Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing enjoyed a stunning end to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season as it successfully wrapped up no fewer than three titles during the final rounds of the year.
 
The West Thurrock-based team went into the weekend chasing both Independent class titles and also in the lead of the Jack Sears Trophy, with drivers Rory Butcher and Mike Bushell keen to make most of the pace of the Honda Civic Type R (FK2) around the full Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.
 
Fife racer Butcher qualified in a solid fifth place in tricky conditions in qualifying as the best placed front wheel drive car in the session, and a strong start to the opening race saw him move up into third spot by the end of lap two ahead of title hopeful Andrew Jordan.
 
After an early safety car period, and with rain starting to fall, Butcher fought his way ahead of Ash Sutton and Colin Turkington to hit the front and would lead until the 16^th lap when a charging Dan Cammish found a way through.
 
Running in a comfortable second, Rory only missed out on a podium on the final lap when Matt Neal and Tom Chilton managed to get ahead, having gambled on a switch to wet tyres behind the safety car.
 
With Josh Cook retiring from the race, second amongst the Independent class racers saw Rory close right in on his rival in the race for the title.
 
A tough opening lap in race two saw Butcher forced to take avoiding action when two cars clashed ahead, which dropped him down the order to run outside the top ten. However, he fought back well to take the flag in ninth spot, bringing the gap to Cook down to a single point going into race three.
 
It was a result that also wrapped up the Jack Sears Trophy title after his only rival Tom Oliphant retired.
 
Aware that the final race of the weekend was a case of ‘winner takes all’ in terms of the Independent title, Butcher found himself running in fourth at the end of the opening lap and then battled up into the podium places with Cook on his tail.
 
Knowing that he had to keep the newer-gen Civic at bay, Butcher produced one of his best drives of the season to secure the position and wrap up his second title of the weekend.
 
On his third outing in the car, Bushell put the sister Honda ninth on the grid for the opening race with a solid performance in qualifying, although he would slip back to eleventh in the opening laps.
 
The former Clio Cup UK champion then started to make his way forwards however, and had climbed into the top ten before the safety car period to allow the similar Honda of Matt Simpson to be recovered from the gravel at Paddock Hill.
 
Continuing to make good progress, Bushell climbed up to fourth going into the final lap although, like Rory, he would lose out to Neal and Chilton on the final lap to end up in sixth.
 
A strong start to race two saw Bushell jump up into fifth spot on the opening lap, but his hopes of trying to push towards the podium were ended by a drive through penalty for being slightly out of position at the start.
 
Dropping to the back of the field, he raced well to come through to 18^th at the finish, and then came close to a points finish in race three with 16^th in the season finale.
 
The combined efforts of the two drivers ensured that Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid RCIB Insurance Racing successfully wrapped up the Independent Teams’ Championship.
 
Shaun Hollamby, Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing Team Principal, said: “We had three trophies we were aiming for at the start of the season and to have won them all is absolutely fantastic. I’m delighted for the whole team because we have worked so hard and it has a been a massive team effort.
 
“We made some big improvements over the winter and the support of Cobra, AutoAid, RCIB and GardX has been key as their investment in us allowed us to strengthen and move forwards. We were able to get the right calibre of driver in as success like this doesn’t happen if you don’t have the right drivers. Huge thanks have to go to Rory, Sam [Tordoff] and Mike for their efforts.
 
“Rory was fantastic all year and the final race was his best of the season to hold off Josh like he did. Mike also did well again stepping in for Sam, who played a massive part in what we have achieved this year and who I know is happy at our success.
 
“Now it’s time for a few beers!”
 
Rory Butcher, #6 Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing Honda Civic Type R, said: “I think being the chaser for the Independent title was the best thing for me coming into the weekend, as every race I just pushed hard to get as much as I could from it. I knew in race three that Josh would drive his socks off in the early laps to get to me and I had to drive at 100 per cent from the start. That was the hardest I’ve driven the car all year – it was to the maximum.
 
“To come away from the weekend with the Independent title and the Jack Sears Trophy for me personally, and to finish in the top five overall, is absolutely fantastic and I think it will take some time to sink in. It’s hard to believe what we have achieved.
 
“For the team to also win the Independent Teams’ title and finish third overall is brilliant, and you can see in the eyes of the guys in the team just how much it means to them. I’m so pleased to be part of this team and to have had this opportunity, and I’m also happy for all of my sponsors and for the team sponsors who have made it possible.”
 
Mike Bushell, #21 Cobra Sport AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing Honda Civic Type R, said “I put in so much effort alongside Rory this season and I’m not ashamed to say I cried when he was getting his trophies. For us to have led the overall championship at one stage, and to win the Independent title has been a phenomenal effort.
 
“Personally, I’m a bit annoyed with myself for being an inch over the line ahead of race two as I was comfortable in fifth place before the drive through penalty, and that really ended the weekend for me as race three was a case of just bringing the car home in one piece.
 
