.261	1:16.865	13
6	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	19	28:06.799	11.857	1:17.549	13
7	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	19	28:09.415	14.473	1:17.679	11
8	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	19	28:10.091	15.149	1:17.734	12
9	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	19	28:11.210	16.268	1:17.533	11
10	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	19	28:11.526	16.584	1:17.637	10
11	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	19	28:12.229	17.287	1:17.117	10
12	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	19	28:12.531	17.589	1:17.871	12
13	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	19	28:19.733	24.791	1:17.825	13
14	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	19	28:20.459	25.517	1:18.558	13
15	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	19	28:24.550	29.608	1:18.812	14
16	29	Lewis GILBERT	WSR	19	28:25.088	30.146	1:18.609	10
DNF	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	13	20:18.375	6 Laps	1:17.678	11
DNF	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	13	22:27.559	6 Laps	1:18.963	9
DNF	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	5	10:26.718	14 Laps	1:45.699	4
DNF	7	Ryan BENSLEY	Speedworks Corolla Racing	2	3:31.068	17 Laps		0
DNF	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	2	3:47.627	17 Laps	1:28.317	1
DNF	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	1	2:12.639	18 Laps		0

NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton stood victorious in Round 14 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, extending his championship lead to 64 points.

Sutton got the better of good friend and opening race winner Josh Cook when he ran wide in the opening exchanges and the #116 Ford Focus nipped by.

The four time champion kept the rest at bay while Speedworks Corolla Racing's Cook fell back into the clutches of Tom Ingram (Team VERTU) and then Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) in the final laps.

The battle between Cook and Ingram intensified, gradually building to a critical moment through the final chicane as the two cars went side-by-side while completely on the limit.

In truth, neither car made the corner with Ingram getting the better of it, as Cook's #66 Toyota Corolla endured a half spin before continuing.

This left Cook in the grasp of Cammish's Ford Focus in the latter stages as the pair swapped positions twice, with the former eventually hanging on to the position.

There was even better news for Cook and Cammish on the final tour when a ten second penalty was confirmed for Ingram for numerous track limit infringements, meaning the pair completed the podium.

Cataclean Plato Racing's Dan Rowbottom showed podium pace early on but eventually had to settle for fourth ahead of Ingram, whilst Restart Racing's James Dorlin produced a fantastic drive for a top six finish – and with it the Independents' win.

Adam Morgan (Cataclean Plato Racing) finished ahead of Mikey Doble (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing) for seventh, whilst the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport pairing of Árón Taylor-Smith and Gordon Shedden completed the top ten.

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing, said:

Race 2 - Thruxton - Classification:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	16	20:46.801		1:15.983	2
2	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	16	20:55.358	8.557	1:16.618	3
3	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	16	20:56.106	9.305	1:16.680	4
4	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	16	20:57.562	10.761	1:16.582	3
5	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	16	20:58.627	11.826	1:16.633	3
6	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	16	21:01.333	14.532	1:17.160	2
7	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	16	21:01.434	14.633	1:16.906	2
8	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	16	21:05.541	18.740	1:17.536	3
9	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	16	21:05.701	18.900	1:17.408	3
10	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	16	21:06.123	19.322	1:17.482	4
11	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	16	21:06.534	19.733	1:17.358	3
12	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	16	21:07.015	20.214	1:17.474	3
13	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	16	21:08.679	21.878	1:17.367	2
14	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	16	21:09.752	22.951	1:17.217	2
15	18	Senna PROCTOR	NAPA Racing UK	16	21:09.944	23.143	1:17.453	2
16	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	16	21:10.274	23.473	1:18.114	4
17	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	16	21:14.308	27.507	1:18.344	4
18	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	16	21:17.427	30.626	1:18.063	5
19	7	Ryan BENSLEY	Speedworks Corolla Racing	16	21:18.039	31.238	1:18.578	4
20	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	16	21:25.839	39.038	1:18.643	4
21	29	Lewis GILBERT	WSR	16	21:37.761	50.960	1:18.844	4
22	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	15	21:23.477	1 Lap	1:17.539	5

Speedworks Corolla Racing's Josh Cook took victory in Round 13 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton, extending his winning record at the Hampshire venue with 11 overall victories.

Cook has been waiting to add to his impressive ten wins tally since 2022, and the 'King of Thruxton' duly obliged with a flawless performance in Sunday's opener.

Having set the pace during Qualifying, before going on to win the 'Race to Pole' on Saturday afternoon, the #66 Toyota Corolla claimed a commanding lights-to-flag triumph.

It was far from easy, however, with four time BTCC champion Ash Sutton keeping Cook honest throughout the contest. Whilst their pace on-track looked similar, a lack of boost available for the #116 Ford Focus Titanium meant that second place was just reward for the current standings leader.

There was more joy behind as Dan Rowbottom secured the first ever podium for Cataclean Plato Racing with the Mercedes squad showing improved pace this weekend. Rowbottom got a great start, as well as benefiting from an early scuffle between Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) and Tom Ingram (Team VERU), and the #32 Mercedes A35 Saloon slipped into third – a position he held until the finish.

Series returnee Senna Proctor – substituting for the unwell Sam Osborne this weekend – again drove brilliantly to take fourth, fending off the attentions from former teammate Ingram in the #80 Team VERTU Hyundai.

Ingram was squeezed down the order on the opening lap following a high speed scrap with Ford duo Sutton and Cammish, but the reigning champion responded well to make it back up to fifth by the finish.

Cataclean Plato Racing's Adam Morgan was feisty throughout as he was involved in a number of battles, before having to settle for a top six result, ahead of the fading #27 Blue Oval machine of Cammish.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble claimed Independents' honours, whilst Restart Racing duo – James Dorlin and Chris Smiley – rounded out the top ten.

Race 2 takes place at 1440 with the finale commencing at 1730. The all-day action is of course already underway in the UK on ITV4, with the races also being beamed around the world on Racer TV (North America) and the BTCC YouTube Channel (Rest of the World).

Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing, said:

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Dan Rowbottom, Cataclean Plato Racing, said:

Race 1 – Thruxton – Classification:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	16	20:42.956		1:16.178	2
2	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	16	20:43.609	0.653	1:16.665	5
3	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	16	20:46.378	3.422	1:16.351	2
4	18	Senna PROCTOR	NAPA Racing UK	16	20:49.290	6.334	1:16.666	2
5	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	16	20:49.961	7.005	1:16.493	4
6	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	16	20:51.407	8.451	1:16.766	4
7	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	16	20:56.753	13.797	1:16.640	3
8	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	16	20:57.489	14.533	1:17.402	3
9	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	16	20:58.881	15.925	1:17.013	3
10	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	16	21:05.218	22.262	1:17.221	3
11	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	16	21:06.058	23.102	1:17.186	3
12	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	16	21:07.060	24.104	1:17.358	3
13	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	16	21:07.204	24.248	1:16.889	3
14	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	16	21:08.167	25.211	1:17.226	3
15	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	16	21:08.700	25.744	1:17.182	3
16	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	16	21:09.164	26.208	1:17.751	7
17	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	16	21:10.128	27.172	1:17.911	3
18	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	16	21:17.443	34.487	1:17.514	3
19	7	Ryan BENSLEY	Speedworks Corolla Racing	16	21:29.799	46.843	1:18.732	4
20	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	16	21:31.054	48.098	1:18.617	3
21	29	Lewis GILBERT	WSR	16	21:31.346	48.390	1:18.813	4
22	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	16	21:51.926	1:08.970	1:16.779	3

The prototype PM Junior Championship car was unveiled in Hampshire earlier today (25 July), as media and fans gathered outside the Thruxton Centre for a first look.

Adam Weaver, Team Owner of Power Maxed Racing, carried out the official unveiling in front of members of the TOCA paddock, including the likes of BTCC Chief Executive Alan Gow and four-time BTCC Champion Ash Sutton.

