Team VERTU star tops team-mate Tom Ingram at Donington Park

Team VERTU's Tom Chilton claimed a first British Touring Car Championship pole position since 2011, as the experienced racer secured the spot amidst soggy conditions at Donington Park earlier today (30 August).

The sessions were carried out in ever-changing wet-dry conditions with tyre choice, track limits and on-track timing proving pivotal to the eventual result.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA quartet fell foul in the opening session with Árón Taylor-Smith missing out due to a track limit infringement, and it was the downfall of NAPA Racing UK in the second segment as the Ford Focus squad endured tyre choice and track limits issues.

With rain falling heavier ahead of the 'Quick Six' finale it was clear that a jumbled grid for tomorrow's opener was on the cards.

Chilton's pole position was richly deserved, however, as the Hyundai i30N driver had already set the pace during the earlier practice session and he duly delivered when it really mattered.

Championship leader Tom Ingram will lineup on the front row alongside his team-mate and the 2022 champion will be relieved to have come through the running relatively smoothly.

Restart Racing's Chris Smiley and WSR's Daryl DeLeon will occupy the second row, whilst Team VERTU's Senna Proctor completed the top five order.

There was ride height heartbreak for Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble as his Cupra failed post-session checks, and the #88 car will subsequently start at the back of the grid for the first race.

NAPA Racing UK duo Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom were sixth and seventh respectively, whilst the top ten order was rounded out by Adam Morgan (Team VERTU), Dan Lloyd (Restart Racing) and Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK).

The glory, however, went to the highly experienced and much loved Chilton as he scored his first pole position since Knockhill way back in 2011... almost 14 years ago to the day!

Rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Donington Park GP tomorrow, with the action being screened LIVE on ITV4 throughout the day from 1045.

Fans around the world can also get their BTCC fix with every race being broadcast LIVE – see the BTCC TV page for the listings in your region. 

Tom Chilton, Team VERTU, said: "This means a lot to me. I haven’t had a pole since 2011 in the BTCC, it feels like a really long time, so I guess it was about time really! It was very tricky conditions, we were sliding all over the place, but I felt the tyre and grip come in, and made no mistakes.

"May be finally, being one thousand years old, the experience finally paid off in these conditions. It’s perfect for Team VERTU, it doesn’t get any better than locking out the front row."

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Donington Park – Qualifying – Classification: