DOUBLE PODIUM DELIGHT FOR CAMMISH

Dan Cammish strengthened his Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship attack at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit (14/15 May) with an impressive hat-trick of top ten finishes, including a pair of podiums.

The NAPA Racing UK driver made a notable comeback on the 1.21-mile circuit, following a single points finish at season opener Donington Park after a fire caused the Yorkshire driver difficulty over the race weekend.

Saturday provided scorching heat and an exciting qualifying session in which Cammish secured eighth on the grid for race one.

Despite this, Sunday’s weather took a turn for the worse as the rain increased throughout the morning, resulting in all but two cars opting to start the opening contest on wet tyres. Cammish made a strong start but was unable to defend from Gordon Shedden on lap two as the Honda slipped by. Cammish then raced his way to third, securing his first podium of the campaign.

Race two saw the 33-year-old start in third and hold position until lap ten, when a four-lap battle with the Toyota of Rory Butcher ensued. Cammish resisted the competition and fought his way through the grid before finishing in an impressive second place, making it two visits to the rostrum over the weekend.

The rain came in full force for race three and consequently triggered two Safety Car periods during the 27-lap encounter. This, combined with the full wet conditions, made for a challenging race for Cammish, and he would cross the line in tenth, departing from the Kent-based circuit with 38 championship points.

With only two weeks before the next instalment of the season, as the BTCC roars into Thruxton (28/29 May), the NAPA Racing UK driver will be hoping to build on a change of fortunes at Brands Hatch.

“Overall, it was a good weekend," reflected Cammish. "What a difference a couple of weeks make! From Donington where we were on fire, literally, to Brands Indy where we're on fire metaphorically.

“Race day was great. We had two podiums: a third and a second. I think with another lap I could have won race two and another five laps I could have been quite a way in the lead. Everything that I needed from the car came to me and Josh [Cook] had used everything that he had. That's just the way we set the cars up and the way we roll it out, so I was really happy. Race three was a struggle for me and Ash [Sutton] and we came through to sixth from tenth, but it's not where we wanted to be.

“We struggled a little because it never dried enough to give us the car back that we need. It's interesting that we get a similar feeling in the full wet as we do in the full dry, but there's that in-between moment where the car is fantastic. I can't quite get my head around that, so I think we've got some homework to do, but on the whole, it’s been very positive. We've got two trophies in the bag, some points, so I can't ask for much more.”

LISTEN AGAIN: BRANDS HATCH INDY

Brands Hatch's Indy Circuit played host to the most recent rounds of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, with the Kent circuit providing a trio of enthralling races on 15 May.

As always, you can relive all the thrills and spills from the 1.21-mile circuit using the BTCC's circuit commentary podcasts below!

Race 1:

Race 2:

Race 3:

COOK SERVES UP A DOUBLE BEFORE TURKINGTON STRIKES BACK

BTCC brings the noise to a busy Brands Hatch and viewers on ITV

Josh Cook claimed a memorable Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship double at Brands Hatch today (15 May), before four-time champion Colin Turkington bounced back with a win in the finale at the famous Kent venue.

Team BMW’s Turkington topped an incredible BMW 1-2-3-4 during qualifying on Saturday, but it was all change when a damp race day ensued come Sunday.

Cook – starting fifth on the grid – gradually carved his way by the Bavarian machines to win the opening race around the 1.21-mile Indy circuit, before the Rich Energy BTC Racing star produced a commanding lights-to-flag success in the second bout.

With rain falling for much of the morning, the vast majority of runners selected Goodyear wet tyres for the first race with the front-running BMWs initially leading the way.

Pole-sitter Turkington went side-by-side with stablemate Jake Hill through Paddock Hill Bend for the first time, whilst Cook took the wide line to get the better of Team BMW’s Stephen Jelley.

Cook made his life somewhat more difficult, however, as he briefly ran off-track to hand Jelley the position back shortly after. As the duo squabbled in the early stages it allowed the leading Turkington and ROKiT MB Motorsport’s Hill to scamper away.

Jelley was the first of the BMWs to falter as Cook nipped back by at Druids on lap seven, but both Turkington and Hill also began struggling with their tyres by mid-distance.

Hill then ran wide at Clearways as Cook squeezed into second, and five laps later he was leading following a good move by Turkington at Paddock.

Cook calmly went about his business for the remainder of the contest as the Bath racer took his first win of the 2022 season, and he would soon become the first double winner of the new campaign.

Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com’s Tom Ingram and NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish also benefitted from the fading pace of the BMWs to impressively complete the podium positions, whilst Hill and Turkington had to settle for fourth and fifth respectively.

A fantastic race ensued in the next bout, building towards an exciting climax as the cars of Cook, Hill and Cammish ran nose-to-tail in the closing stages.

The BMW 330e M Sport of Hill clipped the kerb at Druids on lap 22 of 24 as he spun out of contention, with Cammish eventually finishing just +0.253s behind Cook as the chequered flag fell.

Butcher inherited third following Hill’s spin, whilst Ash Sutton made it a double celebration for NAPA Racing UK with fourth.

West Surrey Racing and BMW eventually overcame its struggles in the final race as Turkington went with a full wet setup to take the spoils.

Reversed-grid pole-sitter Tom Chilton held station off the line and even withstood an early safety car spell, which followed an off at Druids for Rich Energy BTC Racing’s Jason Plato.

The Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com Hyundai couldn’t hang on, however, as Chilton was gradually relegated down the order before pitting with a problem.

Turkington fired his BMW 330e M Sport around the outside of Chilton at Paddock Hill Bend on lap eight, and Jake Hill’s ROKiT MB Motorsport machine soon followed suit.

The story of the race was developing behind as an opportunistic move from Bobby Thompson pushed the Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero racer into third.

Chilton’s day eventually ended in the gravel as another safety car period was called for late on, with all eyes on the two BMWs and Thompson’s Team HARD-run Cupra.

The West Surrey Racing duo of Turkington and Hill remained line astern until the finish, whilst Thompson crossed the line for his first-ever podium in the UK’s premier motorsport series.

It was a fitting and celebratory end to a wonderful weekend as Brands Hatch welcomed a big crowd, whilst the BTCC starred live on ITV for the first time in 15 years.

Sunday’s race day commenced on ITV4 – the home of the BTCC – for the opening race before action switched to ITV for races two and three.

Consistent top five finishes throughout the day for Ingram ensured the 28-year-old maintained his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Standings, with ‘star of the day’ Cook now just eight points in arrears.

EXCELR8 Motorsport/Hyundai heads the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ order, as does its Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com outfit in the Teams’ table.

Cook and his Rich Energy BTC Racing squad hold the sway in both Independents’ championships, whilst rookie George Gamble impressively leads the Jack Sears Trophy.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns at Thruxton in two weeks’ time (28/29 May).

Josh Cook said: “I’m knackered – that was hard work! For us, it’s about the point scores, we need to keep scoring big points. Last year we lost out on the championship because of a couple of bad weekends so we need to make hay while the sun shines and just grab as many points as we can.

So, I’m pleased with the wins, but I’m happier about the points. We’ve just got to keep doing that every single weekend, to really boost the team. We had a tough start to the season at Donington, but to come here and get two wins is mega.”

Colin Turkington said: “I’m just so pleased I’ve got a reward for all the hard work yesterday after getting pole position. The weather didn’t favour us today, but for race three, we said let’s just go with a wet setup, starting P3 let’s just get to the front and go, and my gosh it was a different car.

“I knew I needed to get my head down, but a safety car with five laps to go! My engineer John kept me focussed on the radio and I knew I had better pace in my BMW than the guys behind, so I kept the focus to the flag. It’s been a super weekend for me. First podium of the year, first win of the year and good to see the BMW back at the front.”

