Champion tops BMW one-two in record breaking qualifying at Brands Hatch

Reigning Kwik Fit British Touring Car Champion Jake Hill wowed his home crowd at Brands Hatch earlier today (10 May) by setting a new qualifying lap record around the 1.21-mile Indy circuit.

In fact, the final 'Quick Six' contenders all set a lap time well under the existing qualifying lap record as Hill's (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) 46.493s effort topped the times, with stablemate Charles Rainford (LKQ Euro Car Parts with WSR) and Adam Morgan (Team Vertu) just 0.021s and 0.026s behind respectively.

The action kicked off almost immediately with a red flag, infringements and surprising exits in the opening part of qualifying.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with WSR's Aiden Moffat was initially on the pace in the first group until the BMW endured a semi-spin into the gravel at the bottom of Paddock Hill, bringing out the red flags and thus losing his fastest lap time in the process.

Team Vertu's Tom Ingram looked to be cruising through until he received a penalty for failing to stop at the weighbridge. The 2022 champion lost all of his lap times up to that point in the session, but he responded brilliantly to hit the top of the times shortly after the restart.

The main loser from the first group was NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton as he failed to make it through, whilst there was a further surprise in the next group as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA's Gordon Shedden propped up the times and will start tomorrow’s opener from 24^th on the grid.

The final 12 competitors – vying to reach the ‘Quick Six’ finale – produced an enthralling ten-minute session as those that made it through were separated by an unbelievable 0.136s, whilst NAPA Racing UK's Sam Osborne failed to progress by an agonising 0.086s.

BMW stablemates Hill and Rainford looked to be duelling it out for pole and so it proved as the master marginally beat the apprentice in a frenetic finale, as Team Vertu's Morgan also impressed to claim third.

Ingram will line-up fourth for tomorrow's opener, ahead of NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish and Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble.

Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will take place at Brands Hatch tomorrow, with a great crowd and beautiful weather expected to descend on the famous Kent venue. Those in the UK unable to attend can watch all the action LIVE on ITV4 from 1040, whilst the action will also be streamed across the globe – see the BTCC's TV page for further details.

Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said: “I just threw the world at it. I thought it might be on the cards in Q1 when we topped our group, and I thought ‘let’s have a go!’ so I’m thrilled. The Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team have absolutely pulled it together and given me a car capable of being at the front. It’s my first pole at Brands too, back at home, so I’m leaving here a very happy man. As lovely as this new Goodyear Wingfoot Award is for taking pole, I am hopeful for a win tomorrow or at least a couple of podiums.”

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Brands Hatch Indy – Qualifying – Final Classification: