Thruxton calling for BTCC

Little over a week since its last outing, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship makes its second visit of the season to Thruxton this weekend (27/28 August) as the 2022 campaign edges towards its climax.

With just nine races remaining before a champion is due to be crowned, Rounds 22, 23 and 24 will prove pivotal as the fastest circuit in the UK hosts the eighth event of the year.

As the pieces of championship battle fall into place, a quintet of contenders lead the charge, with Team BMW’s Colin Turkington (above) atop the standings.

The drivers and teams will be glad for cooler temperatures than at Snetterton

A stellar outing for the Northern Irishman last time out at Snetterton saw him strengthen his advantage with a solid points haul thanks to victories in the first two contests, before ending the weekend with sixth place in the finale.

Nearest rival Tom Ingram (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com) sits 15 points in arrears of the BMW driver after a hat-trick of third-place finishes, and will no doubt be buoyed by his recent form.

Second spot in the Drivers’ battle is occupied by Tom Ingram

Having edged one place higher in the Drivers’ battle in each of the previous three events, Jake Hill (ROKiT MB Motorsport) heads to the scene of his first victory in his West Surrey Racing-run BMW 330e M Sport with his tail in the air after an impressive five rostrum visits in the past six rounds.

One point behind the Kent racer and fresh off the back of a second win of the season is reigning champion Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK) while Thruxton specialist Josh Cook – occupying fifth spot – heads to a happy hunting ground ready to get his title tilt back on track after a tough time at Snetterton.

Reigning champion Ash Sutton bagged a second victory of 2022 last time out

With nine BTCC victories around the 2.36-mile circuit to his name, Bath racer Cook holds the record as the most successful driver in the series’ history at Thruxton, and the 31-year-old will no doubt be aiming to take that figure into double digits this weekend.

Local Lights

Thruxton specialist Josh Cook will be hoping to get his title bid back on track this weekend. Rich Energy BTC Racing’s Cook is the most successful BTCC driver ever at Thruxton

Rich Energy BTC Racing’s Cook is also just one of the drivers to whom Thruxton is somewhat of a home event, with team-mate Jason Plato now residing in Hampshire. Toyota GAZOO Racing UK’s Ricky Collard also lives in the County, whilst NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish has relocated from Leeds to Bracknell. The circuit also marks the nearest for Jersey racer Jack Butel (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com) so there will be a quintet of drivers vying for bragging rights at their local track.

Jason Plato will have a short trip to his local circuit

TV, Timetables and Tickets

Complimenting the tin top racing will be another sensational line-up of support series, as the F4 British Championship, Ginetta Junior Championship, MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, Ginetta GT4 SuperCup and Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain entertain and enthral fans both trackside and at home.

With Saturday’s qualifying session streamed live via itv.com/btcc from 1520, Sunday kicks off with a pit lane walkabout from 1000 before ITV4’s more than seven-hour race day broadcast gets underway at 1115.

Tickets will be available on the gate throughout the weekend, but for those keen for a deal, Advance Tickets at a discounted rate can be purchased here until Thursday 25 August with prices starting from just £15 and children aged 12 and under admitted free of charge.

Goodyear’s hard compound tyre returns this weekend

Captions:
Above: Colin Turkington leads the title battle Below top: Reigning champion Ash Sutton bagged a second victory of 2022 last time out Below top left: Second spot in the Drivers’ battle is occupied by Tom Ingram Below top right: Thruxton specialist Josh Cook will be hoping to get his title bid back on track this weekend Below second left: There were skirmishes throughout the field last time out Below second right: A solid points haul for Jake Hill elevated him a spot in the standings Below middle large: The drivers and teams will be glad for cooler temperatures than at Snetterton Below third left: Jason Plato will have a short trip to his local circuit Below third right: Rich Energy BTC Racing’s Cook is the most successful BTCC driver ever at Thruxton Below fourth left: Sunday’s race-day broadcast kicks off at 1115 on ITV4 Below fourth right: Goodyear’s hard compound tyre returns this weekend Bottom: As the final few events approach, the battle intensifies

About the BTCC

As the final few events approach, the battle intensifies

The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) was formed in 1958 and is Britain’s most popular motor racing spectacle with its race season comprising ten events at top circuits across the UK. It is contested by professional racing drivers in competition versions of every day road cars, giving it tremendous public appeal. Over 380,000 watch the BTCC trackside each year and it receives widespread UK terrestrial TV exposure on the ITV network, with all ten events broadcast live across ITV, ITV4 and itv.com.