Bavarian marque fights back in the BTCC at Oulton Park

West Surrey Racing won each of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship races at Oulton Park earlier today (18 June), as Jake Hill and Colin Turkington helped the squad claim a clean sweep of victories for BMW.

Hill almost completed a perfect day individually as the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport star took two wins, a second place and three fastest laps.

Turkington produced a sensational turnaround throughout the day, having started last on the grid for the opener. The four-time champion made stunning ground in the first race, improved even further in the second, before charging to his 65th BTCC career triumph in the reverse grid finale.

There were podiums on the day for Ash Sutton, Tom Ingram and Adam Morgan as the title race took a massive twist as it reached its midway stage.

Sutton’s advantage in the Drivers’ Standings has been reduced to six points from Ingram, whilst Hill and Turkington remain in close contention.

The second half of the BTCC campaign will resume at Croft in North Yorkshire on 29/30 July.

Jake Hill led BMW charge with race one win 
A fantastic victory in the opener kickstarted Hill’s 2023 campaign. 

The Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport racer has driven consistently at the sharp end during the season so far, with three second place finishes being his best result up to that point, but a deserved visit to the top step of the podium elevated his title challenge.

A brilliant start from Hill saw his BMW 330e M Sport blast past pole-sitter Sutton around the outside on the run down to turn one, and a robust defence followed on the opening laps as the rear-wheel drive car gradually brought its tyres up to temperature.

After a high-pressured start Hill then gradually settled into his stride and pulled away from championship leader Sutton in his #116 Napa Racing UK Ford Focus.

BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8's Ingram completed the podium as he shook off the frustrations of qualifying to come through from sixth on the grid.

Hill does the Oulton Park double
Hill then claimed his first ever BTCC double on the same weekend, as the BMW star followed up his opening win with a lights-to-flag success in the second bout at the picturesque Cheshire venue.

In truth, Hill was never troubled in the contest – despite an early safety car period – and eventually pulled clear to secure another win ahead of Sutton.

The fight for the final place on the podium was an intriguing one as Ingram held off a late charge from Team BMW’s Turkington, with the latter again performing brilliantly to come through the order.

Turkington’s fightback began with a charge from 27th to ninth in the opening race and the four-time champion improved yet further in the next encounter.

With a total improvement of 23 places across the first two races, Turkington looked to be a contender for victory in the final reverse-grid race.

Turkington completes classic comeback
Team BMW’s Turkington grabbed victory in the final reverse grid race, completing a phenomenal comeback.

Turkington is no stranger to victory of course, but this was arguably one of the best days of his illustrious career, having produced superb drives in each of the three contests.

As mentioned, the #4 BMW 330e M Sport was disqualified from Qualifying yesterday after the car failed post-session scrutineering checks, which meant a starting berth on the last row of the grid for Turkington.

Having charged through the order in the first two races, he saved his best until last to take his second victory of the season.

It was a BMW 1-2-3 at the finish as Turkington prevented stablemate Hill claiming an historic hat-trick, whilst Team BMW’s Adam Morgan completed the podium – his 40th in the BTCC.

The moment of truth came shortly after an early safety car period as Turkington ran around the outside of Morgan through turn one, as Hill also followed him through when the move was completed down at Cascades.

The aforementioned safety car spell also proved dramatic as the Ford Focus of championship leader Ash Sutton grounded to a halt on the opening lap after contact with Ingram’s car squeezed the former into the pit wall.

BMW’s memorable day helped the Bavarian marque claim top spot in the Manufacturers’ Standings, whilst NAPA Racing UK maintained its position at the head of the Teams’ order.

Josh Cook and his One Motorsport with Starline Racing continued its command of the Independents’ tables, whilst Dexter Patterson tops the Jack Sears Trophy although Andrew Watson claimed the JST honours at Oulton Park.

Sutton’s recent qualifying dominance ensured he holds sway in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award as the BTCC heads into its mid-season break.

Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said: “It’s been a blinder of a race weekend! To take two wins, three podiums and three fastest laps is brilliant and I can’t say much more than that. This car and the team are true heroes, and we have really turned it around this weekend. The car was monstrous – I am not saying that it is going to be rapid everywhere, but it is currently a lovely place to be. I must say a huge thank you to Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, everyone in the team at West Surrey Racing and of course BMW UK for all of their support.

