Rowbottom, Butcher and Proctor each claim a BTCC win in Cheshire

It was a day of firsts during a dramatic Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship encounter at Oulton Park, as Dan Rowbottom, Rory Butcher and Senna Proctor each claimed a win apiece.

Rowbottom took a popular maiden BTCC career victory in the opening race in Cheshire, before Toyota Gazoo Racing UK’s Butcher and BTC Racing’s Proctor each went on to chalk up a first success of the season.

Halfords Racing with Cataclean kicked off proceedings by scoring a fantastic one-two, as Rowbottom edged out three-time champion team-mate Gordon Shedden.

The contest came down to a six-lap shootout after the initial bout was red-flagged following heavy contact in an incident involving Tom Oliphant (Team BMW), Chris Smiley (Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com) and Rick Parfitt (EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com).

Much of the Honda duo’s progress was completed in the first segment as Shedden nipped by pole-sitter Proctor, whilst Rowbottom nearly flew from fourth to first with his own brilliant start.

The hard work could have been undone, however, when they were made to do it all again following a sizeable shunt on lap seven.

The Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall of Jason Plato and Oliphant’s BMW made contact at Lodge corner, which left the latter sprawled across the racetrack. The Hyundais of both Smiley and Parfitt unfortunately collected the stricken 3 Series and stewards were left with no option but to red flag the race.

Rowbottom made it stick on the restart as he blasted his #32 Honda Civic Type R around the outside of Shedden on the run down to turn one, and he subsequently went on to claim an outstanding triumph in front of a jubilant crowd.

Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport’s Adam Morgan got the better of Butcher and Stephen Jelley (Team BMW) in an eye-catching battle between the trio for the final place on the podium.

Butcher then clinched the first victory since his off-season switch to Toyota Gazoo Racing UK after the Scotsman made an incredible start in the second bout at the picturesque venue.

It was the seventh career success for Butcher, but it looked relatively unlikely with his Toyota Corolla lining up fourth on the grid.

A brave move around the outside of Morgan’s BMW at Cascades on the opening tour was immediately followed by a dynamic double, as he forcefully made his way past the Halfords Racing with Cataclean duo of Rowbottom and Shedden at Island Bend.

Butcher was already pulling clear by the conclusion of the first lap and he continued to extend that gap for the full 12-lap duration.

Rowbottom clinched second despite coming under race-long pressure from Morgan – both drivers expertly taking their second podium of the day.

BTC Racing’s Proctor eventually took the result that his pace clearly deserved as the Yorkshireman claimed victory in the final encounter.

Drama ensued from the outset – as it has done throughout the weekend – when the race was red-flagged on the first of two occasions, the latter incident ending the race ahead of schedule.

The first accident involved a pirouetting Ford Focus of Sam Osborne, which had been sent spiralling off-track by another rival, before catching out the likes of Jack Mitchell (Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct), Jade Edwards (PHSC with BTC Racing), Jack Butel (EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com) and several others, who were all involved in subsequent contact.

The restart was no less dramatic – this time it was reigning champion and standings leader Ash Sutton spinning out of contention as he attacked Proctor for the lead. The duo went side-by-side through Old Hall Corner before almost inevitable contact sent the #1 Laser Tools Racing car sliding down the order.

Sutton’s race was run as he tried to return when contact with Laser Tools Racing team-mate Carl Boardley finally ended his challenge.

Ironically, Boardley was involved in the accident that brought a high-speed end to proceedings with his Infiniti Q50 and Butcher’s Toyota Corolla careering into the barrier on lap eight.

When the dust settled on track it was Proctor’s Honda Civic Type R winning from Jelley’s 330i M Sport, the latter having been the brightest light for Team BMW throughout the weekend.

Shedden completed the podium as the experienced Scotsman enjoyed his most promising weekend of the season so far, as did Laser Tools Racing’s Aiden Moffat, who secured a top six hat-trick on the day.

Sutton still leads the Drivers’ standings despite the disappointing end to his day, with Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com’s Tom Ingram a further five points in arrears – the Hyundai driver having also endured a dismal event at Oulton Park.

Rowbottom and MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square’s Jake Hill are next in the order, the latter also having scored consistently this weekend.

BMW top the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ Championship, whilst Laser Tools Racing hold the advantage in the Teams’ table.

Sutton and Laser Tools Racing maintain control of the Independents’ honours, whilst Rowbottom has extended his lead in the Jack Sears Trophy.

Team BMW’s Colin Turkington heads the Goodyear Wingfoot Award, thanks to consistent qualifying positions during the season so far.

Rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will take place at Knockhill on 14/15 August.