“I’ve enjoyed doing these final three rounds and it was nice to hear David Addison comment on TV that it was a case of what might have been if I’d been in the car for a full season. It shows that people have taken notice of how I’ve performed, and it’s been nice to have a chance to get out on track in a top level car and race with the big names towards the front.”

Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing returned to winning ways at Brands Hatch for Rounds 28, 29 and 30 of the Kwik Fit MSA British Touring Car Championship, the final weekend of the 2019 season.

The Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit offers a real challenge to both engineers and drivers with a focus on traction and high-speed stability. For race fans, much of the hard graft put in by the drivers is hidden in the trees of the Grand Prix loop, before the cars burst back into view at Clearways with the Indy circuit.

For Vauxhall Astra driver Rob Collard, Brands Hatch offered another chance to add to his two podiums in his first season back in a front-wheel drive car for a decade.

As qualifying commenced, Collard immediately slid wide into the Paddock Hill gravel. The Indy section of the track proved slippery throughout the session, with both drivers finding a lack of grip relative to the long middle sector.

With the ideal window for lap-time coming after the first of three red flags, Jason Plato lost his fastest lap with a big slide at Surtees, while Collard still found the rear of car #9 too loose.

The final restart saw both drivers struggle to move forward, consigning Plato and Collard to a challenging race day starting 16th and 25th - including a two place penalty carried over from Silverstone - respectively.

With threatening skies and a slippery surface, Race 1 was certainly a challenge. From 25^th on the grid, Collard made a good start, gaining two places on the opening laps before progress was halted by the first safety car on lap five. Teammate Plato also made ground immediately, moving from 16th forward three places.

Looking to move through the train directly in front, Plato caught the slippery kerb entering Stirlings and slid across the grass, dropping right back, with Collard making more progress up ahead in 18th, before a Safety Car neutralised the field.

The Safety Car came in on lap 11, and by lap 14, despite being on slicks on an increasingly wet track, Collard was in an excellent 11^th with Plato flying in 19th but five seconds a lap quicker on his wets. By lap 16 car #11 was the quickest on track, now another position ahead, whilst Rob was starting to struggle for grip as he dropped to 13th.

A dramatic final lap saw Plato move through to 14^th, running out of laps, whilst for Collard the chequered flew a few laps too late on his slicks, to cross the line in 15^th­.

The rain continued into race two, with all 30 cars on wet tyres. Both PMR drivers produced impressive opening laps as Plato moved forward five placed and Collard three. Others didn’t fare so well as Paddock claimed three more victims on the opening lap, once again bringing out the Safety Car.

The lap four restart saw Collard move forward again, looking very racy as he moved into P11. By lap eight he had consolidated his position whilst Plato’s Vauxhall Astra came alive as he moved into seventh, setting off after the leaders, only for yet another Safety Car intervention on lap ten.

Restarting on Lap 12, contact at Druids resulted in Collard finding himself in 17^th, with smoke pouring from the right rear tyre under load. Although still lapping at a competitive pace, unstable handling meant the #9 car was destined to hold station until the finish.

By lap 17, Plato was catching Cammish and Jordan ahead hand over fist, a podium looked very much on the cards only for Plato to trip over the rear of Cammish’s car as they entered Hawthorns, dropping his left-rear tyre onto the grass. With the Astra fully sideways, Plato exemplified his car control to gather it all up on the wet grass but couldn’t stop losing the places he had just gained, falling back to seventh but delighting the amassed crowd in the process.

Collard started the final race of both the day and the 2019 Championship in a frustrated and somewhat aggrieved 17^th on the grid, with Jason getting the fifth berth in the reverse grid draw.

As the red lights went out, the #11 Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra catapulted from the third row into third as the field went into Paddock. A lap later, Plato made a confident move down the inside of Proctor at Stirlings for second and immediately set off after the leader, closing in around the remainder of lap two before sliding inside on the exit of Clearways to cross the line victorious, clearly the fast car on the track.

Further back, Collard was struggling to get his tyres into their performance window, losing a place. By lap six, Plato had extended his lead to a healthy three seconds whilst Collard was being hit from pillar to post as he dropped to 22^nd.

With dusk drawing in, the field made for a dramatic sight with headlights ablaze and the BTCC driver with series' win record leading the way. It was a win that was never in doubt as Plato celebrated over the radio on the final lap to record his 97^th BTCC career victory.

After mid-distance Collard was starting to lap at front running pace and started to recover some lost ground, moving into an eventual 18^th.

“We’ve got the ingredients of a very fast car,” said Collard, “Jason proved that by winning race three. Going away from here I’m disappointed, I’ve been knocked from pillar to post and it’s been a really frustrating weekend. I just haven’t quite found that ultimate pace in the car, so there’s homework to do there I think. But it’s been fantastic to be a part of the PMR story; the team really are becoming a dominant force within the BTCC, and the Vauxhall brand is synonymous with winning, so it’s great to be associated with the brand.”