“Unfortunately for Adam [Morgan], Colin [Turkington] just had a really good run coming out of Old Hall on the outside and it just set me up really to dive down the inside at the next turn to take second. Huge credit to both of them to complete a 1-2-3 for the BMWs – it’s an amazing feeling.”

Colin Turkington, Team BMW, said: “It’s been the most amazing day. I was a bit down in the dumps last night knowing I had to start right at the back in P27 – right in the dip here! I did not think we could make the progress we have, though. Oulton Park has been quite a good track for the BMW previously and although it can be tough to pass we played our cards right and in each race it kept getting better and better.

“This victory means so much. I had to really graft for it, having started right at the back at the beginning of the day in the doldrums to the top step of the podium. It really means a lot.

“There are not too many opportunities to overtake against a car which is the same as your own, so you have to try something different. It was maybe a move which Adam [Morgan] wasn’t expecting. I got a really good run on the hybrid coming out of the last corner to start the lap which really set me up to make the move. Having three BMWs on the podium is a fantastic feeling. Jake [Hill] was on my case, but I could see where we were strong and where we were not – so it was nice in the last few laps to stretch my legs at the front.”

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Oulton Park

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 15 laps
2. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +1.874s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.563s
4. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +10.181s
5. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +10.583s
6. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +11.090s
7. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +11.566s
8. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +17.674s
9. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +18.676s
10. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +21.899s

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Oulton Park

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 17 laps
2. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +1.773s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +4.302s
4. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +7.796s
5. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +8.731s
6. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +10.162s
7. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +11.679s
8. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +12.610s
9. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +13.726s
10. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +18.970s

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Oulton Park

1. Colin Turkington, Team BMW 18 Laps
2. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +1.762s
3. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +4.305s
4. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +4.709s
5. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +6.176s
6. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +7.179s
7. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +9.306s
8. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +9.512s
9. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +11.786s
10. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +17.512s

Penalties:
Race 1
Adam Morgan received a three place grid penalty for an incident involving Aron Taylor-Smith. The penalty was served in Round 14.

Dexter Patterson received a three place grid penalty for an incident involving Aiden Moffat. The penalty was served in Round 14.

Race 2
Josh Cook penalised by means of a three place penalty for the next race, for an incident involving Bobby Thompson. The penalty was served in Round 15.

Dan Rowbottom was verbally warned for an incident involving Jade Edwards.

Race 3

An incident involving Sam Osborne and Bobby Thompson will be reviewed at Croft, ahead of the next race weekend.

An incident involving Sam Osborne and Jade Edwards will be reviewed at Croft, ahead of the next race weekend.

An incident involving Dexter Patterson and Aron Taylor-Smith will be reviewed at Croft, ahead of the next race weekend.

Team BMW's Colin Turkington has taken victory in the final reverse grid BTCC race at Oulton Park, completing a phenomenal comeback throughout the day for the four-time champion.

Turkington is no stranger to victory of course, but this was arguably one of the best days of his illustrious career, having produced brilliant drives in each of the three contests at the picturesque Cheshire circuit.

The #4 BMW 330e M Sport was disqualified from Qualifying yesterday after the car failed post-session scutineering checks, which meant a starting berth on the last row of the grid for Turkington.

He charged from 27th to ninth in the first race, then improved up to fourth in the next bout, but saved his best until last to grab his 65th BTCC career victory.

It was a BMW 1-2-3 at the finish as Turkington prevented stablemate Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) from claiming an historic hat-trick, whilst Adam Morgan (Team BMW) completed the podium.

The moment of truth came shortly after an early safety car period as Turkington ran around the outside of Morgan through turn one, as Hill also followed him through when the move was completed down at Cascades.

The aforementioned safety car spell also proved dramatic as the Ford Focus championship leader Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) grounded to a halt on the opening lap after contact with Tom Ingram's (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) car squeezed the former into the pit wall.

Ingram held onto fourth from Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) and Aiden Moffat (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) – the Scotsman having surged through the order on the softer Goodyear tyre.

Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) and Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) were seventh and eighth respectively, whilst the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK pairing of Ricky Collard and Rory Butcher completed the top ten for the second successive race.

Colin Turkington said: "It's been the most amazing day. I was a bit down in the dumps last night knowing I had to start right at the back in P27 - right in the dip here! I did not think we could make the progress we have, though. Oulton Park has been quite a good track for the BMW previously and although it can be tough to pass we played our cards right and in each race it kept getting better and better.

