Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS returned to the BTCC in 2024 with four drivers behind the wheel of the Hyundai i30 N. Taking home eight wins, the joint most for a team across the campaign, the EXCELR8 Motorsport-run outfit enjoyed many great races.

2022 BTCC Champion Tom Ingram spearheaded the team alongside experienced multiple race winner Tom Chilton. Completing the lineup was the sophomore season pairing of Nick Halstead and Ronan Pearson, later replaced by Dan Zelos, all combining for an impressive total of 19 podiums.

Donington Park

The opening event of the season was nothing short of a fierce statement of intent from the Hyundai-driven squad. Ingram took to the Leicestershire circuit taking the bull by the horns qualifying on pole position and taking victories in both race one and two.

It was the second bout of race day that let the world know what we would be in store for in 2024. After getting jumped off the line by a fast-starting Jake Hill in third, it would be the first time we would see the eventual title protagonists battle it out door-to-door.

Despite how dominant Ingram was early on at Donington Park, it would not come close to the emotion the #80 would show after the second visit to the infamous GP circuit four months later.

Brands Hatch Indy

In the final bout of the day, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS displayed its depth of driver talent with an ever impressive display from both Pearson and Chilton. Starting on reverse grid pole, the young Scotsman would lose his lead off of the line to eventual Independent Drivers’ Champion Árón Taylor-Smith.

The #14 would strike while the iron was hot as the then 22-year old went and passed the Vauxhall Astra on the very same lap. Pearson would not relinquish his lead for the remainder of the contest to take home is maiden BTCC victory.

Making the occasion even more impressive was Chilton coming home on the shoulder of his teammate to finish in second. It had happened with the same manufacturer in the same season but was the first of only two occasions in which one team would accomplished a one-two finish in 2024.

Croft

Just past the half way mark of the season, the Droitwich-based outfit would be the first to have three race winners under one roof. Chilton would lead from lights to flag as the driver in his 18th year of BTCC action would bring home his 16th career victory.

As much as the #3’s lead was impenetrable, the work behind from teammate Ingram certainly helped. From the offset the #80 found himself in an edge-of-the-seat battle between Dan Cammish and Taylor-Smith as the trio would trade places for half a lap.

Cammish would eventually split the two Hyundai i30 Ns come the chequered flag as the same-name duo would bring home another haul of points.

Donington Park GP

A drive from 19th to second. It sounds like a tall order but that is what Ingram achieved after an outstanding drive in the final contest of the day. After a gut wrenching end to race two after the radiator of his Hyundai was pierced, the 2022 Champion pulled off an excellent drive to keep his title challenge in tact.

Completing move after move, Ingram would continuously slice his way through the field making over one overtake per lap in the 17-lap exchange. Falling short only to Cammish who would taste victory, an emotional Ingram was greeted by the team as the hunt for the second BTCC title was still on the cards.

Brands Hatch GP

As the day started, Ingram and Hill were level on points. After race one, the #80 had slipped to four points behind. The performance shown in the second contest was of someone who would simply not let the opportunity pass without putting up a fight.

Colin Turkington held Ingram behind perfectly in the opening exchange but could not do so again after a brave pass around the outside at Hawthorns on the very first lap. This move set the tone for the race as the #80 drove inch perfect in his hunt for the championship.

Crossing the line for the start of lap two Hill was ahead, but the #24 was displaced before even reaching Paddock Hill Bend. The High Wycombe-born driver pulling off a late lunge to lead the race, a position that would not be contested beyond the chequered flag. A drive worthy of a champion that was in the end not to be.