Charles Rainford scorches to victory in Snetterton opener

Charle Rainford reigned supreme in the opening British Touring Car Championship race of the day at Snetterton to take his first win of the season.

Starting from pole position, the WSR driver produced a flawless display in his BMW 330i M Sport to lead home Tom Ingram and Daryl De Leon.

Rainford made the perfect start as the lights went out while behind him, reigning champion Ingram got the better of front-row starter Josh Cook after going wheel-to-wheel with the Toyota driver during the opening sequence of corners.

Once Ingram elevated himself to second, he held station all the way to the chequered flag, with Rainford finishing more than two seconds up the road.

Cook had been on course for a third place finish however he soon had to contend with a late charge from the second BMW of Daryl De Leon.

After dispatching Dan Cammish, De Leon quickly closed onto the back of Cook and then slipped down the inside at Palmer to clinch third. Cook and Cammish would run line astern to the finish to complete the top five.

Further back, Dan Rowbottom clinched his best result of the season since winning the Qualifying Race at Donington Park while Tom Chilton, Ricky Collard, James Dorlin and Sam Osborne rounded out the top ten.

Championship leader Ash Sutton proved to be one to watch as he produced an eye-catching drive as he went from the back of the grid to 11th.

Race two at Snetterton is scheduled to begin at 14:30.