Race 1
Tom Ingram claimed a lights-to-flag victory, from NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill.
Ingram held the lead from the start as he defended well from the fast-starting BMWs of Hill and Turkington, the latter though was eventually shuffled down to fourth on the opening lap by the recovering Sutton.
The first lap ended under caution following a high speed off for Sam Osborne’s NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus, although he looked to have received a touch from behind as the cars wriggled through the Craner Curves for the first time.
LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq’s Josh Cook nipped past the sister car of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s Andrew Watson for sixth at the restart, whilst Team BMW’s Adam Morgan was busy making amazing inroads from the back of the grid.
When the rain eventually settled and the chequered flag waved it was Ingram winning from Sutton, with the latter having nipped by Hill’s #24 BMW late on.
Race 2
Ingram scored his second successive win as his dream weekend continued.
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill surged into the lead on the run down to Redgate for first time, as the BMW got another fast start. Pole-sitter Ingram thought about defending but backed out as the duo edged through the opening turns.
A sluggish start for Team BMW’s Turkington was further compounded by a late braking lock-up, which allowed the Toyota of Cook to nip through into fourth on the first lap.
Ingram would be embroiled in a tussle with NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton for second soon after, fending off his old adversary despite both cars going side-by-side.
It was all eyes on the leading trio in the latter stages of the race and another gaggle of three cars fighting for fourth, fifth and sixth.
The moment of truth came on lap 14 as Ingram scythed his Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS Hyundai down the inside of Hill’s #24 BMW and Sutton also eyed his opportunity by moving into second.
A stunned Hill fought back on the next lap, nipping through into second briefly before again being relegated to third at the end of the start/finish straight.
Race 3
Aiden Moffat produced a brilliant performance to take victory in the final BTCC race at Donington, as he held off a trio of champions in the closing stages of a fantastic and frenetic race.
LKQ Euro Car Parts with Synetiq’s Moffat won his first BTCC race at the same venue back in 2017 but was made to work extremely hard for this one, as he initially fought with Toyota stablemate Rob Huff and Team BMW’s Morgan.
Morgan blasted his BMW into the lead off the line, but then relinquished his advantage to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK’s Huff when running wide following a brief safety car period.
Moffat began reeling in the sister car of Huff and made an eye-catching move by mid-distance, with the latter getting shuffled down the pack.
Team BMW’s Turkington was the first to haul his car towards Moffat’s and he was eventually joined by NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton, after he had muscled his way by Hill’s BMW.
Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS’ Ingram – double race winner earlier in the day – also edged past Hill, and last year’s quartet of title challengers were now all over the back of Moffat for the final few laps.
Moffat would not be denied, however, as he defended brilliantly in what may arguably be the finest display of his BTCC career so far.
Turkington and Sutton completed the podium ahead of Ingram and Hill, with the fading Huff closing out the top six.
