Brands Hatch BTCC: Turkington wins race one to boost title hopes

The Team Subaru Levorg GT driver led every lap of the race from pole position after fending off a strong first-corner challenge from the Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis of Rob Austin.

Austin eventually finished in second place, ahead of the Triple Eight Racing MG6 of Josh Cook, who had jumped Turkington's Team BMR team-mate Jason Plato at Clearways on the last lap.

Turkington, who also netted the point for setting the fastest lap, said: "It was tough off the start because I don't think the sun had got to that part of the Tarmac yet.

"Rob pushed me hard to start with but then, after that, I was able to pull away as I liked. The car was perfect, and I could have kept going."

Behind the top four, factory Honda Civic Type R driver Gordon Shedden used a strong opening lap to power up to fifth place.

He finished ahead of Adam Morgan's Ciceley Racing Mercedes-Benz A-Class, who had Shedden's team-mate Matt Neal in his wheeltracks.

Neal had earlier clashed with Rob Collard's WSR BMW 125i M Sport going into Druids, which delayed Collard and the Hampshireman could only recover for 12^thplace.

Championship leader Sam Tordoff, who was carrying the maximum 75kg of success ballast into the race finished in 10^th spot after starting in the same position.

The results mean Tordoff maintains his points lead but he is now only six clear of Shedden with two races remaining today.

Neal is 10 points adrift, with Collard 19 and Turkington 20 behind.

Mat Jackson (Motorbase Ford Focus), who finished 11^th, and his team-mate Andrew Jordan, who retired after contact, are still in mathematical contention for the title.

RACE ONE RESULT