“A mega end to the year!” Said Plato. “The last couple of years have been really awful for me, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this year. Never in my career have I got in a car and knew I wouldn’t do well, and after two years of thinking exactly that, joining PMR has taken me back to how it should be. To rebuild it all back up again is great; we’ve ended the year brilliantly, and we’ve been genuinely fast. Mojo’s back – thank you PMR.”

“What a finish to the most enjoyable season I’ve had in the BTCC,” said Team Principal Adam Weaver. “I can’t thank JP, Rob, the team and sponsors enough-without you all, we would be nothing, and this year (and especially today) has reminded me exactly why we do this!”

“This weekend has been frustrating, as have most this year,” said Technical Director Martin Broadhurst. “But I couldn’t be prouder of JP and the team for bringing home the win in arguably the biggest race of the year. It’s been a long time coming! Both Jason and Rob have had hurdles to overcome this year, and its only bad luck that have robbed them of other victories. I’m looking forward to talking to both of them over the winter break and seeing what happens for the 2020 season.”

Team BMW’s Colin Turkington was crowned a record-equalling four-time BTCC champion in the most dramatic of circumstances after an unforgettable finale at Brands Hatch earlier today (13 October).
 
Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Dan Cammish kicked off proceedings in superb style by claiming the most important victory of his BTCC career to-date, before Adrian Flux Subaru Racing’s Ash Sutton scored his first win of the season.
 
The 30th and final round of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will live long in the memory with Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing's Jason Plato winning the race – his first of the year – whilst the fight for the title went down to the wire.
 
Cammish would face heartbreak with around four miles of the season remaining, whilst Turkington scythed his way from 25th on the grid to claim a sixth-place finish, ensuring that he leapfrogged Cammish by just two points in the overall standings.
 
Honda man Cammish came into the weekend with it all to do – 16 points in arrears to Turkington – and his task seemed even harder when his BMW rival dominated qualifying on Saturday.
 
Andrew Jordan, Josh Cook and Tom Ingram completed the quintet of drivers with a chance of winning the championship coming into the final weekend, but five soon became three after a frenetic opener at the famous Kent circuit.
 
Cammish surged from 12th to first as intensifying rain helped to produce one of the most exciting races of 2019.
 
Pole-sitter Turkington lost the lead off the line to Sutton’s Subaru and the pair began an intriguing battle for the lead in the early stages. Turkington’s BMW 3 Series squeezed back by at Druids a few tours later and the reigning champion was now holding a 28-point advantage in the live standings.
 
All that was to change, however, when Matt Simpson’s Honda went off at Paddock Hill Bend, bringing out the safety car.
 
Rory Butcher grabbed the lead at the restart in his AmD-run Honda, as the rear-wheel drive BMWs and Subarus struggled in greasy conditions.
 
Cammish was scything his way through the order as the handling of the Honda Civic Type R proved to be the standout contender in changeable weather, and he soon disposed of BMW Pirtek Racing’s Jordan. Sutton and Turkington were next to be pushed down the order by Cammish and the moment of truth followed on lap 16.
 
Race leader Butcher held the inside line through Paddock Hill Bend but Cammish hauled his Honda around the outside at one of the most daunting corners in the world. The Yorkshireman emerged in the lead and never looked back. 
 
Matt Neal – having switched to Dunlop BluResponse wet tyres during the earlier safety car period – made a number of moves on the final lap, bringing Tom Chilton’s Motorbase-run Ford Focus through with him. The experienced duo eventually completed the podium, further relegating BMW’s title contenders in the process.
 
Things improved even further for Cammish when he moved to the summit of the overall standings with just one race of the campaign remaining.
 
Cammish led race two from pole position but immediately came under attack from the fast starting BMW of Turkington, after he had blasted through the order from fifth on the grid.
 
Honda’s 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 handed Cammish the championship lead.
 
The wet/dry contest eventually went the way of Sutton as he made impressive moves past both manufacturer-backed Hondas, whilst Jordan kept his title hopes alive in second with Cammish settling for third.
 
The final race of the year belonged to BTCC legend Plato as he grabbed a first victory in nearly two years, a result that has been on the cards for much of the season.
 
Plato was able to get by early leader Stephen Jelley, before the Vauxhall Astra driver pulled away to take a comfortable victory from Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance’s Rory Butcher and Adrian Flux Subaru Racing’s Sutton, but it was all eyes on the battles behind.
 
Turkington – starting the race in 25th and eight points behind then standings leader Cammish – ripped through the order from the outset, making up ten places on the opening lap alone. The #1 BMW was soon inside the top ten, just behind the similarly charging Toyota of Tom Ingram, and the duo had swarmed up behind Cammish’s Honda Civic Type R.
 
Having nipped past Ingram’s Toyota Corolla, Turkington then squeezed by Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Cammish at Druids with four laps to go.
 
Whilst Turkington was now reducing the points deficit, Cammish was still in command of the overall standings lead knowing that eighth position was good enough for a maiden BTCC title.
 
With seemingly no end to the drama, Cammish suffered heartache with just a lap and a half of the campaign remaining, having previously been the only driver to have completed every single racing lap of the season so far.
 
