BTCC 2025: Shock wins at Brands Hatch Indy

The British Touring Car Championship rolled into Kent for the second meeting of the 2025 season, and the tight, twisty Brands Hatch Indy circuit delivered its usual mix of wheel-to-wheel drama, hard-fought overtakes and emotional first-time winners. From record-breaking qualifying to not one, but two fairytale maiden wins, it was a weekend that had it all.

Qualifying

At Donington, Ash Sutton took two wins and a podium, but this weekend he was going to have a fit on his hands. After a red flag caused by Aiden Moffat at Paddock Hill Bend, Sutton was unable to get into the top six in group one, and was out of qualifying early - while his rivals made it into the top six.

However, Saturday’s qualifying session belonged to Jake Hill and WSR, who flew around the 1.2 mile Indy circuit with a sensational 46.493 second lap, the fastest BTCC qualifying time ever recorded on the current layout.

Driving for Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, Hill looked right at home in his BMW 330e M Sport, hooking up the perfect lap in the final Q3 shootout. Just 0.021s behind him was teammate and BTCC newcomer Charles Rainford, who impressed with his first front-row start.

Race 1: Hill leads historic 1-2 for WSR

Jake Hill made no mistake from pole, converting it into a commanding lights-to-flag victory in Race 1, fending off intense early pressure from teammate Rainford. The pair ran nose-to-tail for much of the race, but Hill's experience and faultless pace allowed him to maintain a gap of around half a second for most of the 24 laps.

Behind them, it was a dramatic midfield scrap as Tom Ingram, Adam Morgan and Mikey Doble battled it out in pursuit of the final podium spot. But WSR’s domination was sealed, as Rainford held off Ingram for P2 - making WSR the most successful BTCC team, with its 133rd BTCC win.

Hill called the result “the perfect start to Sunday,” while Team Principal Dick Bennetts beamed at the history-making milestone.

Race 2: DeLeon charges through to maiden victory

Race 2 produced the biggest surprise of the weekend, and one of the most emotional stories of the season so far. Starting from P6, Daryl DeLeon made the most of a chaotic race to claim his first-ever BTCC victory for WSR.

The race started calmly with Hill, Rainford and Ingram on hard tyres, but it wasn’t long before Dan Cammish on soft tyres had passed Ingram. The BMWs had a small gap, which shrunk with Cammish hunting them down. On Lap 4, the charging DeLeon had made his way up to P4 and was ready to pounce. Rainford lost a place to Cammish which had him on the back foot into Paddock Hill Bend for Lap 5. DeLeon dived down the inside of Rainford at Druids, making it into third - but leaving the door open for Morgan. It wasn’t long before he pulled similar moves on Cammish and Hill to take the lead. 

A safety car mid race caused by Max Hall and Patterson in the gravel at turn one threatened DeLeon's lead, as it closed the pack up. However, as Cammish was setting up for the restart, hoping to take the lead, he had issues and the car stopped on track. This lengthened the safety car period and brought the pack back together, but DeLeon defended brilliantly against the experienced Morgan to take a popular and emotional win. 

Sutton made his way through the pack in the closing stages, taking the final step on the podium and securing Napa’s 100th podium on the company's 100th anniversary.

Race 3: Rainford rises to the top

Just hours after missing out on a podium in Race 2, Charles Rainford bounced back in style, taking his maiden BTCC win in Race 3 and becoming the second first-time winner of the day.

Starting from P3 on the reverse grid, Rainford stuck with Hill and Dan Rowbottom all the way through Lap 1, making it past his teammate with a good move on the inside of Clearways and charging on Rowbottom into turn 1, getting his elbows out and making it past the Napa driver.

Half way through the race Hill had made it past Rowbottom and was closing up on Rainford - which became the theme for the entire race. Hill applied the pressure but Rainford responded, to take his first win in BTCC.

Further back, Sutton and Moffat were battling it out for P6, and were side by side for several laps before Sutton won that fight. Ingram was able to salvage P3 from the race and closed on Hill all the way to the line.

Rainford’s win added to an already unforgettable Sunday for the WSR team — and confirmed that the BTCC has yet another future star in its ranks. 

Brand Hatch delivers, again

Brands Hatch Indy proved why it’s one of the most unpredictable and exciting rounds on the calendar. From Hill’s record pace to Rainford and DeLeon’s emotional first wins, this was a weekend that had a bit of everything, and showed that WSR are back to fight for the championship after a disappointing Donington.

As the paddock heads to Snetterton, make sure to keep up to date on our social media channels and our blog or visit our stand if you are going to the circuit. Be prepared for your next journey to the BTCC with a Free Vehicle Health Check at your local Kwik Fit Centre today.