Team BMW’s Colin Turkington took a commanding Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race two victory at Oulton Park earlier today (10 June), moving to the standings summit in the process.
 
The two-time BTCC champion immediately dedicated his first win of the season to his late mother, who sadly passed away last week. 
 
The Northern Irishman was also part of an historic 1-2-3 finish for German manufacturer BMW in the final race, as Rob Collard headed home stablemates Andrew Jordan and Turkington.
 
Matt Simpson kicked off a memorable day of racing in Cheshire as he converted his first BTCC pole position into a dominant lights-to-flag victory in the opener.
 
The Honda Civic Type R driver made a steady getaway off the line, as Motorbase duo Sam Tordoff and Tom Chilton swapped positions on the run down to Old Hall Corner for the first time.
 
Whilst Chilton, Tordoff and the Pirtek-backed BMW of Jordan kept Simpson honest throughout the 15-lap contest, it was ultimately only a scrap for second place that was ever on the cards.
 
Chilton held position in second for the entire race but he first had to fend off an attack from the sister Ford Focus RS of Tordoff, and then from Jordan’s BMW 125i M Sport after he had scythed by the Yorkshireman across the start/finish line on lap eight.
 
Jordan’s best chance of dislodging Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher’s Chilton came on lap 12 at the Island Hairpin, as things bunched up at the tightest corner on the track. Former champion Jordan touched the rear of Chilton’s striking yellow machine, but the latter held on, exiting the turn still in charge of the position.
 
There was a brief scare for Simpson in the latter stages with smoke coming from his front left wheel as Chilton closed in, but the Simpson Racing driver wouldn’t be denied what he called a ‘dream come true’ maiden victory.
 
Turkington’s win came next after he made up good ground from the start. He was into second early on, but it was his textbook pass by then-leader Chilton that secured the deal. Chilton’s ballast-laden Ford Focus couldn’t hang on as Turkington fired his BMW 125i M Sport down the inside at Lodge Corner.
 
The BMW star never looked back as he claimed a comfortable win ahead of Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Matt Neal, who also got by Chilton in the second half of the contest. The Motorbase man held on impressively for third, however, as he claimed his second podium of the day.
 
The racing concluded with a sensational 1-2-3 finish for BMW as Collard grabbed his first win of the season ahead of Jordan and Turkington.
 
Collard blasted his Team BMW 1 Series off the line and immediately past pole-sitter Rob Austin in the DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Austin kept the pressure on Collard in the early stages before heartache cost him the chance of a second podium of the season. A broken differential forced Austin into retirement and promoted BMW Pirtek Racing’s Jordan into second.
 
Championship leader Turkington was now up to third after he had made a number of stellar passes, most notably by the Motorbase Ford duo of Chilton and James Cole. WIX Racing with Eurotech star Jack Goff followed Turkington through and eventually claimed fourth place.
 
The fight for fifth was an enthralling one and it went the way of local racer Adam Morgan. The Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport man started the race in 11th place but made early progress in his Mercedes A-Class, and then benefitted from a number of scraps towards the end of the race.
 
Toyota hotshot Tom Ingram and three-time champ Matt Neal went wheel-to-wheel at Druids on lap eight, which allowed Morgan through as the Honda of Neal ran wide and tumbled down the order. Morgan then made his own move by Chilton’s Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher car and the Lancastrian would go on to end a challenging weekend on a high.
 
After the huge crowd left the circuit and the dust settled on another exciting BTCC race day, it was Turkington leading the standings by 12 points from both Morgan and Goff, with Ingram a further nine points in arrears.
 
Team BMW heads the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ standings, whilst Jack Goff and his WIX Racing with Eurotech squad top the Independents’ tables.
 
Ollie Jackson and Mike Bushell shared Jack Sears Trophy honours at Oulton Park, but Honda rookie Dan Cammish is leading that particular contest overall.
 
The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship returns in two weeks’ time (23/24 June) at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.
 
