Bavarian marque BMW also celebrate following 150th BTCC victory

Rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship proved to be a memorable occasion at Silverstone (23/24 September) with plenty of reasons to celebrate for this season's leading lights.

BMW scored its 149th and 150th victories in the UK’s premier motorsport championship – thanks to triumphs from Jake Hill and Colin Turkington – but it was arguably Ash Sutton and Tom Ingram’s surge through the pack in race two that had the crowd on its collective feet.

Hill’s race one success was followed by despair for the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport man, whilst Turkington’s day improved dramatically following a dismal start, but both drivers ultimately left Silverstone with their hopes of securing the Drivers’ title now over.

Sutton’s race two victory was a highlight as both he and Ingram came from way back on the grid to reach the rostrum, before the pair scooped yet more silverware in the final encounter.

Three-time champion Sutton now leads the Drivers’ standings by 45 points from Ingram – with 67 still on offer – as the duo now go head-to-head for the title at Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time.

BMW remains in charge as it targets a record tenth Manufacturers’ crown, whilst Josh Cook moved into an unassailable lead in the Independents Drivers’ table.

NAPA Racing UK and One Motorsport with Starline Racing will also be looking to officially wrap up the Teams’ and Independents Teams’ titles at the legendary Grand Prix circuit in Kent. 

The final BTCC event of the season will take place at Brands Hatch on 7/8 October with tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend with many more watching the action live on ITV4.

Hill makes correct tyre call to win race one
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill made a late call on the grid to switch to Goodyear wet tyres, as he left his fellow contenders in his wake to win the opening BTCC race at Silverstone.

Drizzly conditions led to a chaotic pre-grid as teams and drivers had a critical call to make, with the vast majority of the top ten choosing to stick with slick rubber.

The tide turned – quite literally – just a few minutes before the contest as the rain began to get heavier, suggesting that Hill and a number of others lower down the order had made the right decision.

Further drama followed for pole-sitter Mikey Doble when CarStore Power Maxed Racing seemed to make a mistake during the green flag procedure as the driver was informed to continue for an unscheduled second lap, whilst the rest of the grid took up their positions.

With Doble now out of contention it was left to the four main title protagonists to battle it out, which Hill dealt with comfortably as he blasted away with the correct rubber beneath his BMW 330e M Sport.

A fully jumbled order finally settled as Hill won from NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Rowbottom, with the latter getting the better of CarStore Power Maxed Racing’s Andrew Watson in the closing stages.

Sensational Sutton strikes again
NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton produced one of the finest performances of his illustrious BTCC career so far, as the Ford Focus racer fought from 23rd on the grid to score an extraordinary victory.

Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) looked to be cruising to a second victory of the day while Sutton and fellow title contender Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) were battling their way through the order, until a safety car intervention threw the contest wide open.

The BMW 330e M Sport of Hill seemed to slow with a misfire problem following the restart and although able to continue he was quickly shuffled down the order, and ultimately out of the championship fight.

Sutton and Ingram had fought their way into the top six by that point and neither were done there as they continued picking off the front-runners until the finish.

The move that really mattered from Sutton’s #116 NAPA-backed car came on the final lap as he dived down the inside of leader Árón Taylor-Smith (CarStore Power Maxed Racing) and into the lead, whilst Ingram had got by Rory Butcher (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) for third.

With Sutton and Ingram starting the race 23rd and 22nd respectively, it was a true testament of their undoubted talent to see them reach the rostrum as their title battle intensifies towards an unmissable climax.

Turkington takes BMW’s 150th BTCC victory
Four-time champion Turkington scored BMW’s 150th victory in the BTCC, as the tin-top legend triumphed in the reverse-grid race around the 1.64-mile National circuit.

Pole-sitter Michael Crees (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) was eased out of the lead early on as NAPA Racing UK’s Rowbottom initially took over top spot.

Team BMW’s Turkington was making progress in the early laps, too, as he soon hauled his #4 machine alongside Rowbottom and into the lead.

Rowbottom was fending off the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai duo of Ronan Pearson and Ingram, whilst Sutton soon joined the battle.

Ingram slipped by Rowbottom as he hit the hybrid button with the pair crossing the start/finish line, and Sutton was eventually up to third after a late race shuffle.

