The 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship saved one its best until last as Ash Sutton won the final race of the season by just 0.032s from Josh Cook.
An incredible battle between Power Maxed TAG Racing's Cook and outgoing Champion Sutton had the huge crowd on its collective feet as the duo ran side-by-side and swapped positions on several occasions. Cook looked to have held off one of his best friends in the paddock going into the final corner, but Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Sutton had other ideas. Sutton ran his Levorg around the outside of the Vauxhall Astra through Clearways and in an incredible drag race to the finish the #1 car stole the victory in the closest finish of the season.
The astonishing final podium of the year was completed by DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing's Rob Austin – himself less than a second behind Sutton – as the hugely likeable Alfa Romeo driver took his second rostrum of the year.
Tom Chilton narrowly missed out on a 50th BTCC career podium as the Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher man had to settle for fourth at the finish, although he did secure his top three place in the overall standings.
An emotional rollercoaster of a day for Tom Ingram ended with yet another top five finish as his runner-up place in title was confirmed, as well as Independents' titles for him and his Speedworks Motorsport squad.
Sam Tordoff was sixth for Team GardX Racing with Motorbase, whilst Senna Proctor rounded off another solid day with seventh – also completing a successful showing for Power Maxed TAG Racing.
BTC Norlin Racing duo Chris Smily and Daniel Lloyd claimed top order finishes with eighth and tenth respectively, whilst BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan was wedged between them.
2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 30 – Brands Hatch GP
1 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing 15 laps
2 Josh COOK (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +0.032s
3 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) DUO Motorsport with HMS Racing +0.738s
4 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +1.100s
5 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +1.662s
6 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team GardX Racing with Motorbase +1.839s
7 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Power Maxed TAG Racing +2.286s
8 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +2.550s
9 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +3.065s
10 Dan LLOYD (GBR) BTC Norlin Racing +3.689s
11 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +8.300s
12 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +11.912s
13 Ricky COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW +12.054s
14 James COLE (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +12.484s
15 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing +15.255s
16 Brett SMITH (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +15.720s
17 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +16.877s
18 Jack GOFF (GBR) WIX Racing with Eurotech +17.208s
19 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +17.509s
20 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +18.112s
21 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +18.457s
22 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +19.210s
23 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +19.417s
24 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +19.616s
25 Jason PLATO (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +19.845s
26 Sam SMELT (GBR) AmD with Cobra Exhausts +20.112s
27 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1m22.927s
28 Ethan HAMMERTON (GBR) Team HARD with Trade Price Cars +11 laps
29 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +12 laps
30 Josh CAYGILL (GBR) AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing +12 laps
DNS Ollie PIDGLEY (GBR) Trade Price Cars with Brisky Racing