Dan Rowbottom said: “It’s a little bit surreal to be honest! I shed a couple of tears, as I’m sure you can see from the in-car camera. It’s fantastic. For Halfords Racing with Cataclean to get a one-two is great, I kind of wanted to get the first as it’s Cataclean’s home circuit and they’ve got a lot of people here today. It’s one ticked off the list, but the list goes on and the work never stops.

“[Shedden] is a bit of a hunter. We had a couple of nips in the rear corner of the car, and I thought ‘oh no he’s here’ but I just managed to collect it all together, pull a bit of a gap and it was just enough at the end. To be honest in the first part of the race before the red flag I couldn’t keep with him. He was too far gone, so that worked out great.

“I think perhaps we were unfairly criticised due to my 2019 performance, so the aim this year was to come in and get top tens and make people realise what we could be here. But to come in and start winning here is fantastic and great for the championship too!”

Rory Butcher said: “It’s been a long time coming. As I said yesterday, I’ve taken time to adapt to the car and recently we’ve kind of adapted it around my driving style and it just seems to be clicking now! I was sitting on the grid raring to go and knowing that I can make up places and once I got into the lead it was just a case of managing the lead and then on the last couple of laps to bring it home! It just goes to show that when you’ve got the car feeling right for you it can make all the difference. It’s the hard work from all the team that got us to this point.

“The car’s a lot of fun, if I’m honest! There’s nothing worse than not feeling at one with the car and at the moment we’ve really got it in that window. It’s just a lot of fun and you can play around with it more, just how I like to drive. I’m smiling from ear to ear and just looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Senna Proctor said: “I made such a mess of race one, it’s nice to be able to repay the team for all the hard work they’ve put in. Now I won’t go home kicking myself so much tonight. Obviously, we’d have preferred the race one win over the race three, but we’ll take it nonetheless.

“The first start was good, I had talked to Ash [Sutton] before and he just got tucked in front of me and I was happy to go with him really. Then on the second start, I got a cracking start and a bit of a run on him into turn one, and he just seemed to try and hang it around the outside. It was a case of ‘two doesn’t go into one’ and as he went on the exit curb and joined back on, I clipped him. It’s not the way I race. In my opinion, it was a racing incident. I’m just sorry to Ash for what happened, obviously we’re good mates so I hope it doesn’t affect that.

“I’m taking away that I need to get some practice starts done and not listen to as many people pre race one. But it was good! And I’d just like to say, this win is for the marshal that lost their life at Brands Hatch yesterday.”

2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Oulton Park
1        Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean 6 laps
2        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.384s
3        Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +2.104s
4        Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +5.885s
5        Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +6.170s
6        Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +7.053s
7        Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +7.469s
8        Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +7.829s
9        Senna PROCTOR (GBR) BTC Racing +8.082s
10      Jack GOFF (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +8.444s
 
2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Oulton Park
1        Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK 12 laps
2        Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +1.698s
3        Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +2.500s
4        Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +2.944s
5        Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +3.200s
6        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +4.653s
7        Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +5.811s
8        Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +6.035s
9        Senna PROCTOR (GBR) BTC Racing +6.305s
10      Tom INGRAM (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +6.546s
 
2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Oulton Park
1        Senna PROCTOR (GBR) BTC Racing  8 laps
2        Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +2.183s
3        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +4.313s
4        Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +7.478s
5        Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +7.999s
6        Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +9.136s
7        Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +9.475s
8        Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +10.215s
9        Tom CHILTON (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +12.280s
10      Chris SMILEY (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +13.471s

Penalties

Race 1

Senna Proctor received a verbal reprimand for gaining an unfair advantage during an incident with Ollie Jackson

Race 3

Chris Smiley received a formal reprimand and had his license endorsed by the addition of two penalty points for an incident with Sam Osborne

BTC Racing’s Senna Proctor eventually took the result that his pace clearly deserved as the Yorkshireman claimed victory in the final Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship encounter at Oulton Park.

Drama ensued from the outset – as it has done throughout the weekend – when the race was red flagged on the first of two occasions, the latter incident ending the race ahead of schedule. 

The first accident involved a pirouetting Ford Focus of Sam Osborne, which had been sent spiralling off-track by another rival, which then caught out the likes of Jack Mitchell (Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct), Jade Edwards (PHSC with BTC Racing), Jack Butel (EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com) and several others, who were all involved in subsequent contact.

The restart was no less dramatic – this time it was reigning champion and standings leader Ash Sutton spinning out of the race as he attacked Proctor for the lead. The duo, who are good friends off-track, went side-by-side through turn one before almost inevitable contact sent the #1 car sliding down the order.

Sutton's race was run as he tried to return when contact with Laser Tools Racing team-mate Carl Boardley finally ended his challenge.

Ironically, Boardley was involved in the accident that brought a high-speed end to proceedings with both him and Toyota Gazoo Racing UK's Rory Butcher careering into the barrier on lap eight.

When the dust settled on track it was Proctor winning from Stephen Jelley, the latter having been Team BMW's brightest light throughout the weekend.

Scotsman Gordon Shedden completed the podium as the Halfords Racing with Cataclean star enjoyed his most promising weekend of the season so far, as did Laser Tools Racing's Aiden Moffat, who secured a top six hat-trick on the day.

Adam Morgan (Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport) and Dan Rowbottom (Halfords Racing with Cataclean) – arguably vying for 'Driver of the Day' bragging rights between them – ended the action in fifth and sixth respectively.

Jake Hill (MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square) and Colin Turkington (Team BMW) scored solid championship points in seventh and eighth, whilst Tom Chilton (Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport) and Chris Smiley (Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com) completed the top ten order.

Senna Proctor said:
“I made such a mess of race one, it’s nice to be able to repay the team for all the hard work they’ve put in. Now I won’t go home kicking myself so much tonight. Obviously, we’d have preferred the race one win over the race three, but we’ll take it nonetheless.

“The first start was good, I had talked to Ash before and he just got tucked in front of me and I was happy to go with him really. Then on the second start, I got a cracking start and a bit of a run on him into turn one, and he just seemed to try and hang it around the outside. It was a case of 'two doesn’t go into one' and as he went on the exit curb and joined back on, I clipped him. It’s not the way I race. In my opinion, it was a racing incident. I’m just sorry to Ash for what happened, obviously we’re good mates so I hope it doesn’t affect that.

“I’m taking away that I need to get some practice starts done and not listen to as many people pre race one. But it was good! And I’d just like to say, this win is for the marshal that lost their life at Brands Hatch yesterday.”

Stephen Jelley said:
“It’s great! The car was mega, me and my engineer have managed to get it absolutely sweet, so it was just about doing the job. I’ve got the equipment there and I’ve just got to deliver myself – which we’ve done. Senna just got away there and 110% during the race I was just trying to peg it back.

“Three good points-scoring finishes and after a disaster for me at Brands Hatch, it’s really nice to get back and have a solid weekend.”

Gordon Shedden said:
“Really good points, two podiums and a sixth, mega! That’s just what we needed at this time of the year. Looking forward to the next one.

“I can’t wait for Knockhill, we’ve just had the news we can have a crowd which is fantastic so I really hope that we can get a massive amount of support for myself, Rory, Aiden and everyone in the support package as well! We really need that, the extra spring in our step from a Scottish crowd!”

2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Oulton Park

1        Senna PROCTOR (GBR) BTC Racing  8 laps
2        Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +2.183s
3        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +4.313s
4        Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +7.478s
5        Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +7.999s
6        Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +9.136s
7        Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +9.475s
8        Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +10.215s
9        Tom CHILTON (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +12.280s
10      Chris SMILEY (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +13.471s
11      Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +13.769s
12      Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +14.415s
13      Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +14.871s
14      Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +15.298s
15      Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Team HARD. with HUB Financial Solutions +16.156s
16      Jack GOFF (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +16.491s
17      Ollie JACKSON (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +18.774
18      Sam SMELT (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +19.342s
19      Rick PARFITT (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +21.356s
20      Jade EDWARDS (GBR) PHSC with BTC Racing +22.744s
21      Tom INGRAM (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +49.238s
22      Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +13.351s
23      Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +14.603s
24      Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +8 laps
25      Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +8 laps
26      Jack BUTEL (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +8 laps
27      Jack MITCHELL (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +8 laps
28      Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with iQuoto Online Trading +8 laps

Rory Butcher clinched the first victory since his off-season switch to Toyota Gazoo Racing UK after the Scotsman made an incredible start in the second BTCC bout at Oulton Park.

It was the seventh career success for Butcher but it looked unlikely with his Toyota Corolla lining up fourth on the grid, a position that he maintained off the line when the lights went out.

A ballsy move around the outside of Adam Morgan's Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport BMW at Cascades followed and then the #6 produced a dynamic double as he forcefully made his way past the Halfords Racing with Cataclean duo of Daniel Rowbottom and Gordon Shedden at Island Bend.

Butcher was already pulling clear by the conclusion of the first lap and he continued to extend that gap for the full 12-lap duration.

