Victories for Turkington, Sutton, and Cammish Keep Their Championship Hopes Alive
Jake Hill gained a crucial edge in the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship after an eventful day of racing in Rounds 22, 23, and 24 at Donington Park on August 25th.
Colin Turkington (Team BMW), Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK), and Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) each secured wins on the iconic Grand Prix circuit, keeping their championship aspirations intact. However, it was Hill's pair of podium finishes for Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport that could prove decisive in the title race.
Tom Ingram from Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS also made headlines by storming from 19th on the grid to finish second in the final race, showcasing an impressive performance.
As the standings now stand, Hill leads Ingram by a mere nine points, with Sutton trailing by an additional 11 points. Turkington and Cammish remain in close pursuit, while Josh Cook of LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ, who achieved three top-four finishes, ensures that the championship battle remains wide open with six contenders still in the mix.
In the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ Championship, Alliance Racing/Ford holds a slim two-point lead over BMW, while NAPA Racing UK enjoys a significant lead in the Teams’ standings.
Árón Taylor-Smith and Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing continue to dominate the Independents’ category, with teammate Mikey Doble leading the Jack Sears Trophy.
The BTCC now moves to its penultimate event at Silverstone on September 21-22, with the highly anticipated season finale at Brands Hatch scheduled for October 5-6.
Turkington Leads Title Challengers in Thrilling Donington Opener
The championship race intensified as Turkington led a group of title contenders in a dramatic opening race.
In what felt like a fitting climax to the season, four-time champion Turkington maintained his composure around the 2.49-mile Grand Prix circuit. He launched his #20 BMW 330e M Sport off the line, overtaking pole-sitter Cook, and maintained his lead throughout the race.
Despite pressure from Sutton, who overtook Cook’s LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ Toyota, Turkington held on to secure his fifth win of the season—a tally he has surpassed only twice before in his career. Hill rounded out the podium, reclaiming the championship lead after also overtaking Cook, who had another tense moment through the Fogarty Esses.
Sutton Secures His Second Win of the Season
Ash Sutton of NAPA Racing UK closed the gap at the top of the standings with his second victory of the season.
In a race that could be pivotal to the championship, the top five contenders occupied the leading positions for much of the contest. Sutton and Ingram quickly passed Turkington, who started on pole, and the trio, boasting nine BTCC titles between them, raced closely throughout.
However, Ingram’s hopes were dashed when his Hyundai’s engine temperature spiked due to a stone damaging the radiator. This forced him to retire, handing the advantage to the BMW duo of Turkington and Hill. Sutton went on to secure victory, with Turkington and Hill following behind.
Cammish Wins Donington Finale in a Thrilling Race
Dan Cammish from NAPA Racing UK led from start to finish in the Donington finale, while Ingram delivered a stunning drive from 19th to second.
Title contenders Sutton and Turkington faced challenges early on, with Sutton being forced out of contention and Turkington making a strong recovery to finish seventh. Cammish’s teammate, Sam Osborne, initially held off the competition, but as the race progressed and multiple safety cars disrupted the flow, Cammish had to remain focused to secure his first win of 2024.
However, it was Ingram’s remarkable charge through the field that captivated the crowd. After overtaking Taylor-Smith for second, Ingram delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career.
Cook held off Hill for fourth, leaving Hill in the championship lead—a remarkable achievement given he had been unwell throughout the weekend.
Driver Reactions:
Colin Turkington, Team BMW: “It’s been a fantastic weekend, with the first race win being the highlight. The podium in race two was also great, especially in challenging conditions. My BMW 3 Series just kept getting better, and by race three, it felt the best all weekend.”
Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK: "In the BTCC, you have to seize every opportunity. We had our share of bad luck at Oulton Park, so seeing rivals struggle made things a bit easier for us. The season is reaching its peak, and it’s getting very interesting."
Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK: "We’ve been close before, but finally secured the win. The conditions were tough, especially being the first to find the limits, but I’m thrilled with the victory."
Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport: “I’m delighted to be leading the championship again. We have a nine-point lead, and finishing with two thirds and a fifth is great, especially after starting seventh in race one.”
Tom Ingram, Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS: "It was tough. After the second race, we knew it would be a struggle to get back into the fight. The team’s effort between races was incredible, and performances like this are truly special.”
2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Donington Park GP:
2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 2 – Donington Park GP:
2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 3 – Donington Park GP:
Penalties:
Race One
Mikey Doble received an official reprimand and two penalty points in Round 22 for causing a collision with Tom Ingram.
Race Two
Andrew Watson received a verbal warning in Round 23 for gaining an unfair advantage in an incident involving Daryl DeLeon.
Race Three
Andrew Watson received an official reprimand and two penalty points in Round 24 for causing a collision involving Aiden Moffat, resulting in a three-place grid penalty.
Daniel Rowbottom was reprimanded and given two penalty points in Round 24 for causing a collision involving Rob Huff and Colin Turkington.
Dan Zelos received a reprimand and two penalty points in Round 24 for causing a collision involving Chris Smiley and Aiden Moffat.
