Chilton snatches first BTCC pole since 2011 at Donington Park

Team VERTU's Tom Chilton claimed a first British Touring Car Championship pole position since 2011, as the experienced racer secured the spot amidst soggy conditions at Donington Park earlier today (30 August).

Qualifying sessions were carried out in ever-changing wet-dry conditions with tire choice, track limits and on-track timing proving pivotal to the eventual result.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA quartet fell foul in the opening session with Árón Taylor-Smith missing out due to a track limit infringement, and it was the downfall of NAPA Racing UK in the second segment as the Ford Focus squad endured tyre choice and track limits issues.

With rain falling heavier ahead of the "Quick Six" finale it was clear that a jumbled grid for tomorrow's opener was on the cards.

Chilton's pole position was richly deserved, however, as the Hyundai i30N driver had already set the pace during the earlier practice session and he duly delivered when it really mattered.

"This means a lot to me," Chilton said. "I haven’t had a pole since 2011 in the BTCC, it feels like a really long time, so I guess it was about time really. It was very tricky conditions, we were sliding all over the place, but I felt the tire and grip come in, and made no mistakes. 

"Maybe finally, being one thousand years old, the experience finally paid off in these conditions. It’s perfect for Team VERTU; it doesn’t get any better than locking out the front row."

Championship leader Tom Ingram will lineup on the front row alongside his teammate and the 2022 champion will be relieved to have come through the running relatively smoothly.

The Hyundai of Restart Racing's Chris Smiley and BMW of WSR's Daryl DeLeon will occupy the second row, whilst Team VERTU's Senna Proctor completed the top five order.

Ride height heartbreak hit for Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing's Mikey Doble as his Cupra failed post-session checks, and the No. 88 car will subsequently start at the back of the grid for the first race.

NAPA Racing UK duo Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom were sixth and seventh respectively, whilst the top ten order was rounded out by Adam Morgan (Team VERTU – Hyundai), Chris Smiley (Restart Racing – Hyundai) and Ash Sutton (NAPA Racing UK – Ford).

The glory, however, went to the highly experienced and much loved Chilton as he scored his first pole position since Knockhill way back in 2011 ... almost 14 years ago to the day.

Rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Donington Park GP Sunday, with the action being screened live on RACER Network and the RACER+ App throughout the day from 6:20am ET. See the RACER TV page for the full schedule,