British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton

Saturday

Ash Sutton punched in a superlative lap in Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship qualifying at Thruxton today (June 3) to claim a second consecutive pole position of the season.

The NAPA Racing UK driver - who arrived at the Hampshire venue sitting atop the standings - showed his class behind the wheel of his Ford Focus ST as he surged to the summit of the times in commanding style.

Thruxton specialist Josh Cook had set the pace in both practice sessions and was fastest midway through qualifying before Sutton came to the fore, hustling his front-wheel-drive machine to a lightening time of 1:15.489s.

Despite a late red flag stoppage setting up a five-minute showdown, nobody could unseat the three-time champion from extending NAPA Racing UK’s unbeaten record in BTCC qualifying this year.

Reigning champion Tom Ingram guided his BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai to the outside of the front row whilst Cook had to settle for third in his One Motorsport with Starline Racing Honda Civic Type R.

CarStore Power Maxed Racing’s Mikey Doble clinched a career-best fourth place in his Vauxhall Astra whilst the West Surrey Racing BMW duo of Jake Hill and Colin Turkington completed the top six.

The Vauxhall Astra’s pace around the flat-out 2.36-mile layout was further cemented as Andrew Watson and Aron Taylor-Smith locked out row four with Dan Cammish and Rory Butcher rounding out the top ten.

“It’s just a phenomenal job, we can’t shout loud enough!” Sutton enthused. “The car’s mega obviously, we had a great year here last year here in the two attempts we had, and the car was strong then – we’ve only made the car better. All day we’ve just been playing around, tweaking it, fine-tuning it, getting myself in a good place and just roll it all out for qualifying.

“I know Tom’s [Ingram] not going to be making it easy and obviously Josh [Cook] is sat there as well. It’s never easy, it’s always tough but we’ve just got to dial a bit of a race set up, maybe go back to where we were with the car when we first arrived, and as long as I can hang on and keep it all neat and tidy and get off the line, we should be in good shape.”

Of course, it wasn’t just BTCC qualifying that had fans on the edge of their seats as the championships that make up the TOCA support package also took centre stage over the course of the day around the home of the British Automobile Racing Club.

The Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy - which boasted a bumper 28-car entry list - led the way with two captivating races. Alex Solley charged to victory in the day’s opening contest before then doubling his tally a few hours later in a shortened second bout.

Door-to-door Mini action didn’t stop there as both The Dunlop Mini Miglia Challenge supported by Mini Spares and The Dunlop Mini Se7en Challenge supported by Mini Spares made a welcome return to Hampshire.

Two slipstreaming extravaganzas - one for each category - dazzled the bumper crowd with former BTCC champion Andrew Jordan and his father Mike ultimately scoring a win apiece.

Future stars of Formula 1 were also in action in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA with James Piszcyk leading home William Macintyre to give Hitech Pulse-Eight a one-two finish. Rodin Carlin racer Louis Sharp completed the podium in third.

Concluding the first day of competitive action was a pulsating Porsche Carrera Cup GB qualifying session which was ultimately topped by Richardson Racing driver Robert de Haan.

Three headline BTCC races will top the bill at Thruxton tomorrow (Sunday) with a full support race line-up scheduled too.

Fans will also be able to meet their favourite during the Pit Lane Walkabout while there will be something for everyone off-track with a variety of activities including skid pan rides, a driving experience supercar display and a trade village to explore around the venue.

Sunday

NAPA Racing UK claimed a clean sweep of victories in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship today (June 4) with Ash Sutton and Dan Rowbottom sharing the spoils in front of a packed Thruxton crowd.

Basking in the bright sunshine and packed spectator bankings, the UK’s premier motorsport series served up a frenetic race day which saw three-time champion Sutton and his Ford Focus stablemate Rowbottom charge to the top step of the podium.

After blasting to pole position in Saturday’s qualifying session, Sutton was wheel-perfect in races one and two as he produced carbon copy performances to claim another small piece of BTCC history.

Blasting away from the front row, the front-wheel-drive ace punched in rapid lap times during the opening exchanges to establish an advantage over the chasing pack and from there, he cruised to comfortably take victory.

Not only did those two triumphs enable him to extend his championship lead but it also meant he became the first driver in the BTCC’s ‘three race format’ to claim double wins in three successive race meetings.

