AIDEN MOFFAT ALSO WINS A THRILLER DURING BTCC SEASON OPENER

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS’ Tom Ingram enjoyed a stellar opening 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship weekend, as the former champion claimed a double triumph at Donington Park (27/28 April).

The race of the day, however, came in the final encounter as LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's Aiden Moffat held off a quartet of last year’s title contenders to take one of the best victories of his career so far.

Persistent rain delayed race day by more than two hours as the BTCC’s loyal fanbase braved the great British weather at the Leicestershire circuit.

When the action eventually got underway it was little surprise to see the likes of Ingram, Ash Sutton, Jake Hill and Colin Turkington fighting for the podium positions, with 2023’s top four already occupying the same championship positions after the opening event of the new campaign.

BMW hold an early lead in the Constructors’/Manufacturers’ standings, whilst NAPA Racing UK is the top team after Donington Park.

Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing enjoyed a great weekend as the top independent outfit, whilst drivers Aron Taylor-Smith and Mikey Doble lead the Independent Drivers’ and Jack Sears Trophy respectively.

The BTCC returns for the second event of the season at Brands Hatch on 11/12 May.

Tom Ingram wins season opener

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS’ Ingram claimed a lights-to-flag victory, from NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill.

Ingram held the lead from the start as he defended well from the fast-starting BMWs of Hill and Turkington, the latter though was eventually shuffled down to fourth on the opening lap by the recovering Sutton.

The first lap ended under caution following a high speed off for Sam Osborne’s NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus, although he looked to have received a touch from behind as the cars wriggled through the Craner Curves for the first time.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's Josh Cook nipped past the sister car of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s Andrew Watson for sixth at the restart, whilst Team BMW’s Adam Morgan was busy making amazing inroads from the back of the grid.

When the rain eventually settled and the chequered flag waved it was Ingram winning from Sutton, with the latter having nipped by Hill’s #24 BMW late on.

Team BMW’s Colin Turkington was fourth, ahead of a great drive from Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS’ young talent Ronan Pearson.

Ingram at the double

Former champ Ingram then scored his second successive win as his dream weekend continued.

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill surged into the lead on the run down to Redgate for first time, as the BMW got another fast start. Pole-sitter Ingram thought about defending but backed out as the duo edged through the opening turns.

A sluggish start for Team BMW’s Turkington was further compounded by a late braking lock-up, which allowed the Toyota of Cook to nip through into fourth on the first lap. 

Ingram would be embroiled in a tussle with NAPA Racing UK's Sutton for second soon after, fending off his old adversary despite both cars going side-by-side.

It was all eyes on the leading trio in the latter stages of the race and another gaggle of three cars fighting for fourth, fifth and sixth.

The moment of truth came on lap 14 as Ingram scythed his Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS Hyundai down the inside of Hill’s #24 BMW and Sutton also eyed his opportunity by moving into second.

A stunned Hill fought back on the next lap, nipping through into second briefly before again being relegated to third at the end of the start/finish straight.

The lead three places remained unchanged until the finish, as did the next three places with LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's Cook holding off the recovering Turkington and a charging Dan Cammish in his #27 NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus.

Victory for Aiden Moffat in final thriller

Aiden Moffat produced a brilliant performance to take victory in the final BTCC race at Donington, as he held off a trio of champions in the closing stages of a fantastic and frenetic race.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's Moffat won his first BTCC race at the same venue back in 2017 but was made to work extremely hard for this one, as he initially fought with Toyota stablemate Rob Huff and Team BMW's Morgan.

Morgan blasted his BMW into the lead off the line, but then relinquished his advantage to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK's Huff when running wide following a brief safety car period.

Moffat began reeling in the sister car of Huff and made an eye-catching move by mid-distance, with the latter getting shuffled down the pack.

Team BMW's Turkington was the first to haul his car towards Moffat’s and he was eventually joined by NAPA Racing UK's Sutton, after he had muscled his way by Hill’s BMW.

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS' Ingram – double race winner earlier in the day – also edged past Hill, and last year's quartet of title challengers were now all over the back of Moffat for the final few laps.

Moffat would not be denied, however, as he defended brilliantly in what may arguably be the finest display of his BTCC career so far.