Tom Ingram said: “All in all, we’ve had a solid day. Second in the first race was a bit unexpected with where we started and if you’d said we would come out of the weekend still leading the championship then I would have been surprised as the gap was so close and it was always going to be a challenge here. The track was changing all the time on race day and I’m pleased to still be leading, although the focus now is very much on scoring points. Yes, I want to win and I want to get podiums, but the points are what’s important and if we can keep bagging those top five finishes as we have done so far then I’ll be pleased.”

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Brands Hatch Indy

1.         Josh COOK (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing 24 laps
2.         Tom INGRAM (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +0.802s   
3.         Dan CAMMISH (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +4.209s 
4.         Jake HILL (GBR) ROKiT MB Motorsport +5.037s
5.         Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +7.691s 
6.         Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +10.120s 
7.         Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +10.848s 
8.         Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +11.670s 
9.         Ash SUTTON (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +12.509s 
10.       Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +14.385s 

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Brands Hatch Indy 

TURKINGTON STRIKES BACK FOR RACE 3 VICTORY

Team BMW bounced back from a challenging start to Sunday as four-time champion Colin Turkington took victory in the final Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship contest at Brands Hatch.

Reversed-grid pole-sitter Tom Chilton held station off the line and even withstood an early safety car spell, which followed an off at Druids for Rich Energy BTC Racing's Jason Plato.

The Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com Hyundai couldn't hang on, however, as Chilton was gradually relegated down the order before pitting with a problem.

Turkington calmly fired his BMW 330e M Sport around the outside of Chilton at Paddock Hill Bend on lap eight, and Jake Hill's ROKiT MB Motorsport machine soon followed suit.

The story of the race was developing behind as an opportunistic move from Bobby Thompson pushed the Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero racer into third.

Chilton's day eventually ended in the gravel as another safety car period was called for late on, with all eyes on the two BMWs and Thompson's Cupra.

The West Surrey Racing duo of Turkington and Hill remained line astern until the finish, whilst Thompson crossed the line for his first-ever podium in the UK's premier motorsport series.

Tom Ingram continued his impressive start to the 2022 campaign with fourth for Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com, as he maintained his standings lead.

Toyota GAZOO Racing UK's Rory Butcher and NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton were inseparable throughout as they came home in fifth and sixth respectively, ahead of Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport's George Gamble.

Eighth rounded off a stellar afternoon for Josh Cook – following his double victory earlier in the day – whilst Daniel Lloyd (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com) and Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) completed the top ten positions.

"I’m just so pleased I’ve got a reward for all the hard work yesterday after getting pole position," said Turkington. "The weather didn’t favour us today, but for race three, we said let’s just put a wet setup, starting P3 let’s just get to the front and go, and my gosh it was a different car.

"I knew I needed to get my head down, but a safety car with five laps to go! My engineer John kept me focussed on the radio and I knew I had better pace in my BMW than the guys behind, so I kept the focus to the flag. It’s been a super weekend for me. First podium of the year, first win of the year and good to see the BMW back at the front."

“I think I could have done that a bit sooner in the day, but it's great to be on the podium in the last one,” admitted Hill. “The car was good, my ROKiT MB Motorsport car was just fantastic in that last race! I think the BMWs excel when it’s a bit wetter, so with it being so greasy all day, before that last race it just didn't bite. We were still quick all day and I'm glad that it was mistake-free this time. I learned my lesson and we can come home with a podium.”

“It’s my first podium,” said Thompson, “and podiums don’t come often for the team, but hopefully they will now! To be the first front-wheel drive car – isn’t that just incredible. We had everything thrown at us; rain, then it stopped raining, a couple of safety cars. It's thrown it all at us and we held our own. I'm so proud of the boys and the job they’ve done this winter. They keep me on my toes and keep me honest out there. I’m loving every minute of it, I’m loving it.”