"This victory means so much. I had to really graft for it, having started right at the back at the beginning of the day in the doldrums to the top step of the podium. It really means a lot.

"There are not too many opportunities to overtake against a car which is the same as your own, so you have to try something different. It was maybe a move which Adam [Morgan] wasn’t expecting. I got a really good run on the hybrid coming out of the last corner to start the lap which really set me up to make the move. Having three BMWs on the podium is a fantastic feeling. Jake [Hill] was on my case, but I could see where we were strong and where we were not – so it was nice in the last few laps to stretch my legs at the front."

Jake Hill said: "It's been a blinder of a race weekend! To take two wins, three podiums and three fastest laps is brilliant and I can’t say much more than that. This car and the team are true heroes, and we have really turned it around this weekend. The car was monstrous - I am not saying that it is going to be rapid everywhere, but it is currently a lovely place to be. I must say a huge thank you to Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, everyone in the team at West Surrey Racing and of course BMW UK for all of their support.

"Unfortunately for Adam [Morgan], Colin [Turkington] just had a really good run coming out of Old Hall on the outside and it just set me up really to dive down the inside at the next turn to take second. Huge credit to both of them to complete a 1-2-3 for the BMWs – it's an amazing feeling."

Adam Morgan said: "What a way to finish. I would love to take the P3 and swap it for P1, but to get a 1-2-3 is fantastic. Colin [Turkington] took me completely by surprise going into the last corner. I thought I had braked quite late, but I have no idea where that came from by Colin going into Lodge! 

"Colin started last in the first race of the day and won the third - that’s what the BTCC is all about. For my own championship it is a really good haul of points and now, heading into the break, I am ready for a lie down!

"My kids can also definitely come again – they must be good luck! You see so many people at your home track and so it is amazing to end like this."

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Oulton Park

1. Colin Turkington, Team BMW 18 Laps
2. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +1.762s
3. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +4.305s
4. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +4.709s
5. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +6.176s
6. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +7.179s
7. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +9.306s
8. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +9.512s
9. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +11.786s
10. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +17.512s
11. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +19.322s
12. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +19.949s
13. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +20.749s
14. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +21.766s
15. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +22.875s
16. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +25.203s
17. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +29.115s
18. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +32.133s
19. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +33.189s
20. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +33.375s 
21. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +39.181s
22. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +52.137s
23. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +1 Lap
24. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +1 Lap
25. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1 Lap
26. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +4 Laps
27. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK DNF

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Jake Hill has completed his first ever BTCC double on the same weekend, as the BMW star followed up his opening win with a lights-to-flag triumph in the second bout at Oulton Park.

In truth, Hill was never troubled in the contest – despite an early safety car period – and eventually pulled clear to secure the win ahead of NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton.

The fight for the final place on the podium was an intriguing one as Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) held off a late charge from Colin Turkington (Team BMW), with the latter again performing brilliantly to come through the order.

Turkington's fightback – following his disqualification in qualifying yesterday – began with a charge from 27th to ninth in the opening race and the four-time champion improved yet further in the next encounter.

With a total improvement of 23 places across the two races, Turkington could be a contender for victory in the final reverse-grid race later today.

Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) was heavily involved in some feisty action as he grabbed fifth ahead of Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) and Adam Morgan (Team BMW).

With the BMWs showing fantastic race pace throughout the day, Morgan will start on pole position for the reverse grid race ahead of Cammish, Cook and Turkington, giving the Bavarian marque a great opportunity of a clean sweep at the picturesque circuit.

Daniel Lloyd (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK pairing of Ricky Collard and Rory Butcher. Collard had been part of the scrap further up the order but he was eventually shuffled back following contact.

The final race will take place at 1725 and will be live on ITV4.

Jake Hill said: "What a feeling! Thank god for that – again a huge credit to Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport and everyone at WSR, BMW, for giving me this amazing car. It's just been faultless in these first two races, so fast, so controllable, I'm over the moon!

"The start was as good as gold, a lot less pressure than race one. In the restart I knew where I was good, and I just thought I would go earlier and surprise everyone and it worked. I pretty much got back to the same gap I had pre-safety car. I'm chuffed to bits."

