The LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR driver narrowly edged out the similar BMW 330i M Sports of Daryl DeLeon and Jake Hill to head the first top-three lock-out for any team in 2025 by just over one hundredth of a second.
Charles had served notice of intention to challenge for pole as he set the pace in the second free practice session aboard his BMW 330i M Sport. He then progressed through both Q1 and Q2 without setting the pace in either.
Instead, it was WSR driver and Jack Sears Trophy leader Daryl who went fastest in both sessions with 2024 BTCC champion Jake his closest challenger.
But in the crucial 10-minute ‘Quick Six’ shoot-out for pole position it was Charles who emerged on top with a 50.839s lap that narrowly secured the top spot by just 0.013s.
For Anglo- Filippino racer Daryl, second place marked his first front-row start in what is only his second full season of BTCC competition.
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver Jake completed the top three with a remarkable charge, less than two weeks after being forced to withdraw from the Croft round ahead of qualifying due to illness.
Home hero Aiden Moffat, who is set to start his 350th BTCC race on Sunday, made it into Q2 for the first time in 2025 for LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR.
The Dalkeith racer had his best lap in the session removed for exceeding track limits, but will start a season’s-best ninth and narrowly missed out on a spot in the ‘Quick Six’ session by a little over a tenth of a second.
Sunday’s three races will be broadcast live on ITV4 with Race One scheduled to start at 1125.
Charles Rainford, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR: “That’s my first pole position in British Touring Cars, which feels amazing, and now we’ll see what we can do tomorrow. It’s been a fantastic day. The sun’s been shining, the fans have been amazing and most importantly my LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR BMW has been on top form. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring but I feel like it’s going to be a good day, so let’s go and get it!”
Aiden Moffat, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR: “It’s amazing to see my team-mate Charles on pole and the other lads in the top three. I had the pace to be right up there with them, but I threw it away, so it’s been a bit disappointing. The BMW felt really good thanks to the hard work the team’s done making some positive changes, and my Q1 lap would have got me into the Quick-Six shoot-out if I could have matched it in Q2, but I locked up and didn’t do the lap that was in the car. We’re fast though so bring on tomorrow.”
Daryl DeLeon, WSR: “It’s my first front-row qualifying in the BTCC so I’m really happy with that. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite hook up my laps in Q3 so it wasn’t pole, but I’m in a really strong starting position. We’ll do a pretty deep dive into the data to make sure we have a good set-up for the races and that I can get a good launch at the start. From there we’ll just see how it goes.”
Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport: “I’ve qualified third – my first time inside the top three since Brands Hatch earlier in the year. The whole team’s done a really strong job with Charles on his first pole, Daryl on the front row for the first time and me in third. Overall, I’m really happy, not just for myself, but for everybody, and hopefully tomorrow I can move forwards and have some good, strong racing.”
Dick Bennetts, Team Principal: “I’m very pleased with the results today. The four drivers did a very good job and as a team we have all the BMWs handling well. It was a non-stop battle for pole position between Charles and Daryl with both taking their best-ever qualifying results, and for Jake to be third after the issues he’s faced since Croft is just as impressive. With Aiden having his best qualifying of the year and all four cars in the top 10, we can be very satisfied with our Saturday. Tomorrow’s when it really counts though and we’ll work hard overnight to make sure we’re in good shape to fight for wins tomorrow.”
