CARSTORE POWER MAXED RACING STAR AT DONINGTON

CarStore Power Maxed Racing kicked off the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in fine fashion, with two Independent race victories at Donington Park last weekend (22/23 April).

The Bidford-on-Avon-based outfit featured in a starring role across the opening three rounds, with Andrew Watson and Mikey Doble picking up class victories on debut, plus two charging drives into the top ten by experienced contender Aron Taylor-Smith.

It marked a superb return to form for the Vauxhall Astras after a busy winter of development, as the team looks to build back to winning ways in 2023.

With three rounds in the books, CarStore Power Maxed Racing is five points clear at the top of the Independent Teams’ standings, with Watson, Taylor-Smith and Doble running third, fourth and ninth in the equivalent competition for drivers.

In the Jack Sears Trophy, Watson is the clear leader leaving Donington Park, with Doble fifth.

Here’s what the team’s main protagonists had to say following the curtain raiser…

Andrew Watson said: “I’m honestly over the moon with how this weekend has gone. We were hoping to be up there in the Jack Sears, so to be amongst the front runners overall is such a fantastic testament to how everybody at CarStore Power Maxed Racing is gelling together.

“It was particularly fun in that last race; I’d say it was my first ‘proper touring car race’, after the weather played a role in the first two. The car felt alive, I think we can have a lot of fun with this Vauxhall Astra this year.

“Huge thanks to the team, and I’m looking forward to getting to Brands Hatch.”

Aron Taylor-Smith said: “This has been a really strong start for the whole team. What we have is a really fantastic baseline with this car, and it’s clear the work we’ve put in over the winter is paying off in the performance we’ve had this weekend.

“A huge thanks to the whole team, my sponsors – everybody who is putting into this programme and helping us move up the grid. It was great to have a car underneath me today I could attack with, and really push. I think it’s going to be a very fun season ahead.”

Mikey Doble said: “There have been some highs and lows today, but without a doubt, the positives far outweigh the negatives.

“It’s all fantastic experience for me, and to come away with my first points, an independent win and something to really build on is as much as I could have asked for.

“We’re in a positive place across the board as a team, and a huge thanks to them for all their continued support to push us on. I can’t wait to pick it up again at Brands in a fortnight.”

Martin Broadhurst, Team Manager, said: “It’s a very encouraging start to the new season. We were confident we’d made a step forward in performance over the winter, so it’s good to not only see that, but also to understand with even more clarity where we need to build next.

“The atmosphere in the camp is fantastic at the moment. Now we want to sustain that momentum, keep building and arrive at Brands Hatch, another circuit that should suit us, with an equally competitive car.”

Adam Weaver, Team Principal, said: “This weekend has been a just reward for all the effort and commitment put in, by every member of the team over the winter.

“We have always known the Vauxhall Astra still has potential as a car and can compete at the very front in this championship. But these things don’t happen overnight, and this is the first step on a process that still has a way to go.

“But I couldn’t be prouder of what I’m seeing, in the workshop, at the circuit, every day. We have three fantastic drivers and it’s great to see us pushing on as a unit. This is a good start, and now we look to Brands for an equally good next step.

"I also want to give a special thanks to everybody working within our hospitality unit at the weekend. It was one of our busiest weekends since we joined the series, but everybody had a fantastic day and was well looked after. And to our partners - we'll keep pushing to repay your superb support."

Nic Hamilton: "BEST RACE OF MY LIFE!"

Inspirational talent Nic Hamilton scored a career best top six finish in the second BTCC contest at Donington Park yesterday (23 April) with the man himself declaring it was a moment he had dreamed about for years!

Making the early call – in conjunction with his Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown Engineer, Geoff Kingston – to switch to Goodyear wet tyres, the 31-year-old produced a brilliant performance amidst tricky conditions to fight well inside the top five for much of the race.

Hamilton – being watched on by his mum, dad and brother Lewis – was roared home by his family, team and thousands of spectators as he eventually finished a fantastic sixth in the toughest motorsport championship in the country.

“Best race of my life!” he said. “I’m so so proud of myself. I haven’t got over it and it’s going to take a while to get over it.