"It’s been a long time coming," said Butcher. "As I said yesterday, I’ve taken time to adapt to the car and recently we’ve kind of adapted it around my driving style and it just seems to be clicking now! I was sitting on the grid raring to go and knowing that I can make up places and once I got into the lead it was just a case of managing the lead and then on the last couple of laps to bring it home! It just goes to show that when you’ve got the car feeling right for you it can make all the difference. It’s the hard work from all the team that got us to this point.

"The car’s a lot of fun, if I’m honest! There’s nothing worse than not feeling at one with the car and at the moment we’ve really got it in that window. It’s just a lot of fun and you can play around with it more, just how I like to drive. I’m smiling from ear to ear and just looking forward to the rest of the season."

Rowbottom clinched second despite coming under race long pressure from Morgan – both drivers expertly taking their second podium of the day.

"When we started that race, I thought that if I could hang on to a top ten finish, we’d be okay," said Rowbottom. "But we got off the line okay, me and Rory had a bit of a spat in the hairpin on the first lap and that was it. I just had to control the race."

"Rory left like a rocket ship, he just disappeared," said Morgan. "Then it was three abreast going into Knickerbrook chicane and I just basically shut my eyes, hoped for the best and somehow we came out in P3! It was really good fun.

"A mega result for everyone at Ciceley Motorsport. That’s three podiums out of three races now so hopefully let’s make it four out of four."

Jake Hill quietly went about his business to earn an impressive fourth place in the MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square Ford, as the Kent driver continues to mount a genuine championship challenge.

Aiden Moffat's pacy performances continued with fifth for Laser Tools Racing as he fended off fellow countryman Shedden, the latter having been shuffled down the order on the opening lap.

Ash Sutton made stellar progress in the sister Laser Tools Racing Infiniti but he couldn't make it by Team BMW's Stephen Jelley. With both Colin Turkington and Tom Oliphant hitting trouble during the day so far, Jelley has emerged as the German marque's main threat and the multiple race-winner has been driving beautifully at a circuit he really enjoys.

So Jelley held seventh from Sutton, whilst BTC Racing's Senna Proctor and Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com's Tom Ingram completed the top ten positions.

2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Oulton Park

1        Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK 12 laps
2        Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +1.698s
3        Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +2.500s
4        Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +2.944s
5        Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +3.200s
6        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +4.653s
7        Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +5.811s
8        Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +6.035s
9        Senna PROCTOR (GBR) BTC Racing +6.305s
10      Tom INGRAM (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +6.546s
11      Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +6.661s
12      Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +6.826s
13      Tom CHILTON (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +10.693s
14      Chris SMILEY (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +15.436s
15      Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +17.329s
16      Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Team HARD. with HUB Financial Solutions +17.859s
17      Jack BUTEL (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +18.613s
18      Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +20.108s
19      Sam SMELT (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +20.317s
20      Jade EDWARDS (GBR) PHSC with BTC Racing +20.575s
21      Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +23.129s
22      Jack MITCHELL (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +23.365s
23      Rick PARFITT (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +24.281s
24      Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with iQuoto Online Trading +26.062s
25      Jack GOFF (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +4 laps
26      Ollie JACKSON (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +7 laps
27      Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +9 laps

Halfords Racing with Cataclean scored a fantastic one-two in the opening Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race at Oulton Park as Dan Rowbottom claim a first career victory ahead of team-mate Gordon Shedden.

The contest came down to a six-lap shootout after the initial bout was red-flagged following heavy contact in an incident involving Tom Oliphant (Team BMW), Chris Smiley (Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com) and Rick Parfitt (EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com).

Much of Team Dynamics' progress was completed in the first segment as Shedden nipped by the BTC Racing Honda of pole-sitter Senna Proctor, whilst Rowbottom nearly flew from fourth to first with his own brilliant start.

The hard work could have been undone, however, when they were made to do it all again following a sizeable shunt on lap seven.

The PMR-run Vauxhall of Jason Plato and Oliphant's BMW made contact at Lodge corner, which left the latter sprawled across the race track. The Hyundais of both Smiley and Parfitt unfortunately collected the stricken 3 Series and stewards were left with no option but to red flag the race.

Rowbottom made it stick on the restart as he blasted his #32 Honda Civic Type R around the outside of Shedden on the run down to turn one, and he subsequently went on to claim an outstanding maiden BTCC victory.

"It’s a little bit surreal to be honest!" enthused Rowbottom. "I shed a couple of tears, as I’m sure you can see from the in-car camera. It’s fantastic. For Halfords Racing with Cataclean to get a one-two is great, I kind of wanted to get the first as it’s Cataclean’s home circuit and they’ve got a lot of people here today. It’s one ticked off the list, but the list goes on and the work never stops.

