Tom Ingram scores his first BTCC win in 2016 opener at Brands Hatch

The 22-year-old brought his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis home 2.2 seconds clear of reigning champion Gordon Shedden and the sister Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type R of Matt Neal.

Ingram said: "That was emotional. It is unbelievable. We have put a lot of work into the car and this means so much. This is real."

Rookie Ash Sutton made a strong start to his career with the Triple Eight Racing MG6 team by grabbing fourth place after a strong getaway.

He fended off MG team-mate Josh Cook to the line after the latter had battled up through the pack.

Sam Tordoff, who had started his WSR BMW 125i M Sport in fourth place, was spun down the order after contact with his team-mate Rob Collard in the opening stages.

Collard bounced back for sixth place ahead of Team BKR VW driver Aron Smith, Mat Jackson in the best of the Motorbase Performance Fords, Adam Morgan's Ciceley Racing Mercedes-Benz A-Class and WSR's third driver Jack Goff.

The new factory Subaru Levorg machines were in the wars with Colin Turkington retiring with damage and Warren Scott suffering a propshaft problem.

Jason Plato finished 20th and James Cole was 25th.

RESULTS - 27 LAPS