Daryl DeLeon Leads Practice at Brands Hatch for BTCC Final Round
West Surrey Racing’s young talent, Daryl DeLeon, took the lead in free practice for the final round of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Brands Hatch. The Anglo-Filipino driver demonstrated his skill on the Grand Prix circuit, setting the fastest time in the second session despite challenging conditions.
The session was held in largely dry but extremely windy conditions, which added an extra layer of difficulty to the track. DeLeon, driving his BMW 330i M Sport, managed to outpace all other competitors. His performance in FP2 was particularly impressive, with a time of 1’29.271, just 0.053 seconds ahead of Josh Cook’s Toyota Corolla GR Sport. This close battle highlighted the competitiveness of the session, with several drivers pushing their limits.
DeLeon also showed strong form in the earlier FP1 session, where he set the second-fastest time. Although the track was damp in some areas, especially in the wooded sections of the GP loop, he managed to secure the best theoretical sector times. This consistency across both sessions showcased his adaptability and precision on the track.
FP2 appeared to be a tight contest between DeLeon and Charles Rainford from the WSR BMW squad. Both drivers made strategic pit stops in the closing laps, creating a nail-biting finish. However, it was Josh Cook who ultimately came closest to DeLeon, finishing just 0.053 seconds behind him.
Reflecting on the session, DeLeon said, “It’s really good I think. It was nice to have the dry track out on the GP circuit, although there was still a bit of muddy water on the exit of Stirling’s, so it’s not nice to have that kick of oversteer when you run through it.”
He also mentioned the challenges posed by the wind, noting, “Our braking points, they don’t vary, but sometimes you go into Paddock Hill on the brakes nice and hard, and you miss the corner.” Despite these difficulties, DeLeon remained optimistic about his chances in qualifying.
Behind DeLeon and Cook, Charles Rainford secured third place, followed by Adam Morgan, who completed the top four within 0.1 seconds. Senna Proctor and Dan Rowbottom rounded out the top six, with Rowbottom being the fastest among the Alliance Racing-run NAPA Ford Focus STs.
Tom Ingram, the championship leader, kept a low profile during FP2 but made a late push on soft tires, moving up to seventh place on the final lap. His title rival, Ash Sutton, did not complete a proper run on soft tires, ending the session in 18th place. This means Sutton will compete in a different group during the opening phase of qualifying compared to Ingram.
Other notable performances included Chris Smiley, Aiden Moffat, and Tom Chilton, who finished in the top 10. The results highlight the intense competition in the BTCC, with multiple drivers vying for positions in the final round.
FP2 Results Summary
Here are the key results from FP2:
- Daryl DeLeon (West Surrey Racing) – 1’29.271
- Josh Cook (Toyota Gazoo Racing UK) – 1’29.324 (+0.053)
- Charles Rainford (LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing) – 1’29.350 (+0.079)
- Adam Morgan (Team Vertu) – 1’29.363 (+0.092)
- Senna Proctor (Team Vertu) – 1’29.424 (+0.153)
- Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) – 1’29.425 (+0.154)
- Tom Ingram (Team Vertu) – 1’29.437 (+0.166)
- Chris Smiley (Restart Racing) – 1’29.513 (+0.242)
- Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing) – 1’29.573 (+0.302)
- Tom Chilton (Team Vertu) – 1’29.589 (+0.318)
FP1 Highlights
In the first practice session, Dan Cammish led the way with a time of 1’30.510. However, he did not complete a full run on soft tires in FP2. Daryl DeLeon followed closely behind, with a time of 1’30.733, while Charles Rainford and Ash Sutton completed the top four.
The FP1 session was interrupted by a red flag early on due to a fallen branch that hit some spectators, requiring medical attention. This incident highlighted the unpredictable nature of the race weekend.
Key Drivers and Teams
Several drivers stood out in both sessions, showcasing their potential for the final round of the season. The competition remains fierce, with teams like West Surrey Racing, Team Vertu, and NAPA Racing UK pushing for top positions.
As the BTCC heads into the final stages, all eyes will be on the qualifying sessions to see how the drivers perform under pressure. With such a competitive field, the final round promises to be an exciting conclusion to the season.