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Brands Hatch Indy

1.       Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 27 laps
2.       Jake HILL (GBR) ROKiT MB Motorsport +1.181s
3.       Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +5.198s
4.       Tom INGRAM (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +5.808s
5.       Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +6.186s
6.       Ash SUTTON (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +6.488s
7.       George GAMBLE (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +7.031s
8.       Josh COOK (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +8.256s
9.       Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +9.062s
10.     Dan CAMMISH (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +9.543s
11.     Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +11.783s
12.     Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +12.012s
13.     Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +12.276s
14.     Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +12.336s
15.     Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +14.014s
16.     Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +14.777s
17.     Jade EDWARDS (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +15.000s
18.     Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +15.927s
19.     Jack BUTEL (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +16.152s
20.     Ricky COLLARD (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +17.075s
21.     Ash HAND (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +17.940s
22.     Dan ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +18.645s
23.     Dexter PATTERSON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +21.977s
24.     Nic HAMILTON (GBR) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +25.229s
25.     Will POWELL (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +1 lap
26.     Tom CHILTON (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +12 laps
27.     Rick PARFITT (GBR) Uptonsteel with Euro Car Parts Racing +14 laps
28.     Jason PLATO (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +27 laps

JOSH COOK AT THE DOUBLE

Rich Energy BTC Racing's Josh Cook secured a memorable double around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit after withstanding intense pressure throughout the second Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race.

Cook – the first double race winner of the 2022 season – made a strong getaway from pole position, with ROKiT MB Motorsport's Jake Hill behind, whilst the car of NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish bogged down off the line.

There was contact further down the field going into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time as both cars from Laser Tools Racing (Aiden Moffat and Dexter Patterson), CarStore Power Maxed Racing (Ash Hand and Michael Crees) and the Halfords Racing with Cataclean Honda of Dan Rowbottom were all caught up in the melee.

Cammish was embroiled in a battle with the Toyota Corolla of Rory Butcher, after that had both seen off the attentions of championship leader Tom Ingram in the EXCELR8 Motorsport Hyundai.

A fantastic race ensued and gradually built towards an exciting climax with the cars of Cook, Hill and Cammish nose-to-tail in the closing stages.

The BMW 330e M Sport of Hill clipped the kerb at Druids on lap 22 of 24 and spun at low speed, as a number of rivals relegated him further down the order.

Cammish pressured Cook until the finish, but the Bath racer held on to clinch his second successive victory.

"I'm knackered – that was hard work!" said Cook. "For us, it's about the point scores, we need to keep scoring big points. Last year we lost out on the championship because of a couple of bad weekends so we need to make hay while the sun shines and just grab as many points as we can.

So I'm pleased with the wins, but I'm more happy about the points. We've just got to keep doing that every single weekend, really boost the team. We had a tough start to the season at Donington, but to come here and get two wins is mega.

"I was counting down the laps; every single time I crossed the line, I was trying to save some hybrid for the end in case an assault happened. I could see in my mirrors I was being hassled by Jake and the way that he was sliding that car into Druids was just spectacular.

Good to watch, but terrifying when he would close in again! I don't really know what happened, but he drove a good race. I was lucky to hold off the guys at the end."

Butcher inherited third after his own impressive drive, whilst Ash Sutton made it a double celebration for NAPA Racing UK with fourth.

Ingram and Halfords Racing with Cataclean's Gordon Shedden were fifth and sixth respectively, ahead of the frustrated Hill.

Daniel Lloyd (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com), George Gamble (Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport) and Colin Turkington (Team BMW) completed the top ten positions.

A special mention also for Rich Energy BTC Racing's Jade Edwards for securing 15th, the second points score of her BTCC career so far.