"[Shedden] is a bit of a hunter. We had a couple of nips in the rear corner of the car, and I thought ‘oh no he’s here’ but I just managed to collect it all together, pull a bit of a gap and it was just enough at the end. To be honest in the first part of the race before the red flag I couldn’t keep with him. He was too far gone, so that worked out great.

"I think perhaps we were unfairly criticised due to my 2019 performance, so the aim this year was to come in and get top tens and make people realise what we could be here. But to come in and start winning here is fantastic and great for the championship too!"

"The red flag was falling at the wrong time for me but thank goodness everyone’s okay," responded Shedden. "A one-two for the team is great, Dan’s first win is just fantastic. Now we’ve got to try and keep scoring for the next two races today, so fingers crossed.

"My start felt okay. Starting on the soft tyres but with so much temperature in them was a little bit hit and miss with what it would be. My green flag warmup lap start was terrible, but I thought my start was okay. Dan just made a lightening start like he did in the other one, and that was really race done. It’s just very difficult to overtake especially in the same car around here.

"We have history here, so I was thinking about that. I think obviously your priority is to get both cars home, but you both want to win and are going to make moves. But that was good!"

Adam Morgan got the better of Rory Butcher (Toyota Gazoo Racing UK) and Stephen Jelley (Team BMW) in an eye-catching battle between the trio for the final place on the podium, and the Ciceley Motorsport man will have been further encouraged that he was running of the harder of the two Goodyear tyre compounds.

Morgan's podium follows his win at Brands Hatch last time out as the Lancastrian team continue to make progress with its BMW 330i M Sports.

"I heard [Rowbottom and Shedden] were on the soft tyre and I thought they’d just disappear," said Morgan. "But I think we kept them honest and were sort of on the pace. Matt Neal will hate it, but I was hoping we were going to have a repeat at the last corner and they’d take each other off. But a mega result for the team. Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport on the podium two races in a row!

"We’ve still got the soft tyre to use, but the BMW carries weight really well, so it makes sense to use it in race two. We’ll get ourselves up at the front again with hopefully another podium and then just take the reverse grid draw as it comes."

Laser Tools Racing's Aiden Moffat was lively throughout as he claimed sixth, ahead of Plato and MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square's Jake Hill.

Proctor eventually finished ninth, whilst Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct's Jack Goff completed the top ten.

2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Oulton Park

1        Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean 6 laps
2        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.384s
3        Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +2.104s
4        Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +5.885s
5        Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +6.170s
6        Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +7.053s
7        Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +7.469s
8        Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +7.829s
9        Senna PROCTOR (GBR) BTC Racing +8.082s
10      Jack GOFF (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +8.444s
11      Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +9.405s
12      Ollie JACKSON (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +10.629s
13      Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +10.897s
14      Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +10.955s
15      Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +11.690s
16      Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Team HARD. with HUB Financial Solutions +14.195s
17      Tom CHILTON (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +14.373s
18      Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +14.593s
19      Tom INGRAM (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +15.331
20      Jack BUTEL (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +15.580s
21      Jade EDWARDS (GBR) PHSC with BTC Racing +16.384s
22      Jack MITCHELL (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +17.203s
23      Sam SMELT (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +17.530s
24      Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +3 laps
25      Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +6 laps
26      Chris SMILEY (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +6 laps
27      Rick PARFITT (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +6 laps

Following the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship's annual summer break, Oulton Park hosts Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the 2021 campaign this weekend, with yesterday's Free Practice and Qualifying sessions kicking off the on-track activity.

The Official BTCC website's Qualifying in Quotes gives fans the chance to listen back to the top three qualifiers' initial feelings about the session, as well as the opportunity to listen back to Chris Hartley and Alan Hyde's circuit commentary.

Senna Proctor bagged a maiden BTCC pole position at Oulton Park:

Second spot on the grid has Gordon Shedden's name on it:

It's P3 for Rory Butcher ahead of today's opening encounter:

Listen again! Catch up with all the qualifying action now from yesterday at Oulton Park:

BTC Racing star just 0.001s shy of qualifying lap record

Senna Proctor produced a fantastic qualifying lap at Oulton Park today (31 July), as the BTC Racing driver scored his first career pole position in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

One of the most exciting qualifying sessions of the season built towards a breathtaking climax, as a number of BTCC's big hitters chased a front row starting berth for tomorrow's opening race.

Team BMW's Colin Turkington and Halfords Racing with Cataclean's Gordon Shedden traded blows at the top of the timesheets in the early running, and with seven BTCC Drivers' titles between them, it seemed as if a duel was developing during the 30-minute session.

It soon became a family affair when Toyota Gazoo Racing UK's Rory Butcher joined the party, as the Scotsman pipped brother-in-law Shedden to move into the top spot.