Matt Simpson said: “We had mega pace yesterday in Free Practice 2 and qualifying and I would just have been happy to finish this race as it was already a massive achievement from where we’ve come from. I had to get away cleanly into turn one and managed to get there in the lead. I saw Tom (Chilton) looming but I held on – I’m over the moon as it’s a dream come true. It was the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had I think last night after the concentration yesterday. When I saw the smoke coming off the car, I didn’t want to look at my lap board as the minute you start overthinking is when you start to make mistakes. My brakes were fading and I knew I had a bit of a cushion and used that so I didn’t make a silly error.”
 
Colin Turkington said: “Winning always feels good, especially in the BMW. Around here, we’ve found the magic ingredient for race two. I didn’t see it coming. Starting fifth, there are a lot of fast guys out front. My pace in race one was good but it wasn’t winning pace. We’ve improved the car a lot and it merits all the hard work we’ve put into it. I enjoyed being out front and in the groove. I sensed soon on I had a strong car and it was time to strike. I’m over the moon for everybody. I just want to dedicate this one to my mum, who’s not here for the first time. Mum, that was for you.”
 
Rob Collard said: “I’m so pleased with that. We knew we had it in the car yesterday and I didn’t maximise our potential in qualifying. I knew, though, if I was two tenths off the quick guys then it’d be all to play for on race-day. It’s a great feeling to see all three BMWs on the podium. It doesn’t happen very often, so congratulations to BMW – it’s a great achievement. We had a win here last year, and we were right there until that horrible accident at Silverstone, which ruled me out of the championship. I’ve struggled for form since then but any win in the BTCC leaves you walking on water. When I saw the red flag I thought it was just my luck but to then repeat my great start was ideal. I just focussed then on pulling out a gap.”

Micky Butler, Manager, UK and One Brand Motorsport Events, said: “Overall, very pleased. The Option tyre performed as expected, with both compounds running well on a hot track. The drivers said the softer compound gives the feeling of the car coming alive, which creates confidence to charge forward. Again, the Option-Softs won two out of the three races… onwards and upwards to Croft.”  

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 10 – Oulton Park

1 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing 15 laps
2 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.265s
3 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.630s
4 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase +1.630s
5 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +2.828s
6 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +3.165s
7 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +5.127s
8 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +6.587s
9 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +7.125s
10 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +7.485s

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 11 – Oulton Park

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 15 laps
2 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +5.372s
3 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +7.800s
4 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +8.598s
5 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +13.121s
6 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +13.347s
7 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +15.304s
8 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +18.205s
9 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +18.308s
10 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +18.493s

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 12 – Oulton Park

1 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW 12 laps
2 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +3.881s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +7.647s
4 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +9.333s
5 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +13.385s
6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +15.374s
7 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +16.360s
8 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +16.786s
9 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +18.153s
10 Jake HILL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +18.403s

Penalties

Weekend
Adrian Flux Subaru Racing has had 10 points deducted from the Manufacturers' and Teams' Championships having changed an engine above the number permitted

Race 1
Rob Collard received a verbal warning for an incident involving Brett Smith

Colin Turkington received a verbal warning for an incident involving Brett Smith

Race 2
Chris Smiley received a verbal warning for an incident involving Brett Smith

Race 3
Dan Cammish received a verbal warning for an incident involving Ollie Jackson

Jake Hill was penalised by the addition of one second to his overall race time after gaining an unfair advantage in an incident with James Cole. This does not count as a strike

 

German marque BMW scored a sensational 1-2-3 finish in the final Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race at Oulton Park as Rob Collard headed home stablemates Andrew Jordan and Colin Turkington.

Collard blasted his Team BMW 125i M Sport off the line and immediately past pole-sitter Rob Austin in his HMS Racing Alfa Romeo Guilietta. Austin kept Collard honest for much of the contest before heartache cost him the chance of a second podium of the season. A broken differential on the Alfa forced Austin into retirement and promoted BMW Pirtek Racing's Jordan into second.

