The 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship was host to a number of thrilling support series that wowed the crowds before the main event kicked off. Three of which followed the UK’s premier motorsport series around the UK for the majority of the rounds. Let’s take a look at who took the crowns in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Rokit British Formula 4 and Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE UK.
Adam Smalley - Porsche Carrera Cup GB
Adam Smalley (Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Team Parker) wrapped up the 2023 championship title at Silverstone (21/22 September) as he celebrated a 39-point lead over runner-up James Kellett (Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport).
He came into the event in question with a comfortable lead so had to continue his consistency to win the Drivers' Championship. His no risk approach paid off and Smalley only needed a handful of points to seal the overall win and as a result he crossed the line ahead of rival Kellett.
The Team Championship however went down to the final rounds at Brands Hatch with the GP layout being selected for the finale. It was Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport that took the overall win with a 32-point lead over Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Team Parker, which had both of its drivers finishing in the top three of the Drivers' Championship.
Louis Sharp - Rokit British F4
After a tense 2023 season, Rodin Carlin’s Louis Sharp claimed the title after some close battles with rival William Macintyre (Hitech Pulse-Eight). The pair were nearly 100 points clear of the rest of the field and did not let each other slip away. Sharp took the victory by a mere 13 points by the final round at Brands Hatch (7/8 October).
The title was decided in the second race of the day, and 30th of the season. Sharp started from pole position with Deagen Fairclough (JHR Developments) alongside on the front row. Macintyre started from third on the grid alongside team-mate Jimmy Piszcyk.
Fairclough made a charge and took the lead from the line with Sharp slotting into second and Macintyre third. The lead pair set new fastest laps, Sharp twice and Fairclough an impressive six times in the 15 laps, enabling Fairclough to finish 2.433 seconds ahead of Sharp with Macintyre 0.755 seconds behind.
Sharp’s second place was enough to secure the championship with Macintyre’s third sealing his runner-up position. It was Fairclough who claimed the Motul Fastest Lap Award in both races and a further two points to help confirm his third place in the championship.
Dan Zelos - Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE UK
Dan Zelos (EXCELR8 Motorsport) declared himself proud of his second title in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE after wrapping up the crown in the opening race of the final race weekend at Brands Hatch (7/8 October).
The EXCELR8 Motorsport driver went into the weekend holding a healthy lead over lone rival Will Orton (Hybrid Tune), and took his place on the grid for the opening race of the weekend knowing that a second JCW title was his if he finished ahead of Orton on track.
Although Sam Smith (Hybrid Tune) was able to secure the race win from pole, Zelos followed him home in second spot and that would be enough to give him an unassailable lead in the points with two races left to run – despite Orton scoring more points by virtue of finishing third but with fastest lap. Zelos would go on to finish 16th and sixth in the remaining two races.