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Brands Hatch Indy 

 
1.            Josh COOK (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing 24 laps
2.            Dan CAMMISH (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +0.253s  
3.            Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +0.932s 
4.            Ash SUTTON (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +4.381s 
5.            Tom INGRAM (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +7.185s
6.            Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +10.086s 
7.            Jake HILL (GBR) ROKiT MB Motorsport +10.384s
8.            Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +10.889s  
9.            George GAMBLE (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +11.965s 
10.         Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +12.666s 
11.         Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +13.032
12.         Tom CHILTON (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +13.558s 
13.         Jason PLATO (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +17.570s 
14.         Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +18.143s
15.         Jade EDWARDS (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +18.316s
16.         Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +22.026s
17.         Ricky COLLARD (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +23.999s 
18.         Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +24.900s
19.         Jack BUTEL (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +25.117s
20.         Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +31.305s
21.         Nic HAMILTON (GBR) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +38.800s 
22.         PARFITT (GBR) Uptonsteel with Euro Car Parts Racing +39.506    
23.         Will POWELL (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +1 lap
24.         Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +3 laps
25.          Michael CREES (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +17 laps
26.         Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +24 laps
27.         Ash HAND (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +24 laps
28.         Dexter PATTERSON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +24 laps

COOK CLAIMS WIN AS BMW CHALLENGE FADES AT BRANDS HATCH

Rich Energy BTC Racing's Josh Cook produced a stellar drive in slippery conditions as the Honda Civic driver won the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship opener at Brands Hatch.

With rain falling onto the famous Indy circuit in Kent, the vast majority of runners went with Goodyear wet tyres, and it was the BMW quartet – dominant during qualifying yesterday – that initially led the way.

Pole-sitter Colin Turkington went side-by-side with stablemate Jake Hill through Paddock Hill Bend for the first time, whilst Cook took the wide line to get the better of Team BMW's Stephen Jelley.

Cook made his life somewhat more difficult, however, as he ran briefly off-track to hand Jelley the position back shortly after. As the duo squabbled in the early stages it allowed the leading Turkington and Hill to scamper away.

Jelley was the first of the Bavarian machines to fade as Cook nipped back by at Druids on lap seven, but both Turkington and Hill also began struggling with their tyres by mid-distance.

On lap 12 of 24, it was the slick-shod Toyota of Rory Butcher that was the quickest car on track as the conditions swung back towards the chasing pack.

The ROKiT MB Motorsport BMW of Hill then ran wide at Clearways as Cook nudged his way into second, and five laps later he was leading following a structured move by Turkington at Paddock.

Cook calmly went about his business for the remainder of the contest as the Bath racer took his first win of the 2022 season.

"We like the mixed conditions but what a rookie error at the start!" said Cook. "But the chassis is just unbelievable. We know that the car goes really well in those conditions, and I had a really good car in the dry so I'm just really happy it transferred into the wet as well!

"Because I’d taken the delightful trip across the grass, my water temp was just slowly going up, so I had to kind of make sure I wasn't going to have to come in the pits – because there was a time where definitely that was an option!"

Hill disposed of Turkington and looked to attack Cook again for the lead at one point before the young star ran through the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend in the closing laps.

"I’m glad that we stayed out, just kept it below that turn-off limit and had to push when it counted," confirmed Cook. "As soon as Jake got back up onto me, I had to really try to get my head down and push, I don't know what happened, but I suddenly looked and he was gone. But I’m just really pleased for the team. I think we’ve worked really hard and they all deserve that."

Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com's Tom Ingram and NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish benefitted from the drama to impressively complete the podium positions, whilst Hill and Turkington had to settle for fourth and fifth respectively.

"I’m really pleased," said Ingram. "It was just a case of being patient, trying to save some (tyres/hybrid) where we could and almost hoping that other people around us start to drop away with tyres which thankfully they did. Full credit to Josh, he got on with the job early, managed to make hay whilst the sun wasn't quite shining but was in a good place!