“To be a disabled driver running in the top ten of a British Touring Car race, and at some points in the top four, is such an incredible achievement.”

Hamilton – suffering with cerebral palsy and driving a specially-modified car – exited his Team HARD-run Cupra to a rapturous applause, and not a dry eye in the house!

“To come into the pitlane and have everyone there. My brother was there actually before the start of the race… my mum and my dad were there. It was just incredible.

“It was a moment I’ve been dreaming about for 15-16 years. Finally, it came, and it makes all the pains, strains and struggles that I have as a disabled person every day of my life… it makes it all matter and all worth it today.”

Nic’s proud father Anthony told BTCC TOCA Radio, “It’s a great result. That’s the result of a young man who never says ‘no’ and never gives up!” while brother Lewis – seven-time Formula 1 World Champion – posted his pride on his personal Instagram account.

“I haven’t been to Donington in a long time,” he commented. “I was so excited to watch and support my brother there today as a normal spectator, felt really special. I’m so proud of you bro, 6^th place today was such a special result and you truly deserve it. Keep pushing @nicolashamilton.”

To listen to Nic’s exclusive interview with BTCC TOCA Radio, click below:

Wet and wild start to BTCC season at Donington Park

Dan Cammish seals superb double while Tom Chilton also triumphs

Dan Cammish produced a race winning double as the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship got off to a wet and wild start at Donington Park this weekend (22/23 April).

Tom Chilton claimed his first BTCC triumph in four years and incredibly his first at the famous Leicestershire circuit since 2004, as the ever-changing conditions provided action throughout the order.

Jake Hill, Tom Ingram, Adam Morgan, Sam Osborne and Ash Sutton all reached the rostrum during race day, whilst debutant Andrew Watson and fans’ favourite Nic Hamilton also starred.

Cammish wins curtain raiser as rivals hit trouble

NAPA Racing UK’s Cammish overhauled long-time race leader Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) to win the opening round, as a number of other big hitters found trouble.

Sutton (NAPA Racing UK), Colin Turkington (Team BMW) and Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) were all hampered by separate incidents, with the first of those happening immediately off the line.

Pole-sitter Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) made a sluggish start, with both Hill and Sutton immediately eyeing an opportunity to surge into the lead.

Hill slotted between both Ford Focuses and as Sutton moved across, there was slight contact involving the three cars. Sutton’s #116 machine was fired onto the grass, and he subsequently crawled into retirement.

The BMW of Hill took the lead ahead of Cammish, Ingram’s BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai, and the recovering Rowbottom. Meanwhile, Turkington and Cook also had off-track excursions in the early exchanges.

The contest eventually settled down, with the battle for the lead and a flying Andrew Watson quickly becoming the story of the race.

CarStore Power Maxed Racing’s Watson had already made his way up to sixth by mid-distance of his BTCC debut, before he calmly disposed of both Ricky Collard’s TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK Corolla and Rowbottom’s Ford to grab fourth in the latter stages.

He hounded down the top three, who were already having their own scrap for victory, as he went side-by-side with Hill through the Craner Curves at high speed on lap 19 of 21.

Ingram settled for third as he defended from Watson, with Rowbottom and Collard completing the top six.

Chilton makes welcome return to winning ways

BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8’s Chilton celebrated his first BTCC victory in four years, as the experienced Hyundai racer mastered the tricky conditions.

Race 2 became a wet and wild affair, where tyre choice proved pivotal in the fight for podium positions – Chilton cleverly chose to switch to Goodyear wet tyres early on.

The majority of front-runners started on slicks, but they were soon dropping down the order as the rain began to fall.

Team BMW’s Morgan and Chilton were the first to surge through the field and it was the latter that got the better of things amidst the slippery conditions.

They both soon hit the front and comfortably pulled clear in the top two positions. Ronan Pearson had seemingly made it a double podium celebration for BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8, as he crossed the line in third on his debut BTCC race weekend.

Unfortunately, Pearson’s car failed post-race ride height checks and was subsequently disqualified from the race result.

This meant NAPA Racing UK’s Sam Osborne scored a first ever podium in the BTCC, whilst Team BMW’s Stephen Jelley was next in the order.

It was the battle for fifth that had the crowd on its feet, as rookie Mikey Doble (CarStore Power Maxed Racing) and Nic Hamilton (Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown) swapped places on a number of occasions during the closing laps.

Both fought hard for the Independents’ race win, and it was to be Doble’s Vauxhall that eventually came out on top, after sliding past the Cupra on the run down to the final corner.

Hamilton in-particular was roared home by spectators, family and his team in what proved to be one of the proudest moments of his incredible story and career.

Dan does the Donington double

Cammish completed his memorable day with a lights-to-flag triumph in the finale, as the action kicked off behind him.

Team-mate Rowbottom fell back from the front row of the grid, as a gaggle of cars swarmed all over the Ford Focus on the run down to Redgate.

Bobby Thompson (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) held on well in the early stages before being shuffled down to sixth, but it was the quartet scrapping for second that provided the best entertainment.

With Cammish off into the distance, it left Ingram to fend off Turkington, Sutton and Hill for the other podium positions, and the reigning champion defended expertly.

Sutton eventually attacked Turkington for third in the closing stages and squeezed through at Macleans, whilst Hill followed suit at the final chicane – albeit following slight contact with his BMW stablemate.

Cammish crossed the line for his second victory of the day, while Sutton sent his car forcefully down the inside of Ingram’s #1 Hyundai in a last gasp attempt for second.

Ingram held on while Sutton pipped Hill by just 0.113s to complete the podium.

Cammish holds an early Drivers’ standings advantage over Ingram and Hill, whilst BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 top both the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ tables.

Thompson is the leading Independents' driver, whilst Watson and his CarStore Power Maxed Racing squad claimed Jack Sears Trophy and Independents Teams’ honours.

Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Brands Hatch on 6/7 May.

Dan Cammish said: “Big smile! Yesterday did not go exactly to plan – I was happy with P5, but also a bit conscious that maybe it wasn’t the best we could have had. I did have a gut feeling that the car would be better on the Sunday, as that’s what we’ve been working towards.

“Twelve months on from a bit of a shocker, to bounce back with two wins is brilliant. Race 2 was interesting with slicks in the rain – we had a chance, but we had to make a call and I realised I was in a bad place when people pitted under the Safety Car. I think I was so focused on that race win and should have switched to think about the reverse grid.

“We had a bit of luck with the draw in the end, but we also needed the performance to win it. Really proud of all the guys at NAPA and what a day! Over the moon. First weekend as a married man and two wins – it's been great!”

Tom Chilton said: “I’m so happy! We are P1! It’s hard to get wins in this Championship, I’ve had a couple of tough years and to now get that steppingstone up the podium, it’s brilliant.

“On the out lap it was 100% slicks, but as soon as we started doing the Green Flag lap, I started seeing the tram lines in the tarmac and that was alarm bells in my head. I shouted down the radio to get the wets ready – they’re like we’re on it, we’re on it!

“We did it as fast as possible. Got out. It was a fantastic decision for the team because they put an awful lot of work into my car this winter and it’s a shame I couldn’t be at the front in qualifying yesterday. But I don’t care right now – we’ve won!”

Tom Ingram said: “I have just been stood in the holding area [after the final race], looking at the difference in cars. We’ve got Dan’s [Cammish] car that looks pristine and not a single drop of mud on it, and then all the rest of our cars are caked in mud. It kind of tells the story of how the race was!

“It was a good result for us, obviously difficult with Colin [Turkington] just being faster and Ash [Sutton] being faster. It was just playing a game of chess. Just trying to hold some, give some, stop it, let it go, you’re constantly playing chess.

“I think we’ve done a good job to stay pointsy all the way through and stay out of trouble. A good place to go into the next race.”

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race One – Donington Park

Race 1 -

Jake Hill received an official reprimand and was penalised by means of a three place penalty in Round two for an incident involving Ash Sutton

Race 2-

Ronan Pearson was disqualified from the results of the race as his car contravened a technical regulation regarding the ride height

Race 3 -

Bobby Thompson received a verbal warning for an incident involving Dan Rowbottom

George Gamble received a verbal warning for an incident involving Mikey Doble

Dan Rowbottom penalised by means of a three place grid penalty for the next round of the Championship for an incident involving Aiden Moffat

CAMMISH SEALS SEASON OPENING DOUBLE

Dan Cammish completed a memorable opening Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race weekend by scoring a season opening double at Donington Park.