Turkington and Sutton completed the podium ahead of Ingram and Hill, with the fading Huff closing out the top six.

Tom Ingram (Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS) said: “What an absolutely perfect weekend for Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS, we couldn't have asked for anything more from qualifying, to race one, to race two, it's been fantastic. It's so hard to know when to keep your powder dry as to when to use your hybrid. We were discussing before the various race scenarios and options and permutations for when you would or wouldn't. Sometimes it's got to be a spur of the moment, and that felt like the opportune moment to use my only shot.

“I know where Ash (Sutton) is going to place his car as we've been racing each other for a number of years now. He can see what I'm about to do probably two laps before as I can probably predict what Ash is going to do. The Hybrid is obviously making a big difference with the battle with Jake (Hill) and the battle with Ash and I am sure with the battles further down the field as well.”

Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetic) said: “The car has felt great all weekend. We started at the back of the grid for the first race but that wasn’t the pace of our car. The aim was the podium and I had to be aggressive early on. I was trying to be clever with hybrid – I knew we were weaker in the second half of the lap so I was trying to deploy there when I could.

“Everyone at Speedworks has done such a great job, it has been a really hard few weeks, lots of long hours ahead of the season. After two top tens finishes earlier today, it would have been great just to fight for a podium, never mind standing on the top step.

“It has been a few hard seasons for me, and it's important this year for me to show my pace and win again, so to do that at the first weekend means so much.”

2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Donington Park

1. Tom Ingram, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS 21 Laps
2. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +2.485s
3. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +4.239s
4. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +8.148s
5. Ronan Pearson, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS +9.153s
6. Josh Cook, LKQ Euro Parts with SYNETIQ +11.511s
7. Árón Taylor-Smith, Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing +13.249s
8. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +14.382s
9. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Parts with SYNETIQ +19.036s
10. Andrew Watson, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +19.488s

2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Donington Park

1. Tom Ingram, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS 18 Laps
2. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +0.917s
3. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +1.845s
4. Josh Cook, LKQ Euro Parts with SYNETIQ +5.725s 
5. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +6.775s
6. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +8.378s
7. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +9.004s 
8. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Parts with SYNETIQ +11.653s
9. Rob Huff, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +12.697s
10. Dan Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +13.294s

2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Donington Park

1. Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Parts with SYNETIQ 20 Laps
2. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +0.520s
3. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +1.625s 
4. Tom Ingram, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS +1.981s
5. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +2.284s
6. Rob Huff, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +4.041s
7. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +6.158s 
8. Dan Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +6.304s
9. Josh Cook, LKQ Euro Parts with SYNETIQ +9.322s
10. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK +9.819s

Penalties: 

Race One

Dan Rowbottom was officially reprimanded and received two penalty points during Round 1 of the Championship, for an incident with Mikey Doble and Rob Huff.

Adam Morgan received a 10-second time penalty during Round 1 of the Championship, for jumping the start.

Race Three

Dan Rowbottom was verbally warned during Round 3 of the Championship, for an incident with Andrew Watson.

Aiden Moffat produced a brilliant performance to take victory in the final Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park, as he held off a trio of champions in the closing stages of a fantastic and frenetic race.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's Moffat won his first BTCC race at the same venue back in 2017, but was made to work extremely hard for this one, as he initially fought with Toyota stablemate Rob Huff and Team BMW's Adam Morgan.

Morgan blasted his BMW into the lead off the line, but then relinquished his advantage to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK's Huff when running wide following a brief safety car period.

Moffat began reeling in the sister car of Huff and made a stellar move by mid-distance, with the latter getting shuffled down the pack by the now perennial title contenders.

Team BMW's Colin Turkington was the first to haul himself towards Moffat and he was eventually joined by NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton, after he had muscled his way by the likes of Jake Hill in the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW.

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS' Tom Ingram – double race winner earlier in the day – also edged his way by Hill, and last year's quartet of challengers were now all over the back of Moffat for the final few laps.

Moffat would not be denied, however, as he defended brilliantly in what may arguably be the finest display of his BTCC career so far.

Turkington and Sutton completed the podium ahead of Ingram and Hill, with the fading Huff completing the top six.