"I could try to gloss it up and be nice, but I did have a smile on my face [as Jake ran wide]," responded Cammish. "It was really, really tricky conditions. There was one line and, if you got slightly off it, you were driving on what felt like an oil slick. It was at Paddock Hill, Druids was the same, Graham Hill was the same. Every corner there was such a finite line you had to take. But as a start for Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com, I’m pretty pleased!"

Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport's Adam Morgan took sixth from the charging Butcher in the #6 Toyota GAZOO Racing UK car, who arguably could have won the race if it was just a few laps longer.

Reigning champion Ash Sutton raced brilliantly to bring his Ford Focus through the field to ninth, sandwiched between the Halfords Racing with Cataclean duo of Gordon Shedden and Dan Rowbottom.

With the action already underway on ITV4, the coverage switches to ITV for Races 2 and 3 from 2pm.

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Brands Hatch Indy 

1.         Josh COOK (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing 24 laps
2.         Tom INGRAM (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +0.802s   
3.         Dan CAMMISH (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +4.209s 
4.         Jake HILL (GBR) ROKiT MB Motorsport +5.037s
5.         Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +7.691s 
6.         Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +10.120s 
7.         Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +10.848s 
8.         Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +11.670s 
9.         Ash SUTTON (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +12.509s 
10.       Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +14.385s 
11.       Ash HAND (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +15.034s 
12.       Michael CREES (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +15.344s 
13.       Tom CHILTON (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +15.459s 
14.       George GAMBLE (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +16.222s 
15.       Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +17.661s  
16.       Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +19.664s
17.       Jason PLATO (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +20.553s 
18.       Jade EDWARDS (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +28.181s
19.       Jack BUTEL (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +28.884s
20.       Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +29.631s
21.       Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +34.740s 
22.       Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +35.759s 
23.       Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +35.985s 
24.       Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +36.219s 
25.       Dexter PATTERSON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +36.748s 
26.       Ricky COLLARD (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +40.999s 
27.       Nic HAMILTON (GBR) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +47.763s 
28.       Rick PARFITT (GBR) Uptonsteel with Euro Car Parts Racing +48.505s        
29.       Will POWELL (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +1 Lap 

DICK BENNETTS REFLECTS ON FIRST-EVER WSR QUALIFYING 1-2-3

After yesterday's Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship qualifying session, which saw Colin Turkington clinch pole position, the Official BTCC website caught up with Team BMW Team Principal Dick Bennetts to discuss how it feels to secure a first-ever WSR 1-2-3 in qualifying.

"We've done it twice in races, but to have a qualifying 1-2-3, we've never done it! Fantastic effort from the drivers and all the team, even though Jake [Hill] is ROKiT [MB Motorsport], we're all WSR. And would you believe, three different setups on the car and it's 1-2-3!"
Dick Bennetts

Check out the full interview below!

QUALIFYING IN QUOTES: BRANDS HATCH INDY

The second race weekend of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship got underway yesterday (14 May), with qualifying providing the action at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.

The session showcased the competitiveness of the championship, with the top 25 cars covered by less than a second and no fewer than 18 cars dipping under the previous qualifying lap record.

Colin Turkington achieved his 25th pole position in the championship, with a quarter of BMWs lining up at the front of the grid for the opening encounter at 11:30.

Turkington's pole also marked the 100th pole position for an NGTC car:

ROKiT MB Motorsport's Jake Hill went second-fastest in the session:

Stephen Jelley settled for P3 ahead of Round 4 of the championship:

Listen back to the full session via the circuit commentary podcast using the player below!

TURKINGTON TAKES 25TH BTCC CAREER POLE POSITION

Four time champion heads home a BMW 1-2-3-4 at Brands Hatch

Team BMW's Colin Turkington claimed pole position for Round 4 of the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch Indy earlier today (14 May) – the 25th pole position of his illustrious BTCC career.

The Northern Irishman was embroiled in a Bavarian marque battle for the ultimate top spot as he edged stablemates Jake Hill (ROKiT MB Motorsport) and Stephen Jelley (Team BMW).