The NAPA Racing UK star claimed a lights-to-flag triumph in the finale at the famous Leicestershire circuit while the action kicked off behind him.

Team-mate Dan Rowbottom bogged down off the line from the front row of the grid as a gaggle of cars swarmed all over the Ford Focus on the run down to Redgate for the first time.

With Cammish off into the distance it left Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) to fend off Colin Turkington (Team BMW), Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) and Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) for the other podium positions, and the reigning champion defended expertly.

Sutton eventually attacked Turkington for third in the closing stages and squeezed through at Mcleans, whilst Hill followed suit at the final chicane – albeit following slight contact with his BMW stablemate.

Cammish crossed the line for his second victory of the day while Sutton sent his car forcefully down the inside of Ingram's #1 Hyundai in a last gasp attempt for second.

Ingram held on while Sutton pipped Hill by just 0.113s to complete the podium.

Turkington had to settle for fifth ahead of the impressive Thompson, whilst Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) and race two winner Tom Chilton (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) were next in the order.

Aron Taylor-Smith claimed ninth after a late pass by Rowbottom, who was seemingly struggled for overall race pace for much of the day.

Dan Cammish said: "12 months on from a bit of a shocker, to bounce back with two wins is brilliant. Race 2 was interesting with slicks in the rain - we had a chance but we had to make a call and I realised I was in a bad place when people pitted under the Safety Car. I think I was so focused on that race win and should have switched to think about the reverse grid. I've had such a stroke of luck, and I'm sorry for Ronan for what happened in race 2, he had such a great race and I'm sure it failed by very little. His loss was my gain and sometimes you need a bit of luck.

"The key is that last year I had a car that I couldn't move forward with. If that was last year I would have come back out at 17 and I've have finished 16th. But this year I have a car that helps me move forward. But to qualify 13th - then 12th - for the reverse grid wasn't just luck, I needed the performance to do that.

"Really proud of all the guys at NAPA and what a day! Over the moon. First weekend as a married man and two wins - it's been great!"

Tom Ingram said: "I just been stood in the holding area, looking at the difference in cars. We've got Dans [Cammish] car that looks pristine and not a single drop of mud on it, and then all the rest of our cars caked in mud. It kind of tells the story of how the race was! It was a good result for us, obviously difficult with Colin [Turkington] just being faster and Ash [Sutton] being faster. It was just playing a game of chess. Just trying to hold some, give some, stop it, let it go, you're constantly playing chess.

"I think we've done a good job to stay pointsy all the way through and stay out of trouble. A great result for Tom and for Ronan - awful what happened - but still a great result for the whole team. A good place to go into the next race."

Ash Sutton said: "A what could have been weekend that is for sure. Look, to come from 15,16 - whatever it was - to third on the podium, I couldn't have asked for much more. Obviously Dan [Cammish] had a nice sensible run. I tried to get Tom in the last chicane but we still got some good points under our belt and that's what we needed.

"I wanted to bring a first place home to him [my newborn son], but didn't quite do that. I hope he is not too disappointed. A third will do to start with!"

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race Three – Donington Park

1. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK 21 Laps
2. Tom Ingram , BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +3.044s
3. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +3.771s
4. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +3.884s
5. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +4.683s
6. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +12.615s
7.Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +14.883s
8. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +15.964s
9. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +16.192s
10. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +17.196s
11. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +17.309s
12. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +18.080s
13. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK 20.757s
14. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +24.005s
15. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +25.906s
16. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +26.183s
17. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +26.473s
18. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +28.684s
19. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +29.396s
20. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +34.562s
21. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +48.236s
22. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +1 Lap
23. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing DNF
24. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD DNF
25. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing DNF
26. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK DNF
27. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 DNF

TOM CHILTON MAKES WELCOME RETURN TO WINNING WAYS

BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8's Tom Chilton celebrated his first Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship victory in four years as the experienced Hyundai racer mastered the wet conditions at Donington Park.