As Sutton romped to success in races one and two, reigning champion Tom Ingram and King of Thruxton Josh Cook ran bumper-to-bumper across both contests to clinch a brace of second and third place finishes respectively.

Rowbottom then rounded out an incredible weekend for the Kent-based powerhouse outfit as he won the reverse grid encounter in style, hunting down pole-sitter Adam Morgan before making the decisive move for the lead upon entry to Church Corner.

Starting fifth, Rowbottom wasted no time in working his way up the order and after dispatching a resolute Aiden Moffat, the Ford driver set off after Morgan - closing down a two second lead within a matter of laps.

Diving down the inside as they sped towards the fastest corner in the country on lap ten, Rowbottom soon scampered clear to claim his first win of the season while Morgan and Moffat completed the rostrum.

Support Championships

Edge-of-the-seat entertainment continued across the TOCA support bill on Sunday as a number of championships took centre stage around the home of the British Automobile Racing Club.

Robert de Haan and Charles Rainford shared the spoils in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB whilst Jack Byrne closed out what was a frenetic weekend for the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy by charging to victory.

Wheel-to-wheel slip streaming was in full affect courtesy in the Mini 7 Racing Club as its bumper grids of mighty machines captivated those in attendance. Andrew Jordan reigned supreme in the Mini Miglia Challenge contest whilst Mike Jordan triumphed in the Mini Se7en Challenge bout.

Rounding out the weekend’s action were two more races - won by Noah Lisle and William Macintyre - from the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA.

Thruxton Circuit is gearing up for an all-action weekend on 3/4 June 2024 as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship heads to the fastest circuit in the country for Rounds 10, 11 & 12 of what is shaping up to be a sensational 2023 season.

With events coming thick and fast, the UK’s premier motorsport series speeds into Hampshire with it all to play for towards the top of the standings.

NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton arrives at Thruxton as the driver to beat after making history last time out at Snetterton by becoming the first driver since Alain Menu in 1997 to win four races in-a-row.

Riding a wave of momentum at the moment, the three-time champion holds a narrow advantage at this early stage but will undoubtedly be the one that everyone is looking to beat across Saturday and Sunday.

Hot on his heels are a number of drivers that have all stepped on the podium this season and leading the charge is reigning title holder Tom Ingram in his BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 Hyundai i30N.

Ingram opened his account for the year last time out and he, along with West Surrey Racing team-mates Colin Turkington and Jake Hill, will all have their sights set on achieving further success this weekend.

Sutton’s Ford Focus stablemate Dan Cammish emerged as one of the leading lights at Thruxton last year and with two wins to his name already in 2023, the Yorkshireman could also be well in the mix for outright honours.

Another driver that can’t be discounted from featuring towards the front of the field is the undisputed King of Thruxton, Josh Cook. With ten wins around the 2.36-mile layout, the One Motorsport with Starline Racing racer is the most successful BTCC driver at the venue and he’ll be hoping for more as he pilots his tried and trusted Honda Civic Type R.

Headline names continue to roll off the tongue as you look further down the championship standings with Dan Rowbottom, Adam Morgan, Rory Butcher and Bobby Thompson also featuring inside the top ten.

Then throw into the mix the likes of Donington Park winner Tom Chilton, Stephen Jelley, local ace Ricky Collard, Aron Taylor-Smith and Jade Edwards, amongst many others, and you begin to see why the BTCC continues to be as competitive as ever.

Support Races

It won’t just be the BTCC that takes centre stage though this weekend as a bumper supporting cast of categories is also revved up to put on a show for the expected bumper trackside crowd.

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, Dunlop Mini Miglia Challenge and Dunlop Mini Se7en Challenge make up the support bill.

Off-Track Entertainment

Away from the on-track entertainment there will be plenty to see and do around the venue with a bustling trade village, supercar display, food stalls, live music, mini karts, and face painting - guaranteeing fun for all the family.

BTCC Pit Lane Walkabout

Fancy meeting the stars of the BTCC? On Sunday morning you can do just that as the Pit Lane Autograph Session takes place between 10:00-10:30.

Official Programme

Our souvenir BTCC programme will be available to purchase for £5 from the main gate and vendors around the venue over the course of the weekend. Packed with previews, features, entry lists, timetables and more - it’s your essential guide to the action.