Morgan had to settle for seventh ahead of a resurgent Dan Rowbotton in the #27 NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus, a car that had been through the wars throughout the day.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's Josh Cook and NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish, the latter having fallen down the order early in the encounter.

Aiden Moffat said: “The car has felt great all weekend. We started at the back of the grid for the first race but that wasn’t the pace of our car. The aim was the podium and I had to be aggressive early on. I was trying to be clever with hybrid – I knew we were weaker in the second half of the lap so I was trying to deploy there when I could.

“Everyone at Speedworks has done such a great job, it has been a really hard few weeks, lots of long hours ahead of the season. After two top tens finishes earlier today, it would have been great just to fight for a podium, never mind standing on the top step.

"It has been a few hard seasons for me, and it's important this year for me to show my pace and win again, so to do that at the first weekend means so much."

Donington Park - Race 3 - Result

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	20	24:57.046		1:09.536	12
2	20	Colin TURKINGTON	Team BMW	20	24:57.566	0.52	1:09.336	14
3	1	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	20	24:58.671	1.625	1:09.477	14
4	80	Tom INGRAM	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	20	24:59.027	1.981	1:09.257	16
5	24	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	20	24:59.330	2.284	1:09.334	16
6	12	Rob HUFF	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	20	25:01.087	4.041	1:09.338	7
7	33	Adam MORGAN	Team BMW	20	25:03.204	6.158	1:09.755	17
8	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	NAPA Racing UK	20	25:03.350	6.304	1:09.616	7
9	66	Josh COOK	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	20	25:06.368	9.322	1:09.833	8
10	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	20	25:06.865	9.819	1:09.790	11
11	3	Tom CHILTON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	20	25:07.916	10.87	1:09.583	12
12	11	Andrew WATSON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	20	25:08.465	11.419	1:09.747	12
13	88	Mikey DOBLE	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	20	25:09.016	11.97	1:10.048	12
14	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	20	25:09.649	12.603	1:09.948	9
15	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	20	25:15.715	18.669	1:10.049	16
16	29	Scott SUMPTON	Restart Racing	20	25:21.977	24.931	1:10.367	7
17	22	Nick HALSTEAD	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	20	25:23.428	26.382	1:10.736	11
DNF	222	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	8	11:06.941	12 Laps	1:10.771	7
DNF	14	Ronan PEARSON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	4	6:20.938	16 Laps	1:21.843	2
DNF	18	Daryl DELEON	Duckhams Racing With Bartercard	2	2:33.515	18 Laps	1:11.985	2

Tom Ingram has enjoyed an incredible opening BTCC weekend so far as the 2022 champion scored a double at Donington Park.

Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Jake Hill surged into the lead on the run down to Redgate for first time, as the BMW got another fast start. Pole-sitter Ingram thought about defending but backed out slightly as the duo edged through the opening turns.

An uncharacteristic sluggish start for Team BMW’s Colin Turkington was further compounded by a late braking lock-up, which allowed the Toyota of Josh Cook to nip through into fourth on the first lap. 

Ingram would be embroiled in a tussle with NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton for second soon after, fending off his old adversary despite both cars going side-by-side.

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS' Ronan Pearson – fresh from a brilliant top five finish in the opener – was soon spiralling down the order after the Hyundai ran onto the grass while tussling with Turkington.

It was all eyes on the leading trio in the latter stages of the race and another gaggle of three cars fighting for fourth, fifth and sixth.

The moment of truth came on lap 14 as Ingram scythed his Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS Hyundai down the inside of Hill’s #24 BMW and Sutton also eyed his opportunity by moving into second.

A stunned Hill fought back on the next lap, fighting through into second before again being relegated to third before the end of the start/finish straight.

The lead three places remained unchanged until the finish, as did the next three places with LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's Josh Cook holding off the recovering Turkington and a charging Dan Cammish in his #27 NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus.

Adam Morgan (Team BMW), Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's), Rob Huff (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) and Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) completed the top ten positions. Huff's afternoon took another boost post-race when his number was picked for the reverse grid draw – the series returnee will start the final bout at Donington on pole later today.

