BMW claims maiden BTCC title at home circuit

Kent driver Jake Hill is the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Champion after producing a sensational drive in a nail-biting classic finale at Brands Hatch.

With just one point separating Hill and title rival Tom Ingram going into the finale, the pair duelled on-track from sixth and seventh on the grid of the reverse grid race.

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS' Ingram seemed to have the upper hand early on, but Hill kept his power dry despite the wet weather conditions as the tyre temperatures on his BMW 330e M Sport gradually came in.

The season defining moment happened on lap five as the star duo fought over fourth place. The #24 ran around the outside of Surtees, getting a great slingshot alongside Ingram, as Hill completed the move on the run down to Hawthorns.

Hill never looked back as he gradually made his way up to second, whilst Ingram eventually had to settle for sixth and runners-up laurels in the championship battle.

NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton signed off his title defence in fantastic fashion by winning the final encounter around the legendary Grand Prix circuit, with Ingram and LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ's Josh Cook completing the podium.

Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) and Colin Turkington (Team BMW) nipped by Ingram before the finish, the latter assisting BMW to Manufaturers'/Constructors' glory.

Sam Osborne (NAPA Racing UK), Andrew Watson (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK), Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ) and Adam Morgan (Team BMW) completed the final top ten of the 2024 BTCC season.

The final word of course has to go to Hill, the 30-year-old who has fought for many years to claim a title he has dreamed about since he was a young boy. Congratulations to Jake, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport and West Surrey Racing.

Jake Hill, BTCC Champion, said: “2024 BTCC Champion sounds amazing. It just hasn’t sunk in yet, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I’m overwhelmed, the support has been incredible, I’m speechless. 

“The emotions started to hit me as I made my way to the last corner at Clearways, I was getting a bit teary eyed there – we just brought it home. As we crossed the line it was just an amazing experience.

We’ve had a great race and an amazing weekend, and it happened when I needed it most. It’s made everything worth it; it has been such a fight the last 15 years to even stay on the grid and now we’ve made it happen!”

Brands Hatch - Race 3 - Final Classification