Race 2 became a wet and wild affair where tyre choice proved pivotal in the fight for podium positions as Chilton cleverly chose to switch to Goodyear wet tyres early on.

The vast majority of front-runners started on slicks, but they were soon dropping down the order as the rain began to fall at the famous Leicestershire circuit.

Team BMW's Adam Morgan and Chilton were the first to surge through the field and it was the latter that got the better of things amidst the slippery conditions.

They both soon hit the front and comfortably pulled clear in the top two positions, whilst Ronan Pearson had seemingly made it a double podium celebration for BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 as he crossed the line in third on his debut BTCC race weekend.

Unfortunately, Pearson's car failed post-race ride height checks and was subsequently disqualified from the race result.

This meant that NAPA Racing UK's Sam Osborne scored a first ever podium in the BTCC, ahead of Team BMW's Stephen Jelley, but it was the battle for fifth that had the crowd on its feet.

Mikey Doble (CarStore Power Maxed Racing) and Nic Hamilton (Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown) swapped places on a number of occasions during the closing laps as both fought hard for the Independents' race win. It was to be Doble's Vauxhall that eventually came out on top after sliding past the Cupra on the run down to the final corner.

It was to be a race of PBs with Osborne, Doble and Hamilton all enjoying their best ever results in Britain's premier motorsport series.

Hamilton in-particular was roared home by spectators, family and his team in what proved to be one of the proudest moments of his incredible story and career.

Nick Halstead (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8), Colin Turkington (Team BMW), Tom Ingram (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) and Bobby Thompson (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) completed the top ten positions.

NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom will lineup on the front row for the reverse grid race, which begins at 1725, with all the action being screened LIVE on ITV4.

Tom Chilton said: "I'm so happy! We are P1! It's hard to get wins in this Championship, I've had a couple of tough years and to now get that stepping stone up the podium, it's brilliant.

"On the Out Lap it was 100% slicks, but as soon as we started doing the Green Flag lap I started seeing the tram lines in the tarmac and that was alarm bells in my head. I shouted down the radio to get the wets ready - they're like we're on it, we're on it! Did it as fast as possible. Got out. It was a fantastic decision for the team because they put an awful lot of work into my car this winter and it's a shame I couldn't be at the front in qualifying yesterday. But I don't care right now - we've won!"

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race Two – Donington Park

1. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 21 laps
2. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +7.394s
3. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +18.622s
4. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +22.322s
5. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +35.360s
6. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +35.619s
7. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +51.253s
8. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +59.353s
9. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1:17.130s
10. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +1:18.439s
11.Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +1:18.641s
12. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, +1 Lap
13. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +1 Lap
14. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +1 Lap
15. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +1 Lap
16. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +1 Lap
17. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1 lap
18. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1 Lap
19. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1 Lap
20. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +1 Lap
21. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +2 Laps
22. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +4 Laps
22. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +4 Laps
24. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK DNF
25. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown DNF
26. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK DNF
27. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 DSQ

CAMMISH WINS CURTAIN RAISER AS RIVALS HIT TROUBLE

NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish overhauled long-time race leader Jake Hill to win the opening round of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park, whilst a number of other big hitters found trouble.

Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK), Colin Turkington (Team BMW) and Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) were all handicapped by separate incidents, with the first of those happening immediately off the line.

Pole-sitter Dan Rowbottom made a sluggish start, with both Hill and Sutton immediately eyeing an opportunity to surge into the lead.

Hill went in-between both Ford Focuses and as Sutton moved across there was slight contact involving the three cars. Sutton's #116 machine was fired onto the grass and he subsequently crawled into retirement with water pouring from his car.

The Laser Tools Racing-backed BMW of Hill took the lead ahead of Cammish, Tom Ingram's BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai and the recovering Rowbottom, whilst Team BMW's Turkington was running through the gravel as things bulked up behind later in the lap.

A brief safety car period reset the action but it was soon Cook's turn to run off track as he went straight on at Redgate with cold tyres and a greasy surface causing problems throughout the order.

The contest eventually settled down with the battle for the lead and a surging Andrew Watson fast becoming the story of the race.

