Colin Turkington claimed his 28th career Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship pole position with an impressive display on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit this afternoon (Saturday). The experienced four-time champion lapped the Kent circuit's shorter layout in 47.875s to claim the top spot in the deciding Quick Six segment.
The Team BMW runner was fastest in his initial 10-driver group, with the field split into two 10-minute sessions after Free Practice 2. And fourth in the next stage of Qualifying was enough for the Northern Irishman to progress to the final shootout for pole.
Six drivers fought for the front positions on the grid in sunny conditions and it was Turkington's teammate Adam Morgan who appeared to be the provisional pacesetter, with a time of 47.925s. Turkington bettered that by the slender margin of 0.050s however to secure first as part of a BMW front row lockout.
Dan Cammish was third fastest in a strong session for NAPA Racing UK's Ford Focus STs. Reigning champion Ashley Sutton was just behind in a second of the team's machines, despite heading into qualifying with a significant hybrid handicap, courtesy of his second place in the points standings. Daniel Rowbottom also made it through to the Quick Six, ensuring that half of the spaces in the final dash for pole were occupied by the successful outfit's machinery.
Josh Cook was the only non BMW or Ford runner in the top-six, performing well in the LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ Toyota to claim fifth. Cook topped the 12-driver session just prior to the Quick Six decider, but wasn't quite able to follow it up.
Just outside the top-six, it will be fascinating to see how championship leader Tom Ingram fares tomorrow after qualifying only eighth. The 2022 champion entered the weekend with the maximum hybrid handicap and just missed out on progressing to the Quick Six.
Others to look out for on Sunday will include former World Champion Rob Huff, who could only manage 11th in Qualifying, whilst local hero Jake Hill starts alongside him in 12th.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Brands Hatch, Quick Six Qualifying
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, 47.875s
- Adam Morgan, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.050s
- Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.066s
- Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.166s
- Josh Cook, LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +0.210s
- Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.333s
Click here for full timings from this weekend.