Josh Cook made history this past weekend (May 28/29) as he became the Undisputed King of Thruxton, claiming a commanding pair of wins to become the most successful BTCC driver around the fastest circuit in the UK.

After charging to pole position on Saturday, the Rich Energy BTC Racing reigned supreme on race day as he scored his eighth and ninth wins in Hampshire.

Cook secured his place in the Thruxton history books as he charged to victory in race one. Briefly losing the lead to Hill off the line, the Honda ace fought back through the Complex to reclaim first place and then began to pull clear.

Hill mounted a challenge in the latter stages however he was unable to make a move on the #66 Type R, with Cook keeping him at arms reach all the way to the chequered flag. Reigning champion Ash Sutton rounded out the podium after producing a brilliant defensive drive.

A frenetic opening lap saw the pack tighten as they streamed around the back of the circuit with Sutton and Colin Turkington making contact. Both champions got away relatively unscathed however Dan Cammish and Tom Ingram found themselves in strife, taking to the grass.

Race two proved to be a carbon copy of race one as Cook continued to reign supreme, chalking up a second win of the day. As was the case in the opening bout, the 30-year-old briefly lost the lead to Hill at the start but produced a sensational move at the Complex to regain control at the front.

Maintaining a steady gap to the rear-wheel-drive machine, Cook charged to his ninth win of the year at Thruxton whilst Hill and Sutton filled the remaining spots on the rostrum.

Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport’s Morgan signed off the weekend in style with a commanding victory in the reverse grid encounter. Starting from the outside of the front row, the BMW driver jumped pole sitter Jason Plato off the line and never looked back.

Despite having Turkington and Sutton fill his mirrors throughout, Morgan didn’t put a wheel wrong to claim his first win of the season. Turkington and Sutton battled until the final corner but remained second and third respectively to the line.

Josh Cook said: “I’m really pleased I managed to bring it home for another double race win, mega proud of the team. We needed solid points and we’ve had a great haul this weekend and at Brands Hatch, so that’s another box ticked. But as quickly as you can be propelled to the top, it can go the other way. For us, it’s a case of making hay while the sun shines and then on the bad weekends just making sure we dig deep and score some decent points. All we can do is concentrate on the job in hand, make sure we get the car in that sweet spot, that I’m doing everything that I can do without any mistakes, extract what we can from the car and see where we end up.”

Adam Morgan said: “We really struggled yesterday, we just didn’t have the pace in the car for qualifying, but we’ve turned it around and we’re at the top spot. We really worked at it, threw something at the car today, got in the car for race one and it was like a different car altogether. It’s a mega day for everyone, this is one that I won’t forget. There’s no reason this car can’t keep up with everybody else and be at the front. I say it every year, but I’ve got a really positive feeling about this year and having George [Gamble] on board has really helped that as well. So, we’re looking forward to it, we’re looking forward to the fight.”

support championships Full-throttle entertainment carried over to the TOCA support bill as a number of championships starred on Sunday.

Josh Rowledge and Ian Aguilera enjoyed a share of the spoils in the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship whilst Harley Haughton closed out what was a spectacular weekend for the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge with victory.

Slip-streaming was in full force in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA as it brought the curtain down on its third event of the season. Aiden Neate was victorious in Sunday’s first bout before Alex Dunne reigned supreme in the reverse grid encounter.

Rounding out the weekend’s action was a third action-packed bout from the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, which was won by Nelson King and race two from the Porsche Visit Cayman Islands Sprint Challenge GB saw Harry Foster make it a clean sweep of victories.

btcc returns to thruxton in august Thruxton will have a second bite of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship cherry this summer, when the series returns to Hampshire on August 27/28 for Rounds 22, 23 & 24 of the 2022 season.

Saturday

Dan Cammish produced a sensational lap in Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship qualifying at Thruxton today (August 27) to clinch his first pole position of the season.

The NAPA Racing UK driver - who has endured a rollercoaster campaign to-date - surged to the top of the times in the final third of the session to pip Thruxton specialist Josh Cook by just 0.017s.

Punching in a best lap time of 1:15.303 in the closing stages of the session, the Yorkshireman did enough to edge out Cook and put himself in the box seat for a strong three races tomorrow (August 28).