Adam Weaver, Team Owner of Power Maxed Racing, said:

Marking another significant milestone in the build-up to the inaugural 2027 season, the championship presented both the prototype race car and its M-Sport engine, giving prospective drivers, families, teams and fans a glimpse of Britain's newest junior racing series.

The PM Junior Championship prototype car – dubbed the PM1 – will be displayed in front of the Thruxton Centre throughout the weekend, where members of the championship team are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the series, including driver eligibility, technical specifications, running costs and the opportunities available for young drivers looking to take the next step in their motorsport careers. 

Designed for drivers aged 14-17, the PM Junior Championship has been created to provide a clear, professional and cost-controlled pathway into circuit racing. Competing on the support bill of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, the series combines high-performance machinery with a controlled technical specification to deliver close, competitive racing while keeping costs manageable. 

The prototype on display features the core elements that will define the championship car, including an M-Sport developed engine, a Quaife sequential gearbox and differential package, and a Cosworth electronics system, all supplied by technical partners with extensive experience at the highest levels of motorsport. 

Visitors interested in learning more about the PM Junior Championship are encouraged to visit the display throughout the weekend, where the team will be available to discuss the championship, the car and the opportunities available to prospective drivers, teams and commercial partners. 

Looking ahead, preparations are also underway for the prototype to make its first public on-track demonstration during a Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship event later this season, giving fans the opportunity to see and hear the car in action ahead of the championship's debut in 2027. 

Toyota star proves why he is the King of Thruxton

Speedworks Corolla Racing’s Josh Cook claimed victory in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Qualifying Race earlier today (25 July), as the multiple race winner again proved his pace at Thruxton.

Cook has enjoyed no fewer than ten BTCC wins at the fastest circuit in the country, albeit with his most recent triumph coming back in 2022, but the Bath racer grabbed this latest success with both hands.

After topping the times in the earlier qualifying session, Cook controlled the ‘Race to Pole’ from start to finish, keeping Tom Ingram at bay as well as negotiating a Safety Car restart with complete composure.

Team VERTU’s Ingram got a good start as the reigning champion looked to out drag Cook’s #66 Toyota Corolla on the run down to the complex, before the #80 Hyundai settled into second.

In truth, Ingram went on to take a relatively lonely second place, but he will have been slightly frustrated to see title rival Ash Sutton in his mirrors.

Sutton again proved to be one the feistiest competitors in the contest as he disposed of Adam Morgan (Cataclean Plato Racing) and teammate Senna Proctor (NAPA Racing UK) with an opportunistic early move, before later going on to relinquish Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) of third place.

Cammish held on to fourth from Proctor and the hard-charging Gordon Shedden (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport), as the three-time champion charged from 11th on the grid to claim sixth on-the-road – although the latter was demoted post-race after receiving a five second penalty.

Morgan had to settle for sixth after dropping down the order slightly, before eventually making his way back past Cataclean Plato Racing teammate Dan Rowbottom, when the latter had a wild moment through Church.

Mikey Doble endured a rather lacklustre encounter as he ended up ninth in the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing Audi, whilst the Hyundai of Restart Racing’s James Dorlin rounded out the top ten.

The Saturday headlines, however, belonged to Cook, as he secured his first BTCC pole position in 700 days and will now look to reignite his championship campaign with a haul of silverware tomorrow.

Rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Thruxton tomorrow with the action getting underway in the UK on ITV4 from 11:00, with the races also being beamed around the world on Racer TV (North America) and the BTCC YouTube Channel (Rest of the World).

Josh Cook, Speedworks Corolla Racing, said: “That’s what we needed and it’s a good place to start for tomorrow. I’m pleased for the team with all the hard effort they’ve put in. They’ve just put in so much hard work and I’m glad we’ve managed to get the start of a good result for them – we now need to convert that on race day. The car was a beauty to drive. It was nice to go into a race run there, deal with the tyre degradation, manage the gap back to Tom (Ingram), and if there’s anything to learn ahead of tomorrow then I’m sure we will do.”