The final word on this race goes to Turkington – a fitting man to take the 150th win for the famous Bavarian marque – with BMW also still gunning for its tenth Manufacturers' title.

Ash Sutton said: “I’m speechless if I’m honest. I knew it was going to be tough and it fell in our favour with Jake [Hill] having engine trouble by the looks of it. I’ve missed hybrid, it hurt here in qualifying but to get the full allocation – we haven’t had that since Round One so we made the most of it.

“Our plan was to utilise it for passing cars that we thought might be harder to overtake, and Árón [Taylor-Smith] was one of those and it just happened to be on the last lap for the win. I’m over the moon, we maximised everything, the car, the changes we made overnight were mega, so I can’t thank NAPA Racing UK enough for their effort.

“The aim is to get some points in race one at Brands Hatch and then plan the rest of the day, but we have a 45-point margin for the lead so I can’t ask for much more than that.”

Tom Ingram said: “Yeah, that [second] race was mental, probably very similar to Ash’s [Sutton] race. We just had to have the headlights on and come through. I love it when it’s like that – it’s so much fun. On the first lap someone came in like a torpedo at Brooklands and I had to completely avoid the shunt and lost six or seven places to Ash it felt like. I was hoping towards the end there would be a little battle between ourselves, which would have been great. It was really great to come back through and rescue the result out of what could have been nothing.

“The adrenaline is still going – its coursing through your veins. There’s so much energy, so much excitement and so much that could go right or wrong. Such a game of chess. There is so much risk – do you take it? When do you stick your nose in? Trying to avoid other people if they’re fighting for their own race, but it was great fun and the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 car was feeling great so this is exciting – feeling fast and feeling good.”

Jake Hill said: “There were no safety car [in race one] so that was a surprise – so many people were still on slicks. We were sat on the grid, and I thought let’s just do it. The risk versus reward just didn’t add up for me and it came through. 

“I was in this amazing rhythm. That only happens once or twice in a year when you find that rhythm and it was just amazing. This win is for Dan Kirby, my former Team Principal at Trade Price Cars Racing. I loved Dan to bits and my thoughts are with his family and friends. This one is for you Dan.”

Colin Turkington said: “It seemed slicks were the way to go in race one, but we made the wrong call. I then struggled in race two for balance even though I was making progress. The car just wasn’t in the window then, but it was in race three. I could see Tom [Ingram] in P2 and the lights getting closer, but I had a few more hybrid laps than him. It was nice to still feel in control at the end.

“Since I joined BTCC and West Surrey Racing in 2009 we had a great run of success – the BMW has always been a potent weapon in BTCC. We go to Brands Hatch with some work to do, but the cars are looking fast, and I hope we can end the season on the high.”

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Silverstone 

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 22 Laps
2. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +5.355s
3. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +7.430s
4. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +19.464s
5. Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +20.642s
6. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +21.197s
7. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +22.257s
8. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +22.776s
9. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +27.538s
10. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +29.078s

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Silverstone 

1. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK 24 Laps
2. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.411s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1.405s
4. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +2.257s
5. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +2.578s
6. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +3.093s
7. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +3.774s
8. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +3.942s
9. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +4.659s
10. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +4.984s

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Silverstone 

1. Colin Turkington, Team BMW 25 Laps
2. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.559s
3. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +5.541s
4. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +4.984s
5. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +8.583s
6. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +9.389s
7. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +10.693s
8. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +14.564s
9. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +017.090s
10. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +17.287s

Penalties: 

Race Two
Jack Butel was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points during Round 26 of the Championship, for an incident with Dexter Patterson.

Aiden Moffat was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points during Round 26 of the Championship, for an incident with Jake Hill.

Race Three
Adam Morgan was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points during Round 26 of the Championship, for an incident with Rory Butcher.

Four-time champion Colin Turkington scored BMW's 150th victory in the BTCC, as the tin-top legend triumphed in the reverse-grid race at Silverstone.

Pole-sitter Michael Crees was eased out of the lead early on as NAPA Racing UK's Dan Rowbottom initially took over top spot.

Team BMW's Turkington was making progress in the early laps too as he soon hauled his #4 machine alongside Rowbottom and into the lead.

Rowbottom was fending off the Hyundai duo Ronan Pearson and Tom Ingram, whilst Ash Sutton also joined into the mix.

