BTCC, Brands Hatch: Transmission's Top 20: Turkington's Double Top

By Steve Hindle•May 15, 2024•In Motorsport, Touring Cars•1 Minutes

There are two four-time champions currently racing in the BTCC and last weekend at Brands Hatch, Colin Turkington made it clear that he intends to be the first ever to race to title number five.

Donington’s washout was soon consigned to distant memory as the sun blazed over Kent, and whilst track temperatures soared, so too did the hopes and expectations of those seeking to build campaigns in earnest. For some (Turkington, Ash Sutton, and Ronan Pearson), wins and podiums cemented what we already knew; these three are fast and deserving their spoils. Yet for others, many others, just two weekends in, there are already times for deep concern and reflection.

Here are twenty of our favourite images that help to tell the story of battles fought, and battles yet to come.

All images: Steve Hindle

Turkington's speed and precision delivered a level of dominance in races 1 & 2 that simply should not have been possible within the new regulations.
Even the safety car in race 2 couldn't bring the chasing pack anywhere near within striking distance of the former champion.
Race 3 produced a well-deserved and long overdue maiden win for Ronan Pearson. The young Scot so often found himself tangled in other people's battles last year; now he's shown that he knows how to lead from the front.
Ash Sutton is firmly doing what Ash Sutton does best - dealing with any obstacle that gets in his way! Six podiums from six starts is an outstanding return from the champion who now heads the standings.
Nevertheless, he also showed that he knows how to pick his fights. Josh Cook was clearly quicker here and P3 was a much better result for the NAPA man than the risk of a DNF.
And sure enough, one lap later, despite the inevitable paint swap, Cook was ahead and racing to his best finish (P2) so far this year.
The same, however, can't be said for Cook's teammate (and Donington winner) Aiden Moffat. He spent too much time throughout the weekend trying to overcome car issues, and then was denied a clear podium opportunity in race 3 due to a recurring boost pipe issue.
Tom Ingram continued to look fast and feisty. Here he is racing to P2 ahead of Ash Sutton, but a puncture in race 3 took him out of the points and now having to start on the back foot as he tries to reclaim the advantage from his title rivals.
Ingram's points haul wasn't helped by the pace of teammate Tom Chilton who persisted in staying ahead during race 1.
Adam Morgan unleashed all his pace to qualify in P2 but the promise of a strong weekend soon disappeared after contact and a puncture sent him out of race 1 contention. Nevertheless, a brilliant charge up to P4 (from P14) in race 2 showed that when the circumstances are right, he can more than hold his own against the best.
Sadly for Jake Hill, this wasn't a weekend to be remembered. There are always going to be flashes of pace, but after contact in race 2 put him into retirement, the loss of points is going to hurt deeply.
Whilst the racing in the BTCC is mostly defined by the brilliance of some truly remarkable young men, it's always worth remembering that none of it would happen without the brilliance of some remarkable old men too.
It was another Independent's winning weekend for Árón Taylor-Smith.
Whilst teammate Mikey Doble continues his assault on the Jack Sears Trophy.
Sam Osborne is chasing hard, but still can't unlock the pace in the car that his teammates have found.
Daryl DeLeon doesn't often feature in our Top 20, but he rightly deserves his place here after a series of truly determined drives.
Chris Smiley is another having to battle the inconsistencies of the Cupra. Here he is, leading the trio of Leons.
Outwardly, Rob Huff is saying all the right things about making progress with the Toyota. Behind closed doors, we can't help but feel that the conversations might be very different.
In the support series', Hugo Ellis took a superb maiden win in Porsche Carrera Cup GB.
Whilst in British F4, Abbi pulling not only recorded her first win, but also the first ever win in the championship by a female driver.

Written By

Steve Hindle
Steve Hindle

Steve has lived his life with motor sport; from childhood years as a fan, to racing around the greatest tracks in Europe, first as a driver and later as a team principal. Today he's a familiar sight trackside and in the pit lane, notebook in one hand, camera in another, capturing moments and contributing to some of the leading titles in motor sport and automotive media.

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