Championship leader Turkington was now in third after he had made a number of stellar passes, most notably by the Motorbase Ford duo of Tom Chilton and James Cole. WIX Racing with Eurotech star Jack Goff followed Turkington through and would eventually claim fourth place, although ended the bout with a slow puncture and could count himself fortunate to reach the chequered flag. 

The fight for fifth was an enthralling one and eventually went the way of local man Adam Morgan. The Ciceley Motorsport man started the race in 11th place but made early progress in his Mercedes A-Class, and then benefitted from a number of scraps towards the end of the race.

Toyota hotshot Tom Ingram and Matt Neal got into eachother at Druids on lap eight, which allowed Morgan through whist the recovering Honda of Neal tumbled down the order. Morgan then made his own move by Chilton's Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher car and the Lancastrian would go on to end a challenging weekend on a high.

Ingram grabbed sixth ahead of Chilton, whilst Mike Bushell and Jake Hill secured some much needed respite for Team HARD in eighth and ninth respectively. The VW CCs has progressed in terms of pace throughout the weekend and Bushell would be further rewarded by sharing the Jack Sears Trophy with Ollie Jackson.

James Cole completed a good day for Kent-based Motorbase by taking tenth in front of his home fans. The Liverpudlian was muscled down the order in this one but a trio of top ten finishes proved to be a productive day for the BTCC race winner.

The race was originally red flagged when a huge accident off the line sent Chris Smiley, Tom Oliphant, Daniel Lloyd and Rory Butcher immediately into retirement. All drivers involved were unharmed in the crash, with the delayed race being run over a reduced distance of 12 laps.

Rob Collard said: "I’m so pleased with that. We knew we had it in the car yesterday and I didn’t maximise our potential in qualifying. I knew, though, if I was two tenths off the quick guys then it’d be all to play for on race-day. It’s a great feeling to see all three BMWs on the podium. It doesn’t happen very often, so congratulations to BMW – it’s a great achievement. We had a win here last year, and we were right there until that horrible accident at Silverstone which ruled me out of the championship. I’ve struggled for form since then but any win in the BTCC leaves you walking on water. When I saw the red flag I thought it was just my luck but to then repeat my great start was ideal. I just focussed then on pulling out a gap."

Andrew Jordan said: "That was a cracking result for the team, West Surrey Racing and BMW. To get a 1-2-3 with the championship as strong as it is now is a great achievement and it’s capped a very good day for us. A second, third and fourth for me has got to be up there around Colin (Turkington) for top points-scorer of the weekend. Croft should favour us. I scored my first ever touring car win there and my first car win full-stop there – so hopefully we’ll be on for a first win of the year."

Colin Turkington said: "It feels great to be top of the pile. It’s been such a strong weekend for Team BMW. It’s only normally Croft where we can match this kind of result but all three West Surrey Racing cars were in the groove, so it’s a big pat on the back for the guys behind the scenes doing all the engineering. We’ve got the easy job bar the heat! It’s a nice thought leading the championship into Croft but we go there with a heavy car. We hope we’ll be able to get a few more points in the bag. I think we’ve all earned a cool beverage today!"

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 12 – Oulton Park

1 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW 12 laps
2 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +3.881s
3 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +7.647s
4 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +9.333s
5 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +13.385s
6 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +15.374s
7 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +16.360s
8 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +16.786s
9 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +18.153s
10 Jake HILL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +18.403s
11 Josh COOK (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +18.910s
12 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +18.974s
13 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +19.206s
14 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +19.559s
15 Tom BOARDMAN (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +21.584s
16 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +21.944s
17 Sam SMELT (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +25.031s
18 Brett SMITH (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +26.111s
19 Michael CAINE (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +41.924s
20 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +42.622s
21 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +1m21.197s
22 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1 lap
23 Josh PRICE (GBR) Autoglym Academy Racing +3 laps
24 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +3 laps
25 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +8 laps
26 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +12 laps
27 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +12 laps
28 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +12 laps
29 Dan LLOYD (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +12 laps
DNS Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase
DNS Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing
DNS Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars

Team BMW's Colin Turkington took a commanding race two victory at Oulton Park and immediately dedicated the win to his mother, who passed away last week.

