BTCC 2023: Hill and Turkington complete BMW clean sweep
A hard fought weekend for team BMW saw a clean sweep of wins
Bavarian marque fights back in the BTCC at Oulton Park
West Surrey Racing won each of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship races at Oulton Park on Sunday, as Jake Hill and Colin Turkington guided BMW to a clean sweep of victories.
Hill almost completed a perfect day individually as the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport star took two wins, a second place and three fastest laps.
Turkington produced a sensational turnaround throughout the day, having started last on the grid for the opener. The four-time champion made stunning ground in the first race, and improved even further in the second, before charging to his 65th BTCC career triumph in the reverse grid finale.
Ash Sutton, Tom Ingram and Adam Morgan all achieved podium finishes, the title race took a massive twist at its midway stage.
Sutton’s advantage in the Drivers’ Standings has been reduced to six points from Ingram, whilst Hill and Turkington remain in close contention.
The second half of the BTCC campaign will resume at Croft in North Yorkshire on 29/30 July.
*Jake Hill led BMW charge with race one win *
A fantastic victory in the opener kickstarted Hill’s 2023 campaign.
The Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport racer has driven consistently at the sharp end during the season so far, with three second-place finishes being his best result up to that point, but a deserved visit to the top step of the podium elevated his title challenge.
A brilliant start from Hill saw his BMW 330e M Sport blast past pole-sitter Sutton around the outside on the run down to turn one, and a robust defence followed on the opening laps as the rear-wheel drive car gradually brought its tyres up to temperature.
After a high-pressured start Hill then gradually settled into his stride and pulled away from championship leader Sutton in his #116 Napa Racing UK Ford Focus.
Bristol Street Motors with Exceler8's Ingram completed the podium as he shook off the frustrations of qualifying to come through from sixth on the grid.
*Hill does the Oulton Park double*
Hill then claimed his first-ever BTCC double on the same weekend, as the BMW star followed up his opening win with a lights-to-flag success in the second bout at the picturesque Cheshire venue.
In truth, Hill was never troubled in the contest – despite an early safety car period – and eventually pulled clear to secure another win ahead of Sutton.
The fight for the final place on the podium was an intriguing one as Ingram held off a late charge from Team BMW’s Turkington, with the latter again performing brilliantly to come through the order.
Turkington’s fightback began with a charge from 27th to ninth in the opening race and the four-time champion improved yet further in the next encounter.
With a total improvement of 23 places across the first two races, Turkington looked to be a contender for victory in the final reverse-grid race.
*Turkington completes classic comeback*
Team BMW’s Turkington grabbed victory in the final reverse grid race, completing a phenomenal comeback.
Turkington is no stranger to victory of course, but this was arguably one of the best days of his illustrious career, having produced superb drives in each of the three contests.
As mentioned, the #4 BMW 330e M Sport was disqualified from Qualifying yesterday after the car failed post-session scrutineering checks, which meant a starting berth on the last row of the grid for Turkington.
Having charged through the order in the first two races, he saved his best until last to take his second victory of the season.
It was a BMW 1-2-3 at the finish as Turkington prevented stablemate Hill claiming an historic hat-trick, whilst Team BMW’s Adam Morgan completed the podium – his 40th in the BTCC.
The moment of truth came shortly after an early safety car period as Turkington ran around the outside of Morgan through turn one, as Hill also followed him through when the move was completed down at Cascades.
The aforementioned safety car spell also proved dramatic as the Ford Focus of championship leader Ash Sutton grounded to a halt on the opening lap after contact with Ingram’s car squeezed the former into the pit wall.
BMW’s memorable day helped the Bavarian marque claim top spot in the Manufacturers’ Standings, whilst NAPA Racing UK maintained its position at the head of the Teams’ order.
Josh Cook and his One Motorsport with Starline Racing continued its command of the Independents’ tables, whilst Dexter Patterson tops the Jack Sears Trophy, although Andrew Watson claimed the JST honours at Oulton Park.
Sutton’s recent qualifying dominance ensured he holds sway in the Goodyear Wingfoot Award as the BTCC heads into its mid-season break.