Ash Sutton said: "For us, second, we are still out-scoring the people we need to so I can't complain. NAPA Racing UK made a few changes to the car then and made some improvements.

"At the start I made a couple of errors and sort of gifted the time away to Tom [Ingram] and he kept closing the gap down. Not quite close enough to show his nose but I think we were both looking in the mirrors to see what was coming and [Colin] Turkington was coming at the rate of knots."

Tom Ingram said: "It'll be interesting to see how this last race pans out because we obviously got a little position ahead in this last race and we have to try and maximise it. 

"It was a game of chess really when Colin [Turkington] came up behind so much faster. We are struggling on brakes, and you see Colin coming up behind and just think, 'here we go'. Good we've at least closed the gap to Ash [Sutton] slightly. 

"I was quicker in and through the corner but then he just pull that gap. Just one of those nip and tucks – we've got our strengths and they have theirs."

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Oulton Park

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 17 laps
2. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +1.773s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +4.302s
4. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +7.796s
5. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +8.731s
6. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +10.162s
7. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +11.679s
8. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +12.610s
9. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +13.726s
10. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +18.970s
11. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +19.239s
12. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +19.671s
13. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +20.445s
14. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +21.442s 
15. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +21.836s
16. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +22.255s
17. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +23.060s
18. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +24.041s
19. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +24.202s
20. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +28.711s
21. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +30.293s
22. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +32.943s
23. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +35.443s
24. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +36.152s
25. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +14 Laps
26. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +14 Laps
27. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +14 Laps

Jake Hill has kickstarted his 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign with a fantastic victory in the opener at Oulton Park.

The Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport racer has driven consistently at the sharp end during the season so far, with three second place finishes being his best result up to this point, but a deserved visit to the top step of the podium has elevated his title challenge.

A brilliant start from Hill saw his BMW 330e M Sport blast past pole-sitter Ash Sutton around the outside on the run down to turn one, and a robust defence followed on the opening laps as the rear-wheel drive car gradually brought its tyres up to temperature.

After a high-pressured start Hill then gradually settled into his stride and pulled away from championship leader Sutton in his #116 Napa Racing UK Ford Focus.

Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) completed the podium as he shook off the frustrations of qualifying to come through from sixth on the grid.

It was Ricky Collard who missed out on the podium, but the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK performed well to keep the chasing pack behind with a little over a second separating him, Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK), Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) and Bobby Thompson (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) – the latter recovering from a sluggish getaway off the line.

The Team BMW trio of Adam Morgan, Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley completed the top ten with all three drivers getting their elbows out at various stages of the contest.

Turkington produced arguably the drive of the race as the four-time champion surged from 27th on the grid to ninth – making more progress in the opener than he probably would have imagined.

Jake Hill said: "Huge thank you for Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport! It's been a bit of a hard start to the season in terms of not getting any wins, but we have persevered. Credit to my engineer Craig as well for giving me a car that is just mega.

"I knew, especially on the soft tyre, that the BMW was going to be extremely strong off the line – I got a fantastic start and I'm not sure Ash [Sutton] made the best of starts, so it was easier.

"We all know the Ford is incredibly strong at the start of the race but we've worked hard on that. The car became amazing in the second lap, so we were able then to start disappearing. 

"The car does just feel alive now and it's easy to drive. Now, I can put the car where I want and it just stays there, so I'm extremely proud of the work we've put in."

Ash Sutton said: "We weren't going to live with the BMW off the line – recently rear-wheel drive cars have just had a tweak to their start line procedure so I knew it was going to be a fight. I didn't make the cleanest of starts myself but ultimately we have a lot to lose.

"So, got away steady but we weren't living with that BMW. We tried an attack on the first few laps but ultimately realised we couldn't run the risk, as our main focus is on Tom [Ingram]."

Tom Ingram said: "Jake [Hill] had a very niche thing where he was able to see the front of Ash's car! I've only been able to see his back all year so Jake is in a good position there!"

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Oulton Park

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 15 laps
2. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +1.874s
3. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.563s
4. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +10.181s
5. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +10.583s
6. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +11.090s
7. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +11.566s
8. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +17.674s
9. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +18.676s
10. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +21.899s
11. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +24.713s
12. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +25.416s
13. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +30.406s
14. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +31.342s 
15. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +32.005s
16. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +33.450s
17. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +41.528s
18. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +42.147s
19. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +49.674s
20. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +53.180s
21. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +53.552s
22. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +53.900s
23. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +54.260s
24. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +1 Lap
25. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +2 Laps
26. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +9 Laps
27. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +13 Laps

The fifth 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race day is about to unfold at Oulton Park (18 June), but in case you missed it, you can listen back to what the top three on the grid had to say after Saturday’s qualifying session…

Ash Sutton
NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton continued his sensational form, as the three-time champion claimed his third successive BTCC pole position at Oulton Park.

Jake Hill
Hill (Laser Tools with MB Motorsport) also produced his own fantastic effort to line up on the front row, just over two tenths of a second behind Sutton.

Ricky Collard
Ricky Collard was delighted with third place on the grid for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK.

The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is at Oulton Park this weekend (17/18 June), for its fifth event of the season. Yet, the tin-top action has not been the only highlight of the weekend so far...

On Friday (16 June), during the BTCC's main set-up day, the paddock hosted the second ever Kids in Motorsport event, designed to give primary-age schoolchildren the opportunity to see first-hand the many future jobs that are available for them within motorsport.

Together with Cataclean and MPA Creative, the Kids in Motorsport initiative looks at how education and commerce can work together to inspire and encourage the next generation to consider future careers in motorsport and other STEM-related industries.

The BTCC welcomed the programme, offering a whole host of engaging activities, including opportunities to meet drivers and team personnel, garage tours, taking STEM challenges, sports journalism practice and learning about tyre technology.

The day was a brilliant opportunity to showcase all the moving parts that go into a race weekend, as well as excite and encourage children of all abilities and backgrounds into believing there is a place for them in the vast world of motor racing.

Now the BTCC turns to Rounds 13, 14 and 15, which will mark the halfway point of the season thus far. Excitingly, Round 13 will be broadcast LIVE on ITV1, before coverage switches at 1400 to ITV4, for the final two bouts.

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BTCC qualifying takes place at picturesque Oulton park

NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton continued his sensational form as the three-time champion claimed his third successive BTCC pole position at Oulton Park earlier today (17 June).

Sutton leads the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Drivers' Standings by 14 points, having taken six victories from the 12 races so far this season, and the Ford Focus driver is showing no signs of letting up as the campaign heads towards its midway point.

Adam Morgan (Team BMW) and Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) – fresh from their podium exploits last time out at Thruxton – were the notable absentees from the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ as the duo missed out during the first segment of qualifying.

That particular 30-minute run also belonged to Sutton, who was more than three tenths of a second clear of Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8), Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) and the rest of the chasing pack.

The ominous signs continued in the ten-minute showdown as Sutton set an early benchmark that wouldn't be matched, although Hill also produced his own fantastic effort to be just over two tenths of a second behind.

Ricky Collard was delighted with third place on the grid for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK, as was Bobby Thompson in fourth who concluded a fantastic day in his Team HARD-run Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils Cupra.

NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish had to settle for fifth, whilst Ingram was a frustrated sixth. Reigning champion Ingram had set the pace in the morning practice session and was a front-runner again in FP2, but the Hyundai driver struggled for balance in the 'Top Ten Showdown'.

Team BMW's Colin Turkington was initially seventh, ahead of One Motorsport with Starline Racing's Josh Cook, but there was disappointment for the former when he was disqualified from Qualifying after his #4 BMW 330e M Sport failed post-session scrutineering checks.

Árón Taylor-Smith (CarStore Power Maxed Racing) and Rory Butcher (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) ended up eighth and ninth, whilst Morgan was subsequently promoted to tenth following Turkington's penalty.

Rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will take place at Oulton Park tomorrow with the action commencing LIVE on ITV1 from 1200.

The broadcast switches to ITV4 at 1400 with more than six hours of LIVE coverage being shown throughout the day.

Ash Sutton said: "It's mega. We are in such a good rhythm with the car – we’ve only made a couple of changes since we rolled it out for the first time this weekend. The car comes alive on the soft tyre and it is a joy to drive. To qualify on it is something else and I just can’t thank NAPA Racing UK enough. We’ve put in so much hard work – it's our third pole position on the bounce and a good way to end the Saturday.

"If the rear-wheel drive cars get a good jump off the line tomorrow it could be a different story, but I’ll try and get my head down and get away off the line in front.

