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BTCC returns to Donington Park as title race enters home stretch

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The British Touring Car Championship returns to Donington Park this weekend with former champions Tom Ingram and Ash Sutton locked in a head-to-head battle for the biggest prize in UK motorsport.

Just three events and nine races now remain in the fight to be crowned champion and a second visit to Donington Park – albeit this time on the Grand Prix circuit – is guaranteed to be pivotal in deciding the race for top spot.

Since the turn of the summer break Ingram has arguably been the driver to beat with victories at Croft and Knockhill helping him open up a 17-point advantage over Sutton at the summit of the standings.

EXCELR8 Motorsport’s 2022 title winner has momentum on his side but four-time champion Sutton – who was twice a victor on the National circuit of Donington Park at the start of the season – can never be discounted; meaning the pendulum could swing once again.

Behind the top two, Alliance Racing duo Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom, as well as reigning champion Jake Hill, remain in mathematical contention however all three drivers will need to make their move if they want to remain in the fight for overall honours.

Hyundai team-mates Adam Morgan and Tom Chilton have demonstrated plenty of front-running potential and they, along with Knockhill pole sitter Charles Rainford, will be eager to make their mark at the East Midlands venue.

Another driver that will be well worth keeping an eye on is EXCELR8’s Senna Proctor. The Yorkshireman may have only joined the grid back at Thruxton but he has already broken into the top ten in the standings and stood on the podium twice.

Restart Racing’s Chris Smiley completes the top ten going into the eighth meeting of the season and after claiming a clean sweep of Independent wins at in Scotland, the Hyundai driver will be looking to maintain his status as the driver to beat in that category,

Elsewhere, Speedworks Motorsport will be aiming high on Toyota home turf with Josh Cook making a welcome return to the BTCC to join Gordon Shedden, Aron Taylor-Smith and Max Buxton at the Corolla squad.

Power Maxed Racing will also be eyeing success as they continue to rebuild following the devastating fire that wiped out much of their operation. Mikey Doble will be one to watch as he continues to get to grips with the Cupra Leon.

Qualifying at Donington Park takes place at 15:25 local time/16:25 CEST on Saturday before Sunday sees three races staged; the first at 11:30, followed by race two at 14:15 and race three at 16:55.