Qualifying – Thruxton – Final Classification:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	14	19:26.113		1:16.105	5
2	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	14	19:27.185	1.072	1:16.546	5
3	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	14	19:28.053	1.940	1:16.887	6
4	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	14	19:31.994	5.881	1:17.144	6
5	18	Senna PROCTOR	NAPA Racing UK	14	19:33.188	7.075	1:16.943	5
6	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	14	19:34.995	8.882	1:17.388	5
7	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	14	19:35.885	9.772	1:16.767	5
8	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	14	19:38.240	12.127	1:17.384	6
9	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	14	19:40.150	14.037	1:17.819	7
10	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	14	19:40.561	14.448	1:18.372	10
11	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	14	19:41.698	15.585	1:18.284	5
12	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	14	19:43.648	17.535	1:18.187	5
13	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	14	19:44.753	18.640	1:18.045	5
14	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	14	19:45.460	19.347	1:17.577	5
15	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	14	19:47.522	21.409	1:18.251	5
16	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	14	19:50.646	24.533	1:18.118	5
17	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	13	20:16.169	1 Lap	1:18.659	9
DNF	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	13	18:54.049	1 Lap	1:17.308	6
DNF	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	4	6:53.422	10 Laps	1:36.051	1
DNF	7	Ryan BENSLEY	Speedworks Corolla Racing	4	7:02.933	10 Laps	1:35.047	1
DNF	29	Lewis GILBERT	WSR	4	7:35.728	10 Laps	1:38.486	1
DNF	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	0	0.000			0

Team VERTU will hope to replicate the fine results it secured at Thruxton last season as the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship has burst back into life at the fastest circuit in the UK this weekend.

Reigning champion Tom Ingram is the best placed of the four Team VERTU drivers in the standings, with a triple podium at Oulton Park prior to the summer break having helped him to close the gap on rival Ash Sutton in the title race.

Currently sitting 48 points behind Sutton, Ingram will be chasing his fourth win at Thruxton and is bidding to take to the top step of the podium for the second season in succession.

His victory last season was the first for Team VERTU at the circuit, and helped kickstart his charge towards a second BTCC title, with a strong showing this time around being vital as he looks to defend his crown.

Ricky Collard arrives at Thruxton sitting fifth in the standings having secured a podium finish at each of the four meetings run to date this year.

Collard’s results so far at the wheel of the Hyundai i30 Fastback N have been particularly impressive given the late nature of his deal to join the team, and the fact that he was returning to front-wheel drive for the first time since 2023 - having since focused his career on sports cars.

As he continues to work on extending his programme with the team, Collard will look to add to his podium tally this weekend to maintain his championship position, with the ultimate goal being to try and secure a maiden BTCC victory.

Tom Chilton, the most experienced driver on the grid with nearly 550 BTCC starts to his name, goes into the weekend sitting in an unrepresentative twelfth place in the standings after a difficult campaign to date, with a single podium finish at Snetterton back in May.

Despite being a self-proclaimed fan of the UK’s fastest circuit, Chilton has yet to make it onto the top step of the podium at Thruxton - making it the only circuit on the schedule where he has failed to achieve that feat.

Keen to make up ground in the standings, Chilton will hope to secure three strong results from the weekend with a first win of 2026 being the target.

Nicolas Hamilton arrives at Thruxton buoyed by a solid points finish last time out at Oulton Park, where he ended the weekend with a strong twelfth place.

That followed on from an eleventh place finish at Brands Hatch earlier in the year and a points-scoring performance in the qualification race at Snetterton, where he also secured victory in the Jack Sears Trophy for the first time.

With confidence on a high, Hamilton heads for Thruxton looking to maintain the progress he has made since joining Team VERTU at the start of the season with further points being the aim.

Alongside pushing for strong results on track, EXCELR8 will also use the Thruxton meeting to launch a new competition alongside TeamSport Karting aimed at giving someone the chance to compete in the BTCC-supporting MINI CHALLENGE Trophy next season.

The competition, named FastTrack and being promoted on the car of Ricky Collard, is only open to novice drivers without a racing licence and will run across five stages, the first of which will see drivers complete a series of assessments at one of ten TeamSport Karting circuits around the UK.