"I spent a lot of my winter preparations honing my skills, focusing on my techniques as last year Tom [Ingram] was the guy to beat. I feel I can really dial myself in now and it shows that all of the work put in over the winter is really paying off."

Jake Hill said: "I am pleased with that session and I am really happy to be up on the front row. We have been up there in the last few qualifying sessions, it certainly hasn’t been terrible, but it is nice to have found that little bit of performance that we were missing to get onto the front row. It is a great place to be starting.

"We’ve found just an extra bit of overall grip. It has felt a bit numb so far this year and not known where it is entirely, but we tried something radical for this weekend and went for it. So far, so good!

"We are quick in the wet so that might come into play tomorrow – but our aim is to get off the line and get ahead."

Ricky Collard said: "That was a lap! It is really important for us as a team – and a nice little gift for my Dad ahead of Father’s Day tomorrow, too.

"I want to give the team and the fans that elusive podium and race win that we have all been chasing. This P3 in qualifying puts us in a really good position. I wish everyone could see the onboards as it is an incredible circuit – the car is sideways a lot, it is undulating and such fun to drive.

"NAPA Racing UK have done a superb job as always, and it is great to see Jake [Hill] up there, too, for BMW, so I am elated to be up there with them and looking forward to getting stuck in tomorrow.

"We have to make a good 'Collard' start tomorrow and we want to take the fight to those ahead. I want to put a show on and hope to secure that podium!"

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Oulton Park

1. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK 1:24.832s
2. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +0.225s
3. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.468s
4. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.534s
5. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +0.611s
6. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.633s
7. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.655s
8. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.781s
9. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +1.032s
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10. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +0.675s
11. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +0.680s
12. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +0.737s
13. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.745s
14. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.753s
15. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.830s
16. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.912s
17. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.943s
18. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +0.949s
19. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.985s
20. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1.006s 
21. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1.155s
22. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1.483s
23. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1.631s
24. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1.972s
25. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.331s
26. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +6.639s
DSQ. Colin Turkington, Team BMW 

Penalties:

Colin Turkington was disqualified from the results of Qualifying for Round 13 of the Championship, after his car failed to comply with the post-session scrutineering checks regarding fuel.

Bobby Thompson has had 10 (ten) points deducted from the Drivers’ Championship for having changed a further engine above the number permitted.

10 (ten) points will also be deducted from Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils in the Team's and Independent Team's Championship scores having changed an engine above the number permitted.

Nick Halstead received a £500 fine for exceeding the pit lane speed limit.

Team HARD's Bobby Thompson produced a stunning last-gasp lap to hit the top of the timesheets in FP2 as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship action continues apace at Oulton Park.

The Cupras had already shown good pace in the opening session, with Thompson ending up third, but the Essex racer went even better in the second segment with a fantastic effort.

A clean lap from Thompson was further aided exiting the final corner as he picked up a nice tow across the line from a Team BMW machine, which vaulted him above Tom Ingram into P1.

Ingram continued his recent Oulton Park form as he slotted into second, following on from his benchmark setting performance in the morning run.

The reigning champion had often experienced a rather challenging time at the picturesque Cheshire circuit prior to his pole position and double victory last season, which helped propel him towards the title, and now the Hyundai driver seems to be in complete synergy with the 2.23-miles of Tarmac.

CarStore Power Maxed Racing and NAPA Racing UK filled the next four positions with Aron Taylor-Smith, Dan Cammish, Andrew Watson and Ash Sutton highlighting the credentials of the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus.

Jack Butel had a fantastic run to seventh with the Team HARD stable having four Cupras inside the top five at one stage.

Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing), George Gamble (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) and Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) rounded out the top ten.

Just 0.349s separated the top ten with the top 23 cars blanketed by an incredible 0.878s, a position that was occupied by four-time champion Colin Turkington.

Qualifying for Round 13 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will take place at 1540 later today with the action being streamed live on the ITV Sport YouTube channel.

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – FP2 – Oulton Park

1. Bobby Thompson Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils 1:25.554s
2. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.017s
3. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.129s
4. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +0.156s
5. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.176s
6. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +0.250s
7. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +0.289s
8. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.292s
9. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.297s
10. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +0.349s
11. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +0.368s
12. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +0.384s
13. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +0.390s
14. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.416s
15. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +0.446s
16. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.536s
17. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.663s
18. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.746s
19. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.748s
20. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.749s
21. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +0.790s
22. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.808s
23. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +0.878s
24. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1.329s
25. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1.552s
26. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.012s
27. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +2.572s

Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) has set the early benchmark in the opening Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Free Practice session at Oulton Park, as the reigning champion topped a quintet of familiar faces.