Ingram also sliced by Rowbottom as he hit the hybrid button as the pair crossed the start/finish line, and Sutton was eventually up to third after a late race shuffle.

Rowbottom held off young charger Pearson for fourth, whilst Josh Cook celebrated Independents' success in sixth.

Ricky Collard had his best outing of the day to take seventh, although team-mate Rory Butcher failed to score his usual Silverstone success after he was punted out of contention on the opening lap.

Jake Hill and Adam Morgan made it three BMWs in the top ten, with the CarStore Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall of Aron Taylor-Smith wedged between them in the order.

The final word on this race goes to Turkington – a fitting man to take the 150th win for the famous Bavarian marque – with BMW also gunning for its tenth manufacturer title.

As for the overall Drivers' championship, it will be Sutton versus Ingram at Brands Hatch in two weeks' time, with the former carrying a 45-point advantage into the grand finale.

Colin Turkington said: "It seemed slicks were the way to go in race one, but we made the wrong call. I then struggled in race two for balance even though I was making progress. The car just wasn’t in the window then, but it was in this race. I could see Tom [Ingram] in P2 and the lights getting closer, but I had a few more hybrid laps than him. It was nice to feel still in control at the end.

"Since I joined BTCC and West Surrey Racing in 2009 we had a great run of success – the BMW has always been a potent weapon in BTCC. We go to Brands Hatch with some work to do, but the cars are looking fast and I hope we can end the season on the high."

Tom Ingram said: "From where we were starting we knew we had to make a bit of progress in the early part to try and stand a chance of getting something out of it. Ronan [Pearson] did a great job - he’s a great team player and let me get past when I needed to so full credit to him. I owe him a couple of beers tonight!

"I’m very pleased. I had a bit of a concern at the end with the power steering with around six laps to go, but thankfully it wasn’t too much of a problem.”

Ash Sutton said: "Ultimately, [Rowbottom] didn’t need to give up a podium so we raced for it instead. Dan helped me in qualifying this weekend and we’ve got enough of a margin now to not need favours. I’m more than happy to race for it.

"I had more hybrid than Dan towards the end and I tried a move at Brooklands and it paid off.

“The aim is to get some points in race one at Brands Hatch and then plan the rest of the day, but we have a 45-point margin for the lead so I can’t ask for much more than that."

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race Three – Silverstone 

1. Colin Turkington, Team BMW 25 Laps
2. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.559s
3. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +5.541s
4. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +4.984s
5. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +8.583s
6. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +9.389s
7. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +10.693s
8. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +14.564s
9. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +017.090s
10. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +17.287s
11. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +17.625s
12. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +18.913s
13. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +19.243s
14. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +20.397s
15. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +21.072s
16. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +21.574s
17. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +21.799s
18. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +22.937s
19. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +23.295s
20. Jade Edwards, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +24.259s
21. Daryl DeLeon, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +24.949s
22. Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +31.727s
23. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +45.075s
24. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1 Lap
25. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +5 Laps
26. Michael Crees, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +12 laps
27. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK DNF

NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton produced one of the finest performances of his illustrious BTCC career so far, as the three-time champion fought from 23rd on the grid to score an extraordinary victory in the second encounter at Silverstone.

Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) looked to be cruising to a second victory of the day while Sutton and fellow title contender Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) were battling their way through the order, until a safety car intervention threw the contest wide open.

The BMW 330e M Sport of Hill seemed to slow following the restart and although able to continue he was quickly shuffled down the order, and potentially out of the championship fight.

Sutton and Ingram had fought their way into the top six by that point and neither were done there as they continued picking off the front-runners until the finish.

The final move from Sutton's #116 Ford Focus came on the penultimate lap as he dived down the inside of leader Aron Taylor-Smith and into the lead through Woodcote, whilst Ingram had got by Rory Butcher (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) for third.

With Sutton and Ingram starting the race 23rd and 22nd respectively, it was a true testament of their undoubted talent to see them reach the rostrum as their title battle intensifies towards an unmissable climax.

Sutton now leads Ingram by 47 points in the overall Drivers' standings, with Hill hanging on to fading hopes with four races of the season remaining.

