Charles Rainford: “We did it on pace and I’m so unbelievably happy”

Charles Rainford was left over the moon after enjoying a dream weekend in the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch which concluded with the WSR driver claiming a first-ever victory in the series.

After finding his feet at Donington Park last month, the BMW driver established himself as one of the front-runners from the get-go this past weekend as he topped opening practice before going on to qualify on the front row for race one.

Holding station behind team-mate Jake Hill to secure a maiden podium in race one, the rookie then battled to seventh on the hard tyre in race two to set up a grandstand finish in the reverse grid finale.

Starting third, Rainford wasted no time in dispatching team-mate Hill and then made a bold move down the inside of pole-sitter Dan Rowbottom at Paddock Hill Bend to take the lead. From there, he was wheel-perfect to scoop a popular first triumph.

Reflecting on the weekend, Rainford said: “If I’d thought yesterday was good, we were only just getting started. To get my first podium in Race One, a ‘hard’ second race on the hard tyre and then my first win to and the day!

“I’m unbelievably happy. We’ve done it on pace today and I’m so grateful to the team, my sponsors and my family. Let’s go get another at Snetterton!”