Proctor, however, was at the sharp end throughout and, having set the pace during the recent two-day Goodyear tyre test, the Yorkshireman expertly hauled his stealth-like Honda Civic Type R into pole position – incredibly just 0.001s shy of Jason Plato's 2015 qualifying lap record.

Shedden responded to jump back in front of Butcher before the finish and Daniel Rowbottom made it three Hondas inside the top four with his own impressive effort.

Jack Goff and Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct continue to catch the eye with their development of the all-new CUPRA Leon. Goff took a first podium for the car last time out at Brands Hatch, and he followed that up by qualifying fifth today, as he looks to keep his run going of scoring points in every round so far.

Adam Morgan grabbed a top six result on home soil as his Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport squad seemingly improves with every event with its new BMW 330i M Sports.

MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square's Jake Hill was seventh, ahead of Team BMW's Stephen Jelley.

Turkington had to settle for ninth at the finish, whilst championship leader Ash Sutton completed the top ten positions in his ballast-laden Laser Tools Racing Infiniti Q50.

EXCELR8 Motorsport endured a dismal session as title contender Tom Ingram failed to set a time due to a mechanical issue, whilst stablemates Chris Smiley and Rick Parfitt both recovered following early incidents on track.

Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Oulton Park tomorrow with an eager crowd expected at the picturesque Cheshire venue. Those unable to attend will be able to watch all of the action live on ITV4 from 1150.

Senna Proctor said: “After we were P1 here for the tyre test, there was a lot of pressure on me. We slipped down to second before that new tyre run at the end and then I just got the job done. I’m over the moon.

“Pole’s a really weird feeling because you’re so elated that it’s happened, but there’s still set up things to work on for tomorrow, so my mind’s already switched to race one and how to get the best out of it in those conditions.

“We did a race run at the test day, which was really positive, so I know we’re going to be quick and I know you can overthink things, so for me, it’s just going to have to be a case of getting the job done. I did just then in that session, so I’ve proved that I can fight up at the front.”

Gordon Shedden said: “We were strong in the tyre test here and for it to be so close looking at how long the track is and what’s happening out there is incredible! It’s really difficult here because if you fall out of sequence you find people leaving the pit lane and while they don’t get in the way, they do end up being inadvertently where you want to be on the way down Cascades. So there’s a little bit of that, I didn’t really have any problems with it though anyway.

"I thought my lap was okay, it was a little bit loose going through Druids which got my heart up a bit but apart from that it was okay. A front row start and nice clear track in front of us, let’s make the most of it tomorrow.

“Hopefully the car will be strong all the way through. Obviously there’ll be a bit of strategy tomorrow, tyres, all sorts of things. We’ll make the best of it and just see if we can get through all three races as we should.”

Rory Butcher said: “I’m really pleased. It was nice to come out of FP2 and go into qualifying feeling quite confident. We pieced a really good lap together on that second run. For a moment, I thought I had pole but my brother-in-law [Shedden] had to go and ruin it for me and then obviously Proctor did a great job.

"I have to say a big thanks to the team. I've struggled to adapt to this Corolla and they’ve been really supportive. The car’s quite different to how it was at the start of the season and I’m getting so much more confidence from it and have started really enjoying driving it. Hopefully we can pull some results out of the bag now!

“I really feel like we made two or three steps forward on race day [at Brands Hatch] and we came away with a fastest lap. For the first time all season, I passed six or seven cars and felt like I was on the attack – it was great. So I felt confident coming here, we had the tyre test which was great as well, two days in the dry and wet. From the word go today we’ve hit the ground running and the car’s just talking my language now, so we’re able to attack. We’ll go back to the drawing board and see if there’s anything else that I can do or the car can do and hopefully challenge [Proctor and Shedden] tomorrow!”

2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Oulton Park

1        Senna PROCTOR(GBR) BTC Racing 1:25.485
2        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.076s
3        Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +0.087s
4        Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.093s
5        Jack GOFF (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +0.214s
6        Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.217s
7        Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +0.231s
8        Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +0.290s
9        Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.310s
10      Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.322s
11      Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +0.420s
12      Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0. 455s
13      Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +0.536s
14      Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +0.559s
15      Sam SMELT (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +0.562s
16      Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +0.602s
17      Ollie JACKSON (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +0.604s
18      Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +0.647s
19      Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.656s
20      Chris SMILEY (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +0.731s
21      Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Team HARD. with HUB Financial Solutions +1.125s
22      Tom CHILTON (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +1.136s
23      Jade EDWARDS (GBR) PHSC with BTC Racing +1.234s
24      Rick PARFITT (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +1.305s
25      Jack MITCHELL (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +1.369s
26      Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with iQuoto Online Trading +1.516s
27      Jack BUTEL (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +1.769s
28      Andy NEATE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +2.660s
29      Tom INGRAM (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com NO TIME

Jack Goff's development of the all-new Team HARD-run CUPRA Leon has continued apace here at Oulton Park as the multiple race-winner topped the second Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship free practice session.

Rory Butcher was second for Toyota Gazoo Racing UK as the Scotsman looks to kickstart his championship challenge, following a few steady – if not spectacular – race weekends with his new team.

Senna Proctor was the pace-setter during the recent two-day Goodyear tyre test at the picturesque Cheshire circuit and the BTC Racing man has proven his speed again today by setting the third fastest lap time in his Honda Civic Type R.

Jason Plato – the most successful BTCC driver ever around Oulton Park with 11 career victories – is looking particularly racy as the Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall returned to the sharp end of the order, ahead of Adam Morgan's Car Gods-backed BMW.

Sam Osborne enjoyed one of his sessions of the season so far and the Ford Focus driver even topped the times in the final ten minutes, before eventually having to settle for sixth.

A trio of expected title contenders were next in the classification with Tom Ingram (Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com), Ash Sutton (Laser Tools Racing) and Gordon Shedden (Halfords Racing with Cataclean) finishing seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.

Team BMW's Stephen Jelley rounded out the top ten.

A special mention for Jack Mitchell – contesting his debut BTCC weekend – as the young charger also highlighted the potential of the new CUPRA Leon by bringing his car home in 11th.

Qualifying for Round 10 of the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences at 1510 and will be streamed live via www.itv.com/btcc.

2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 2 – Oulton Park

1        Jack GOFF (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +1:26.381s
2        Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +0.008s
3        Senna PROCTOR(GBR) BTC Racing +0.254s
4        Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +0.419s
5        Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.468s
6        Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +0.617s
7        Tom INGRAM (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +0.625s
8        Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.670s
9        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.677s
10      Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +0.684s
11      Jack MITCHELL (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +0.689s
12      Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.768.s
13      Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +0.811s
14      Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +0.865s
15      Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.898s
16      Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.900s
17 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.924s
18      Chris SMILEY (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +1.054s
19      Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +1.055s
20      Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +1.088s
21      Ollie JACKSON (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +1.234s
22      Sam SMELT (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +1.284s
23      Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Team HARD. with HUB Financial Solutions +1.480s
24      Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.578s
25      Rick PARFITT (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +2.048s
26      Jade EDWARDS (GBR) PHSC with BTC Racing +2.217s
27      Andy NEATE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +8.452s
28      Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with iQuoto Online Trading +9.896s
29      Jack BUTEL (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +10.909s

The 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship rather spluttered back into life this morning (31 July) as the season re-commenced during mixed weather conditions at Oulton Park.

Free Practice 1 got underway in relatively dry surroundings, which was when Team BMW's Tom Oliphant set a benchmark lap time, before drizzle began to fall at the Cheshire track.

Goodyear wet tyres quickly became the order of the session, in conditions reminiscent of those experienced during the recent two-day test at the same venue.

Two former champions were next on the timesheets with Halfords Racing with Cataclean's Gordon Shedden pipping Colin Turkington in his WSR-run BMW, although representative lap times were made fairly redundant by the fluctuating weather.

Team BMW will be relatively pleased with its progress, however, as Stephen Jelley ensured that all three BMW 330i M Sports were inside the top four when the chequered flag fell.

Tom Chilton also confirmed the pace of the BMW on a greasy surface as the Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport man finished up fifth, ahead of the Laser Tools Racing trio of Aiden Moffat, Carl Boardley and reigning champion Ash Sutton.

MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square's Jake Hill was ninth, whilst Chris Smiley rounded out the top ten in his EXCELR8 Motorsport-run Hyundai.

Tom Ingram ventured back onto dry Goodyear tyres in the latter stages in the sister Hyundai, albeit without making any inroads on the timesheets, whilst Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing's Jason Plato decided not to set a lap time during the 40-minute session.

Free Practice 2 takes place at 1210 before qualifying for Round 10 of the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences at 1510, which will be streamed live via www.itv.com/btcc.

Tom Oliphant said: “The car felt really good, it was just a bit on and off really. Sticking slicks on, then wets on, it went like that! I’m really pleased with where the car’s at. Obviously after the two-day tyre test we learnt a lot and I’m feeling confident.

“I grew up just two minutes down the road so can’t get much more homely than this! It’s really nice to see all the fans back and I’ve got lots of friends, family and people that I know coming, which is great news.