As Cammish sped towards Hawthorn Bend – his brake discs already glowing – the #27 Honda suffered with brake failure and continued straight on and into the barrier at one of the fastest corners on the circuit. 
 
In the blink of an eye, Cammish’s championship dreams were over and Turkington’s despair had turned to ecstasy, the Northern Irishman eventually passing the chequered flag to equal Andy Rouse’s record of winning four British Touring Car Championships.
 
Jordan and Cammish eventually ended up on the same number of points, just two behind champion Turkington. 
 
BMW also claimed overall Manufacturers’ honours, whilst Halfords Yuasa Racing was rewarded with the Teams’ title.
 
Butcher and Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance scooped Independents’ silverware, whilst the Scotsman also won the Jack Sears Trophy.
 
The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return in 2020, again comprising of 30 races across ten race weekends. In a shake-up to the calendar, Donington Park will host the opening event on 28/29 March.
 
Colin Turkington, Drivers’ Champion, said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get close to Andy Rouse’s record [of four titles] – that’s amazing and very special. This has been my hardest championship yet by a long shot – to win it two laps from the end of the season is completely different to the other ones. I was in shock when I crossed the finish line and was told I was champion. It was just pure elation – nothing else in life gives you that feeling. I really do feel for both Andrew and Dan – it’s a bitter pill to swallow. You put in a full year’s work to try to win this, and I honestly thought it had got away from me after race two.”
 
Andrew Jordan, Drivers’ Runner-up, said: “I don’t have many words, to be honest. There really wasn’t anything more I could have done. It’s just the one that got away. I was obviously up against it going into the weekend, but I gave it my absolute all. The weather couldn’t have made things much more difficult for us in race one – under the safety car, it was like a switch in terms of grip – but we fought back in race two. I needed to make progress and I was all guns blazing; I was coming through, as simple as that! We then came so close in race three – we certainly didn’t go down without a fight. We still come away from the season with six race wins, and I’m immensely proud of the job we’ve all done this year.”
 
Dan Cammish, Third overall, said: “You can’t write that sort of finish. I think I would have sealed it in the position I was in, it’s disappointing obviously and it will take a little to sink in that I’ve lost it in that fashion. We’ve done a lot of racing and I’m proud of our achievements, and that performance in race one today was one of my best. It’s a long year, it’s a lot of sacrifice and it’s tough on everyone to come within two points of winning the championship. I’ll come back stronger. I’ve given it my all but it just wasn’t meant to be today.”
 
Rory Butcher, Independent Drivers’ Champion, said: “It has been an unbelievable year and I can’t really put it into words. This is such a competitive series but the team have put such a great package together. We’ve ended up with both Independents’ cups and the Jack Sears Trophy, as well as a top five in the overall standings – we’ve reached all of our targets and the plan is to come back and challenge for overall honours again next season. There have been some ups and downs, and some weekends have been better than others, but this has been the best one yet.”

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 28 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 18 laps
2 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +7.882s
3 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +8.306s
4 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +8.624s
5 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +10.370s
6 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +11.057s
7 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +11.916s
8 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +12.634s
9 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +14.878s
10 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +15.919s

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

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 30 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing 15 laps
2 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +0.958s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.767s
4 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +4.248s
5 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +5.333s
6 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +13.598s
7 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +14.103s
8 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +16.810s
9 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +17.346s
10 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +17.653s

Penalties:

Race 1:

Mike Bushell was officially reprimanded and had his licence endorsed by the addition of two penalty points for an incident involving Chris Smiley

Dan Cammish was penalised by the addition of five seconds to his race time for an incident involving Tom Oliphant

Race 2:

Matt Neal was officially reprimanded and received a five-place grid penalty for an incident involving Colin Turkington. His licence was also endorsed by the addition of three penalty points

Carl Boardley was verbally warned for an incident involving Sam Osborne

Race 3:

Josh Cook was formally reprimanded and had his licence endorsed by the addition of two penalty points for an incident involving Tom Chilton

Team BMW's Colin Turkington was crowned a record-equalling four-time BTCC champion in the most dramatic of circumstances after an unforgettable finale at Brands Hatch.

Round 30 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will live long in the memory as Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing's Jason Plato won the race – his first of the season – whilst the fight for the title incredibly went down to the wire.

"It’s great to win and it’s been a long time coming this year," said Plato. "I’ve made mistakes and had parking issues. We made a couple of changes for this one that worked. I’ve had such a brilliant year and I’ve got my mojo back. I’m back in the bus getting told off so that means I’m getting competitive. We need to develop and the work starts now for 2020. Everyone said I was too old but I knew different. We can see now, in a competitive car, I can still win."

Plato was able to get by early leader Stephen Jelley, before pulling away to take a comfortable victory from Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance's Rory Butcher and Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Ash Sutton, but it was all eyes on the battles behind.

Turkington – starting the race in 25th and eight points behind then standings leader Dan Cammish – ripped through the order from the outset, making up ten places on the opening lap alone. The #1 BMW was soon inside the top ten, just behind the similarly charging Toyota of Tom Ingram, and the duo had swarmed up behind Cammish's Honda Civic Type R.