The 330e M Sport runners weren't content with just a top three, however, as Adam Morgan joined the party in the closing moments to take fourth for Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport – the Lancastrian continuing his eye-catching start to the campaign.

A front row of Turkington and Hill will spark recent memories of the Donington Park season opener when the squabbling West Surrey Racing duo handed victory to Tom Ingram.

Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com's Ingram – running without hybrid power during qualifying by virtue of his championship lead – performed admirably to take sixth, just behind Rich Energy BTC Racing's Josh Cook.

Rookie George Gamble turned heads on his race weekend debut by scoring a podium last month, and the Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport driver backed up that potential with seventh during qualifying around the 1.21-mile Indy circuit.

Dan Cammish salvaged some success for NAPA Racing UK with eighth, although his reigning champion team-mate Ash Sutton could only manage 18th on the grid for tomorrow's first race.

Toyota GAZOO Racing UK's Rory Butcher and Halfords Racing with Cataclean's Dan Rowbottom completed the top ten positions, the latter having pipped team-mate Gordon Shedden.

Such has been the speed and pace shown during this early period of the all-new Hybrid era that no fewer than 18 cars dipped under the previous qualifying lap record.

The competitiveness of the championship also continues to astound with the top 25 cars covered by less than a second.

Today's qualifying session also marked the 100th pole position for an NGTC car, the first having been achieved back in 2012.

Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit tomorrow with the UK's premier motorsport series starring live on ITV for the first time in 15 years.

Sunday’s race day will commence on ITV4 – the home of the BTCC – at 11am for the opening BTCC race, before action switches to ITV from 2pm for races two and three.

Colin Turkington said: "It’s a nice start, so pleased. Free practice you never quite know how things are going, who’s running new tyres, who’s deploying what hybrid but as usual my car has progressed through the day and it came alive during qualifying. It really was a different animal than I had in free practice and the 330e has always been a good car around Brands Indy. Of course, it’s a Donington repeat maybe, but I think we’ve learnt our lesson from that one, but I'd sooner have four BMWs up at the front like this. It shows the strengths of the BMW 3 Series around this track... it is somewhere where we test during pre-season so I think we are just on top of things."

Jake Hill said: "It was just fantastic for the team (West Surrey Racing) – 1, 2, 3 in our second weekend is nice and I’m in the middle of a BMW sandwich! It’s good, I'm really really happy, it is fantastic for all of us. I can’t be unhappy with second so just looking forward to tomorrow now! From my experience, it can be good to start second instead of pole here. It depends what weather we get tomorrow, I think it’s going to be glorious like it is today, so traction shouldn’t be an issue or anything. It's possible, so if I do lead into turn one it will be fantastic!"

Stephen Jelley said: "This season I’ve just sort of grown up a bit, which sounds a bit weird but, I've got two quick team-mates so if you don’t do everything right, you get blown away. So in any other situation, I’d be over the moon with P3, but with those two there, I'm disappointed. I know I left a little bit on the table and I didn’t manage the hybrid enough in the right time in the last two laps where it counted, it got too hot and I should've managed it a bit earlier for when I got the clear track space. That’s what it’s all about, if you get into that track space when the cars is in the right window and I’ve just not nailed that, so I'm disappointed but it’s a great position to be in."

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Brands Hatch Indy

1.      Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 47.539s
2.       Jake HILL (GBR) ROKiT MB Motorsport +0.167s
3.       Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW +0.170s
4.       Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.186s
5.       Josh COOK (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +0.218s
6.       Tom INGRAM (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +0.233s
7.       George GAMBLE (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.256s
8.       Dan CAMMISH (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +0.256s
9.       Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +0.257s
10.     Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.266s
11.     Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.324s
12.     Tom CHILTON (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +0.327s
13.     Ash HAND (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.333s
14.     Ricky COLLARD (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +0.362s
15.     Dexter PATTERSON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.382s
16.     Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +0.390s
17.     Michael CREES (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.423s
18.     Ash SUTTON (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +0.423s
19.     Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +0.461s
20.     Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.506s
21.     Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +0.594s
22.     Jason PLATO (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +0.613s
23.     Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +0.620s
24.     Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +0.765s
25.     Jade EDWARDS (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +0.811s
26.     Nic HAMILTON (GBR) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +1.102s
27.     Jack BUTEL (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +1.439s
28.     Rick PARFITT (GBR) Uptonsteel with Euro Car Parts Racing +1.608s
29.     Will POWELL (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +1.664s

