Team VERTU was able to celebrate a fifth win of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season after a strong weekend on the annual visit to Knockhill.

Both Adam Morgan and Tom Chilton failed to make it through to Part Two of Qualifying from their respective groups to qualify in 13th and 16th, but both Tom Ingram and Senna Proctor made it into the Quick Six and would ultimately qualify in fourth and fifth for the opening race of the weekend.

With three fast-starting BMWs ahead on the grid, Ingram settled into fourth at the start before allowing Proctor ahead to see if he could make any progress on the softer tyre, with Ingram having elected to run the medium compound rubber.

The pair overhauled Daryl DeLeon after he ran off track and collected grass in his radiator to sit third and fourth, with Proctor backing off on the run to the line to allow Ingram through to score a podium finish and extend his championship lead.

Morgan looked set to take a top ten finish before being overhauled on the final lap of the race, whilst Chilton struggled to gain ground and was classified in 17th before being excluded from the results for an over boost infringement.

Running the soft tyre for race two, Ingram wasted little time in getting ahead of Charles Rainford and Jake Hill to hit the front and was in a class of his own from that point on as he scored a dominant race win.

Proctor impressed on the medium tyre to run as high as third before he ultimately took the flag in fourth for a second successive race, with Chilton producing one of the drives of the weekend as he scythed his way through the field from the back to take eighth, just missing out on the reverse grid pole.

En-route, he was able to get ahead of Morgan who would spend the whole race embroiled in frenetic battles in the midfield before taking the flag in tenth.

The weekend finale saw Ingram and Chilton involved in a titanic battle with Ash Sutton and Dan Rowbottom that ended with the pair taking the flag in fourth and fifth, with the latter of the Team VERTU drivers at one stage nudging the former down the start-finish straight as they looked to keep Rowbottom at bay and challenge Sutton ahead.

Proctor had looked good for a top ten on the medium tyre but picked up a ten second time penalty for exceeding track limits that demoted him back down to 13th, with Morgan amongst those to benefit as he rounded out the weekend with seventh.

Ingram now leads the standings by 17 points, with Morgan in sixth and Chilton in seventh. Despite missing the first three meetings, Proctor now sits ninth ahead of the next event at Donington Park.

Tom Chilton, #3 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “Race two and race three were brilliant, so I think I just need to try and forget what happened on Saturday and then in race one! Being 22nd on the grid was a long way back at the start of race two but I got away well from the line and the car was fantastic. It felt absolutely perfect and sometimes that just happens in a race where everything just goes to plan.

“Had we got the reverse grid draw, we could definitely have won race three as we had loads of pace but I was caught up behind Tom, who in turn was caught up behind Ash and I wasn’t going to attack him when there is the championship to think about.

“I ended up in a big battle with Rowbottom and he was aggressive with me, and I was aggressive with him - it was a proper touring car fight. It’s still very close in the points and I’m feeling positive for the final three events.”

Senna Proctor, #18 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “We’ve had two strong results and although it was slightly unfortunate in race three, overall it’s been another good weekend - and I can’t complain with two fourths, and we were seventh on the road on the medium tyre before the penalty. I just pushed a bit too hard on the tyres, but it’s one of those things and we leave here with a decent haul of points and up into the top ten in the standings.

“We've driven round in the top five all weekend and that’s probably where we have been for 90% of the racing laps today. We just need to execute a few things a little bit better than we have done here and I think the trophies will be stacking up over the rest of the season.”

Adam Morgan, #33 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “I think it all comes back to qualifying where I didn’t put the laps together to get into Part Two as it meant I spent all weekend sitting in the midfield pack in a car that was getting hotter and hotter, with tyres that were getting worse and worse.

“I said to my engineer that the car felt mint at the start of the races but being in traffic all the time meant that we were struggling towards the end with understeer and a lack of traction. It means it’s been a bit of an average weekend and although we scored points in every race, we weren’t where we hoped to be.”

Tom Ingram, #80 Team VERTU Hyundai i30 Fastback N, said: “This was one of those weekends where I think we were fairly concerned that we might have struggled after qualifying and got caught up in some dramas but it’s ended up being a solid, pointsy day where we have extended our lead in the standings.