“Anything can happen in Cheshire, even when it says it’s going to be sunny it can still rain. We all have to deal with the same stuff, but hopefully the weather will make its mind up for qualifying and make my life a little easier!”

2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 1 – Oulton Park

1        Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +0.110s
2        Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.191s
3        Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.661s
4        Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +0.856s
5        Tom CHILTON (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.926s
6        Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.143s
7        Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.170s
8        Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.379s
9        Jake HILL (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +1.563s
10      Chris SMILEY (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +1.624s
11      Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +1.717s
12      Rick PARFITT (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +1.827s
13      Sam SMELT (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +1.894s
14      Senna PROCTOR(GBR) BTC Racing +1.976s
15      Nicolas HAMILTON (GBR) ROKiT Racing with iQuoto Online Trading +1.996s
16      Ollie JACKSON (GBR) MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square +2.027s
17      Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +2.043
18      Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing +2.151s
19      Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +2.318s
20      Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +2.384.s
21      Jack MITCHELL (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +2.482s
22      Tom INGRAM (GBR) Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +2.516s
23      Jade EDWARDS (GBR) PHSC with BTC Racing +2.524s
24      Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Team HARD. with HUB Financial Solutions +2.604s
25      Andy NEATE (GBR) Racing with Wera & Photon Group +2.878s
26      Jack GOFF (GBR) Team HARD. with Autobrite Direct +2.948s
27      Jack BUTEL (GBR) EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com +3.103s
28      Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota Gazoo Racing UK +8.374s
29      Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing NO TIME

Daniel Lloyd is fired up for the return of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this weekend, as Oulton Park gets set to welcome back fans for some action-packed tin-top racing (31 July/1 August).

With restrictions now lifted, the picturesque Cheshire track – a firm favourite of many fans and drivers – will open its gates to trackside BTCC spectators for the first time in over two years, a prospect that the Huddersfield-based racer is relishing as the opportunity to compete in front of an expected bumper crowd includes personal sponsors, team partners, family and friends.

Lloyd’s return to the BTCC grid with Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing for the 2021 campaign has netted the 29-year-old points in all but one of the nine rounds so far this season and the Yorkshireman already has two top six finishes under his belt.

With the undulating and twisty Oulton Park circuit next on the calendar after a five-week break in proceedings, expectations are high both on and off track, with ITV4 providing fans at home with all the action on Sunday from 1150.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to racing this weekend after what feels like a massive break,” said Lloyd. “We had a successful two-day tyre test there recently in tricky weather conditions. We found a couple of bits on the car that were positive. I hope the weather stays dry so that we can confirm our findings in racing conditions. Qualifying is always tough here. It’s not the easiest place to overtake, so ensuring that we get the best out of the car on Saturday will be the key to a good weekend.

“I love Oulton Park anyway, but obviously this weekend will be extra special; it’s the first one opened up properly to spectators. I think it will be mega busy. I can’t wait to be racing in front of the crowds again with the support of my sponsors, family and friends there. It’s not been the same without them all there to cheer us on.”

After a productive two-day test earlier in the month – where on the second day the team topped the times – Halfords Racing with Cataclean is looking forward to another successful trip to Oulton Park this weekend (31 July/1 August).  

Drivers Dan Rowbottom and Gordon Shedden will be hoping for a strong weekend on a circuit that has seen the team secure 12 podiums – including two wins and seven second-place finishes – over the past five years, after mixed results last time out at Brands Hatch.

“We showed our true pace at Brands, but we are still missing that elusive win so we’ll be doing all we can this weekend to rectify that situation,” said Team Manager, James Rogers. “The test earlier in the month was hampered by mixed conditions and it looks like we may well get that again at the weekend, so the good thing is we have an ultimate setup for each condition.”

“Brands was full of highs and lows for me with my first BTCC career pole,” added Rowbottom.  “Unfortunately, the nerves got the better of me, so I didn’t make the best of starts and dropped down the order. I was chuffed to pull off some pretty tough overtakes to fight back to third at the finish though.

“Overall, Brands was a good points haul for me, giving me a decent lead in the Jack Sears Trophy and leaving me seventh in the Drivers’ Standings. I ran well at Oulton during the test and again really like this challenging, old school circuit, so I’ll be doing my darndest to get more points on the board this weekend.”

“I love Oulton,” said Shedden. “It really reminds me of Knockhill. Up and down, tight and twisty, plus unforgiving if you get off the grey stuff. I was chuffed at Brands to get my highest place finish so far this season with second in the first race, but then lady luck left me again!

“I’ve gone well at Oulton in the past with nine podiums since 2010, so I’ll be looking to replicate that again this weekend. It will also be great to see a full capacity crowd once again, we’ve missed having the fans as they give you a real boost.”