The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship drew to a close at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 23/24) with Laser Tools Racing’s Ashley Sutton crowned champion for the third time in his career.

Entering the final event of the season holding a 32-point advantage over his nearest title challenger, the Infiniti Q50 driver produced a flawless performance to net sixth place in races one and two to secure an unassailable lead with a race to spare. Then, with the shackles off he cemented his status as champion by charging to victory in race three. 

Sutton also successfully retained his BTCC Independent Drivers’ Championship crown whilst he also helped Laser Tools Racing clinch both the Teams’ and Independent Teams titles – making it a year to remember for the West Lothian-based squad. 

Elsewhere, Team BMW wrapped up the Manufacturer/Constructors title for a record-breaking sixth consecutive year. Daniel Rowbottom meanwhile was the final champion of 2021 after he claimed the Jack Sears Trophy in commanding fashion. 

In front of what was undoubtedly the biggest crowd of the year, BTC Racing also enjoyed one of their best weekend’s of the season, kicking things off by securing a front-row lockout in the final qualifying session of the season on Saturday.

Senna Proctor powered his Honda Civic Type R to pole position ahead of team-mate Josh Cook whilst Halfords Racing with Cataclean’s Rowbottom and Gordon Shedden made it an all-Honda top four as the top 12 drivers dipped under the existing qualifying lap record.

Race one saw Cook produce a superlative drive as he got the jump on Proctor at the start and then commanded proceedings out front to notch an impressive 1-2, with Shedden not far behind in third.

In the battle for the championship, Sutton held station in sixth place to further extend his advantage in the standings. 

Sutton’s crowning glory came in the second bout as he once again finished sixth to secure an unassailable lead with one race to spare. As Cook secured back-to-back victories ahead of Daniel Lloyd, the reigning champion shadowed title rival Turkington to put the question of who would be champion beyond doubt. 

With the pressure off, the 27-year-old cemented his status as the driver to beat as he blasted from fourth on the grid in the final round of the year to score victory ahead of Rowbottom and Tom Ingram.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return in 2022, with the start of the hybrid era kicking off at Donington Park on April 23/24.

To view the full classification of BTCC results from Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.