Behind the top two, title contenders Jake Hill and Ash Sutton locked out the second row of the grid. Sutton had looked on course to challenge for pole at one stage before a high-speed spin exiting Church put pay to his efforts.

Halfords Racing with Cataclean’s Gordon Shedden rounded out the top five whilst the Carstore Power Maxed Racing duo of Ash Hand and Michael Crees served up their best qualifying performance of the season to net sixth and seventh respectively. Daniel Rowbottom, Tom Chilton and Ricky Collard completed the top ten.

Championship leader Colin Turkington will have work to do on race day having only been able to set the 15th fastest time, just behind main rival Tom Ingram.

Dan Cammish: “What an amazing feeling to come away with pole position! It’s been tough at times this season but I always knew I could do the job. Massive credit has to go to the team because they’ve continued to believe in me and knew that things would eventually come good.

“Qualifying is only a smart part of the job this weekend but we’ve been making sure we’re in a good place tomorrow. We’ve got a strong race car and that puts us in a good place. Fingers crossed I can deliver some good results that have been long overdue.”

It wasn’t just the BTCC that had those in attendance on the edge of their seats as the championships that make up the TOCA support bill also took centre stage over the course of the day.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship - who is home to aspiring racers aged 14 to 17 - produced two action-packed contests. Will Macintyre fought his way to victory in a frenetic opening bout before Josh Rowledge triumphed in race two.

There was also a double dose of entertainment courtesy of the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA. In what is the first step on the ladder to Formula 1, the single-seater series didn’t disappoint, with Alex Dunne and Oliver Stewart sharing the spoils.

James Kellett maintained his march towards the title in the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, scoring his tenth win of the season. Having been the driver to beat this year, the Century Motorsport driver converted pole position into a commanding lights-to-flag victory.

Making its second visit to Thruxton and last appearance of the year on the TOCA bill, the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy delivered sensational spectacle. Boasting a bumper 29-car grid, the tin top category, Tom Ovenden chalked up his first win of the season ahead of Matt Hammond.

Rounding out the first day of competitive action was a pulsating qualifying session for the Porsche Carrera Cup GB. Making their first appearance at the circuit since 2020, a number of drivers traded times at the top of the timesheets before Will Martin ultimately clinched pole position. Racing continues tomorrow

Fans attending tomorrow (Sunday 28th August) will be able to get a first-hand look at the BTCC stars and their cars during the pit lane autograph session, which is scheduled to take place at 10:00.

The BTCC will headline Sunday’s bill with three blockbuster races whilst there will also be further action from the TOCA support package. Around the venue there is set to be fun for all the family with a trade village, big screens, supercar display, kids driving, bouncy castles, mini karts, food stalls, face painting and much more.

Sunday

Dan Cammish, Ash Sutton and Josh Cook scored victory on what was blockbuster race day for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton this past weekend (August 27/28) to set up a grandstand finish to the 2022 season.

On what marked the second visit of the year to the Hampshire venue for the UK’s premier motor sport series, the UK’s premier motor sport series delivered a spectacular show for the capacity crowd that had flocked trackside.

After storming to pole position on Saturday, Cammish cruised to a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the opening contest whilst drama kicked off behind him. Sailing off into the distance as soon as the lights went out, the NAPA Racing UK driver didn’t put a wheel wrong to clinch his first win of the season.

Behind, contact between three of the chasing pack had everyone on the edge of their seats. Sutton, Jake Hill and Cook came to blows upon entry into the Complex however they all managed to emerge unscathed, despite the latter dropping down the order.

Once the dust settled, Halfords Racing with Cataclean’s Gordon Shedden picked his way through the squabbles to claim second place whilst reigning champion Sutton managed to hang on to third place.

Race two saw NAPA Racing UK’s dream day continue as they recorded their first-ever 1-2 finish, with Sutton marking his 200th race in the BTCC with victory.

Like he had done earlier in the day, Cammish dominated proceedings and had looked on-course to double his tally for the day before the team made the decision to let Sutton through with two laps to go, allowing him to secure those extra few points in the title battle.

After dropping to third on the opening lap, Shedden - who in-turn was celebrating his 400th start in the series - enjoyed a relatively trouble-free run to third whilst Hill was fourth for a second successive race.