Tom Ingram said: "What an absolutely perfect weekend for Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS, we couldn't have asked for anything more from qualifying, to race one, to race two, it's been fantastic. It's so hard to know when to keep your powder dry as to when to use your hybrid. We were discussing before the various race scenarios and options and permutations for when you would or wouldn't. Sometimes it's got to be a spur of the moment, and that felt like the opportune moment to use my only shot.

"I know where Ash (Sutton) is going to place his car as we've been racing each other for a number of years now. He can see what I'm about to do probably two laps before as I can probably predict what Ash is going to do. The Hybrid is obviously making a big difference with the battle with Jake (Hill) and the battle with Ash and I am sure with the battles further down the field as well."

Donington Park - Race 2 - Results:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	18	21:03.154		1:09.675	8
2	1	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	18	21:04.071	0.917	1:09.379	16
3	24	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	18	21:05.008	1.854	1:09.595	3
4	66	Josh COOK	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	18	21:08.879	5.725	1:09.582	10
5	20	Colin TURKINGTON	Team BMW	18	21:09.929	6.775	1:09.459	7
6	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	18	21:11.532	8.378	1:09.264	12
7	33	Adam MORGAN	Team BMW	18	21:12.158	9.004	1:09.582	18
8	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	18	21:14.807	11.653	1:09.936	3
9	12	Rob HUFF	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	18	21:15.851	12.697	1:09.705	17
10	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	NAPA Racing UK	18	21:16.448	13.294	1:09.247	18
11	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	18	21:20.271	17.117	1:09.687	4
12	11	Andrew WATSON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	18	21:21.187	18.033	1:10.053	5
13	88	Mikey DOBLE	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	18	21:21.688	18.534	1:09.928	5
14	222	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	18	21:26.024	22.87	1:10.377	5
15	18	Daryl DELEON	Duckhams Racing With Bartercard	18	21:29.092	25.938	1:10.438	5
16	22	Nick HALSTEAD	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	18	22:04.978	1:01.824	1:10.798	6
17	14	Ronan PEARSON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	17	21:49.156	1 Lap	1:09.134	11
DNF	29	Scott SUMPTON	Restart Racing	12	14:29.923	6 Laps	1:10.705	10
DNF	3	Tom CHILTON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	11	13:37.159	7 Laps	1:09.963	6

After what has felt like a lengthy off-season followed by a rain delay at Donington Park earlier today, the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship finally got underway with the opening race of the new season.

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS’ Tom Ingram claimed a lights-to-flag triumph, from NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Jake Hill.

Ingram held the lead from the start as he defended well from the fast-starting BMWs of Hill and Colin Turkington, the latter though was eventually shuffled down to fourth on the opening lap by the recovering Sutton.

The first lap ended under caution following a high speed off for Sam Osborne’s NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus, although he seemingly received a touch from behind as the cars wriggled through the Craner Curves for the first time.

LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq's Josh Cook nipped past the sister car of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s Andrew Watson for sixth at the restart, whilst Team BMW’s Adam Morgan was busy making amazing inroads from the back of the grid.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s Robb Huff was fired off after NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Rowbottom tapped Mikey Doble’s PMR-run Vauxhall into the Toyota. Huff and Doble recovered while Rowbottom entered the pits with damage to the front of his Ford Focus.

When the rain eventually settled and the chequered flag waved it was Ingram winning from Sutton, with the latter having nipped by Hill’s #24 BMW late on.

Team BMW’s Colin Turkington was fourth, ahead of a great drive from Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS’s young talent Ronan Pearson.

Cook was sixth, with Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing’ Aron Taylor-Smith and the charging Morgan.

NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish impressed after a challenging qualifying to claim ninth, whilst LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq Aiden Moffat completed the top ten positions.

Tom Ingram said: “It’s exactly what we need. The circuit was changing every lap, your braking zones and braking points changed. As a starting point it was spot on… pole, win and the fastest lap.”

Ash Sutton said: "It wasn’t the best start. I got jumped by both BMWs so I had to claw my way back. We didn’t quite get the tyre pressures right for that one, but we didn’t expect to be behind the safety car for so long either. I’m pleased though as we got back to where we started."

Jake Hill said: “It’s a great result, I’m happy. I made a slight mistake and lost the rears, they were falling away at the end there but huge thanks to everyone at Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport – it’s a good start to the season.”

Donington Park - Race 1 - Results:

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	21	32:23.071		1:15.177	16
2	1	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	21	32:25.556	2.485	1:15.642	21
3	24	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	21	32:27.310	4.239	1:15.492	16
4	20	Colin TURKINGTON	Team BMW	21	32:31.219	8.148	1:16.066	16
5	14	Ronan PEARSON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	21	32:32.224	9.153	1:16.518	16
6	66	Josh COOK	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	21	32:34.582	11.511	1:16.771	17
7	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	21	32:36.320	13.249	1:17.085	21
8	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	21	32:37.453	14.382	1:16.315	20
9	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	21	32:42.107	19.036	1:17.457	20
10	11	Andrew WATSON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	21	32:42.559	19.488	1:17.689	16
11	3	Tom CHILTON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	21	32:43.821	20.75	1:17.163	21
12	88	Mikey DOBLE	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	21	32:46.269	23.198	1:17.646	19
13	18	Daryl DELEON	Duckhams Racing With Bartercard	21	32:46.737	23.666	1:18.392	18
14	33	Adam MORGAN	Team BMW	21	32:46.947	23.876	1:16.845	20
15	222	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	21	32:47.700	24.629	1:18.484	20
16	22	Nick HALSTEAD	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	21	32:49.459	26.388	1:18.426	16
17	29	Scott SUMPTON	Restart Racing	21	32:50.118	27.047	1:18.499	16
18	12	Rob HUFF	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	21	32:50.330	27.259	1:17.201	21

The first-ever BTCC 'Quick Six' qualifying took place at Donington Park yesterday, which saw Tom Ingram claim pole position, ahead of Ash Sutton and Colin Turkington.

The BTCC audio team caught up with all three drivers...

Tom Ingram

Ash Sutton

Colin Turkington

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS' Tom Ingram kicked off his 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship campaign in fantastic fashion, as he grabbed pole position for tomorrow's season opener at Donington Park.

Ingram topped both free practice sessions earlier in the day and he duly confirmed his potential by grabbing pole position in the BTCC's first ever 'Quick Six' qualifying.

The new 'Quick Six' format proved hugely entertaining, with the field initially split into two groups for a pair of ten-minute qualifying sessions, with the fastest six from each group progressing to the second segment.

With a combination of wet and dry tyre choices being made due to a light shower descending on the Leicestershire circuit, a number of leading lights were caught out by the conditions. NAPA Racing UK's Dan Cammish and Team BMW's Adam Morgan were among those exiting from the opening session, giving the opportunity for drivers like Daryl DeLeon (Duckhams Racing with Bartercard) and Chris Smiley (Restart Racing) a chance to shine in their all-new BTCC teams.

The top 12 battle proved equally as exciting as the BTCC's big guns made it through to the final 'Quick Six' with Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK), Colin Turkington (Team BMW) and Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) all joining Ingram, whilst young talents Andrew Watson (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) and Ronan Pearson (Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS) also progressed.

The 'Quick Six' belonged to Ingram and he pipped 2023 nemesis Sutton by just 0.051s, with the BMW duo of Turkington and Hill in third and fourth respectively – the latter scuppering one of his flying laps with a huge lock-up at the final chicane. Pearson was fifth, ahead of Watson.

Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Donington Park tomorrow. Action gets underway on ITV4 at 1040 with every race also being streamed LIVE globally via ITV Sport's TikTok channel with the first contest getting underway at 1130.

Tom Ingram (Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS) said: "It's really great. It has been a winter of hard work to try and improve the car and everyone in the team has done an incredible job. We've left no stone unturned to make sure we can be as fast as we possibly can, we've come out fighting and started as we mean to go on. I've felt good about this weekend, excited and confident, the winter has gone extremely well and everything has gone to plan so far."

Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) said: "It was mega. It was awesome for the spectators too and it's ('Quick Six' qualifying) exactly what we need. I am really happy with where we are. It's a new year and we have to forget last season – everyone has upped their game – but it's a good result and we can race from there. I'm over the moon with that and I'm delighted for NAPA Racing UK and everyone else involved."