Sunday’s three races - scheduled for 11:45, 14:40 and 17:30 - will then air live on both ITV4 and ITVX in the UK. 

Tom Chilton, #3 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “Even though I’ve never managed to take a win at Thruxton, it remains one of my favourite circuits on the BTCC calendar as it’s so unique – there really is nowhere else like it.

“I think it’s fair to say that the season hasn’t gone the way I hoped so far, and I’ve certainly had more than my fair share of bad luck during the opening four rounds of the season. However, the fact that we topped qualifying and scored a podium finish at Snetterton shows we have the pace and it’s all about now trying to ensure that we show that across a full weekend.

“Three strong finishes are the aim and with the speed in the car, there is no reason why at least one of those can’t be on the podium.” 

Ricky Collard, #11 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “Thruxton is my home circuit, although it isn’t one where I’ve actually raced much in the past, with this only being my sixth visit despite the fact that I did my first race back in 2012.

“It’s a really challenging circuit with little margin for error, and it’s one where you have to be brave if you want to maximise your results, so it should play to my strengths as a driver.

“I’m going there in confident mood given the results I’ve picked up so far this season, and considering how strong the Hyundai has been there in the past. It’s no secret that I really want to get onto the top step of the podium and claim my first BTCC win, and I think Thruxton will give me a great opportunity to do that.”

Nicolas Hamilton, #28 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “The summer break has given me the opportunity to reflect on how my season has gone so far, and I’m really pleased with the progress I’ve made. To score points at three of the four meetings and take a Jack Sears Trophy win is great and has given me a platform on which to build through the rest of the year.

“Thruxton is going to be a fresh challenge given how unique the circuit is, but I go into the weekend with the same approach I have taken through the opening rounds, which is to keep pushing myself to develop and improve.

“Every time I go out on track, I feel more and more comfortable in the car and with the support of the team behind me, I’m hoping to push for more points finishes and to challenge for the Jack Sears Trophy win.”

Tom Ingram, #80 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “Thruxton was arguably our best weekend of the season last year with a win and two second places, so it’s a great place to now get our title challenge back underway after the summer break.

“Although we hadn’t tasted victory until last season, Thruxton is a circuit where we have traditionally gone well and which plays to the strengths of the Hyundai. A lot of people look at the layout and say it’s all about top speed but you also need a car that handles well, which is exactly what we have.

“It’s important that we maximise our results this weekend to try and reduce the gap to Ash in the standings, but we also have to remember that the early summer break means we haven’t even reached the half-way stage yet and there is a lot of racing still to come.”

Chris Smiley led home Restart Racing teammate James Dorlin in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Free Practice session at Thruxton, as the Hyundai duo made good use of the Goodyear medium tyre compound.

The BTCC’s official and longtime tyre supplier – Goodyear – has brought its medium compound to the fastest circuit in the country for the first time in its history, with the abrasive and high-speed nature of the layout ordinarily requiring the hardest compound.

The Qualifying Race and three Sunday races will all take place with the traditional hard tyre in use, but teams have been given the opportunity in practice – and for ten minutes during qualifying later today – to run the faster rubber.

It was Restart Racing that benefitted in particular as it showed the tyre to be potentially around three tenths faster than the chasing pack.

Smiley pipped Dorlin by just 0.093s while championship leader Ash Sutton was next in the order in the new-for-2026 Ford Focus Titanium.

Another new model – Audi A3 Saloon – was fourth as Donington Park race winner Mikey Doble produced a good lap in the #88 LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing machine.

Thruxton specialist Josh Cook followed in the Speedworks Corolla Racing Toyota, as the Bath driver looks to add to his ten victories so far here in Hampshire.

Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK), Tom Ingram (Team VERTU), Adam Morgan (Cataclean Plato Racing) and Gordon Shedden (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) completed the top ten positions.

There was a notable absentee from the lineup with NAPA Racing UK’s Sam Osborne being taken ill on the eve of the weekend. He is being replaced by multiple race winner Senna Proctor, who will race the Ford Focus Titanium under his traditional #18.