CarStore Power Maxed Racing's Watson had already made his way up to sixth by mid-distance of his BTCC debut and then he cooly disposed of both Ricky Collard's Toyota and Rowbottom's Ford to grab fourth in the latter stages.

He hounded down the top three, who were already having their own scrap for victory, which eventually went to Cammish as he went side-by-side with Hill through the Craner Curves at high speed on lap 19 of 21.

Ingram settled for third as he defended from Watson, with Rowbottom and Collard completing the top six.

Adam Morgan (Team BMW) and George Gamble (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) were seventh and eight respectively, whilst Cook fought his way back to ninth in the #66 One Motorsport with Starline Racing Honda.

Árón Taylor-Smith claimed a top ten result, rounding out an impressive opener for CarStore Power Maxed Racing.

Dan Cammish said, "Big smile! Yesterday did not go exactly to plan – I was happy with P5, but also a bit conscious that maybe it wasn't the best we could have had. I did have a gut feeling that the car would be better on the Sunday, as that's what we've been working towards.

"Once we passed Jake [Hill], we showed that we could get up the road really. It was just a matter of biding my time. Tom [Ingram] was quick but he wasn't really pressuring me too much when I put the lap together, and Jake was just fighting the whole time. As i've said, I don't think there is anyone who can drive a rear-wheel drive like Jake under those conditions. He has all that experience of Goodwood etc. and you can see it."

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race One – Donington Park

1. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, 21 laps
2. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +2.114s
3. Tom Ingram , BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.207s
4. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +2.614s
5. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +6.350s
6. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +9.057s
7. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +13.907s
8. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +14.057s
9. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +14.283s
10. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +14.691s
11. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +15.307s
12. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +15.997s
13. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +17.774s
14. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +21.655s
15. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +22.238s
16. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +23.285s
17. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +23.990s
18. Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +24.523s
19. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils + 24.823s
20. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +31.804s
21. Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +37.492s
22. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +45.255s
23. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +46.757s
24. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 DNF
25. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 DNF
26. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK DNF
27. Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD DNS

QUALIFYING: WATCH AGAIN

All qualifying sessions during the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will be streamed LIVE via the ITV Sport YouTube channel.

For the first time ever, UK viewers can watch the all-important qualifying LIVE on Youtube, as well as catch up with the action post-event with the video being available to watch at any time thereafter.

The opening qualifying of the season – run under the 'Top Ten Showdown' format – proved to be a thriller and you can catch up with the action below:

QUALIFYING IN QUOTES: DONINGTON PARK NATIONAL

As the first 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race day unfolds at Donington Park, you can listen back to what the top three on the grid had to say after yesterday’s qualifying session now!

Jake Hill
The Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW was declared the 'best of the rest' by the man himself as he lines up behind the Fords in third place:

Ash Sutton
A conservative finish to the lap may have cost the three-time champion pole position in the season opener at Donington:

Dan Rowbottom
Dan's debut with NAPA Racing UK couldn't have got much better as he grabbed pole position... the third of his BTCC career:

Kwik Fit Saturday Social Goes Live

Yesterday (22 April), a brand-new recurring series came to Kwik Fit socials at 8pm.

The Kwik Fit Saturday Social will be released every race weekend of the ten-event season and will show exclusive and varied behind the scenes content of the Championship, as well as the drivers and events.

The series kicked-off with the rookies of 2023, giving some insight into some of their BTCC opinions... from their favourite BTCC car in history to their perfect meal after a race weekend.

Check out Kwik Fit Facebook's page here for yesterday evening's curtain raising episode.

ROWBOTTOM ROARS TO DONINGTON PARK POLE POSITION

NAPA Racing UK top exciting opening qualifying of BTCC season

Dan Rowbottom roared to pole position for the opening round of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship earlier today (22 April), edging out NAPA Racing UK team-mate Ash Sutton by just 0.041s at Donington Park.

Qualifying was run under the 'Top Ten Showdown' format – as it will be at five of the ten events this season – so it all came down to a final flying ten minutes for the leading runners.