“We were vulnerable in qualifying and race one with the lack of boost but we had a strong car and we nailed our strategy in terms of the tyres. The fact we had two tyres we could really race on this weekend rather than having one race on the hard tyre where we just had to drive around made a big difference and we called it right.

“It allowed us to get the win in race two and then come close to the podium again in the final race and minimised the loss to Ash which puts us in a stronger position going into the next round at Donington Park.”

Justina Williams, Team VERTU Team Owner, said: "We’re pleased with another strong weekend on track and to have extended our lead in the standings is a job well done. The fact that all four drivers are now inside the top ten is a credit to how well the team is performing and we’re certainly in a fantastic position as we head into the final three events as a result.”

Mikey Doble was left beaming with pride at Knockhill this past weekend (16/17 August) as Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing completed a remarkable turnaround in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

One week prior to the series’ annual trip to Scotland, it had looked as though neither Doble nor the team would be in attendance after a devastating fire destroyed the Power Maxed Racing facility, including both of its Vauxhall Astras.

Not to be defeated, the Worcestershire squad rallied in sensational fashion and with the help of the wider motorsport community, they headed north of the border with two Cupra cars - where Doble repaid everyone’s hard work by tallying a trio of race finishes.

The 26-year-old kicked off the weekend, spending much of Friday getting comfortable in his new surroundings before he and team-mate Nick Halstead, permitted by TOCA, were then allowed to complete a handful of shakedown laps later that afternoon.

Come Saturday morning, Doble joined the rest of the BTCC field for two pivotal practice sessions, where the Jack Sears Trophy holder further fine-tuned his front-wheel-drive machine. In qualifying, the Surrey-based racer managed to secure a starting spot in the midfield for race one.

Greeted with scorching temperatures and a bumper trackside crowd on Sunday, Doble had to dig deep on race day as he valiantly got to grips with the Cupra - finishing just outside the points in races one and two.

Throwing even more changes at the car for the weekend’s third and final contest, the Snetterton race winner showcased his overtaking prowess as he battled his way forward - and he was ultimately rewarded with a points finish.

Leaving Knockhill, Doble remains firmly in the hunt for the coveted BTCC Independent Drivers’ Championship with just nine races now left to run.

Mikey Doble said: “I think it’s fair to say it’s not just been a rollercoaster weekend, but a rollercoaster week. Just over seven days ago it was unclear whether we’d race again this season so to have now completed all three races at Knockhill is quite an achievement.

“I’ve got to say a massive thank you to every single member of the Power Maxed Racing team because what has been achieved over these last few days is nothing short of incredible. They moved heaven and earth to be here and put in some long hours to ensure we were competitive.

“Obviously being in Scotland was a win in itself but I would be lying if I didn’t say I hoped to come away with a little more from the weekend. That being said there were no real expectations as this was the first-ever time driving the Cupra.

“Every session was a step into the unknown but we learnt a huge amount about the car. We’ve got a long way to go but we’ve got an idea of what direction we want to take the Cupra heading into the next round - so hopefully we will see more progress at Donington Park.”

Next up for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is a return to Donington Park - albeit this time on the Grand Prix layout - for Rounds 22, 23 & 24 of the 2025 season on August 30-31.

Reigning BTCC champ leaves Scotland as ‘King of the Hill’

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Jake Hill claimed a brilliant double triumph, whilst Team VERTU’s Tom Ingram took the other win, as Rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship took place in glorious conditions at Knockhill today (17 August).

The WSR BMW stable has endured a mixed campaign thus far, with a treble win at Brands Hatch earlier in the season being a standout high. Signs of improvement were shown at Croft last time out, before the Bavarian marque blasted its way to the front in some style at the Fife circuit.

Often a layout suited to rear-wheel drive machinery, the multiple champion squad claimed a 1-2-3 during qualifying before Hill’s double success on race day.

The title race also continued to take shape around 1.27-mile circuit as Ingram’s win helped extend his advantage over four-time champion Ash Sutton to 17 points, with NAPA Racing UK team-mate Dan Cammish moving up to third in the current standings.