Colin Turkington (Team BMW) said: "It feels like a day's work just doing qualifying. I really enjoyed the new qualifying format, it was exciting but we've got the usual suspects in front of me. The weather conditions really threw a curve ball. I did a banker on wets initially, and then we quickly had to change to the dry tyre, so it brought an extra element to it. As I say, I really enjoyed it and I hope everybody at home did too."

Donington Park – Qualifying – Results

Qualifying - Part 1 - Group 1
P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	5	1:14.512		5
2	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	5	1:15.043	0.531	5
3	11	Andrew WATSON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	6	1:16.170	1.658	5
4	14	Ronan PEARSON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	4	1:17.355	2.843	4
5	88	Mikey DOBLE	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	6	1:17.932	3.42	6
6	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	6	1:18.819	4.307	6
7	33	Adam MORGAN	Team BMW	7	1:18.895	4.383	7
8	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	5	1:25.645	11.133	3
9	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	4	1:26.156	11.644	3
10	22	Nick HALSTEAD	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	1			0

Qualifying - Part 1 - Group 2
P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	On/
1	20	Colin TURKINGTON	Team BMW	7	1:08.772		7
2	24	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	7	1:09.412	0.64	7
3	18	Daryl DELEON	Duckhams Racing With Bartercard	7	1:09.469	0.697	7
4	1	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	6	1:09.579	0.807	6
5	66	Josh COOK	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	7	1:09.710	0.938	7
6	222	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	6	1:10.885	2.113	6
7	3	Tom CHILTON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	6	1:12.424	3.652	6
8	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	NAPA Racing UK	7	1:15.457	6.685	5
9	29	Scott SUMPTON	Restart Racing	8	1:15.548	6.776	2

Qualifying - Part 2
P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	On/
1	1	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	8	1:08.020		5
2	80	Tom INGRAM	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	8	1:08.099	0.079	8
3	20	Colin TURKINGTON	Team BMW	9	1:08.417	0.397	9
4	24	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	9	1:08.456	0.436	9
5	14	Ronan PEARSON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	8	1:08.802	0.782	8
6	11	Andrew WATSON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	8	1:08.924	0.904	8
7	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	8	1:08.927	0.907	8
8	66	Josh COOK	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	8	1:09.085	1.065	7
9	18	Daryl DELEON	Duckhams Racing With Bartercard	9	1:09.094	1.074	9
10	88	Mikey DOBLE	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	8	1:09.211	1.191	5
11	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	5	1:10.149	2.129	3
12	222	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	8	1:10.753	2.733	7

Qualifying - Quick Six
P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	8	1:07.845		6
2	1	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	8	1:07.896	0.051	5
3	20	Colin TURKINGTON	Team BMW	9	1:08.160	0.315	5
4	24	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	8	1:08.220	0.375	5
5	14	Ronan PEARSON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	7	1:08.621	0.776	6
6	11	Andrew WATSON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	7	1:08.837	0.992	7

The Hyundai of Tom Ingram has been in flying form on the opening day of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as the 2022 champion topped both practice sessions at Donington Park earlier today (27 April).

The Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS star set a 1:08.110s in the opening session, before becoming the only driver to dip into the 1:07s bracket in FP2.

As was the case in FP1, Ingram was followed home on the timesheets by the NAPA Racing UK duo of Dan Rowbottom and Dan Cammish, with the Team BMW car of Colin Turkington in fourth.

Mikey Doble was the highest placed Independents' driver in fifth for Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing, whilst Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport's Jake Hill was sixth.

Adam Morgan (Team BMW) and Rob Huff (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) were next in order, ahead of another encouraging run from Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq).

Reigning champion Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) rounded out the top ten.

Qualifying for Round 1 of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship takes place at 1525 and will be streamed LIVE on the ITVSport YouTube channel.

The new 'Quick Six' Qualifying format will make its debut, which will see the field initially split into two groups for a pair of ten-minute qualifying sessions, with the fastest six from each group progressing to the second segment, which also lasts for 10 minutes. The top six from this group will then fight out the ‘Quick Six’ for places 1-6 on the grid for tomorrow's opener.

