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.”

TOCA has extended its successful partnership with Ginetta for a further three years, with 2019 having marked the 12th consecutive season that Ginetta has been a part of the BTCC support package.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship has been a mainstay since 2008, while the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup joined a year later in its former incarnation, the Ginetta G50 Cup. This year, the two series have had the largest average grid numbers on the support bill across the season.

Since 2016, the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge has also made regular guest appearances. Next season, all three championships will once again entertain the BTCC crowds around the best circuits in the UK including Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Silverstone.

The TOCA package welcomes more than 380,000 fans to its ten race meetings across a season, with the championship’s television coverage on ITV4 reaching a total UK audience of over 19 million in 2018.

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to have extended our partnership with Ginetta for a further three years. Its entertaining and fiercely-fought support championships are a longstanding and valued fixture on the TOCA package.

“The career ladder from the Ginetta Junior Championship into the GT4 SuperCup and beyond is proven and unique in British motorsport, with a host of former Ginetta drivers now competing in the BTCC – it is fantastic to see.”

Lawrence Tomlinson, Ginetta Chairman, added: “Ginetta has been the biggest presence on the BTCC support bill for over a decade now and we are delighted to extend our partnership with TOCA for a further three years.

“With the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship, Protyre Motorsport Ginetta GT5 Challenge and Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 SuperCup all in action across the season, we’re able to showcase to everyone the Ginetta career ladder we offer drivers.

“Competing on the TOCA package offers our drivers unrivalled broadcast and print media coverage, as well as great exposure to thousands of fans at each of the race meetings for themselves, the teams and their sponsors.

“We are looking forward to seeing our championships continue to flourish on the TOCA package in 2020 and produce captivating racing for the trackside crowds and the live ITV4 television audiences.”

Provisional calendars for the 2020 season were released last month and can be viewed here: https://www.ginetta.com/news/provisional-calendars-announced-for-2020-ginetta-season

Series Director Alan Gow looks back at Rounds 25, 26 and 27 at Silverstone and talks Brands Hatch as we approach this weekend's Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season finale.

“The weather throws up all sorts of results," said Gow. "We saw it again at Silverstone and it’s turned the championship around a bit too. So all in all, it was a good day out.

"It’s really lovely to see (Team HARD) get their first-ever win and you could hear them erupt in the garage when Jack (Goff) crossed the line. It’s fantastic and they really deserved it. They’ve been great stalwarts of the championship for so long and put so much effort into it, personal effort. The tears that they cry are genuine. It was lovely to see.

“Like anything in life, you need a bit of lady luck with you, but they made the right strategic call on the tyres. They had a bit of luck that everyone else didn’t come in at the same time, so they got another lap or two ahead of them on the wets. But you can’t take anything away from them, they called it right and ultimately everyone called it wrong apart from them, and Aiden (Moffat).

“It was great to see [Team Toyota GB] get two good results. I know they had the Marketing Director of Toyota with them at Silverstone and the Marketing Director of Ginsters so they had their two biggest supporters with them along with the guys from Hansford, so it was very important for them in front of such an audience to win.

“The teams and drivers, not that they haven’t already, will be throwing everything at Brands Hatch. They’ll leave no stone unturned in the preparation they do both with the cars engineering wise and the drivers themselves both physically and mentally. It’s all to play for and it’s going to be absolutely fascinating.

“The Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit always throws up great racing; it’s a good track that actually suits everything. There’s no front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive bias. It suits a BMW and a Honda and anything you can imagine so its all to play for as far as that’s concerned, no one goes into the last round thinking ‘this is a bogey track for us’ or ‘I wish I had some more points up my sleeve because I’m never that good around here'. Everyone does well around Brands Hatch Grand Prix, it’s that sort of track.

“Whoever wins the title deserves it, whether it be Colin, Andrew, Dan, or anyone else.”

The 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will go down to the wire at Brands Hatch this weekend, with no fewer than five title contenders aiming to win the most coveted prize in British motorsport.

A huge crowd is expected to descend on the famous Kent venue as motor racing’s most gripping and unmissable drama is played out on the legendary Grand Prix circuit.
 