Having nipped past Ingram's Toyota Corolla, Turkington then squeezed by Halfords Yuasa Racing's Cammish at Druids with four laps to go.

Whilst Turkington was now reducing the points deficit, Cammish was still in command of the overall standings knowing that eighth position was good enough for a maiden BTCC title.

With seemingly no end to the drama, Cammish would face heartache with just a lap and a half of the season remaining, having previously completed every single race lap of the season so far.

As Cammish sped towards Hawthorn Bend – his brake discs already glowing – the #27 Honda suffered with brake failure and continued straight on and into the barrier at one of the fastest corners on the circuit. 

In the blink of an eye, Cammish's championship dreams were over and Turkington's despair had turned to ecstasy, the Northern Irishman eventually passing the chequered flag to equal Andy Rouse's record of winning four British Touring Car Championships.

"That was so hard," said Turkington. "We’ve had such a tough day. That was the race of my life. I got my head down and got stuck in. I couldn’t believe after one lap I was on the pack. I could see Andrew (Jordan) and Dan (Cammish) so I just kept fighting and fighting. I was determined to get past Dan and I knew I could put the pressure on him. I don’t know what happened to him. Thank you to everyone at home and my fans.

"It’s all about that moment when I jumped on my roof there. You can’t get that emotion anywhere else. I just wanted to be number one this year. Records are great but all our hard work was dedicated to that. We just never gave up. I thought we were done when the slick tyres didn’t switch on in race two. I thought even after the spin I could catch them and make up ground but they didn’t. To come from P25 to wherever I finished in this one is much better than a win. Thank you to all the people at home and all my fans in Northern Ireland – it means so much."

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 30 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing 15 laps
2 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +0.958s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.767s
4 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +4.248s
5 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +5.333s
6 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +13.598s
7 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +14.103s
8 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +16.810s
9 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +17.346s
10 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +17.653s
11 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +18.758s
12 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +19.409s
13 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +19.786s
14 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +19.931s
15 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +23.307s
16 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +23.724s
17 Michael CAINE (GBR) Motorbase Performance +24.171s
18 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +24.800s
19 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +31.345s
20 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +32.646s
21 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +32.916s
22 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +34.070
23 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +2 laps
24 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +2 laps
25 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +3 laps
26 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +10 laps
27 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +12 laps
28 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +14 laps
29 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +15 laps
DNS Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport

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

Halfords Yuasa Racing's Dan Cammish claimed the most important victory of his BTCC career so far as the Honda star surged from 12th to first in the opening race at Brands Hatch.

The damp conditions gradually worsened during the contest, as a safety car period and tyre strategy came into play, for what turned out to be one of the most exciting races of 2019.

Pole-sitter Colin Turkington lost the lead off the line to Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Ash Sutton and the pair began an intriguing battle for the lead in the early stages. Team BMW's Turkington squeezed back by at Druids a few tours later and the reigning champion was now holding a 28 point advantage in the live standings.

All that was to change, however, when Matt Simpson's Honda went off at Paddock Hill Bend, bringing out the safety car.

With rain now falling quite heavily, a host of cars came in to change on to the Dunlop BluResponse wet tyres, with Halfords Yuasa Racing's Matt Neal being the first to emerge on grooved rubber.

Rory Butcher grabbed the lead at the restart in his AmD-run Honda, as the rear-wheel drive BMWs and Subarus struggled in greasy conditions.

Cammish was scything his way through the order as the handling of the Honda Civic Type R proved to be the standout contender in changeable weather, and he soon disposed of BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan. Sutton and Turkington were next to be pushed down the order by Cammish and the moment of truth followed on lap 16.

Race leader Butcher held the inside line through Paddock Hill Bend but Cammish blasted his #27 Honda around the outside at one of the most daunting corners in the world. The Yorkshireman emerged in the lead and never looked back. He was further buoyed when  team-mate Neal carved through the pack on wet tyres.

"I couldn’t imagine anything like that," beamed Cammish. "I went to bed last night thinking my chances might be up. The BTCC is crazy. In the blink of an eye, what cost me two weeks ago at Silverstone worked in my favour this time. You put your trust in the team and what a call by them to leave me out there in the wet on slicks. It’s a bit emotional. Any drivers out there know how hard it can be to keep a car in a straight line in those conditions. They’ve given me a car with stability and rear grip when it counts.

"After the safety car, I thought I might have a chance with the rain falling. All my luck is just coming at once as I was sideways early on in a move with Ash (Sutton). Josh (Cook) got a tank-slapper on, too, and just avoided my car. The relief at the end there is huge. I’m overjoyed and a bit emotional. It takes such an effort. After that drive, if it’s not to be, I can’t help but be proud of what I’ve achieved in my second season. Win, lose or draw I’m in a very good place."

Neal made a number of moves on the final lap, bringing Tom Chilton through with him, and the experienced duo eventually completed the podium – further relegating BMW's title contenders in the process.