Team BMW's Adam Morgan was fifth, ahead of Andrew Watson (CarStore Power Maxed Racing), Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) and Colin Turkington (Team BMW) – the latter having also surged through from the rear of the pack.

There was additional reason to celebrate for Cook as the Honda Civic Type R racer moved into an unassailable points lead in the Independents Drivers' championship.

Dan Lloyd (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) and Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) rounded out the top ten.

The final Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race of the day will take place at 1710 and will be screened LIVE on ITV4.

Ash Sutton said: "I’m speechless if I’m honest. I knew it was going to be tough and it fell in our favour with Jake [Hill] having that engine trouble by the looks of it. I’ve missed hybrid, it hurt here in qualifying but to get the full allocation – we haven’t had that since Round One so we made the most of it.

"Our plan was to utilise it for passing cars that we thought might be harder to overtake, and Aron [Taylor-Smith] was one of those and it just happened to be on the last lap for the win. I’m over the moon, we maximised everything, the car, the changes we made overnight were mega, so I can’t thank NAPA Racing UK enough for their effort."

Aron Taylor-Smith said: "I think I made the front of 'Almost Magazine' with that one. If you had told me a podium and an Independent's win was on the cards this weekend I would have bitten your hand off.

"The safety car scuppered my plans a little bit but Ash [Sutton] was flying – he’s obviously the man to beat realistically so putting it to him for the last bit was really enjoyable. I won’t forget it for a long time and it was nice to continue this run of good form, I’m over the moon."

Tom Ingram said: "Yeah, that race was mental, probably very similar to Ash's [Sutton] race. We just had to have the headlights on and we’re coming through. I love it when it’s like that – it's so much fun. The first lap someone came in like a torpedo at Brooklands and I had to completely avoid the shunt and lost six to seven places to Ash it felt like. I was hoping towards the end there would be a little battle between ourselves which would have been great. It was really great to come back through and rescue the result out of what could have been nothing.

"The adrenaline is still going – its coursing through your veins. There’s so much energy, so much excitement and so much that could go right or wrong. Such a game of chess. There is so much risk – do you take it? When do you stick your nose in? Trying to avoid other people if they’re fighting for their own race, but it was great fun and the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 car was feeling great so this is exciting – feeling fast and feeling good."

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race Two – Silverstone 

1. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK 24 Laps
2. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.411s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1.405s
4. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +2.257s
5. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +2.578s
6. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +3.093s
7. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +3.774s
8. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +3.942s
9. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +4.659s
10. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +4.984s
11. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +5.269s
12. Michael Crees, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +12.789s
13. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +12.794s
14. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +12.952s
15. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +13.026s
16. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +13.096s
17. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +13.152s
18. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +13.300s
19. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +13.332s
20. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +13.550s
21. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +13.677s
22. Jade Edwards, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +15.539s
23. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +1 Lap
24. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +1 Lap
25. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1 Lap
26. Daryl DeLeon, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +3 Laps
27. Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +6 Laps

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Jake Hill made a late call on the grid to switch to Goodyear wet tyres, as he left his fellow contenders in his wake to win the opening BTCC race at Silverstone.

Drizzly conditions led to a chaotic pre-grid as teams and drivers had a critical call to make, with the vast majority of the top ten choosing to stick with slick rubber.

The tide turned – quite literally – just a few minutes before the three-minute board was shown as the rain began to get heavier, suggesting that Hill and co had made the right decision.

Further drama followed for pole-sitter Mikey Doble when the CarStore Power Maxed Racing driver seemed to make a mistake during the green flag procedure as he continued for an unscheduled second lap, whilst the rest of the grid took up their positions.

With Doble now out of the way it was left to the four main title protagonists to battle it out, which Hill dealt with comfortably as he blasted away with the correct rubber beneath his BMW 330e M Sport.

Team BMW's Colin Turkington's title challenge looks to have come to an end as he pitted at the end of lap one with damage, whilst a gaggle of others – including Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) and Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) – came in to change tyres.

A fully jumbled order finally settled as Hill won from NAPA Racing UK's Dan Rowbottom, with the latter finally getting the better of CarStore Power Maxed Racing's Andrew Watson in the closing stages.

Rowbottom qualified a lowly 13th yesterday after suggesting that he lifted off in order to ensure that team-mate Sutton made it through to the 'Top Ten Showdown', so this result will have come as a welcome boost.