Lewis Gilbert (WSR) made his BTCC debut during the session while series returnee Ryan Bensley completed his maiden run with Speedworks Corolla Racing.

As a reminder following the mid-summer break, the finishing order of Free Practice is now split into two groups, odd-finishing-numbers (Group 1) and even-finishing-numbers (Group 2), for a 15-minute qualifying session to set their fastest times.

The group with the fastest qualifying time will occupy the odd-numbered grid positions for the Qualifying Race, ordered by their respective qualifying times. The other group will occupy the even-numbered grid positions, also ordered by qualifying times.

15 minutes after the qualifying session for Group 2 has concluded, the standard grid procedure for a race start begins, and the pit lane opens. The finishing order of the shorter ten-lap ‘Race to Pole’ will determine the grid for the first of Sunday’s traditional trio of races.

Half-points are awarded for the Qualifying Race. There are no bonus points for leading a lap, the fastest lap, or for pole position for the Qualifying Race, whereas the bonus points for leading a lap and the fastest lap are still available on Sunday.

Qualifying and the Qualifying Race can be found LIVE on the ITV Sport YouTube Channel worldwide from 13:50 later today.

Chris Smiley, Restart Racing, said:

James Dorlin, Restart Racing, said:

Free Practice – Thruxton – Final Classification:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	On/
1	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	22	1:15.365		21
2	132	James DORLIN	Restart Racing	20	1:15.458	0.093	18
3	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	22	1:15.724	0.359	11
4	88	Mikey DOBLE	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	21	1:15.877	0.512	19
5	66	Josh COOK	Speedworks Corolla Racing	22	1:15.890	0.525	18
6	50	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	20	1:15.898	0.533	18
7	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	21	1:15.900	0.535	12
8	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	16	1:15.912	0.547	16
9	33	Adam MORGAN	Cataclean Plato Racing	20	1:16.071	0.706	15
10	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	19	1:16.120	0.755	18
11	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	Cataclean Plato Racing	21	1:16.148	0.783	19
12	11	Ricky COLLARD	Team VERTU	22	1:16.173	0.808	21
13	99	Charles RAINFORD	WSR	24	1:16.293	0.928	23
14	18	Senna PROCTOR	NAPA Racing UK	23	1:16.357	0.992	10
15	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	20	1:16.447	1.082	19
16	2	Daryl DE LEON	WSR	20	1:16.511	1.146	14
17	7	Ryan BENSLEY	Speedworks Corolla Racing	25	1:16.619	1.254	23
18	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing	18	1:16.826	1.461	12
19	15	Lewis SELBY	NAPA Racing UK	25	1:17.028	1.663	21
20	17	Dexter PATTERSON	Steel Seal with Power Maxed Racing	21	1:17.291	1.926	21
21	29	Lewis GILBERT	WSR	21	1:17.619	2.254	17
22	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Team VERTU	25	1:17.956	2.591	21

NAPA Racing UK has announced this morning (25 July) that Sam Osborne will not compete in the Thruxton event (25/26 July) due to illness.

The Alliance Racing-run squad has confirmed that reserve driver Senna Proctor will step into the Ford Focus Titanium for the weekend, racing the #18.

Continuing the 7-Eleven series, we turn to one of the 11 different drivers to reach the podium so far in 2026: Speedworks Corolla Racing's Josh Cook. The 21-time race winner has taken a single trip to the rostrum this year, coming at Oulton Park.

Oulton Park Island

Cook's podium arrived in Race 1; the Toyota Corolla GR Sport driver locked in a battle for the lead from the first lap alongside race winner Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) and Tom Ingram (Team VERTU). The #66 held his own through a safety car restart that reset the race to 16 laps, but couldn't find a way past Cammish at the front, eventually settling for second at the flag, his first podium of the campaign.

Cook sits eighth in the Drivers' Championship as the mid-season break comes to a close, with the grid back in action at Thruxton (25/26 July) this weekend.