The two-time BTCC champion had been looming ominously in the overall standings coming into the Oulton Park weekend and now the Northern Irishman has hit the top after his latest superb success, his first victory of the 2018 season.

"Winning always feels good, especially in the BMW," said Turkington. "Around here, we’ve found the magic ingredient for race two. I didn’t see it coming. Starting fifth, there’s a lot of fast guys out front. My pace in race one was good but it wasn’t winning pace.

"We’ve improved the car a lot and it merits all the hard work we’ve put into it. I enjoyed being out front and in the groove. I sensed soon on I had a strong car and it was time to strike. I’m over the moon for everybody.

"I just want to dedicate this one to my mum, who’s not here for the first time. Mum, that was for you."

Turkington made up places from the start and was into second early on, but it was his textbook pass by then leader Tom Chilton that secured the deal. Chilton's ballast-laden Team Shredded Wheat with Gallagher Ford Focus couldn't hang on as Turkington fired his BMW 125i M Sport down the inside at Lodge Corner.

The BMW star never looked back as he claimed a comfortable win ahead of Halfords Yuasa Racing's Matt Neal, who also got by Chilton in the second half of the contest. Chilton held on impressively for third, however, as he claimed his second podium of the day.

There was drama from the off further down the field as the Honda of Dan Cammish bounced across the grass and collected Aiden Moffat's Laser Tools Racing Mercedes when it returned to the track. In a separate incident the WIX Racing with Eurotech Honda of Brett Smith slid wildly across the track at Island Bend, thankfully avoiding all oncoming traffic.

When the dust settled it was BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan that was the best of the rest in fourth, whilst James Cole hugely impressed in fifth place.

Rob Collard produced a very Rob Collard performance with a number of eye-catching moves, none more so than his last gasp pass by Rob Austin going into turn one. The HMS Racing Alfa Romeo of Austin held on for seventh, and with it pole position in the reversed grid race draw.

Jack Goff grabbed eighth ahead of the squabbling duo of Ollie Jackson and Tom Ingram. AmD man Jackson had earlier got the better of Speedworks Motorsport's Ingram when snatching a place at the finish line in race one, and the likeable Audi driver repeated the trick in the second bout to take ninth by less than two tenths of a second.

Just 16 points separate the top six drivers in the overall standings with Turkington holding an eight point advantage over Adam Morgan at the championship summit. With one final race to come at Oulton Park, it's likely that the title picture will take yet another twist later this afternoon.

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 11 – Oulton Park

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 15 laps
2 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +5.372s
3 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +7.800s
4 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +8.598s
5 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +13.121s
6 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +13.347s
7 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +15.304s
8 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +18.205s
9 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +18.308s
10 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +18.493s
11 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +18.582s
12 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +18.922s
13 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +19.497s
14 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +19.798s
15 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +21.984s
16 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +22.438s
17 Dan LLOYD (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +23.292s
18 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +24.115s
19 Brett SMITH (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +24.959s
20 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +25.854s
21 Jake HILL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +27.549s
22 Michael CAINE (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +30.056s
23 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +34.586s
24 Josh PRICE (GBR) Autoglym Academy Racing +38.931s
25 Tom BOARDMAN (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +39.965s
26 Josh COOK (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +2 laps
27 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +2 laps
28 Sam SMELT (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +3 laps
29 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase +5 laps
30 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +13 laps
31 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +14 laps
DNS Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing

Pole-sitter Matt Simpson produced a dominant lights-to-flag performance in the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race at Oulton Park, securing his first ever victory in the UK's toughest motorsport series.

The Honda Civic Type R driver made a steady getaway off the line, as Motorbase stablemates Sam Tordoff and Tom Chilton swapped positions on the run down to Old Hall Corner for the first time.

Whilst Chilton, Tordoff and the Pirtek-backed BMW of Andrew Jordan kept Simpson honest throughout the 15-lap contest, it was ultimately only a scrap for second place that was ever on the cards.