Tens of thousands of fans will enjoy the action trackside, whilst many more will be glued to live and exclusive television coverage on ITV4 throughout race day. 

Brands Hatch: 12/13 October

Qualifying LIVE: Saturday 12 October
ITV.com/BTCC from 1400

Raceday LIVE: Sunday 13 October
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1030-1830
ITV4+1 1130-1930
ITV Hub 1030-1830
ITV.com/BTCC 1030-1830

Highlights: Saturday 19 October
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 1030-1200
ITV4 +1 1130-1300
ITV Hub Available anytime for the next 30 days

Highlights: Sunday 20 October
ITV4 & ITV4 HD 0700-0820
ITV4 +1 0800-0920

Highlights: Wednesday 23 October
ITV & ITV HD 2345-0100

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher returns to its home circuit this coming weekend for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season finale at Brands Hatch (October 12/13). 

Although out of the running for the championship title, the Wrotham-based outfit is eager to sign off the season in fine style as it also reaches the end of its three-year partnership with Shredded Wheat.

With the Motorbase Performance workshop less than five minutes away in nearby Wrotham, Brands Hatch is a firm favourite of the squad. The team has celebrated more wins at its local circuit than at any other track over the years, and always attracts fantastic local support.

Reigate-racer Tom Chilton took his maiden win of the season on the Indy layout in the season opener back in April, and is looking to end a challenging year for the squad on a high note on the iconic GP circuit.

Ollie Jackson is also hopeful of a happy ending to his Motorbase return after a successful season. Also racing at his home circuit, the Surrey-man took his maiden Independent win earlier this year, and is keen for a rostrum return in front of his home crowd.

“We’re looking forward to ending the season on a high at our home track,” commented Team Manager Oly Collins. “We always love coming to Brands Hatch. It’s a fantastic venue to open and close the BTCC.

“We started our campaign at Brands in April with Tom on the top step of the podium. Since then, 2019 hasn’t quite gone to plan as a season-long challenge, despite the pace we’ve shown at times.

“Once again we may see weather commanding the weekend which always makes things a little trickier for the team behind the scenes, but that’s the same for all of us. 

“It will be a shame to run in the Shredded Wheat colours for one last time, but we’ve been proud to represent such a huge brand in the BTCC.”

“I’m really excited to get back to our local track for the team and myself,” said Chilton. “Last year I had fantastic memories from having such an incredible team and teammates behind me to help us clinch 3rd place overall and 2nd in the Independents Championship.

“We went into Brands GP last year with a lot of success ballast and qualified what felt like near the back, but I was next to Turkington and Ingram. The ballast is a killer around the hilly GP circuit more than most. But with the help of my teammates, I carved through the field from the back to 9th. Then went on to take 6th and just missed out on the podium by tenths.

“We always go well at Brands and I’m hoping to end on a high for everybody. We are 3rd in the Indy standings and top 10 in the main championship, but I want better so will never give up.”

“I can’t believe we’re already here at the last round,” said Jackson. “It’s been a challenging season with some big highs and lows. The aim is to end on another high and really go for it this weekend. It’s my favourite track of the season, not to mention my local and I’ve had some great weekends here in the past.

“We’re also trying something very different with the set-up. Hopefully, it will unlock some more pace from the car. We’re expecting to be competitive, but if we get it right, we can steal some last-minute glory.”

Rounds 28, 29 and 30 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take places on the Brands Hatch GP Circuit this weekend. Live coverage of Sunday’s (October 13) events will be shown on ITV4, ITV4HV and via the ITVhub from 1030 – 1815; with itv.com/btcc featuring live timing and streaming from 1400 on Saturday (October 12), including the BTCC qualifying session from 1500.

Championship leader Colin Turkington on complex conditions, unpredictability and optimism; as the winner of the most coveted prize in Britain's premier motor racing series is to be decided this weekend, during the final event of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

"I drank a lot of coffee at Silverstone! We’ve been through every scenario on the track in terms of tyres. Dries on a dry track, wets on a wet track, dries on a wet track, wets on a drying track… The list goes on. We were fast all weekend. It’s been the most challenging weekend of the season to-date and we came out in good shape. I didn’t give up after race one and I fought back and scored good points. I’m pleased with my performance and I feel like I’m leaving in a good place.