"I’d liked to have put a couple of quid on that result!" said Neal. "When the rain came down I just thought ‘we’ve got to roll the dice’ and bolt on the wets. To get a one-two is mega. There’s no better person on the grid than Dan (Cammish) to go and find grip where there is none. I wouldn’t have put my money on anybody else in those conditions. We’ve closed the gap on Colin (Turkington), so let’s see."

Butcher and Turkington were fourth and fifth respectively, whilst Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance's Mike Bushell was sixth at his home track.

"They’re the most difficult conditions for us," confirmed Turkington. "We were flying at the start when it was 95 per-cent dry. We had the measure on Ash (Sutton). Then the safety car came out and the rain fell and temperatures follow. I just knew from there we’d be powerless to the front-wheel drive cars.

"It’s still a good P5 finish but not ideal seeing Dan (Cammish) win from where he came from. We expect surprises on finals day but we could have done without the weather!"

Team Parker Racing's Stephen Jelley was seventh, whilst Jordan had to settle for eighth at the finish. The Team HARD-run VW of Jack Goff and Motorbase man Ollie Jackson rounded out the top ten positions.

When the dust settled Turkington's advantage at the top of the order had been reduced to just eight points to Cammish, whilst Jordan is now 22 points off the championship summit. Both Josh Cook and Tom Ingram fell out of title contention, as the former retired before the latter dropped to 23rd with his own separate problem.

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Round 28 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 18 laps
2 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +7.882s
3 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +8.306s
4 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +8.624s
5 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +10.370s
6 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +11.057s
7 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +11.916s
8 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +12.634s
9 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +14.878s
10 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +15.919s
11 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +19.416s
12 Michael CAINE (GBR) Motorbase Performance +25.511s
13 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +26.312s
14 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +27.361s
15 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +29.571s
16 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +31.589s
17 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +33.187s
18 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +33.518s
19 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +36.676s
20 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +45.436s
21 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +45.831s
22 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +52.080s
23 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +1m49.546s
24 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +1 lap
25 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +1 lap
26 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +4 laps
27 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +5 laps
28 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +7 laps
29 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +8 laps
30 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +14 laps

Championship leader takes pole position ahead of BTCC season finale

Team BMW's Colin Turkington crushed his title rivals during qualifying at Brands Hatch for Round 28 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as the standings leader secured a commanding third pole position of the season and the 20th of his illustrious career.

The wet conditions, which intensified throughout the 30 minutes of running, provided high-class entertainment for the fans but the ultimate challenge for the drivers around the legendary Grand Prix circuit. 

Four of the five championship contenders endured off-track moments during the session as the likes of Josh Cook, Tom Ingram and Dan Cammish took to the grass on flying laps, whilst Andrew Jordan's session ended in the gravel after he out-braked himself at the ultra-fast Hawthorn Bend.

Keeping his head as those around him were losing theirs, reigning champ Turkington produced a number of timed laps that eclipsed the rest of the field.

The #1 BMW circled the 2.43-mile track faster and faster during the best of the conditions and Turkington's 1:40.752s lap time would prove to be the untouchable benchmark at the finish.

Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Ash Sutton fell short by 0.316s – a significant margin in the BTCC – whilst BMW Pirtek Racing's Jordan will be relieved to have secured third despite his off. 

Jordan's moment came with just over five minutes remaining as he tried to challenge Turkington's provisional pole lap, but he would eventually cause the second red flag stoppage of the session, losing his fastest lap time as per the rules. The other halt in proceedings happened early on when Matt Simpson's Honda slid off on the exit of Paddock Hill Bend.

Jack Sears Trophy rivals Tom Oliphant (Team BMW) and Rory Butcher (Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance) will line-up together on the grid in fourth and fifth respectively, whilst local man Jake Hill (TradePriceCars.com) and Chris Smiley (BTC Racing) were next in the order.

It will be an all BTC Racing fourth row with Cook lining up alongside his team-mate, as the Bath racer kept his faint championship hopes alive with eighth.

Mike Bushell (Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance) and Aiden Moffat (Laser Tools Racing) completed the top ten positions.

Cammish's title aspirations were dealt a blow as the Halfords Yuasa Racing man could only manage 12th. The Honda star, who has impressively fired himself into contention during recent race weekends, was already languishing outside of the top ten as he set off on his final run. Having made set-up changes to his Honda Civic Type R (FK8) the Yorkshireman pushed too hard through Hawthorn and had to recover from a minor excursion.

Team Toyota GB with Ginsters' Tom Ingram – the fifth and final driver in mathematical contention to win the most coveted prize in British motorsport – will have it all to do from 17th on the grid tomorrow; the multiple race winner is now 62 points off the championship summit with only 66 left to play for during tomorrow's season finale triple header. 

It is Turkington holding the cards as the pole-sitter extended his points advantage with the final pole position of the season. Cammish now sits 17 points behind the standings leader, with Jordan a further point in arrears. Cook will need to overturn a 37-point deficit if he is to win a maiden BTCC title.