Alliance Racing/Ford and its NAPA Racing UK outfit hold a slender lead in both the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ and Teams' orders, whilst Chris Smiley and Restart Racing continue to top the Independents’ tables.

A titanic tussle for the Jack Sears Trophy is brewing between WSR’s two young drivers, with Daryl DeLeon just one point ahead of stablemate Charles Rainford.

There was another incredible story that dominated race week of course as Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing took to the track following the devastating fire that destroyed its facility just one week ago.

The team – with support from the magnificent motorsport community – readied two new Cupras in time for the event, allowing drivers Mikey Doble and Nick Halstead to compete and fight for points.

Off-track it was the first show debut for ITV Sport’s Nicki Shields, as the experienced presenter takes up the lead role of ITV’s BTCC coverage following Steve Rider’s recent retirement.

The BTCC returns at Donington Park in two weeks' time (30/31 August).

Hill triumphs on BTCC return

Reigning champion Hill took his second victory of the season, claiming the opening bout on his return at Knockhill after missing the Croft meeting through illness.

Pole-sitter Rainford got proceedings underway with the WSR BMW stable holding a 1-2-3 in the early running, following their collective brilliance during qualifying.

Line astern initially, young gun DeLeon couldn't resist the temptation to attack for the lead as he threw the #2 machine down the inside of Rainford's sister car at turn one. In truth, the move didn't look on as DeLeon's car overshot and onto the grass, but interestingly returned to the Tarmac in the lead of the race.

With grass filling his radiator and with the legality of the move under question, DeLeon let both Rainford and Hill through.

Hill then ensured that all three of the front-running BMW drivers had led the race as he relinquished Rainford of P1. Unsurprisingly, the hugely experienced and talented champion made the most of the opportunity as he moved on to take a comfortable victory.

LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR's Rainford and current points leader Ingram completed the podium positions, as the latter was let through on the final lap by Team VERTU Hyundai team-mate Senna Proctor, who had held third for much of the contest.

Ingram in control at Knockhill 

Championship leader Ingram extended his advantage over nearest rival Sutton by securing a fourth victory of 2025 in race two at Knockhill.

Team VERTU star Ingram made relatively light work of the front row starting BMWs as pole-sitter Hill and Rainford slipped back on the Goodyear medium tyre compound.

Hill held on admirably in the initial exchanges, while Rainford struggled before dropping well outside the top ten, but it was the Hyundai of Ingram streaking clear up ahead.

The NAPA Racing duo of Cammish and Sutton eventually made their way through to second and third, with the former letting the latter by in the closing seconds as the #116 Ford Focus driver looks to maintain his title battle with Ingram.

The Hyundai of Team VERTU's Proctor took his second fourth place finish of the day, ahead of Hill and WSR BMW stablemate DeLeon.

Double ascent for Hill in Scotland

Hill took his second triumph of the day and his third of the BTCC campaign after a commanding display in the Knockhill finale.

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Hill regarded the win as one of his most comfortable, confirming that his BMW 'felt fantastic' as he romped to victory by more than seven seconds.

Title protagonists –Sutton and Ingram – were nose-to-tail for much of the race and there were several nervy moments early on.

It was NAPA Racing UK's Cammish that held second for much of the contest before he let Sutton by for the second time today – as the Ford Focus duo completed the podium places – but those positions were later reversed as Sutton passed his team-mate under yellow flag conditions.

Team VERTU took three of the next four positions in the shape of Ingram, Tom Chilton and Adam Morgan, with the NAPA Racing UK Ford of Dan Rowbottom among the Hyundais in sixth.

The LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR BMW pairing of Rainford and Aiden Moffat were eighth and ninth respectively, whilst there was some respite for local hero Gordon Shedden as the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA driver rounded out the top ten.

The huge Scottish support were treated to that home hero scrap for ninth as Moffat and Shedden finished the race side-by-side, with the BMW grabbing the place by an incredible 0.010s.

Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said: “I pulled the pin, and we were off. The car was fantastic, one of the best I’ve ever driven and definitely the best this year. A real joy to drive, I loved it, and I want that feeling more now. It’s been a tough few weeks, watching Croft from the sidelines, but now we’ve just got to try and focus on trying to win as many pots as possible between now and the end of the season. I’ve managed to keep my record of winning here each year and thanks to the fans here in Scotland for such a fantastic weekend.”

Tom Ingram, Team VERTU, said: “It was a fantastic weekend. As a team, we pulled a bit of a tactical masterstroke in race one. I don’t think we really expected to be able to get a podium on the medium tyre, so huge thanks to Senna [Proctor] – he really put the word ‘mate’ in ‘team-mate’ – and then race two was absolutely perfect. What a car Team VERTU gave me yet again – it really is on another level this year. Race three was a case of managing risk versus reward, particularly in the battle with Ash [Sutton]; we had a bit of a ding-dong, but at a certain point, I made the call to just focus on bringing it home.”

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Knockhill

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 27 Laps
2. Charles Rainford, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR +1.417s
3. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU +3.722s
4. Senna Proctor, Team VERTU +3.883s
5. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +4.474s
6. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR +5.904s
7. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +6.550s
8. Daryl DeLeon, WSR +6.980s
9. Árón Taylor-Smith, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA +8.389s
10. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +8.994s

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Knockhill

1. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU 24 Laps
2. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +7.196s
3. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +7.974s
4. Senna Proctor, Team VERTU +12.833s
5. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +13.486s
6. Daryl DeLeon, WSR +14.254s
7. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR +16.257s
8. Tom Chilton, Team VERTU +16.770s
9. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +17.669s
10. Adam Morgan, Team VERTU +20.157s

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Knockhill

1. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 24 Laps
2. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +5.096s
3. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK
4. Tom Ingram, Team VERTU +6.277s
5. Tom Chilton, Team VERTU +10.000s
6. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +10.628s
7. Adam Morgan, Team VERTU +14.966s
8. Charles Rainford, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR +16.154s
9. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR +18.208s
10. Gordon Shedden, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA +24.672s

Penalties:

General

Árón Taylor-Smith was deducted five points from the Drivers' Championship having changed an engine above the number permitted.

Race One

Tom Chilton was disqualified from Round 19 of the championship, for exceeding the permitted overboost.

Árón Taylor-Smith received a verbal warning in Round 19 of the championship, for more than one change of direction to defend, failing to leave space to the edge of the track in an incident involving Sam Osborne.

Race Three

Ashley Sutton was penalised by means of a one place penalty and received three penalty points on his license in Round 21 of the championship, for overtaking or not slowing down under light/flag signals in an incident involving Dan Cammish.

Reigning champion Jake Hill took his second triumph of the day and his third of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season after a commanding display in the Knockhill finale.

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Hill regarded the win as one of his most comfortable, confirming that the car 'felt fantastic' as he romped to the triumph by more than seven seconds.

Title protagonists – Ash Sutton and Tom Ingram – were nose-to-tail for much of the race and there were several nervy moments early on.

It was NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish that held second for much of the contest before he let Sutton by for the second time today – as the Ford Focus duo completed the podium places – but those positions were later reversed as Sutton passed his team-mate under yellow flag conditions.

Team VERTU took three of the next four positions in the shape of Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton and Adam Morgan, with NAPA Racing UK's Dan Rowbottom among the Hyundais in sixth.

The LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR pairing of Charles Rainford and Aiden Moffat were eighth and ninth respectively, whilst there was some respite for local hero Gordon Shedden as the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA driver rounded out the top ten.

The Scottish fanbase were treated to that home hero scrap for ninth as Moffat and Shedden finished the race side-by-side, with the BMW grabbing the place by an incredible 0.010s.

As the sun set on a glorious weekend at the beautiful Fife circuit, it's Ingram leading Sutton in the Drivers' standings by 17 points with Cammish holding third.

The BTCC returns at Donington Park in two weeks' time (30/31 August).

Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said:

Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Knockhill – Race 3 – Classification:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	1	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	24	21:00.395		51.604	8
2	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	24	21:05.491	5.096	51.340	5
3	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	24	21:05.112		51.589	5
4	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	24	21:06.672	6.277	51.584	5
5	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	24	21:10.395	10.000	51.726	5
6	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	NAPA Racing UK	24	21:11.023	10.628	52.078	5
7	33	Adam MORGAN	Team VERTU	24	21:15.361	14.966	51.992	6
8	99	Charles RAINFORD	LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR	24	21:16.540	16.145	51.798	6
9	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR	24	21:18.603	18.208	51.699	5
10	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	24	21:18.613	18.218	52.060	6
11	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	24	21:18.951	18.556	51.911	4
12	123	Daniel LLOYD	Restart Racing	24	21:19.229	18.834	51.786	5
13	18	Senna PROCTOR	Team VERTU	24	21:25.070	24.675	51.704	5
14	17	Dexter PATTERSON	ROKiT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport	24	21:28.512	28.117	52.393	4
15	88	Mikey DOBLE	Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing	24	21:29.068	28.673	52.477	5
16	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	24	21:29.512	29.117	52.307	6
17	132	James DORLIN	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	24	21:30.457	30.062	52.145	5
18	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Powder Monkey Brewing Co with Esidock	24	21:31.091	30.696	52.738	5
19	50	Nick HALSTEAD	Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing	24	21:46.459	46.064	53.013	5
DNF	2	Daryl DELEON	WSR	22	19:33.470	2 Laps	51.742	5
DNF	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	11	9:52.541	13 Laps	52.057	8
DNF	19	Max BUXTON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	1	1:53.816	23 Laps		0

Championship leader Tom Ingram extended his advantage over nearest rival Ash Sutton by securing a fourth victory in the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill.

Team VERTU star Ingram made relatively light work of the front row starting BMWs as pole-sitter Jake Hill and Charles Rainford slipped back on the Goodyear medium tyre compound.

Hill held on admirably in the initial exchanges, while Rainford struggled before dropping well outside the top ten, but it was Ingram streaking clear up ahead.

The NAPA Racing duo of Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton eventually made their way through to second and third, with the former letting the latter by in the closing seconds as the #116 Ford Focus driver looks to maintain his title battle with Ingram.

Team VERTU's Senna Proctor took his second fourth place finish of the day, ahead of Hill and WSR stablemate Daryl DeLeon.

Anglo-Philippine DeLeon was further rewarded with pole position in the reverse grid race due to start at 17:25 LIVE on ITV4.

LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR's Aiden Moffat was seventh after he eventually had to give way to the sister car of DeLeon, whilst Team VERTU's Tom Chilton drove a brilliant race to eighth.

The experienced Chilton flew through the field from the back of the pack as he sliced his way up to eighth, ahead of Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) and Adam Morgan (Team VERTU).

Ingram now leads the Drivers' standings by 19 points, ahead of Sutton, whilst Cammish leads Rowbottom by six points in the fight for third.

Tom Ingram, Team VERTU, said:

Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, said:

Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, said:

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Knockhill – Race 2 – Classification:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	24	20:59.339		51.251	7
2	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	24	21:06.535	7.196	51.665	5
3	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	24	21:07.313	7.974	51.828	7
4	18	Senna PROCTOR	Team VERTU	24	21:12.172	12.833	51.553	3
5	1	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	24	21:12.825	13.486	51.795	6
6	2	Daryl DELEON	WSR	24	21:13.593	14.254	51.979	9
7	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR	24	21:15.596	16.257	51.874	4
8	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	24	21:16.109	16.770	52.123	9
9	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	NAPA Racing UK	24	21:17.008	17.669	51.917	4
10	33	Adam MORGAN	Team VERTU	24	21:19.496	20.157	52.182	4
11	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	24	21:20.098	20.759	52.163	4
12	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	24	21:20.586	21.247	52.090	5
13	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	24	21:20.870	21.531	52.173	6
14	132	James DORLIN	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	24	21:21.699	22.360	52.201	6
15	123	Daniel LLOYD	Restart Racing	24	21:24.870	25.531	52.407	4
16	99	Charles RAINFORD	LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR	24	21:25.750	26.411	52.357	2
17	17	Dexter PATTERSON	ROKiT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport	24	21:26.132	26.793	52.580	6
18	88	Mikey DOBLE	Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing	24	21:27.497	28.158	52.565	4
19	19	Max BUXTON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	24	21:35.080	35.741	53.093	4
20	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Powder Monkey Brewing Co with Esidock	24	21:36.961	37.622	53.059	4
21	50	Nick HALSTEAD	Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing	24	21:45.683	46.344	53.112	5
22	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	24	21:48.904	49.565	52.245	6