Chilton held position in second during the entire race but he first had to fend off an attack from Tordoff's sister Ford Focus RS, and then from Jordan's BMW 125i M Sport after he had scythed by Tordoff across the start/finish line on lap eight.

Jordan's best chance of dislodging Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher's Chilton came on lap 12 at the Island Hairpin, as things bunched up at the tightest corner on the track. 2013 champion Jordan touched the rear of Chilton's striking yellow machine, but the latter held on, exiting the turn still in command of the position.

There was a brief scare for Simpson in the latter stages with smoke coming from his front left wheel as Chilton closed in, but the Simpson Racing driver wouldn't be denied what he called a 'dream come true' victory.

"We had mega pace yesterday in Free Practice 2 and qualifying and I would just have been happy to finish this race as it was already a massive achievement from where we’ve come from," said Simpson. "I had to get away cleanly into turn one and managed to get there in the lead. I saw Tom (Chilton) looming but I held on – I’m over the moon as it's a dream come true.

"It was the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had I think last night after the concentration yesterday. When I saw the smoke coming off the car, I didn’t want to look at my lap board as the minute you start overthinking is when you start to make mistakes. My brakes were fading and I knew I had a bit of a cushion and used that so I didn’t make a silly error. Who knows where I’ll go from here? Watch this space!"

Chilton was equally delighted with his first podium of the season, "I gave it a good go," he said. "I was aware I was on the medium and not the more ideal soft tyre but I knew I’d be better at the end as a result. I was trying to save the brakes but went for a big push at the end and I could see that smoke coming off his car. I went for the dummy up the inside to flick left on the exit of the last corner and hopefully get him over the line.

"It was his first win and I’m very happy for him. It’s our first podium this year and I’m so pleased to have got it. I held Andrew (Jordan) off too, he was scrapping hard – it was a dream result for us as a team really."

Matt Neal started fifth and ended in the same position as the Halfords Yuasa Racing man experienced a rather lonely race, whilst Team BMW's Colin Turkington surged to a sixth place finish. Turkington made eye-catching passes by both WIX Racing with Eurotech Hondas with his final manoeuvre relegating James Cole's Ford down to seventh.

Turkington was the fastest car on the circuit in the closing laps, whilst Cole held on to seventh from Jack Goff's Honda – ensuring that all three Motorbase cars were at the sharp end of the final classification.

Rob Collard's BMW and Rob Austin's Audi muscled their way by Eurotech's Brett Smith to round out the top ten positions.

The championship top two – Adam Morgan and Josh Cook – failed to score a point in their ballast-laden machines, whilst third placed Tom Ingram could only manage a solitary point after he was beaten to the line by the AmD Audi of Ollie Jackson.

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 10 – Oulton Park

1 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing 15 laps
2 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.265s
3 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.630s
4 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase +1.630s
5 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +2.828s
6 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +3.165s
7 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +5.127s
8 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +6.587s
9 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +7.125s
10 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +7.485s
11 Brett SMITH (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +16.644s
12 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +16.831s
13 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +17.035s
14 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +17.375s
15 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +17.423s
16 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +17.545s
17 Josh COOK (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +18.138s
18 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +18.884s
19 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +19.618s
20 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +20.197s
21 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +20.554s
22 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +20.633s
23 Jake HILL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +22.934s
24 Tom BOARDMAN (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +27.475s
25 Dan LLOYD (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +27.937s
26 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +28.173s
27 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +28.342s
28 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +28.777s
29 Michael CAINE (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +32.235s
30 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +32.779s
31 Sam SMELT (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +33.643s
32 Josh PRICE (GBR) Autoglym Academy Racing +7 laps

Stage set for an exciting BTCC race day at Oulton Park 

Matt Simpson has sensationally secured his maiden Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship pole position after blitzing the field at Oulton Park earlier today (9 June).

The Simpson Racing driver had already fired out a warning to the rest of the field after setting the pace in the final practice session, and he duly backed up that showing by producing an incredible lap around the 2.23-mile picturesque Cheshire circuit during qualifying.