Rounds 28, 29 and 30 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will take place at Brands Hatch tomorrow with a large crowd expected in Kent, whilst many many more will watch the action live and exclusively on ITV4 from 10:30-18:30.

Colin Turkington said: "Those little bonus points can really add up. I'm super happy to be on pole and I wasn't expecting it. We've been working away all day but it's been a lottery with the weather. We rolled the dice but I knew from very early on in the session it was fast. It worked in my favour and I'm just happy to have survived that one. I was cautious not to try too hard at the end in tricky conditions as it seemed to get worse out there. If it had been full dry, it would have been more difficult for me with the ballast on. In-between is difficult for rear-wheel drive cars so it being full-wet was a plus. This sets things up for what will be a huge day tomorrow."

Dan Cammish said: "I was really struggling in that one. The car was really strong in FP1 and FP2 in the damp but this was full wet and early on it felt a bit like I was driving on ice at times. I couldn't steer and it wanted to swap on me every time I turned in. If anyone's ever put tea trays under their rear tyres and given it a bit of a blast, that's what it felt like! We cracked the setup late on but got caught in traffic which is frustrating. We should have been a lot higher than that. We weren't realistically beating BMW today. I've got nothing to lose. I'll get my head down and come out fighting tomorrow."

Tom Ingram said: "There’s not too much I want to talk about from that session really and it wasn’t representative of where we were in FP1 and FP2. The added rain affected the track more than we expected and we were a lot further away than we’d hoped. It’s still early days for our Corolla in the wet. We’ll come back fighting tomorrow. I was never realistically looking at us being in contention and it’s been nice to be involved. You want to win it but really we weren’t going to this weekend. We’ll be in a good place tomorrow in any case. It’s been such a positive year for the new car in its first season; being in mathematical contention into the final weekend is way more than we could have expected and we can look back with a lot of pride all-in."

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Brands Hatch GP

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 1m40.752s (86.94mph)
2 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.316s
3 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.768s
4 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +0.874s
5 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +0.885s
6 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +1.161s
7 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +1.332s
8 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +1.399s
9 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +1.405s
10 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.414s
11 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +1.417s
12 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.463s
13 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.488s
14 Michael CAINE (GBR) Motorbase Performance +1.653s
15 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +1.675s
16 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +1.692s
17 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +1.730s
18 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +1.903s
19 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +2.082s
20 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +2.275s
21 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +2.607s
22 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +2.614s
23 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +2.875s
24 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +2.994s
25 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +3.029s
26 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +3.215s
27 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +3.275s
28 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +3.822s
29 Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +4.764s
30 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +6.794s

BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan leapt to the top of the timesheets in yet another wet/dry Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship practice session at Brands Hatch, before a late red flag halted any further improvements up and down the order.

The session started in damp conditions but gradually dried as the 40 minutes of running elapsed, and it was the AmD-run Honda of Rory Butcher to first set a representative time at the head of the field. 

Jordan was soon setting purple sector times around the legendary Grand Prix circuit and his 3 Series immediately jumped up to P1, and the title contender went even quicker on his next tour to set a 1:35.788s lap time.

"It feels different than any other race weekend," said Jordan. "I'm the one following so my approach doesn't change from any other race weekend. You can feel the tension, it feels different but this is what we do it for. I want to try and enjoy that and embrace it this weekend."

Jake Hill's Audi S3 slipped into second just as the red flag was thrown in the final ten minutes, following an off for the Excelr8 Motorsport MG of Sam Osborne.

Whilst the session restarted there was little time for drivers and teams to get their Dunlop tyres back up to temperature, so the leaderboard remained largely unchanged.

Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Ash Sutton and Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport's Adam Morgan were third and fourth respectively when the chequered flag fell, whilst Butcher had to settle for fifth at the finish.

Team Parker Racing's Stephen Jelley backed up his FP1 performance with another top six result in the second session, with BTC Racing's Chris Smiley and Championship leader Colin Turkington next in the order.

Michael Caine was ninth in the Motorbase Performance-run Ford ahead of title contender Josh Cook in his Honda Civic Type R Fk8.

Qualifying for Round 28 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences at 15:05, and will streamed live via www.itv.com/btcc.

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 2 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +1m35.788s
2 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +0.572s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +2.400s
4 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +2.596s
5 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +2.694s
6 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +3.060s
7 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +3.934s
8 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +4.803s
9 Michael CAINE (GBR) Motorbase Performance +4.851s
10 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +4.996s
11 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +5.288s
12 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +5.658s
13 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +5.729s
14 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +5735s
15 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +5.813s
16 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +5.861s
17 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +5.928s
18 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +5.993s
19 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +6.033s
20 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +6.036s
21 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +6.105s
22 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +6.270s
23 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +6.308s
24 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +6.615s
25 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +6.794s
26 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +6.826s
27 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +6.913s
28 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +6.973s
29 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +7.220s
3o Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +8.063s

Team BMW's Colin Turkington topped Free Practice 1 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch as the standings leader stretched his legs amidst changeable conditions.