The third and final race of the weekend for the BTCC saw the ‘King of Thruxton’ Cook charge to a tenth career victory at the circuit. Starting fourth, the Rich Energy BTC Racing driver produced a superb opening two laps to fight his way to the front.

Once there, the Honda Civic Type R racer punched in a string of scintillating laps to pull clear of the chasing pack which was led by four-time champion Turkington. Cook would ultimately romp to a comfortable victory whilst Turkington and Stephen Jelley rounded out the rostrum.

The unmissable thrills and spills around the Hampshire speedbowl continued throughout the TOCA support championships too, with all five taking on a starring role at some point in the day.

Gus Burton and Theo Edgerton charged to victory in two flat-out Porsche Carrera Cup GB contests whilst Josh Rowledge closed out what was a spectacular weekend for the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship with victory. Nelson King meanwhile triumphed in the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy to extend his advantage in the standings.

James Kellett reigned supreme in the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup however the action was overshadowed by a serious incident on the run up to Woodham Hill. As a result of the impact, the drivers involved, Colin White and Mike Brown, were taken to hospital for care and are in stable condition.

Closing out the weekend’s action was a third and final race from the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA. Alex Dunne wrote his name into the history books as he claimed a record-breaking 11th win of the season, leading home Ugo Ugocukwu and Louis Sharp.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns to Thruxton this weekend (August 27/28) for three blockbuster races that could prove pivotal in deciding who walks away as champion come the end of the season.

Now on the home stretch of what has been an action-packed campaign, the UK’s premier motor sport series returns to the fastest circuit in the country for the second time in 2022 and it's all very much still to play for.

Team BMW’s Colin Turkington arrives in Hampshire as the driver they’re all vying to catch after enjoying a weekend to remember last time out at Snetterton. Pole position, two wins and two fastest laps allowed the four-time champion to open up a 15-point advantage over his rivals.

Having seemingly found his groove in recent rounds, the Northern Irishman will be keen to extend his lead this weekend, however he’ll be well aware he needs to be at his brilliant best as a long list of contenders are hot on his heels.

Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com's Tom Ingram leads the chase for Turkington ahead of Jake Hill and reigning champion Ash Sutton; all three of them having been in fine form since the get-go - in particular since the turn of the summer.

Back in May Rich Energy BTC Racing’s Josh Cook made history as he became the most successful ever driver at Thruxton in the BTCC, winning for the eighth and ninth time. The Bath racer left with the championship lead but he now returns sitting fifth, 72 points shy of Turkington.

Engine performance has hampered the Honda Civic Type R driver recently however if there was anywhere Cook would want to get things back on-track then his home circuit Thruxton would undoubtedly be his first pick.

Other drivers that will be banking on local support include Toyota Gazoo Racing UK’s Ricky Collard and Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com’s Jack Butel. Collard will be keen to make his mark after he came oh-so close to a podium two weeks ago.

Jason Plato moved to the county in recent years so Thruxton can be regarded as his local track during what is being touted as his final season in the series. At Snetterton, the double champion showed his class as he clinched a podium in what was his 650th BTCC race.

Headline names continue to roll off the tongue as you look further down the championship standings with Rory Butcher, three-time champion Gordon Shedden, Daniel Lloyd, Adam Morgan and Stephen Jelley rounding out the top ten.

Throw into the mix the likes of Dan Cammish, Dan Rowbottom, George Gamble and Bobby Thompson, amongst many others, and you begin to see why the BTCC continues to be as competitive as ever.

As always it won’t just be the BTCC that takes centre stage over the course of the weekend, with a bumper supporting cast revved up and ready to dazzle the thousands of fans that are expected to flock trackside.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy and Porsche Carrera Cup GB will all be in action and putting on a show.

Away from the on-track entertainment there will be plenty to see and do around the venue with a bustling trade village, supercar display, junior driving, food stalls, live music, mini karts, face painting and a kids zone, all providing fun for all the family.

Fans will also be able to meet the stars and their cars of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship during the Pit Lane Autograph Session on Sunday morning between 10:00 - 10:30.

Discounted advance tickets are on sale now here until Thursday 25 August. After which, tickets will be available to purchase on the main gate across both days with children 12 and under admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult. Official programmes and FM receivers will also be on sale around the venue.