Simpson's early 1:25.750s lap time went unmatched during the 30-minute session and the man himself even had to recover from a slight off-track excursion whilst trying to eclipse his own benchmark. 

The Motorbase squad enjoyed a fantastic qualifying session as Sam Tordoff pipped stablemate Tom Chilton into second, whilst James Cole came home eighth, meaning all three Fords will start tomorrow's opener at the sharp end of the grid.

Andrew Jordan was tipped by many to compete for pole position as both he and his ballast-free BMW 125i M Sport suit the circuit, but the BMW Pirtek Racing driver had to settle for fourth at the finish. The fast starting rear-wheel-drive machine is likely to be a contender come race day, however, and the trio in front will need to fend off Jordan's likely advances in the early stages tomorrow.

Matt Neal grabbed pole position last time out at Thruxton and the BTCC legend produced the goods again here, with fifth place being just reward for the Honda Civic Type R racer.

WIX Racing with Eurotech claimed sixth and seventh in the hands of Jack Goff and Brett Smith respectively, completing a perfect day for the team that also runs Simpson's pace-setting Honda.

Team BMW's Colin Turkington and Ciceley Motorsport's Tom Oliphant rounded out the top ten positions, with the latter producing his best effort during a wild ride in the closing minutes.

The top three drivers in the overall standings failed to make the top ten, highlighting both the ultra competitiveness of the series and also how success ballast can take it toll around the twisty and undulating Oulton Park circuit. Championship leader Adam Morgan could only manage 19th on the grid, whilst Josh Cook and Tom Ingram will start race one from 20th and 17th respectively. Such is the high calibre of the 2018 field that the top 24 cars were separated by less than a second.

A huge crowd is expected to descend on Oulton Park tomorrow with many more watching the action live on ITV4. The BTCC triple header and all of the supporting races will be screened by the giant UK television network from 1115 onwards.

Matt Simpson said: "I can’t believe it. I’ve been waiting for that for as long as I’ve been watching touring cars. I knew we could do it after that time in Free Practice 2 but the pressure was on there. When my team said I was 0.4 seconds ahead of Sam (Tordoff) in first, I couldn’t believe it as that’s an age in touring cars. I just can’t thank everyone enough for this – my family, my sponsors and the team. I had a little off after that lap and hit the barrier. I lost the brake pedal as I overdid it with the slightly softer pads I like – they give me better modulation through the pedal and I’d just overcooked it a bit. I joked on the track walk yesterday that I’d never started on the flat here, I’ve always had to go up hill. With the soft tyre on, the ideal tyre, we’re looking good and it gives me a good chance tomorrow. It really is a dream come true."

Sam Tordoff said: "It’s been a very good day. We had to work hard for that one. The car is nervous and on the edge over one lap in qualifying trim. It’s been difficult and I’d already been in the fence at Druids this morning. It’s harder to drive right on the limit over the lap but hopefully over a race distance at 99 percent it’ll be a bit kinder. All credit to Matt (Simpson) for that very quick lap and we never thought we were fighting for pole after that. Credit to our boys and girls too – second and third – we can’t argue with that.

Tom Chilton said: "It was so close at the top there and I love the championship because of it. I see Andrew Jordan’s in fourth just behind me, and we’re joint on points so it’ll be a big old fight there. For sure, we’re going to have to change our setup as we had a qualifying one on. Hats off to Matt Simpson with that lap – he’s worked so hard and worked his way right up to the top. I’m so happy for him. I’m happy for my team too. We’ve got all three of our cars in the top eight. We’ve put in 110 percent over the last few weeks and it’s paying dividends now."

