Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Ash Sutton achieved his first win of the season in Round 29 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch, marking the 12th different victor of 2019, whilst Halfords Yuasa Racing's Dan Cammish moved to the summit of the overall standings with just one race of the campaign remaining.
Cammish led away from pole position but immediately came under attack from the fast starting BMW of Colin Turkington, after he had blasted through the order from fifth on the grid.
Matt Neal fought back from third as they ran through Graham Hill Bend for the first time and contact was made with Turkington's 3 Series, spinning the latter down the order. Turkington immediately pitted to take a gamble on slick tyres, a decision that ultimately failed to pay off, meaning the incident with Neal may have cost the BMW star in his quest for a fourth BTCC title.
It was another wet/dry contest, which eventually went the way of Sutton as he made impressive moves past both manufacturer-backed Hondas, whilst BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan kept his title hopes alive with second.
"I needed that for sure and I have done all year," said Sutton. "The boys deserve it and our pace was mega. Finally, we got a bit of luck. For us, with the wet tyre, those conditions work. I’d like to keep the wets on but we’ll give it our best whatever happens. After the restart, it was just a case of managing the gap and the tyre."
"That was everything I had," responded Jordan. "I needed to make progress to stay in the fight. That was one of my better drives – all guns blazing. I was measuring how aggressive people were with me. Matt (Neal) gave me some room but I was coming through as simple as that. It’s for Dan (Cammish) to lose. He’s in the pound seat for his first title and he knows I won’t go down without a fight."
Yorkshireman Cammish settled for third at the finish, pushing him to top spot in the standings for the first time in his BTCC career. He now holds an eight point advantage over Turkington, and 13 over Jordan, with only the final race around the 2.43-mile Grand Prix to come this afternoon.
"I’ve been in the pound seat before and won a few championships in my time," said Cammish. "The conditions are playing havoc. We can’t match the BMWs in some places and then we’re all over them in others. I like it to rain on slicks, then we’ve got a chance but we don’t know what’s going to happen.
"We all know the Subaru, and Ash’s ability in the wet. You know it’s not a race you’re going to win when you see him coming. I was doing the points in my head in the fight with Andy (Jordan). I conceded in the end and I’m happy with third."
Neal was fourth ahead of the Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher duo of Tom Chilton and Ollie Jackson, whilst double champion Jason Plato ended up seventh.
Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing's Plato looked as if he would also play a part in the title tussle late on as he hauled his Vauxhall Astra onto the back of Cammish on the final lap. Plato pushed too hard, however, and ran wide at Westfield before eventually dropping to seventh.
Michael Caine produced another great drive to claim eighth in the Motorbase-run Ford Focus, whilst AmD's Rory Butcher and Team Parker Racing's Stephen Jelley rounded out the top ten.
Round 30 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship takes place at 17:00 later today with the title on the line. Will it be Cammish, Turkington or Jordan who is crowned champion... watch the action live on ITV4!
2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 29 – Brands Hatch GP
1 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing 18 laps
2 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +5.223s
3 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +7.158s
4 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +7.882s
5 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +10.225s
6 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +11.173s
7 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +11.451s
8 Michael CAINE (GBR) Motorbase Performance +11.895s
9 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +12.177s
10 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +12.259s
11 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +12.722s
12 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +13.416s
13 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +14.555s
14 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +14.935s
15 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +16.186s
16 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +17.462s
17 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +18.192s
18 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +18.959s
19 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +19.772s
20 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +21.085s
21 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +21.364s
22 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +25.597s
23 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +27.631s
24 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +30.438s
25 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +30.952s
26 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +1m04.978s
27 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +2 laps
28 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +10 laps
29 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +18 laps
30 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +18 laps
