Cammish Bags Pole as NAPA Racing UK Secure a Triple-Header

Dan Cammish claimed his second pole of the season by besting qualifying at Croft this afternoon, in a sensational NAPA Racing UK 1-2-3 which will also see teammates Dan Rowbottom and championship leader Ash Sutton join him at the front of the grid in race one tomorrow.

On a circuit that typically favours the rear-wheel-drive cars, many predicted it would be Team BMW that dominated qualifying and for a short while it did appear to be going that way as Jake Hill and Colin Turkington set the early pace.

That was, however, until the NAPA Racing Ford Focus ST's found their stride, once again proving they are arguably the most dominant force of the season so far. Whilst Jake Hill battled to keep his lead over Dan Rowbottom at the top of the times, Ash Sutton took his chance to turn in a quicker lap. Rowbottom then traded with a fastest of his own with six-and-a-half minutes left on the clock, until Cammish just as quickly leapfrogged his teammates to secure the NAPA Racing triple-header.

It was not such a great day at the office for Team HARD. Racing, however, who came into the weekend having had a busy summer break with two driver changes. The team already found themselves a driver down when it was announced earlier in the day that Nicholas Hamilton would not be able to compete this weekend. Seventeen-year-old Daryl DeLeon, making his official debut this weekend, also lost control of his Cupra Leon into the tyre wall during qualifying, causing the session to be red-flagged with five minutes remaining on the clock.

Pace-setter Dan Cammish chose to remain in the pit after the restart, which proved to be a wise decision as his lead barely came under threat.

Dan Cammish said: “This means the world to me – I wanted to come back after the break period and come out swinging. A 1-2-3 is also an amazing feat for NAPA Racing UK and such a testament to all these guys celebrating in the garage behind me. It feels absolutely incredible!”

Defending BTCC champion Tom Ingram found himself with some work to do after only managing to place twelfth before the red flag. With just enough time after the restart to chase an improvement, Tingram will start tomorrow's first race in seventth after a late surge by Colin Turkington - the highest-placed of Team BMW - leapfrogged him to sixth.

Cammish's result ensured NAPA Racing UK kept hold of their 100% performance in qualifying so far this season, with their sixth straight pole position.

2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Croft
1. Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK 1:22.126s
2. Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK +0.166s
3. Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK +0.193s
4. Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.212s
5. Colin Turkington, Team BMW +0.280s
6. Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport +0.321s
7. Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.335s
8. Árón Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.713s
9. Stephen Jelley, Team BMW +0.713s
10. Aiden Moffat, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +0.721s
11. Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +0.732s
12. Ricky Collard, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +0.758s
13. Ronan Pearson, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +0.820s
14. Adam Morgan, Team BMW +0.861s
15. Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +0.994s
16. Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK +0.996s
17. Tom Chilton, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +1.040s
18. Rory Butcher, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +1.055s
19. George Gamble, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK +1.071s
20. Andrew Watson, CarStore Power Maxed Racing +1.142s
21. Michael Crees, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils +1.300s
22. Dexter Patterson, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +1.313s 
23. Jack Butel, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown +1.634s
24. Jade Edwards, One Motorsport with Starline Racing +2.197s
25. Daryl DeLeon, Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD +2.673s
26. Nick Halstead, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 +3.154s

Chris Tetreault-Blay
BTCC Journalist @ F1 Journal