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Jake Hill took his second victory of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season, claiming the opening bout on his return at Knockhill after missing the Croft meeting through illness.

Pole-sitter Charles Rainford got proceedings underway with the WSR BMW stable holding a 1-2-3 in the early running, following the Bavarian marque's brilliant performance during qualifying.

Line astern initially, young gun Daryl DeLeon couldn't resist the temptation to attack for the lead as he threw #2 machine down the inside of Rainford's sister car at turn one. In truth, the move didn't look on as DeLeon's car overshot and onto the grass, but interestingly returned to the Tarmac in the lead of the race.

With grass filling his radiator and with the legality of the move under question, DeLeon let both Rainford and Hill through.

Reigning champion Hill then ensured that all three of the front-running BMW drivers had led the race as he relinquished Rainford of P1. Unsurprisingly, the hugely experienced and talented champion made the most of the opportunity as he romped on to take his second victory of the campaign.

There was one moment of concern late on following contact between Hill and back marker Nick Halstead in the Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing Cupra, but the #1 BMW dealt with the safety car period and subsequent restart with consummate ease.

LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR's Rainford and current points leader Tom Ingram completed the podium positions, as the latter was let through on the final lap by Team VERTU team-mate Senna Proctor, who had held third for much of the contest.

Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK), Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR), Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) and the fading DeLeon were next in the order, before a breathtaking battle for places at the lower end of the top ten.

Árón Taylor-Smith produced a defensive masterclass as he seemed to have either a Ford Focus or Hyundai i30N connected to his rear bumper throughout the race, but the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA man hung on for ninth, ahead of NAPA Racing UK's feisty Sam Osborne.

Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, said:

Charles Rainford, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR, said:

Tom Ingram, Team VERTU, said:

2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Knockhill – Race 1 – Classification:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	1	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	27	24:59.957		51.572	5
2	99	Charles RAINFORD	LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR	27	25:01.374	1.417	51.119	4
3	80	Tom INGRAM	Team VERTU	27	25:03.679	3.722	51.879	5
4	18	Senna PROCTOR	Team VERTU	27	25:03.840	3.883	51.402	3
5	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	27	25:04.431	4.474	52.067	5
6	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR	27	25:05.861	5.904	52.115	5
7	116	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	27	25:06.507	6.550	52.436	5
8	2	Daryl DELEON	WSR	27	25:06.937	6.980	51.337	2
9	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	27	25:08.346	8.389	52.439	4
10	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	27	25:08.951	8.994	51.541	8
11	33	Adam MORGAN	Team VERTU	27	25:09.098	9.141	52.186	4
12	22	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	27	25:09.510	9.553	52.214	3
13	17	Dexter PATTERSON	ROKiT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport	27	25:10.452	10.495	52.161	5
14	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	NAPA Racing UK	27	25:11.299	11.342	52.212	4
15	52	Gordon SHEDDEN	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	27	25:11.494	11.537	52.373	3
16	123	Daniel LLOYD	Restart Racing	27	25:11.996	12.039	52.612	9
17	88	Mikey DOBLE	Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing	27	25:13.163	13.206	52.825	7
18	132	James DORLIN	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	27	25:13.423	13.466	52.550	12
19	19	Max BUXTON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA	27	25:13.870	13.913	53.237	9
DNF	28	Nicolas HAMILTON	Powder Monkey Brewing Co with Esidock	25	24:01.729	2 Laps	53.363	4
DNF	50	Nick HALSTEAD	Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing	18	16:31.303	9 Laps	53.316	5
DQ	3	Tom CHILTON	Team VERTU	0	0.000			0