Tom Ingram claimed his first ever Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship victory on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit to build a slender three-point series lead in the first of three races at the Kent circuit today (Sunday). 

Leading from pole position, Ingram was rarely troubled during the 18-lap race which was slightly extended in length following two safety car interventions. The first of these came on the first lap following an off from Aron Taylor-Smith at Dingle Dell, whilst the second on lap eight came about following an incident involving Rick Parfitt Jr and Carl Boardley.

Driving impressively at the front, Ingram was unfazed by the interruptions, fending off the attention of his closest rival on-track, Rory Butcher. The Toyota Gazoo Racing UK ace tailed the leading car closely throughout but was unable to find an opening and was forced to settle for second.

Butcher's positioning was fortunate for Ingram as it created another points buffer between the race leader and his primary title rivals Ash Sutton and Jake Hill. Sutton's NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST held third place for much of the race, but the battle for the final spot on the rostrum really heated up when the race resumed for the final time on lap 12.

Hill in his ROKiT MB Motorsport BMW made his first attempt to pass Sutton immediately as green flag action continued, but his efforts almost cost him a position as Bobby Thompson's Cupra Leon breezed past at the exit of Druids. But Hill was immediately back on the attack, and regained the position at Sheene Curve later that lap.

There was a near repeat the following time around as Hill once again tried to pass Sutton at Druids. Thompson drew alongside the BMW driver as they approached Graham Hill Bend and the pair touched, with Adam Morgan opportunistically moving past Hill as Thompson dropped behind Colin Turkington.

Hill's lively race continued on lap 15 when he passed Morgan and he finally set up a decisive move on Sutton the next tour with an initial look at Hawthorn before sealing third at Sheene Curve. Sutton nearly went off the road as the field buched up tightly behind him, but the reigning champion maintained his position on the road with superb car control.

As the race entered its final stages, Hill drew clear of Sutton with the latter defending from Turkington. They ultimately crossed the line in that order with Hill completing the rostrum behind Ingram and Butcher, with Sutton fourth and Turkington fifth. Morgan settled for sixth ahead of Thompson with George Gamble, Dan Cammish and Stephen Jelley completing the top-10.

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Race 1, Brands Hatch

1. Tom Ingram, Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com, Hyundai i30N, 18 Laps
2. Rory Butcher, Toyota GAZOO Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +0.581
3. Jake Hill, ROKiT MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport, +8.644
4. Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +10.408
5. Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +10.524
6. Adam Morgan, Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport, +10.779
7. Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with JourneyHero, Cupra Leon, +11.190
8. George Gamble, Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport, +11.504
9. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +12.259
10. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport +12.728

For full timing and results please click here. 

Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Standings

1. Tom Ingram, 361 points
2. Ash Sutton, 358 points
3. Jake Hill, 355 points
4. Colin Turkington, 329 points
5. Rory Butcher, 290 points