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Oulton Park

1 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing 1m25.750s (93.45mph)
2 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase +0.243s
3 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.332s
4 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.353s
5 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.382s
6 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +0.433s
7 Brett SMITH (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +0.457s
8 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.464s
9 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.514s
10 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +0.546s
11 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +0.562s
12 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +0.586s
13 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.613s
14 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.639s
15 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.643s
16 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.653s
17 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.661s
18 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +0.821s
19 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +0.852s
20 Josh COOK (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +0.872s
21 Jake HILL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +0.963s
22 Dan LLOYD (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.966s
23 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +0.998s
24 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +0.999s
25 Michael CAINE (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +1.117s
26 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +1.129s
27 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +1.132s
28 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +1.197s
29 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.222s
30 Tom BOARDMAN (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.426s
31 Sam SMELT (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +1.669s
32 Josh PRICE (GBR) Autoglym Academy Racing +2.802s

Matt Simpson has topped the second Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Free Practice session at Oulton Park, setting the quickest lap time of the weekend so far.

The Honda Civic Type R driver was already inside the top six in the opening run this morning and he backed up that showing with a stellar display in final practice. The Simpson Racing man has previously set a best of eighth in qualifying – at Brands Hatch earlier this year – and the Middlesex driver will be looking to go even better later this afternoon.

Brett Smith and Rob Austin were others to show speed in both practice sessions, with the duo setting the second and third times respectively in the afternoon segment.

BMW boys Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan are looming ominously in fourth and fifth with both expected to go well here this weekend. The BMW 125i M Sport has always been a potent weapon around the 2.23-mile circuit and both Turkington and Jordan are past winners at the picturesque Cheshire track.

Halfords Yuasa Racing failed to show its hand in FP1 – as is often the case for the Honda squad – but this time Dan Cammish fired his stealth-like machine into the top six, whilst his team-mate Matt Neal completed the top ten positions.

In-between the two works Hondas was the trio of Tom Chilton, Sam Tordoff and Jack Goff – all experienced BTCC race winners.

It really is anyones guess as to who will claim pole position for Round 10 of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, but we will find out from 15:20 when the all-important session gets underway. You can keep up to date with the action right here, and via our official social media channels, not forgetting that qualifying will be streamed live and exclusively at www.itv.com/btcc.

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 2 – Oulton Park

1 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing 1m25.798s
2 Brett SMITH (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +0.360s
3 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +0.585s
4 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.698s
5 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.771s
6 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.772s
7 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.796s
8 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase +0.802s
9 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +0.803s
10 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.812s
11 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.845s
12 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.856s
13 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +0.921s
14 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.950s
15 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +1.028s
16 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +1.047s
17 Jake HILL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +1.105s
18 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +1.112s
19 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +1.147s
20 Dan LLOYD (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +1.167s
21 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.209s
22 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +1.233s
23 Michael CAINE (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +1.357s
24 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +1.371s
25 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +1.575s
26 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.673s
27 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +1.711s
28 Sam SMELT (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +1.935s
29 Josh COOK (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +2.011s
30 Tom BOARDMAN (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +2.104s
31 Josh PRICE (GBR) Autoglym Academy Racing +2.335s
32 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing NO TIME

Rob Austin is back on top after setting the pace in the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship session at Oulton Park – the official website grabbed a word immediately after his successful run...

DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing driver Rob Austin has made his mark in the opening BTCC practice session at Oulton Park by setting the pace ahead of Tom Ingram and Tom Chilton.

Alfa star Austin has been busy trying to find the sweet spot in the all-new Giulietta during the opening three events of the 2018 season, and despite scoring a podium in the Brands Hatch curtain raiser, admits that it is the final push that the squad are looking for.

The multiple race-winner has been quick out of the blocks in Cheshire as he clocked a benchmark 1:26.300s lap time, albeit more than eight tenths slower than Jason Plato's 2015 qualifying lap record.

Ingram – who is recovering from a sickness bug – showed no ill effects by pipping Chilton's Ford into second, with the latter again showing good form for Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher.

The ballast-free BMW of Andrew Jordan was fourth quickest and the Pirtek-backed racer will be hoping for glory this weekend in order to ignite his championship challenge. Jordan won at Oulton last season so he's likely to be one to watch as the weekend develops.