Free Practice 2 - Donington Park - Results

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	14	01:07.979		14
2	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	NAPA Racing UK	20	01:08.255	0.276	19
3	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	18	01:08.455	0.476	17
4	20	Colin TURKINGTON	Team BMW	15	01:08.543	0.564	15
5	88	Mikey DOBLE	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	16	01:08.642	0.663	14
6	24	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	20	01:08.743	0.764	6
7	33	Adam MORGAN	Team BMW	13	01:08.861	0.882	8
8	12	Rob HUFF	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	20	01:08.919	0.94	19
9	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	17	01:08.927	0.948	14
10	1	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	19	01:08.969	0.99	18
11	11	Andrew WATSON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	14	01:08.978	0.999	14
12	66	Josh COOK	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	15	01:09.002	1.023	13
13	14	Ronan PEARSON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	13	01:09.071	1.092	8
14	18	Daryl DELEON	Duckhams Racing With Bartercard	14	01:09.346	1.367	12
15	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	9	01:09.714	1.735	6
16	222	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	15	01:09.811	1.832	13
17	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	18	01:09.974	1.995	18
18	29	Scott SUMPTON	Restart Racing	15	01:10.007	2.028	15
19	22	Nick HALSTEAD	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	15	01:10.348	2.369	9
20	3	Tom CHILTON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	1			0

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS' Tom Ingram has topped the opening 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Free Practice session, as the new season got underway at Donington Park earlier this morning (27 April).

Ingram set an impressive 1:08.110s benchmark lap time than ended up more than three tenths of a second faster than the chasing pack, amidst cold temperatures around the National Circuit.

"It's good," said Ingram. "The car feels fantastic. It's only practice but it's always a nice feeling to be at the top."

The NAPA Racing UK duo of Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom were next in the order, ahead of Team BMW's Colin Turkington, as some the BTCC's big guns hit the front of the field early in the weekend.

Aiden Moffat had an encouraging run to fifth in the LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq Toyota Corolla, whilst the second Team BMW of Adam Morgan was sixth.

Reigning champion Ash Sutton was the fastest driver during the recent Season Launch here earlier in the month, but had to settle for seventh in FP1, with the Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall of Árón Taylor-Smith next on the timesheets.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK's Andrew Watson and NAPA Racing UK's Sam Osborne rounded out the top ten.

The BTCC is back on track for FP2 at 1235, before the all-new 'Quick Six' Qualifying kicks off at 1525. Qualifying will be streamed here LIVE via the ITVSport YouTube channel.

Free Practice 1 - Donington Park - Results

P/	No/	Name/	Entry/	Laps/	Time/	Gap/	Best/	On/
1	80	Tom INGRAM	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	16	01:08.110			16
2	27	Dan CAMMISH	NAPA Racing UK	15	01:08.433	0.323		13
3	32	Daniel ROWBOTTOM	NAPA Racing UK	20	01:08.551	0.441		16
4	20	Colin TURKINGTON	Team BMW	20	01:08.589	0.479		14
5	16	Aiden MOFFAT	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	15	01:08.645	0.535		13
6	33	Adam MORGAN	Team BMW	17	01:08.689	0.579		12
7	1	Ashley SUTTON	NAPA Racing UK	18	01:08.753	0.643		16
8	40	Árón TAYLOR-SMITH	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	20	01:08.853	0.743		16
9	11	Andrew WATSON	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	16	01:08.913	0.803		9
10	77	Sam OSBORNE	NAPA Racing UK	21	01:08.959	0.849		13
11	66	Josh COOK	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	17	01:08.977	0.867		16
12	24	Jake HILL	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	17	01:09.161	1.051		10
13	12	Rob HUFF	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK	13	01:09.227	1.117		12
14	14	Ronan PEARSON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	15	01:09.308	1.198		11
15	88	Mikey DOBLE	Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing	17	01:09.320	1.21		17
16	222	Chris SMILEY	Restart Racing	17	01:09.985	1.875		16
17	29	Scott SUMPTON	Restart Racing	17	01:10.218	2.108		16
18	22	Nick HALSTEAD	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	18	01:10.956	2.846		17
19	18	Daryl DELEON	Duckhams Racing With Bartercard	8	01:13.328	5.218		6
20	3	Tom CHILTON	Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS	10				0