The 2025 Fans' Choice Award, celebrating this year's 'New Winners', closes at 11 pm today (21 October) – so there's still time to make your vote count for Daryl DeLeon, Charles Rainford, Mikey Doble, or Sam Osborne.
Cast your vote here before it's too late.
But this achievement – four drivers claiming their maiden BTCC victories in a single season – got us thinking back to 2018, when an incredible six drivers tasted overall victory for the first time.
Seven years ago, the championship witnessed another special year for breakthrough winners, including some now very familiar names and regular frontrunners in the BTCC.
Here's how it unfolded:
Senna Proctor – Brands Hatch, 8 April 2018 (Race 2)
The season's first new winner came early, with Proctor producing a masterclass in wet-weather strategy at Brands Hatch. Gambling on slick tyres in mixed conditions, the young driver emerged victorious in a sensational second race after starting from 27th on the grid, announcing himself as a future star of the championship.
Josh Cook – Donington Park, 29 April 2018 (Race 1)
Just three weeks later, Cook converted pole position into his maiden BTCC triumph at Donington Park. The victory was made even more remarkable as the action behind the then 27-year-old never wavered as the Vauxhall Astra driver cleared off into the distance.
Matt Simpson – Oulton Park, 10 June 2018 (Race 1)
Arguably the most surprising winner of the season was Simpson as he secured an impressive pole position, which he converted into a lights-to-flag triumph in the Oulton Park opener. Driving the privately run, yet potent Honda Civic Type R, Simpson produced a career-high moment at the beautiful undulating Cheshire circuit.
Dan Lloyd – Croft, 24 June 2018 (Race 3)
Similarly, Lloyd’s moment saw the Honda Civic Type R beneath him soar off into the distance with a triumph in the reverse-grid finale at Croft, where he delivered a composed drive to claim his first BTCC victory. It was a popular win for the local Yorkshireman, proving that perseverance pays off in touring car racing.
Chris Smiley – Rockingham, 12 August 2018 (Race 3)
The fifth new winner of 2018 came in remarkable fashion as Smiley capitalised on chaotic conditions at Rockingham. Light rain before the start caught out several frontrunners at the opening hairpin, allowing the BTC Norlin Racing driver to surge through from fourth on the grid to take control. He then delivered a composed drive to claim a popular maiden BTCC victory.
Dan Cammish – Brands Hatch GP, 13 October 2018 (Race 1)
The sixth and final new winner of 2018 had to wait until the season’s finale, but Cammish made it count with victory at Brands Hatch's Grand Prix circuit. Not only did he take his first career victory, but he also took his second in the very next race as the only one of the four drivers to replicate the initial winning feeling. It proved to be the perfect launchpad for what would become a highly successful BTCC career.
Throughout today, we'll be sharing the Rin60s from each of these memorable maiden victories. But first – don't forget to cast your vote in the 2025 Fans' Choice Award before 11 pm today (21 October)!
