Former champion hails 'unbelievable' and 'outrageous' lap at Oulton Park

Team VERTU's Tom Ingram obliterated the competition to claim pole position for Round 13 of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park.

The 2022 champion kept his powder dry during the early segments of qualifying before unleashing the full potential of the #80 Hyundai i30N in the 'Quick Six' finale, with his 1:23.856s lap time being the fastest ever qualifying lap around the 2.23-mile circuit and more than four tenths faster than any of his rivals.

Restart Racing's Chris Smiley enjoyed his best qualifying result for more than six years as both he and his fledging squad continue to develop their own Hyundais.

Smiley topped part one and two of qualifying and was only outshone by Ingram's outrageous effort, but the #22 will be happy to be starting tomorrow's opener from the outside of the front row.

NAPA Racing UK star Dan Cammish has qualified inside the top five in every qualifying session so far this season, and the multiple race winner rounded out his mid-season results with third place here in Cheshire. He will start alongside teammate and championship leader Ash Sutton.

James Dorlin provided TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA with a spirited result in fifth, whilst Team VERTU's Adam Morgan completed the top six, having spun early in the 'Quick Six' segment.

As is often the case, the surprises came almost immediately in the opening part of qualifying as FP1 pace-setter Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) exited proceedings, whilst WSR nearly lost all four of its BMWs with only Charles Rainford (LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR) sneaking through in the closing seconds.

Rainford eventually wound up ninth, whilst Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Jake Hill had to make do with 13th. Daryl DeLeon (WSR) was 16th and Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR) was 18th.

Three-time champion Gordon Shedden continued his challenging campaign, with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA man starting from the back of the grid after losing his efforts due to track limit infringements.

Rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Oulton Park tomorrow with a huge crowd likely to descend on the famous Cheshire venue, with many many more watching the action LIVE on ITV4 from 1135.

You can watch every BTCC race LIVE from anywhere in the world... check the BTCC TV page for listings in your region.

Tom Ingram, Team VERTU, said: "That was unbelievable, quite frankly. It was just the most hooked up car I've ever had, we seemed to have limitless grip, we bolted on the new soft tyre and it was just absolutely outrageous.

"The corner speed and momentum we were carrying, the braking performance, just hooked up beyond all reasonable doubt. As Team VERTU we've done an unbelievable job there and it's a big big thanks to these guys."

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