Champion Hill falls short on opening weekend

REIGNING champion Jake Hill missed out on the podium as the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship kicked off at Donington Park at the weekend.

Arch rival Ash Sutton secured a double success before the experienced Tom Chilton claimed victory in the third and final race around the famous East Midlands circuit with Hill, behind the wheel of the Southam-based Laser Tools Racing BMW, claiming two fourth-place finishes.

NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish impressively took pole position in the first qualifying session of the season on Saturday afternoon, but the talented Yorkshireman was unable to convert that result into race victory.

It was Sutton and Ingram that duelled it out for the first two bouts with the former beating the latter to victory in both encounters, whilst Dan Rowbottom and Cammish took a podium apiece.

Chilton dominated the final race, as Ingram and Sutton fought their way into second and third respectively.

As the huge crowd made its way out of the famous venue it was Sutton leading the early drivers’ standings by seven points from Ingram, with Chilton just behind.

Chris Smiley holds a one-point advantage over Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing driver Mikey Doble in the independent drivers’ championship.

The BTCC returns on 10th/11th May at Brands Hatch.