TWO-TIME TINGRAM AND MORE BTCC TITLES DECIDED AT BRANDS HATCH

Tom Ingram made history, becoming a two-time British Touring Car Champion when he won race two of the Brands Hatch decider. The finale saw he and Ash Sutton go head-to-head and Josh Cook – better late than never – picked up his first win of the 2025 season.

Ingram led Sutton by 33 points into qualifying – only a catastrophic weekend would deny Ingram the title – but anything could happen in the BTCC. More titles were up for grabs: from the Teams and Manufacturers/Constructors’, to the Independents’ Trophy, between Mikey Doble, Daniel Lloyd and Chris Smiley, and the Jack Sears Trophy, between Sam Osborne, Daryl DeLeon and Charles Rainford.

Following round nine at Silverstone, reigning champion Jake Hill announced his departure from the BTCC at the end of 2025. He said in his video announcement: “in some ways it will always be home.” He will progress into “international motorsport,” likely through WSR’s new GT programme next year.

Power Maxed Racing announced they will switch to Audi S3 saloons for next year. The Evesham-based squad currently use borrowed Cupras, courtesy of Un-Limited Motorsport and the Patterson family, following a fire over the summer which destroyed all their vehicles and equipment.

For the second consecutive race meeting, DeLeon took pole position, while both title contenders failed to make the quick six. Dynamic weather conditions and heavy wind proved challenging on Saturday, with notable spins for Mikey Doble and Dexter Patterson.

Dan Cammish took second on the grid, with NAPA team-mate Dan Rowbottom and Team VERTU’s Tom Chilton sharing row two, while Adam Morgan and Jake Hill completed the quick six. Ingram and Sutton could only manage seventh and 11th respectively. However, Ingram’s effort was enough to secure the season-long Goodyear Wingfoot Award.

Race One

A poor getaway from polesitter DeLeon allowed the NAPA duo of Cammish and Rowbottom to slip past. DeLeon retired after a single lap with engine troubles, while an opening-lap incident involving Jake Hill and Adam Morgan sent the reigning champion to the pits with a puncture.

Aiden Moffat was given the black and orange flag for debris hanging off the rear of his BMW. His race worsened when he was also given a drive-through penalty on lap 10. 

Chilton then took second place and pressured Cammish for the lead, while his Team VERTU team-mate Morgan moved up to third, relegating Rowbottom down to sixth in the process.

Ingram’s charge from ninth yielded fifth, meanwhile Sutton could only manage ninth, slimming his title chances ahead of race two. Rainford’s fourth place brought some much-needed respite for BMW’s nightmare race, plus valuable points in the Jack Sears Trophy. 

Dan Lloyd won the Independents’ trophy for race one, helping both his and Restart Racing’s fight for the Independent championships.

Race two

Ingram started on the soft tyres, pushing to seal the title in race two. He scythed past Rainford on the first lap, then Chilton on lap two. Meanwhile Sutton charged from ninth to fifth off the start – and improved to third on lap four.

Lap five saw Rainford smash into the tyre barrier at Paddock Hill Bend when Árón Taylor-Smith dived up the inside. The Jack Sears Trophy contender was out of the race and a safety car was triggered to recover the BMW.

Ingram held the lead as he led the field to green approaching lap nine.

Árón Taylor-Smith was caught up in another incident – this time coming off worse as he cut across the front of fellow Toyota driver, Josh Cook, entering Druids. The contact caused Taylor-Smith to spin into the tyre wall outside of Druids and ultimately ended his race.

Tom Chilton pulled over during the safety car period with alternator woes, leaving the title contenders together at the sharp end of the field as they restarted with five laps remaining.

Ingram was unfazed however, as he crossed the line and took victory – his eighth at Brands Hatch – to seal his second BTCC drivers championship over Sutton with an unassailable points lead. Senna Proctor and Gordon Shedden on the soft tyres passed Dan Cammish, giving Proctor the third step on the podium.

Race three

The top nine drivers from race two were reversed to produce race three’s grid, featuring Aiden Moffat on pole with Josh Cook alongside – both yet to win in 2025. Jake Hill and Dan Rowbottom made up the second row – both bidding for P4 in the standings. 

The final race of 2025 still hosted a slew of titles, including the Manufacturers’ title, teams championship, Independent Drivers and Jack Sears Trophy.

Moffat in the rear-wheel drive BMW launched well and held the lead over the opening laps, but Cook kept him honest and passed Moffat into Surtees on lap three.

Cammish ground to a halt at Druids, causing a safety car when his race ended with damage following a collision with NAPA team-mate Rowbottom.

Racing resumed on lap eight where Sutton progressed to second place, but was no match for Cook in the Toyota out front. 

Dusk descended upon the Kent venue, where brake discs glowed as drivers pushed on for every point. In the end, it was Josh Cook who sealed his first victory since Croft last year. He also became the 13th different race winner this season. Sutton finished second and Hill, in his final BTCC race, completed the podium.

DeLeon secured the Jack Sears title by three points over WSR team-mate Rainford, while the Independent titles fell the way of Dan Lloyd and Restart Racing.

Sutton’s second-place finish gave NAPA Racing the Teams’ title, but Cammish’s retirement enabled Exceler8 Motorsport Hyundai to grab the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ title by just three points.

The 2025 British Touring Car Championship season came to a close, but the party had only just begun. Tom Ingram, now a two-time champion, stood on the top step of the TOCA podium to the glow of sparks and confetti with the cheers of the crowd. 

DeLeon and Lloyd soaked up their moments on the podium too, cherishing the silverware in front of their passionate fans. 

The BTCC will return next April with the traditional Donington Park opener. With significant movement expected in the off-season – from the fate of the Ford Focus to Jason Plato’s new team – you can stay up-to-date on The MotorPost.