All drivers took part in the normal 30-minute qualifying session to record their lap times. Following a short five-minute break, the fastest ten competitors progressed to a ten-minute pole position showdown to determine the top ten places on the grid.  

It was a NAPA Racing UK 1-2-3 in the opening segment as Sutton led Rowbottom and Dan Cammish respectively, with the majority of the BTCC's big hitters making it through.

Then the likes of Cammish and Tom Ingram enjoyed very brief spells at the top of the pile during the 'Top Ten Showdown', before Rowbottom hit the front.

Sutton was languishing down the order after his initial lap time had been removed for a track limits infringement, and with the clock running down his #116 Ford Focus squirmed wildly through Redgate for the final time.

A purple middle sector from the three-time champion meant it was going to be close for P1, but a slightly conservative run through the final chicane for Sutton ensured that Rowbottom was celebrating his third career pole position.

Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) and Colin Turkington (Team BMW) made it an all-BMW second row for tomorrow's curtain raiser, whilst Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) completed the top five positions.

Reigning champion Ingram could only manage sixth for BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 as the Hyundais slipped slightly behind on pace when compared to the Fords and BMWs.

Josh Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) and Adam Morgan (Team BMW) were seventh and eighth respectively, whilst debutant Andrew Watson starred to take ninth.

The CarStore Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall of Watson was one to watch throughout qualifying as he impressively fought his way back into the top ten on a number of occasions.

Ricky Collard produced a good lap to sneak into the ‘Top Ten Showdown’ but was unfortunately unable to take any further part after his TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK machine suffered with a fuel leak.

Solid runs from Ronan Pearson (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) and Dan Lloyd (Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils) saw the duo just miss out in 11th and 12th, whilst the experienced Rory Butcher (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) and Tom Chilton (BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8) were next in the order.

Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will take place at Donington Park tomorrow with a big crowd due to attend the famous venue, whilst many more watch the action LIVE on ITV4 from 1045.

Dan Rowbottom said: “I've not been here for a while but when you look at the result it proves where all the hard work is at – a one-two! I'm glad I was the one who took pole position for NAPA Racing UK, but it’s just mega for the whole team.

“We've set the bar now and have got to have a good day tomorrow. I just trust in the team and know they have given us all a good car – as long as we don't trip over each other which is always a risk – we'll be okay.

“This championship is hard, it’s really really hard, and you need to be with the right people. I think we've found a good home.”

Ash Sutton said: “I had a purple sector but just played it safe through the last chicane because we didn't have a time on the board. So, I played it too safe and it bit me. The car was capable of pole but fair play to Dan [Rowbottom], it’s great for NAPA Racing UK

“In Q1 I did a sensible lap time but it was good enough for pole. But in Q2 the new track limit rule meant we lost our lap time. I had to come out of the pits with only one lap on the tyre and it was pushing it. We were up, we were on for it, and I just played it too safe and I'm kicking myself for it.

“A mega start to the championship and the car is absolutely on rails – the boys and girls have done a great job.”

Jake Hill said: “Nice to be best of the rest. These Fords have turned out pretty quick this year, there's no two ways about it. But I'm thrilled to bits with my Laser Tools Racing BMW. To beat Colin [Turkington] still at the end there for third gives us a nice chance to try and pick these front-wheel drive cars off at the front tomorrow.

“It’s going to be interesting. The new surface is playing a big part here at Donington Park, so tyre wear is a lot less than it used to be for sure. Obviously, our car is extremely good over a race run, with tyre wear and keeping the pace up, so it'll be interesting to see if we can come at the Fords at the end there and maybe sneak a win. Let’s just see - overall, it’s still a great place to start.”

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

Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK 1:07.598s
Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +0.041s
Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +0.100s
Colin Turkington, Team BMW +0.212s
Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +0.329s
Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.416s
Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.536s
Adam Morgan, Team BMW +0.717s
Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +1.343s
Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK NO TIME
Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.811s
Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.868s
Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.894s
Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.912s
Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +0.923s
Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.951s
George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.956s
Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1.958s
Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +1.161s
Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1.261s
Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +1.449s
Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +1.465s
Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1.554s
Will Powell, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +1.904s
Nic Hamilton, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +2.064s
Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +2.165s
Jade Edwards, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +2.440s