Hill and Sutton star before Gamble grabs stunning maiden BTCC win at Knockhill 01.08.2022: BTCC returns with action-packed weekend at Knockhill Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Knockhill, Scotland 30-31 July 2022

BTCC returns with action-packed weekend at Knockhill


Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship
Knockhill, Scotland
30-31 July 2022

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returned following its annual mid-season break with an action-packed weekend of phenomenal racing at Knockhill (30/31 July).



The BTCC’s big hitters cranked up the race for this year’s title as ROKiT MB Motorsport’s Jake Hill and NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton claimed a win apiece before Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport rookie George Gamble took a hugely popular triumph in the finale.



With the UK’s premier motorsport series again enjoying increased coverage on ITV, the tens of thousands of fans at the circuit and the many more watching on television were treated to three thrilling encounters.
Hill won a modern-day classic after eventually getting the better of reigning champion Sutton in the curtain-raiser at the popular Fife circuit.



It was status quo off the start line as pole-sitter Hill held on for much of the opening lap, although it was anything but thereafter as Sutton produced a startling move at the beginning of the second tour.



With the rear-wheel drive cars notoriously taking slightly longer to bring their front tyres up to racing temperature, Sutton knew his hopes rested on taking an early opportunity as he blasted around the outside of the #24 BMW through turn one.



The pair remained inseparable during the opening exchanges – with the Team BMW duo of Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley looking on immediately behind – but contact was to follow in the fight for victory.



Sutton was heavy onto the brakes going into the hairpin on lap five, whilst Hill misjudged slightly and hit the leader’s Ford Focus in the rear, as the scrap continued into the next phase of the race.



The two took the battle up a further notch on lap eight as they swapped places twice, but the faster BMW of Hill eventually got the job done shortly before mid-distance to take his second win of the season.



Sutton’s defensive drive was far from over, however, as he was again hit from behind – this time by Turkington – as the former held off his old rival until the finish.



NAPA Racing UK then scored its first-ever win in the BTCC as the competition between Sutton and Hill intensified in the second encounter.



Hill made a solid start and edged away from the chasing pack, before the young Kent driver ran wide on the exit of the chicane and handed Sutton the advantage.



A further mistake followed by Hill, which allowed his Team BMW stablemate Turkington through and into second.



Both WSR drivers mentioned post-race that the rear end of their respective BMWs ran loose in the latter stages of the contest, and when Turkington overshot turn one as the race wore on it allowed Hill back through into second.



Hill hauled Sutton’s Ford Focus back in and had one last attack out of the final hairpin as the pair made contact again, with the latter eventually crossing the line just 0.141s ahead of the former.



Turkington completed the podium for a second successive race, ahead of Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com’s Tom Ingram.



Rookie Gamble then produced a dominant lights-to-flag display to claim a maiden triumph as an amazing day of action came to a close.


Not only did Gamble take the victory, but he did so by seeing off a number of experienced multiple race winners behind him.



Hill completed his own impressive day with second as he fought back from an early mistake to get back by the likes of Sutton, Turkington and Rory Butcher.



Toyota GAZOO Racing UK’s Butcher enhanced the champagne celebrations as he took a podium in front of a passionate home crowd.



Turkington’s consistency throughout the day was rewarded with the Standings lead as he now holds a five-point advantage over Ingram, with Sutton nicely poised in third.



High-scoring BMW edged further clear in the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ order, whilst Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com held on to the top spot in the Teams’ table.



Josh Cook and Rich Energy BTC Racing hold sway in the Independents’ Championships despite a challenging weekend.



Gamble claimed JST honours in all three races today, but still trails Bobby Thompson in the overall race for the Jack Sears Trophy.



The 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns at Snetterton in two weeks’ time (13/14 August).






Simon Melluish , Emma Illman - photos BTCC