Local driver Jake Hill claimed victory in the final Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race of 2023 as the season drew to a close at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Sunday).
It was Stephen Jelley, starting from reverse grid pole position, who made the best of the initial start to hold the lead as the field streamed through Paddock Hill Bend and up to Druids for the first time. However, the entire field was forced to put the final fight of the season on hold after Aiden Moffat suffered contact and the safety car was summoned.
The race got underway again on lap five and a thrilling battle for the lead immediately erupted with Jelley fending of the Honda Civic Type R of Josh Cook with Hill lurking just behind. On the first racing lap after the safety car, Cook moved to the outside at Westfield and manufactured a cut back on the inside at Dingle Dell to take the lead.
The next time around, it was Jelley who made the bold move, scything up the inside at Hawthorn to pass his rival. Cook repeated his manoeuvre of the lap before immediately however, sweeping back past by the time the pack exited Sheene.
Lap seven was possibly the most dramatic of the race, with Jelley and Cook once again duelling side by side as the field revved its way onto the famed Grand Prix section. As they accelerated out of Westfield however, both fell victim to an opportunist piece of driving from Hill who slipped up the inside and emerged at the front after a tense three-wide moment.
Behind that, Ash Sutton was eliminated from frontrunning contention after a contact with Tom Ingram which resulted in the NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST collecting a piece of trackside signage. The new four-time champion was forced to dive for the pits to have the alien object removed from the front of his car.
Shortly after this, Jade Edwards and George Gamble collided at Druids, meaning that the safety car was once more called for. After that, Hill controlled the race to the finish with Cook and Jelley retaining their positions on the outright podium.
Ingram wound up fourth as he ended his strong runner-up season with another strong drive to the finish line, whilst Daniel Rowbottom completed the top-five. Ricky Collard, Daniel Lloyd, Adam Morgan and Dan Cammish all featured in a tightly bunched mid pack, running home to cross the line in that order by the flag with BMW legend Colin Turkington completing the top-ten.
Ash Sutton underlined his status as the BTCC’s form driver of 2023 with an impressive comeback from last after his pit stop to 14th, ensuring that he once again scored points.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3
- Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport
- Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing, Honda Civic Type R, +1.278s
- Stephen Jelley, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +1.794s
- Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8, Hyundai i30N, +4.032s
- Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +5.356s
- Ricky Collard, Toyota Racing Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +6.951s
- Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils, Cupra Leon, +7.914s
- Adam Morgan, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +8.361s
- Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +8.714s
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +9.896s
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Standings
- Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, 446
- Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8, Hyundai i30N, 400
- Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport, 372
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, 312
- Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing, Honda Civic Type R, 268
Click here for full results from this race event.
This weekend's BTCC finale is supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association and you can find out more about that here. You can also click here to view special items available to bid for in a silent online auction.