Rainford takes BTCC Knockhill pole in WSR 1-2-3

LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR's Charles Rainford scored a sensational maiden Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship pole position after leading a WSR 1-2-3 during qualifying at Knockhill Saturday.

The BMWs showed improved pace at Croft last time out with Daryl DeLeon grabbing an outright podium, whilst Rainford claimed Jack Sears Trophy honors, but the Surrey stable has made a further step forward in Scotland.

It turned into a three-way fight among a trio of BMW 330i M Sports with Rainford, DeLeon and reigning champion Jake Hill all trying to put three sectors together around the undulating 1.27-mile circuit.

All three had their moments but it was Rainford that got the job done ahead of his younger teammate DeLeon, whilst Hill – running less TOCA Turbo Boost by virtue of his championship position – had to settle for third on the grid.

At just 27 and 20 years old respectively, Rainford and DeLeon will represent one of the youngest front rows in recent times, but the duo will need to keep it clean come race day having recently been scrapping over the same piece of tarmac.

"This is unreal. I can't believe it. This is something I've dreamed of," Rainford said. "I struggled in FP1 and FP2, I wanted to change the setup of the car but Dick Bennetts was right. It's all mental and the car was just amazing. Thanks to WSR and everyone involved. I just want to keep learning and keep improving, it's my first pole position in professional motorsport, so I'm over the moon."

Dan Rowbottom was initially the best of the rest in the front-wheel drive NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus, but his car was later disqualified having failed post-qualifying weight checks. The Hyundais of Team VERTU teammates Tom Ingram and Senna Proctor were subsequently promoted to fourth and fifth respectively in the "Quick Six" finale.

Rowbottom was the only Ford to make it through to the climactic session as Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish and Sam Osborne all struggled in the second segment.

Sutton arguably endured the most eye-catching moment during qualifying as the No. 116 went high on two wheels, with the four-time champion admitting his car could have rolled if he hadn't have turned out of the run through the exit of the chicane.

The top ten positions were completed by Cammish, Árón Taylor-Smith (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA), Chris Smiley (Restart Racing), local favorite Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR) and Sutton.

Rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Knockhill Sunday with the action getting underway on RACER Network at 6:20 a.m. ET.

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