Light morning drizzle led to a damp surface throughout the session, meaning overall lap times were largely unrepresentative.

A number of contenders failed to show their hand, choosing to keep their powder dry ahead of today's final qualifying session of the season, but the same couldn't be said for reigning champion Turkington.

"We're in the right place after that session," said Turkington. "It was very greasy on the Indy section of the circuit but the car felt good and we completed as much work as we could in the conditions. We tried out slicks and wets, got the tyres scrubbed, and a good feeling for both compounds. You're always learning so it certainly wasn't a wasted session."

In fact, it was the top two in the championship that filled the top two places in this particular session as Halfords Yuasa Racing's Dan Cammish followed Turkington home on the timesheets.

"I think we have a good package," confirmed Cammish. "I was conscious that drivers were out there setting some good times so we needed to get some wet running in. It's important that we get qualifying right later this afternoon as you don't want to make things harder for yourself tomorrow."

2017 champion Ash Sutton was third in the Adrian Flux Subaru Racing Levorg as the young gun looks to end his season on a high.

Aiden Moffat continued his recent upturn in form, firing his Laser Tools Racing Infiniti Q50 up to fourth ahead of Stephen Jelley's Team Parker Racing BMW 1 Series.

The older shaped Honda Civic Type R of Matt Simpson – a serial performer around the legendary Brands Hatch GP circuit – was next in the order, with title contender Andrew Jordan just behind. 

Honda machinery secured the top five places on the grid at the same event last season, so the Japanese marque is likely to be a serious contender later this afternoon.

The session was briefly stopped on two occasions following separate incidents involving the VW of Michael Crees and Jelley's BMW.

Free Practice 2 takes place at 12:05 before Qualifying for Round 28 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences at 15:05, and will streamed live via www.itv.com/btcc.

2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 1 – Brands Hatch GP

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 1m42.122s
2 Dan CAMMISH (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.030s
3 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.217s
4 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +0.248s
5 Stephen JELLEY (GBR) Team Parker Racing +0.301s
6 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Simpson Racing +0.389s
7 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) BMW Pirtek Racing +0.432s
8 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Team Toyota GB with Ginsters +0.505s
9 Tom CHILTON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.513s
10 Senna PROCTOR (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +0.551s
11 Jason PLATO (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +0.559s
12 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.607s
13 Josh COOK (GBR) BTC Racing +0.643s
14 Chris SMILEY (GBR) BTC Racing +0.717s
15 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher +0.922s
16 Mark BLUNDELL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +1.062s
17 Mike BUSHELL (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +1.214s
18 Jake HILL (GBR) TradePriceCars.com +1.281s
19 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing +1.291s
20 Jack GOFF (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +1.332s
21 Tom OLIPHANT (GBR) Team BMW +1.373s
22 Carl BOARDLEY (GBR) RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport +1.385s
23 Rory BUTCHER (GBR) Cobra Sport AmD AutoAid/RCIB Insurance +1.690s
24 Michael CAINE (GBR) Motorbase Performance +1.798s
25 Bobby THOMPSON (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +1.981s
26 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport +2.102s
27 Rob SMITH (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +2.394s
28 Daniel ROWBOTTOM (GBR) Cataclean Racing with Ciceley Motorsport +2.737s
29 Michael CREES (GBR) GKR Scaffolding with Autobrite Direct +2.795s
3o Sam OSBORNE (GBR) Excelr8 Motorsport +3.072s

Today, Goodyear announces a return to UK motorsport and will become the new sole tyre supplier to the British Touring Car Championship from 2020.

The decision comes with a view to enhancing Goodyear’s brand within the motorsport and ultra-ultra-high-performance (UUHP) segments. 2019 witnessed Goodyear’s return to these segments with the launch of its Eagle F1 SuperSport range of road tyres and successful return to European and International sportscar racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Goodyear has chosen the BTCC for the second step of its racing comeback as it provides a strong platform for demonstrating tyre technologies on a wide range of saloon cars as well as providing the right marketing platform to reach high-performance car enthusiasts within the UK.

Motorsport Director at Goodyear, Ben Crawley, explains the move: “The recent launch of Goodyear’s Eagle F1 SuperSport range and relaunch into motorsport shows how the brand is applying itself to a broader range of initiatives within the ultra-high-performance automotive sector.”

The decision to become the sole tyre supplier to BTCC forms part of a broader strategic marketing plan for the company and Ben elaborates: “The BTCC is one of the best-loved, most famous motor racing championships in the world and it will provide a great opportunity for Goodyear to get close to the hearts and minds of motorsport enthusiasts. We are thrilled to be partnered with the championship from 2020.”

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, commented: “Goodyear has a proud and proven history in motorsport, spanning multiple decades and championships. They provide knowledge from a global programme of racing experience making them a strong partner for the championship going forward. It also gives Goodyear the ideal opportunity to further increase their brand awareness via the UK’s largest motorsport championship. We are looking forward to welcoming the brand into the championship from 2020.”