Just under two tenths of a second separated the top five with Ingram ahead of Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK), Bobby Thompson (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils), Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) and Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK).

With four Drivers’ titles between Sutton and Ingram, it feels like the 2023 title race is beginning to take shape.

Ingram ignited his own championship charge here last season with two victories, at a circuit that had previously belonged to Turkington and BMW, with the latter coming home sixth in this particular session.

“It’s a good start to our weekend,” said Ingram. “We took two wins last year, so it would be fantastic if we could do something similar again. We know the car works well around this circuit.

"So far this season, we haven't been grabbing all the headlines with loads of victories, but what we have been doing is consistently putting big scores on the board to stay in contention at the front.

“I'm quite okay with the fact that we've been going under the radar a little bit and we're in a good position as a result, as consistently scoring those big points is what is important in a series like that.

“Saying that, I plan maximum attack this weekend as I want to push for pole position and wins to ensure that we can head into the summer break on a positive note.”

The lap times this morning are extremely close, with the Team HARD Cupra pairing of Bobby Thompson and Dan Lloyd (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) leaving it until their final lap to fire themselves into third and eighth respectively.

The two Toyota Corollas of Ricky Collard and Rory Butcher (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) were also inside the top ten, as was Andrew Watson in the CarStore Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall.

The leading Hyundai, Ford, Honda, BMW, Cupra, Toyota and Vauxhall were all covered by less than a second, suggesting FP2 and Qualifying is going to be extremely exciting later today.

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – FP1 – Oulton Park

1. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 1:25.507s
2. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +0.022s
3. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.070s
4. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.137s
5. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +0.186s
6. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +0.214s
7. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.506s
8. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.653s
9. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.675s
10. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.737s
11. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +0.782s
12. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +0.896s
13. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.967s
14. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +1.042s
15. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +1.149s
16. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1.258s
17. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +1.283s
18. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1.427s
19. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +1.506s
20. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1.535s
21. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +1.601s
22. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1.716s
23. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1.954s 
24. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1.959s
25. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +2.821s
26. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.878s
27. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +3.682s

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport will continue their BTCC campaign this weekend (17/18 June), as they head to Oulton Park to contest round five of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport and Jake Hill head to round five, which marks the halfway point in the 2023 season, off the back of a positive weekend at the ultra-fast Thruxton Circuit. Another top-five qualifying result saw the Kent-based driver follow up on Sunday with a brace of 4th place finishes and another top-ten result in the final race of the day. These results mean that Hill now heads to Oulton Park this weekend currently occupying 4th in the Drivers' Championship with 130 points. 

Hill and MB Motorsport's previous trip to the circuit was one that left the team with a feeling of 'unfinished business' as an incident in qualifying meant Hill started down the order. The 29-year-old recovered brilliantly to score points in all three races and also took the fastest lap in the final race of the day, but this weekend presents them the opportunity to show their true pace at the Cheshire circuit. 

Hill, in his WSR-run BMW 330e M Sport, will be looking to score big points this weekend and reignite his championship fight with six rounds and 18 races still left to contest. 

"This race weekend, I am determined to get back to the front and score as many points as possible to continue our championship fight!" said Hill.

"We had a positive weekend at Thruxton last time out so we need to build on that this week and get ourselves back on the podium. This weekend I want to show what I can really do around this great circuit in my Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW!

"The whole WSR team has been working so hard to get us back to the front so we'll keep pushing this weekend and hopefully reap the rewards for our efforts." 

The action on track will begin on Saturday with a pair of free practice sessions being followed by qualifying taking place later that day at 1540. For this weekend, the qualifying shoot-out, which is available to watch live on Youtube, returns which will see the regular 30-minute qualifying session be followed by a 'Top 10 Showdown' to set the front five rows of the grid.

All three races take place on Sunday, with live coverage available on ITV1 (race one), and ITV4 (races two and three) and online at ITVX. The races are scheduled for 1217, 1440, and 1725 respectively. Live timing across the weekend is available here.