WSR and BMW filled the second row of the grid as the first qualifying session of the 2024 British Touring Car Championship was held at Donington Park.
Team BMW’s Colin Turkington and Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Jake Hill charged to third and fourth spots aboard their BMW 330e M Sport race cars to set up a fascinating prospect for race day.
Already having to navigate the rounds of the new ‘Quick Six’ qualifying system, Colin and Jake both made their way through the 10-minute ‘Q1’, starting a damp session on wet tyres but switching to slicks soon after to secure progression.
An all-slick Q2 ran to similar form as both finished in the top six to secure their spots in the final Q3 pole-position shoot-out.
Four-time champion Colin and Kent ace Jake swapped positions several times in the final session; the duo finishing third and fourth; both within 0.4 seconds of pole position.
Colin’s Team BMW team-mate Adam Morgan had set top-seven times in both practice sessions, but was placed in Group One for the opening phase of qualifying.
Heading out on slick tyres as rain began to fall, he stayed out on dry-weather rubber while others pitted for wet tyres and was knocked down the order in the final moments; ending up seventh in the group and 16th on the Race One grid.
His practice speed, however, leaves the 11-time BTCC race winner confident of his ability to climb the order tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s three races will be broadcast live on ITV4 in the UK from 1040 and on the ITV Sport Tik Tok channel – available to view worldwide – from 1120.
What they said…
Colin Turkington, Team BMW
Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport
Adam Morgan, Team BMW
Dick Bennetts, Team Principal