Team BMW's Adam Morgan was fourth, ahead of the returning Bobby Thompson (Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown) and Rory Butcher (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK).

Aron Taylor-Smith (CarStore Power Maxed Racing) was the first of the slick-shod runners to bring it home as the Irishman also took the fastest lap amidst drying conditions on his penultimate tour.

Sam Osborne (NAPA Racing UK), Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) and Dan Lloyd (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) rounded out the top ten, whilst Doble recovered to finish 11th.

Jake Hill said: “There were no safety car so that was a surprise – so many people were still on slicks. We were sat on the grid and I thought lets just do it. The risk versus reward just didn’t add up for me and it came through. I’m so thankful for this race and my two championship rivals not scoring which is what we need.

“I was in this amazing rhythm. That only happens once or twice in a year if not ever where you find that rhythm and it was just amazing. This win is for Dan Kirby, my former team principle, at Trade Price Cars Racing. I loved Dan to bits and my thoughts are with his family and friends. This one is for you Dan.”

Dan Robottom said: “I was annoyed but I made the ultimate sacrifice. We were only going to qualify P7, never going to set the world alight. It’s hard here, you know what Silverstone is like, tough to overtake these days.

"However, great start to the day, car was fantastic and NAPA Racing put a good package together. We were quick at the end but I’ll take it from P2.”

Andrew Watson said: “I wasn’t really expecting that. I got a great launch, really good first lap and we knew people would be on different tyres. I was looking after my tyres and didn’t want to fight it too hard with everything else going on so I’m delighted with that.”

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race One – Silverstone 

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 22 Laps
2. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +5.355s
3. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +7.430s
4. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +19.464s
5. Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +20.642s
6. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +21.197s
7. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +22.257s
8. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +22.776s
9. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +27.538s
10. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +29.078s
11. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +29.926s
12. Michael Crees, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +33.983s
13. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +36.002s
14. Daryl DeLeon, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +36.007s
15. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +38.320s
16. Jade Edwards, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +42.347s
17. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +44.334s
18. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +47.163s
19. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +48.038s
20. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +48.280s
21. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +48.551s
22. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1 Lap
23. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +1 Lap
24. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1 Lap
25. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1 Lap
26. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +8 Laps
27. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +18 Laps

As the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship prepares for Round 25, 26 and 27 on the Silverstone National layout, catch-up with what some of the drivers had to say about qualifying.

Mikey Doble
The CarStore Power Maxed Racing Rookie broke NAPA's season long streak of qualifying poles yesterday afternoon (23 September). After a fabulous performance he will take his place at the front of the grid for Sunday's Race One (24 September).

Colin Turkington
The four-time champion came in a very close second, only 0.012 behind. Team BMW's Turkington will be aiming to maximise his points haul on Sunday to secure vital points for both the drivers and manufacturers championships.

Tom Ingram
Currently second in the drivers standings, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8's Ingram had a very consistent Saturday by claiming third in both Qualifying and the Top Ten Showdown.

• 

Young rookie breaks NAPA Racing UK qualifying dominance

CarStore Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble claimed a phenomenal maiden Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship pole position, as he edged out at a quartet of title contenders during a pulsating qualifying session at Silverstone earlier today (23 September).

Running under the 'Top Ten Showdown' format for the final time this season, the opening segment proved utterly frenetic in one of the closest qualifying battles in the history of the championship.

Standings leader Ash Sutton was on the bubble with just seconds remaining of the opening half hour, but the NAPA Racing UK driver just about hung on with the top ten separated by an incredible 0.109s.

With the lap times reset for the 'Top Ten Showdown' it was anyone's guess as to who would grab pole position, but Doble duly delivered the fastest lap of the weekend as he blasted his Vauxhall Astra into the 57.5s bracket.

With the overall race for the championship also hotting up, it proved to be a titanic tussle among the main protagonists with Colin Turkington (Team BMW), Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8), Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) and Sutton occupying second through to fifth on the grid for tomorrow's opener.

BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8's Tom Chilton – a five-time BTCC race winner at Silverstone – performed well to take sixth, ahead of NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish.

Árón Taylor-Smith added to CarStore Power Maxed Racing's celebrations with eighth, whilst TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK's Rory Butcher – pole-sitter on each of the last two visits to Silverstone – had to settle for ninth.

Sam Osborne – the fastest NAPA Racing UK driver in the first segment around the 1.64-mile circuit – completed his best qualifying result of the season with tenth.

Rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Silverstone tomorrow with all the action from a highly-anticipated penultimate event of the season being screened LIVE on ITV4 from 1110.

Mikey Doble said: "I can't believe what has just happened! I mean getting into the 'Top Ten Showdown' was an achievement enough, but to go out and get pole and hear the engineers say 'I don't think anyone is going quicker', was incredible. I'm over the moon about it.

"The thing I kept telling myself was to just not overdrive the car – we've had the pace all day, the car has been on rails. I can't thank the team enough. Now we just have to go out there and do our thing."

Colin Turkington said: "P2 is more than I thought we could achieve. It's so close at the front - I could have been pole or sixth and there are only tenths separating us – I'm keeping good company at the front of the grid!

"Congratulations to Mikey [Doble], your first pole position is a big moment. It's quite a few years ago for me now, but I do remember that! Power Maxed have done a good job here, but hopefully we can put them under pressure and take a podium."

Tom Ingram said: "Firstly massive congratulations to Power Maxed and Mikey [Doble], they've done a good job. We're in good shape. I think the lack of hybrid does affect it around here but I am very, very pleased to be lining up in a fairly good place for tomorrow. 

"Let's see what race day brings! I think it'll just be a case of managing risk and bag as many points as possible!"

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Silverstone 

1. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing 57.599s
2. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +0.012s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.030s
4. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +0.045s
5. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +0.064s
6. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.111s
7. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +0.187s
8. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.247s
9. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.281s
10. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +3.350s
11. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +0.155s
12. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.166s
13. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +0.171s
14. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.181s
15. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.263s
16. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.273s
17. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +0.285s
18. Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +0.328s
19. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +0.378s
20. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.420s
21. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.444s
22. Daryl DeLeon, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +0.601s
23. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.695s
24. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +0.720s
25. Michael Crees, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.747s
26. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.749s
27. Jade Edwards, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.986s

CarStore Power Maxed Racing continued its impressive form as Andrew Watson pipped team-mate Aron Taylor-Smith in the closing seconds of FP2, with the duo claiming first and second for the Vauxhall Astra squad.

As per the earlier session, Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) led for much of the running as the BMW 330e M Sport showed its prowess around the short yet speedy Silverstone National circuit.

Taylor-Smith eventually overhauled Hill and looked to have earned bragging rights ahead of qualifying, but rookie Watson clocked a brilliant time on his final flier to move ahead by just 0.099s.

"The boys were right up there in FP1 and the car is in a good place," said Watson. "The team have been doing such a great job and we're all just fully focussed on the weekend ahead."

The BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundais also left it late to make their move as Tom Ingram and Ronan Pearson ended up third and fifth, with Hill wedged between them as the chequered flag fell.

Colin Turkington and Mikey Doble further highlighted the potential of the BMW and Vauxhall in sixth and seventh respectively, whilst Dan Cammish was eighth as NAPA Racing UK continued its rather anonymous day so far.

Last year’s pole-sitter and winner at Donington Park last time out – Rory Butcher – was ninth for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, whilst Team BMW's Adam Morgan rounded out the top ten.

Championship leader Ash Sutton was languishing way down the order – in 21st position – but with the three-time champion in such imperious form there is little doubt that the #116 Ford Focus should feature further up the order later today.

Qualifying for Round 25 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences at 1535, and will include the final ‘Top Ten Showdown’ of the season. The session being streamed live on the ITV Sport YouTube channel.

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – FP2 – Silverstone 

1. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing 57.633s
2. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.099s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.132s
4. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +0.172s
5. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.189s
6. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +0.275s
7. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.289s
8. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +0.291s
9. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.303s
10. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +0.339s
11. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +0.395s
12. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +0.428s
13. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.428s
14. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.486s
15. Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +0.489s
16. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.507s
17. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.565s
18. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +0.585s
19. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +0.586s
20. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.609s
21. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +0.636s
22. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.675s
23. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.770s
24. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +0.937s
25. Daryl DeLeon, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1.058s
26. Jade Edwards, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1.129s
27. Michael Crees, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +1.410s

Jake Hill came firing out of the blocks in the opening Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Free Practice session at Silverstone, as the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport man topped the timesheets.

