Eligible drivers in the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship have been fighting wheel-to-wheel over the first half of the year as they bid to become the Jack Sears Trophy Champion.
The Jack Sears Trophy bears the name of the series’ first ever champion, and is open to all BTCC drivers, who at the start of the season hadn't recorded an overall podium finish or the Jack Sears Championship previously. The points system works in the same way as the Drivers’ Championship, and the top eligible driver over each weekend also receives a Jack Sears Cup.
At the halfway marker, it is Re.Beverage and Bartercard with Team HARD's Dexter Patterson who leads the way.
The Cupra Leon driver holds the top spot after the first five events, with 219 points to his name. Yet the fight remains open, with CarStore Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble only eight points behind. Stablemate Andrew Watson sits in third on 209 points, with NAPA Racing UK's Sam Osborne and BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8's Ronan Pearson rounding out the Top 5.
However, there have been plenty of changes in the standings so far...
It was Watson who took the lead at the opening weekend at Donington Park. The 28-year-old took two JST victories across the first three rounds, creating a five-point lead over Patterson with a total of 50 points.
The BTCC's next event at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit shook up the order, with Osborne almost securing a clean sweep; a double victory across the Rounds 4 and 5 and a second place in Round 6 moved him into the lead with 92 points.
Patterson remained in second, with a trio of thirds giving him a significant points haul. Rookie Pearson leapt up into third, after he claimed his first JST victory in the final race of the day.
This top three remained steady across Snetterton, before Patterson rose to the top during the seasons fourth event at Thruxton; a further a haul of two thirds and a second place finish ensured that consistency would reign supreme, and Patterson would lead the standings through to the mid-season break.
With the order so tightly packed, be sure to keep an eye on the battle for the top as the season resumes at Croft on 29/30 July.
