Jake Hill claims crucial win in dramatic Brands Hatch opener

Jake Hill moved five points clear at the summit of the British Touring Car Championship standings after claiming a crucial victory in a dramatic opening encounter at Brands Hatch GP.

Starting from sixth, the West Surrey Racing driver powered his way to an eighth win of the season to grab the advantage in the championship battle as Tom Ingram battled back to salvage a podium.

The opening lap saw high drama unfold as Ingram, Ash Sutton and Josh Cook came together on the run up to Druids. The incident started with Cook suffering a brake issue and skating down the inside of both drivers, pushing them wide – which culminated in Sutton ending up in the gravel and out of the race.

Ingram managed to survive the skirmish however Cook would be collected by a number of other cars, including Toyota stablemate Rob Huff, and they both limped back to the pit lane to retire.

Following a brief safety car period, the race restarted with Colin Turkington leading Hill while Ingram was poised for action back in ninth. Turkington wasted no time in playing the team game to allow Hill to take control as Ingram produced one of his now customary charging drives.

Fighting his way up into third place, the Hyundai driver set off after four-time champion Turkington but despite his best efforts, he was unable to find a way past.

Hill would hold firm to reign supreme while Turkington and Ingram completed the podium. That result now means that just Hill and Ingram remain in mathematical contention to lift the biggest prize in UK motorsport, with two races to run.

Mikey Doble kept his nose clean to move up to fourth while Dan Cammish, Aron Taylor-Smith, Daryl Deleon, Dan Rowbottom, Tom Chilton and Andrew Watson completed the top ten.

Race 2 at Brands Hatch is scheduled to begin at 14:45.