Jake Hill claimed his first victory of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in the first contest of Cheshire Mouldings Race Day at Oulton Park this afternoon (Sunday).
Hill started from the outside of the front row alongside points leader Ash Sutton, and it was the former's BMW that got the best launch from the line to lead as the field streamed through Old Hall and down towards Cascades for the first time. Sutton's NAPA Racing UK Ford immediately upped the pressure though, the pole-sitter remaining firmly on Hill's rear bumper.
A key moment came at Cascades early in the race as Sutton got a run on Hill and moves alongside his rival for victory. The Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver held firm on the inside though, ensuring that Sutton wouldn't be able to pass as they filed down towards the Island hairpin. The remained in that order until the chequered flag.
As the leading duo pulled away whilst duking it out, reigning champion Tom Ingram produced a punch drive from sixth on the grid to move into third. The Hyundai i30 N pilot took the place early on the race from Ricky Collard and immediately set about chasing the leaders, but he was forced to settle for third.
Behind that, Collard fended off a tightly knit group of cars in his Toyota as the podium contenders built a gap. He held on to the chequered flag, with Dan Cammish completing the top-five in the second NAPA Ford. Josh Cook and Bobby Thompson were the others in that fight as the race drew to a close, ultimately crossing the line sixth and seventh.
The top-10 was rounded out by WSR's three Team BMW branded 330e M Sports, with local racer Adam Morgan heading the trio home in eighth. Four-time Colin Turkington produced a stellar drive from the rear of the field to take ninth, with Stephen Jelley making it home in 10th.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Race 1, Oulton Park
- Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport
- Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +1.874s
- Tom Ingram, Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8, Hyundai i30 N, +2.563s
- Ricky Collard, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +10.181s
- Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +10.583s
- Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing, Honda Civic Type R, +11.090s
- Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils, Cupra Leon, +11.566s
- Adam Morgan, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +17.674s
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +18.676s
- Stephen Jelley, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +21.899s
Click here to view full race and session results from this weekend's event.