JELLEY'S SWEETENER AHEAD OF QUALIFYING

Team BMW's Stephen Jelley hit the front at the close of Free Practice 2 as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship blasted around Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in somewhat sparkling conditions.

The early season pace of the BTCC cars in this all-new Hybrid Era continues to impress with the top ten cars all dipping under the existing qualifying lap record.

The Vauxhall Astra of Michael Crees looked to have impressively grabbed P1 himself as the CarStore Power Maxed Racing star produced a fantastic lap at his home track.

Jelley kept his powder dry until late on, however, as the #12 BMW 330e M Sport sped across the start/finish line as the chequered flag emerged.

"It’s going well, but there’s a bit more to do yet today," said Jelley. "I’ve got a job to do in qualifying. With having a mechanical [issue] at Donington, I'm in the position of being the BMW with the most hybrid for qualifying, so I’ve taken that on!

"The car’s handling well, me and Andy have done a bit of work in the build-up on the simulator and stuff, making sure I’ve crossed all the t’s and dotted the i’s and it’s paying off. But it’s the next session that counts!"

Championship leader Tom Ingram was third – the Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com man backing up his pace-setting performance from FP1 – whilst Rich Energy BTC Racing's Josh Cook was fourth.

The BMW duo of Jake Hill (ROKiT MB Motorsport) and George Gamble (Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport) were next in the order, ahead of former champions Gordon Shedden (Halfords Racing with Cataclean) and Colin Turkington (Team BMW).

Daniel Rowbottom (Halfords Racing with Cataclean) and Adam Morgan (Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport) were among the crop highlighting the pace of the Hondas and BMWs, as they rounded out the top ten.

Qualifying for Round 4 of the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship from Brands Hatch takes place at 1545, and will streamed live via www.itv.com/btcc.

2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 2 – Brands Hatch Indy

1.       Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team BMW 47.654s
2.       Michael CREES (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.108s
3.       Tom INGRAM (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +0.135s
4.       Josh COOK (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +0.214s
5.       Jake HILL (GBR) ROKiT MB Motorsport +0.229s
6.       George GAMBLE (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.253s
7.       Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.268s
8.       Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.288s
9.       Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Halfords Racing with Cataclean +0.297s
10.     Adam MORGAN (GBR) Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport +0.301s
11.     Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +0.366s
12.     Daniel LLOYD (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +0.407s
13.     Ash HAND (GBR) CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.460s
14.     Ricky COLLARD (GBR) Toyota GAZOO Racing UK +0.488s
15.     Dexter PATTERSON (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.590s
16.     Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +0.618s
17.     Árón TAYLOR-SMITH (IRL) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +0.667s
18.     Dan CAMMISH (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +0.684s
19.     Tom CHILTON (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +0.696s
20.     Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.705s
21.     Ash SUTTON (GBR) NAPA Racing UK +0.757s
22.     Jason PLATO (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +0.795s
23.     Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +0.814s
24.     Jade EDWARDS (GBR) Rich Energy BTC Racing +1.027s
25.     Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan +1.066s
26.     Jack BUTEL (GBR) Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com +1.092s
27.     Nic HAMILTON (GBR) Yazoo with Safuu.com Racing +1.301s
28.     Rick PARFITT (GBR) Uptonsteel with Euro Car Parts Racing +1.779s
29.     Will POWELL (GBR) Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero +2.181s