There’s a five-star finish brewing in this year’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship with arguably a quintet of contenders still gunning for the title, as the series visits Silverstone this weekend (24/25 September) for the penultimate event of the season.
Four-time champion Colin Turkington currently leads the way with the Team BMW star targeting a record fifth BTCC crown.
Turkington recovered well during the most recent race weekend at Thruxton when he followed up two tenth-place finishes with a crucial podium in the final bout.
“The third race was critical for my championship campaign,” said the Northern Irishman. “It felt like a lot was riding on getting that result. I was pleased to have secured those points and keep the lead, despite a very tough weekend.
“Everyone has a bump in the road in this championship, but we dug deep and ended the day with a good points haul. It’s been an intense period lately, but I’m in a good place and feeling positive.”
Reigning champ Ash Sutton is hunting down his old adversary with the NAPA Racing UK man sitting just six points off the standings' summit.
Sutton has taken three wins from the previous three race weekends, although incredibly Silverstone is the only circuit where the talented peddler has not won a BTCC race so far in his career.
“I’m looking forward to Silverstone this weekend,” said Sutton.
“We’re getting down to the climax of the season now and I’m relishing what lies ahead.
“Three wins in as many events means we head into the weekend with some real momentum behind us, and despite Silverstone being a completely different challenge to Thruxton I’m confident we can be in the mix.
“The car is feeling awesome so let’s get after it and see what we can do.”
Tom Ingram (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com) and Jake Hill (ROKiT MB Motorsport) are also within striking distance, with the former being touted as the most successful driver at Silverstone having taken four previous victories here.
“I’m still very confident because when the Hyundai is on-song, we know just how phenomenal it is and I really enjoy this part of the season – digging deep for those crucial last few points is a challenge I relish,” enthused Ingram.
“Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP are both tracks that should play to our strengths and where I’ve gone well in the past, so it’s full-scale attack from hereon in. Let’s see where that leaves us after the final flag falls…”
Rich Energy BTC Racing’s Josh Cook won the most recent race at Thruxton to keep his championship hopes alive, but the Bath racer knows he needs a similar outcome this weekend to remain in contention ahead of the finale.
Following this weekend’s BTCC triple header at Silverstone, the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will conclude at Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time (8/9 October).
