Andrew Jordan scored his first Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship double success in more than five years as the BMW Pirtek Racing driver dominated early proceedings at Thruxton, before BTC Racing’s Josh Cook won the final race in Hampshire.
Jordan impressively bounced back from a dismal Donington Park last time out, which saw his car heavily damaged in a multi-car accident. The 29-year-old was forced to sit on the sidelines as his BMW stable-mate Colin Turkington took two wins at the Leicestershire circuit, but this was Jordan’s time to shine at the UK’s fastest track.
The Midlander eventually got the better of pole-sitter Sam Tordoff in the opener after initially blasting his new BMW 3 Series off the line and into second, getting by Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Dan Cammish.
The front-runners held station for almost the entire race until Tordoff’s AmD-run Civic wiggled slightly through Church on lap 13 of 16. Jordan eyed his chance and comfortably slipped by, although it later transpired that Tordoff’s car was suffering from power steering problems.
Jordan eased away in the closing laps to claim his second win of the season, ahead of Tordoff and Cammish.
He won his second race of the day after leading from start to finish.
The 2013 champion made a strong getaway from pole position and never really looked back, despite being kept honest by Turkington in the sister 330i M Sport over the 16-lap encounter. Cammish completed the podium for the second successive time.
BTC Racing’s Cook earned his second BTCC victory of the season following a commanding display in the Thruxton finale.
Cook squeezed his new-for-2019 Honda Civic Type R (FK8) alongside Ash Sutton’s pole-sitting Adrian Flux Subaru Racing Levorg on the opening lap and edged past at the first chicane.
The Bath racer had to contend with two safety car periods, as well as the race-long attentions of Rory Butcher and Sutton, but he held on brilliantly to keep his title challenge well on track.
Sutton was looking to score his first win of the season and looked racy early on, but he eventually conceded second place through Church as the Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Honda of Butcher nipped up the inside through one of Britain's most challenging corners. That eye-catching move also helped the Scotsman to take joint-lead of the overall Drivers' standings, alongside Turkington, who both sit just two points ahead of Cook – though the Northern Irishman heads the way on races won.
Honda/Halfords Yuasa Racing tops both the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ standings.
Butcher heads the Independent Drivers’ order and the Jack Sears Trophy, whilst BTC Racing leads the Independent Teams’ table.
Round 10, 11 and 12 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will take place at Croft on 15/16 June.
Andrew Jordan said: “It was a credit to BMW and WSR because the car was in a sorry state as we all know after Donington Park. That’s how we do it! I love Thruxton, WSR and this new BMW 3 Series. Race two was tricky with the weight in, and in a way it was good that I had Colin behind because the weight hurt the balance of the car. But a BMW 3 Series one-two, the first of the year! I can't remember when I last had a double. We're on form. We're a good team with a good car and good drivers.”
Josh Cook said: “We needed that one. It’s been a tough day today. I executed the start nicely and got past Ash (Sutton) and then just managed it from there. We took a bit of a gamble on setup and it paid off in the end. Our Team Manager Zoe (Timbrell) had to shoot off ill earlier, so that was for her. I’m chuffed for the team – it’s been a hard day.”
Colin Turkington said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic result for the team, and race two was my 400th race as well apparently, so nice to sign that out with a podium. I’m really happy – it looks easy out front but it’s not when the pressure’s on. Really happy for all of Team BMW and especially for Andy’s side – they’ve had a tough few weeks in between Donington and this one so great work from everybody. Plenty of reason to celebrate today.”
Rory Butcher said: “That was a fantastic race day for us. We started fifth all day and we’ve bagged some really good points. It was nice to have such a strong race but I didn’t really have an answer for Josh (Cook) out front in that last one and I had to look in the mirrors back towards Ash (Sutton) a little. Some new brakes on for the final race made the difference and Mike (Bushell, engineer) has done a superb job all weekend.”
2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 7 – Thruxton Circuit
1 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing 16 laps
2 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +1.339s
3 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.690s
4 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +2.267s
5 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +3.574s
6 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +5.595s
7 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +6.933s
8 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +8.308s
9 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +10.584s
10 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +13.181s
2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 8 – Thruxton Circuit
1 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing 16 laps
2 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +0.613s
3 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.696s
4 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +2.949s
5 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +3.325s
6 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +4.718s
7 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +5.087s
8 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +6.139s
9 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +7.593s
10 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +8.268s
2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 9 – Thruxton Circuit
1 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing 19 laps
2 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +0.420s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.894s
4 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +3.786s
5 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +4.468s
6 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +5.510s
7 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +6.012s
8 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +6.466s
9 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +6.728s
10 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +11.326s
Penalties
Qualifying
Race 2
Race 3