With BMW arguably on the backfoot in the overall Drivers' championship fight, both Hill and stablemate Colin Turkington wasted little time finding the limits, with the latter also going beyond them when it comes to the track limit regulations.

Hill improved upon his own benchmark on a number of occasions and would eventually head the chasing pack by more than a quarter of a second.

"I think we were all just struggling to get a bit of tyre temperature at the beginning," said Hill. "On the whole, though, I am really pleased. The BMW felt really, really calm and well balanced so I am just looking forward to the rest of the day now.

"A big weekend is needed to keep this championship fight alive, but trying to have a good weekend in general is the most important thing."

Ronan Pearson celebrated his extended contract with BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 by setting the second quickest time. The young rookie has impressed throughout this maiden campaign and he will now stay with the Hyundai outfit for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

"We have a good car and chassis here so we should go well at Silverstone this weekend," said Pearson. "It's a good start, and we hope to bank some good points. We have started on the right footing, which is a good position to be in."

Aron Taylor-Smith's impressive form continues as the CarStore Power Maxed Racing star grabbed third ahead of team-mate Mikey Doble.

Turkington eventually claimed fifth ahead of NAPA Racing UK's championship leader Ash Sutton.

Ricky Collard – currently sitting seventh in the overall Drivers' standings – took the same position in FP1 around the National circuit, ahead of Team BMW's Adam Morgan and BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8's Tom Ingram.

Last year's pole-sitter and winner at Donington Park last time out – Rory Butcher – had to settle for tenth in his TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Corolla.

FP2 takes place at 1205 before Qualifying for Round 25 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences at 1525, with the latter session being streamed live on the ITV Sport YouTube channel. Qualifying will also include the final 'Top Ten Showdown' of the season.

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – FP1 – Silverstone 

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +57.622s
2. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.273s
3. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.301s
4. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.312s
5. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +0.377s
6. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +0.420s
7. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.428s
8. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +0.450s
9. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.503s
10. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.540s
11. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.548s
12. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.553s
13. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.559s
14. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +0586s
15. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +0.611s
16. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +0.780s
17. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.809s
18. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.848s
19. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +0.860s
20. Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +0.972s
21. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1.023s
22. Jade Edwards, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1.186s
23. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1.238s
24. Michael Crees, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +1.296s
25. Daryl DeLeon, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1.372s
26. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1.435s
27. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1.767s

More to follow...

BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 confirmed today (22 September) that it has agreed an extended deal with rising star Ronan Pearson that will see him remain with the team for the next two seasons.

As part of the extended deal, Pearson will continue to be backed by Macklin Motors, a Scottish motor retailer that belongs to the same Group as title sponsors Bristol Street Motors.

Macklin Motors is one of the leading motor retailers operating in Scotland, with a total of 19 dealerships that includes Hyundai showrooms local to Ronan, in both Edinburgh and Dunfermline.

The 21-year-old made the move up into the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the start of the 2023 campaign on the back of a successful three-year stint in the supporting MINI CHALLENGE, where he scored multiple race wins and took fourth in the points last year.

At the wheel of one of the four Hyundai i30 Fastback Ns being run by the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 team, Pearson has shown his pace with a number of eye-catching performances on track, most notably at his home circuit of Knockhill (12/13 August).

With a bumper crowd cheering him on, Pearson scored three top-seven finishes to secure a maiden victory in the Jack Sears Trophy; the award that is handed out to drivers who start a BTCC season without an overall podium finish to their name.

Pearson also led a BTCC race for the first time and picked up his best result of the year to date, taking fourth spot in the final race of the weekend.

Having backed up his Knockhill performance with three more solid points-scoring finishes at Donington Park, where he also set the fastest lap in a BTCC race for the first time, Pearson heads into the final two meetings of the year amongst the drivers dicing for the Jack Sears Trophy title.

The 2024 season will kick off at Donington Park on the weekend of 27/28 April.

Ronan Pearson said: "The news I’ll be staying with the team for another two seasons is absolutely massive for me and everyone who has helped me to get to this stage in my career.

"This season has been full of emotion for me at just how far I’ve come, but with the support of the team and my various partners, we’ve been able to achieve a huge amount and it has given me a real platform to now build on going forwards.

"To have the continuity of support from Macklin Motors and the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 team is fantastic, and it’s incredible to be able to get this deal done so early when we still have two meetings of 2023 left to run. I know I’m in a sought-after seat, but it was a no-brainer for us all to get this deal done so we can continue with the work that we’ve done so far.

"It only feels like a few minutes since we were heading out testing at the start of the season, but I now really consider myself to be part of the BTCC and to know I’ll be here for at least two more years is another boyhood dream come true."

Justina Williams, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Team Owner, said: "When we agreed the deal with Ronan to move up from the MINI CHALLENGE this season, we were confident that he was ready to make the step into the BTCC - and he has certainly shown that to be the case.

"Like any driver coming into the championship for the first time, there have been highs and lows, which is what you expect when you join such a competitive championship given the strength of the grid. However, Ronan has shown that he has the pace to race towards the front with the very best, and he certainly hasn’t looked out of place.

"To know he will remain as part of the line-up is fantastic for all parties because of the consistency it provides, and I’m confident there are some good results to come over the next two seasons."

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CarStore Power Maxed Racing looks to extend its recent run of podium finishes in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone this weekend (23/24 September).

The Bidford-on-Avon team have enjoyed a brace of second-place finishes in successive meetings, first at Knockhill (12/13 August) and Donington GP (26/27 August) last time out. That, plus a hatful of Independent wins, have put the team in buoyant spirits heading to the ‘Home of British Motorsport’ this time around.

The team’s trio of Aron Taylor-Smith, Andrew Watson and Mikey Doble arrive with plenty to fight for. Taylor-Smith’s first outright podium in seven seasons at Donington have propelled him to second in the Independent Drivers’ standings, 92 points adrift of ex-PMR racer Josh Cook with six races to run.

Meanwhile, Watson and Doble are locked in to a fierce battle at the summit of the Jack Sears Trophy standings, a competition for those who entered the campaign without an overall podium finish.

The gap between them rests at only 14 points heading to Silverstone, with Watson currently the beneficiary. CarStore Power Maxed Racing also remain in contention for the Independent Teams’ honours, currently second.

This weekend, the UK’s premier touring car series tackles the 1.6-mile National configuration of Silverstone. Renowned for its somewhat ‘simple’ layout, with three straights and three corners, the venue offers plenty of overtaking opportunities around each lap.

As a result, the action is often unpredictable and, with a host of drivers looking to set themselves up for a chance at glory on Finals Day at Brands Hatch a fortnight later.

Historically, the team’s Vauxhall Astra has had success around Silverstone, with highlights include pole and a podium for Jason Plato in 2019, and a double trip to the rostrum through Dan Lloyd two years later.

The action will be broadcast live on ITV4, with lights out for Sunday’s three contests at 11:30, 14:25 and 17:10 respectively (all times BST).

Andrew Watson said: “I’m really looking forward to getting out at Silverstone, the National circuit is one I really enjoy driving.

“I’ve had great results there in the past, and I know the car should be good around there in the high-speed sections. Everything’s going well and the team are in a great position.

“There’s a lot still to play for in the Jack Sears Trophy in the last two rounds, so I’m feeling fully focused and looking to pick up some more silverware.”

Aron Taylor-Smith said: “Silverstone is always one of my favourite races of the year. I absolutely love the track, and how busy it is.

“We’re going there off the back of a very successful Donington, and I think we’ve made significant progress with the car. The chassis has always been very fast around here, it’s been on pole in previous years and always scored good results.

“I’m confident going there that the car will be in a very good window, and I’m personally feeling more prepared than ever. Everything is starting to gel – the team, staff, the car. Aspirations are high, and I think we can smash it out the park and finish the season on a real high.”

Mikey Doble said: “Coming from a point-less weekend at Donington, I cannot wait to get things underway at Silverstone and push back towards the top ten.

We are now on the home stretch of the 2023 season, and it is crucial that we capitalise on our cars’ strengths on the fast and flowing circuits we have left.

“The battle for the Jack Sears Trophy is as hot as ever and that will remain our point of focus.”

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