BTCC 2025: Chaos at Thruxton

Thruxton lived up to its reputation as the UK’s fastest circuit, serving up a weekend of flat-out, wheel-to-wheel BTCC action that had fans on the edge of their seats. A rain-soaked qualifying session on Saturday shook up the grid and set the stage for a thrilling Sunday, where Tom Ingram grabbed his first win of the season, Ash Sutton delivered a dominant Race 2 performance, and Daniel Rowbottom held his nerve to claim victory in a tense finale. 

With battles breaking out up and down the field, it was classic Thruxton through and through. Missed the action? Don’t worry, we’ve got the full breakdown right here.

Qualifying

Early in the session, track conditions were damp but improving. Drivers scrambled to set banker laps before a heavy shower mid-session turned the surface slick again, effectively locking in early times and catching out several front-runners. Timing, tyre choice, and confidence in the car proved crucial.

As the heavier rain came down Q1, part 2 was wrapping up, but not before we had our first incident of the day. Josh Cook slammed into the barrier, bringing out the red flag with only a minute left on the clock. This stopped some drivers completing their quick laps, however, once the barrier was repaired and the car cleared the session got back underway with 5 minutes added.

The rain continued to come down as the sessions continued. Conditions were very tricky as we headed into the Q3; drivers were putting in quick lap times, but all finding their limits as they struggled for grip. Senna Proctor had to pull over with an issue, which brought the red flag out for the second time. 

However, Ash Sutton once again proved why he's a master of Thruxton’s fast, flowing layout. The NAPA Racing UK driver delivered a superb lap in tricky conditions to take pole position, managing both risk and reward with precision. Tom Ingram lined up alongside him on the front row and Dan Cammish secured third, completing a front three packed with title challengers.

Race 1: Ingram outmuscles Sutton in action-packed opener

The first BTCC race of the day saw Tom Ingram secure his first win of the 2025 season, in a thrilling contest that featured bold overtakes, side-by-side racing, and moments of real contact. Ingram started from second on the grid but wasted no time closing the gap to polesitter Sutton.

Twice, Ingram and Sutton made contact as they battled for position through the high-speed chicane section. Despite the close action, both kept their cars in the fight, with Ingram ultimately emerging in front after a brave move and a tight drag to the Complex.

A mid-race safety car, due to a collision between Max Hall and Sam Osborne at Goodwood, bunched the field up and gave Sutton a second chance to strike. But post-restart, Ingram’s pace remained relentless, and Sutton was forced to contend with an unusual issue - a Kwik Fit sticker lodged in his radiator - which disrupted cooling and affected performance. That issue allowed Dan Cammish to slip through into second.

Cook had an incredible drive, making his way from P14 after his crash in qualifying, up to third and onto the podium - a solid effort by the team to repair the car and provide Cook with the ability to secure this great result. Sutton managed to hang on to fourth and gather important points for the championship.

Race 2: Sutton dominates with a scintillating start

If Race 1 saw Sutton on the back foot, Race 2 showed exactly why he’s a four-time BTCC champion. From the moment the lights went out, the NAPA Racing UK driver delivered a masterclass in front-running performance. Starting from fourth, Sutton got the jump on Cammish, Cook and Ingram, slicing cleanly through the middle of the pack and stealing the lead into Allard on the opening lap.

Within just two laps, Sutton had stretched a comfortable 0.8-second lead, which he maintained and built on throughout the race. His car looked planted and composed through Thruxton’s notoriously quick sweeps, and not even a brief lock-up mid-race could shake his momentum. It was a commanding lights-to-flag victory, his fourth of the season, and underlined his championship pedigree.

Ingram again looked strong in second, keeping Sutton honest but never quite close enough to challenge. Initially, Cook crossed the line in third, but post-race scrutineering ruled that his car failed the ride-height check, leading to exclusion from the result. 

That handed third place to Rowbottom, who quietly pieced together an efficient and drama-free drive to pick up a well-deserved podium. Cammish battled Hill to finish in fourth, keeping his title bid on track.

Race 3: Rowbottom capitalises in reverse-grid finale

The final race of the day featured all the unpredictability you’d expect from a BTCC reverse-grid showdown. It was Daniel Rowbottom who made the most of the opportunity, securing his second victory of the 2025 campaign with a composed and strategic drive.

Initially, it was Hill who made the best getaway, using his rapid launch control system to take the lead into Allard. However, Rowbottom responded immediately and seized back the lead on the second lap with a daring move at Seagrave. From there, he defended brilliantly, particularly following a mid-race safety car period that reset the pack, after Adam Morgan suffered a heavy crash that brought out the yellow flags.

Once racing resumed, Rowbottom came under increasing pressure from behind. Cammish managed to get the better of Hill shortly after the restart and began closing in on his teammate and Ingram at the front. Behind them, drama unfolded as Sutton and Hill became entangled in a robust fight for position, the pair making contact which ultimately allowed Rowbottom to escape any late threats.

Rowbottom held his nerve to cross the line first, taking the chequered flag to round out a memorable weekend. Ingram claimed second, his third podium of the day, and Cammish rounded off the podium, while Hill was left ruing what might have been, having dropped way down the pack following the incident with Sutton.

Thruxton debrief

Sunday’s racing at Thruxton saw a reshuffling of momentum in the title battle. Tom Ingram’s race win and consistent podium presence brought him firmly back into contention after a quiet start to the year. Ash Sutton continued to show his class with a commanding Race 2 victory and competitive showings in the other races, even with minor mechanical setbacks.

Make sure to keep up to date on our social media channels and our blog, or visit our stand if you are going to the circuit. Be prepared for your next journey to the BTCC with a Free Vehicle Health Check at your local Kwik Fit Centre today.