"The key is going to Brands with a chance and that’s the position I’m in. You only have to watch one race day to see how unpredictable the BTCC is. You scrap as hard for second as you do for 20^th. It’s positive that I go with some points tucked away and we need to be on the case at Brands. We’ll make sure we enjoy it too. Brands is the last step. The big job is getting there in the right place. I look forward to the challenge.

"It’s a completely different race weekend to any other. The focus on the drivers is huge and there’s a lot at stake. I know how to approach it. You learn year-by-year. The first title is the hardest to get over the line. It doesn’t get any easier but you’ve a greater bank of knowledge to rely on and you bat away the negative thoughts a bit easier."

The championship leader's closest rival, Dan Cammish, talks teamwork, powering through and being a nuisance as we approach the final rounds of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

"The team gave me such a good car for the final race and we were a class above before the safety car came out. The problem then was it got progressively worse. The second they pitted under the safety car they tied my hands. I’d already passed the entrance and I knew after that it was too late for me to pit and I might as well keep going. For a long time it wasn’t massively different but the last few laps the track was flooded. 

"It was a really tough weekend for everyone, I think and it was getting desperate out there for a few people and I’m just going about my business. Those laps in those conditions could have been the ones that make the difference, so you have to give it everything. A few things didn’t go my way like the red flag 100 metres before the line, where I would have gained second. It cost me six points.

"I feel deflated but I’ll pick my head up, drive the wheels off the thing and go for it. It’s not a million miles away, 16 points. If you’d said that in the middle of the season, I wouldn’t have believed you. The team have done great, I’ve been consistent and we’ve put up a fight. The BMW is the fastest thing out there when it’s like for like – they’ve done a fantastic job. They’re still scrabbling around though, trying to get the job done. I’ll keep hanging in there and make myself a nuisance."

The man in third, Andrew Jordan, talks points and spectacle in the run-up to the finale weekend and Rounds 28, 29 and 30 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

"It was a full-on day for the drivers and the guys and girls in the team. To have Colin (Turkington) to extend his lead isn’t ideal but we’re still in touch on a day when it could have ended in tears for any of us so we should be happy with that. We’ll go to Brands Hatch ready to fight, recharged and refreshed.

"If I were stood on the outside, I’d want to see a bit of fire from people and as a spectator, that’s what makes it. You can agree and disagree with views and that’s the way it is. We’re not here to make friends, we’re here to win championships. If emotions boil over or whatever, that’s all part of it. I’ve not really got much to plan. All I’m going to do is go there and drive the car quickly and win some races.

"Brands GP is fantastic and finals day is always very atmospheric with a great crowd and great racing. It’s a fitting place for it. I’d love to win it."

Current fourth place man in the Drivers' Championship, Josh Cook, looks back on Silverstone and ahead to the Brands Hatch finale this weekend.

"Saturday at Silverstone went better than usual. Race one went well and we got decent points. Race two, we needed more. I was pushed off by somebody else and got back up to fifth and clawed it back. The gap’s 36 points, which is frustrating but leaves me with a bit of an outside chance.

"I’ll be getting my elbows out like everybody else has this weekend. My eyes are solely on the Drivers’ standings at the minute. I know the team are keeping their eyes on the Independent Teams’ and Independent Drivers’ championships but I think we’re doing okay overall. It’s a shame Chris (Smiley) didn’t finish race three because he was doing a mega job for the team as well.

"We’ve seen what happened at Silverstone with Tom Ingram getting two wins. I’m not just a mathematical option at the minute. I’m still in with a good shout. We’d have to have a stonking weekend and rely on others having a bit of bad luck but we’ve got two cars in this team that went well around Brands last year, so we’ve got to make the most of it.

"We’ve learned a lot but ultimately Brands is a new weekend and a fresh start again. It’s going to be one hell of a showdown."