Chris Smiley and Matt Simpson were next up in the order – both running in the older shaped Honda Civic Type Rs. A top ten berth is becoming a regular effort for Northern Irishman Smiley, whilst Simpson continues to show progress in the early part of the campaign.

Scotsman Aiden Moffat left is late to set his fastest time, which was good enough for seventh, ahead of WIX Racing with Eurotech's Brett Smith.

Many are predicting a 'Colin Turkington Show' at Oulton Park this weekend with both man and machine often running well at the picturesque venue. The Team BMW legend set a steady pace in ninth, with fellow title challenger Jack Goff rounding out the top ten.

Championship leader Adam Morgan showed how success ballast can take its toll around the twisty and undulating 2.23-mile circuit as the Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport man could only manage 19th, although the top 25 cars were incredibly covered by less than a second.

2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 1 – Oulton Park

1 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing 1m26.300s
2 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.101s
3 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.117s
4 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.219s
5 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.245s
6 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +0.251s
7 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.297s
8 Brett SMITH (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +0.300s
9 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.367s
10 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +0.369s
11 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.387s
12 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +0.396s
13 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +0.397s
14 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.454s
15 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.472s
16 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase +0.486s
17 Josh COOK (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +0.489s
18 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.614s
19 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +0.646s
20 Dan LLOYD (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +0.679s
21 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +0.766s
22 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +0.774s
23 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +0.914s
24 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +0.965s
25 Jake HILL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +1.016s
26 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.029s
27 Tom BOARDMAN (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +1.071s
28 Michael CAINE (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +1.306s
29 Sam SMELT (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +1.452s
30 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.650s
31 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +2.199s
32 Josh PRICE (GBR) Autoglym Academy Racing +2.752s

Power Maxed TAG Racing has joined forces with Technical Partners PCSpecialist, Milltek Innovations and MotorDrive Seats, to give Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship supporters a unique opportunity to test their mettle and win some fantastic prizes.

From this Saturday at Oulton Park, fans will be able to take a turn on the current BTCC pace-setters’ high-specification race simulator, as used by race-winning drivers Josh Cook and Senna Proctor to hone their skills.

The simulator, which features an ultra-high-end hardware package put together specifically by the team at PCSpecialist, is built around Milltek Innovations framework, created solely for the task at hand. Fans who take to the wheel will sit in a BTCC-spec seat, based on a design Power Maxed TAG Racing are developing with British based motorsport seat manufacturer, MotorDrive.

Budding racing drivers will be automatically entered into a competition to win one of three fantastic prizes across the year based on their raw pace!

The third fastest time will win two VIP passes to a round of their choice in 2019 with Power Maxed TAG Racing, with the second fastest taking home their very own high-end simulator setup.

The fastest driver over the course of the season will win a money-can’t-buy prize – a full day of track-based tuition with BTCC race winner and Power Maxed TAG Racing driver Josh Cook, in one of Milltek’s very own high-performance cars.

You’ll be able to have a go on the Power Maxed TAG Racing simulator on the Power Maxed stand at all the remaining rounds this year, starting this weekend at Oulton Park.

The 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship sees its next instalment this weekend (9-10 June) at Oulton Park, Cheshire.

As ever, ITV Sport will have you covered live, free-to-air and exclusive, starting with qualifying on Saturday afternoon – streamed over at itv.com/btcc. Then, on Sunday, Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the BTCC will be live on ITV4, the ITV Hub and at itv.com/btcc with action from the support series’ over an eight-hour programme.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBTCC/videos/2001283513246422/

Oulton Park 9/10 June

Qualifying LIVE: Saturday 9 June
ITV.com/BTCC from 1515

Raceday LIVE: Sunday 10 June
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1115–1800
ITV4+1 1215–1900
ITV Hub 1115–1800
ITV.com/BTCC 1115–1800

Highlights: Saturday 16 June
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1130-1300
ITV4 +1 1230-1400
ITV Hub Available anytime for the next 30 days

Highlights: Sun 17 June
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 0630-0800
ITV4 +1 0730-0900

Highlights: Wednesday 20 June
ITV & ITV HD 2355-0115