BTCC Brands Hatch: Proctor scores first win after slicks gamble

The 19-year-old scored his maiden series win ahead of Jake Hill and Ollie Jackson.

Proctor started on the 14th row of the grid after contact in the opening race, but chose to have slick tyres on his Power Maxed Racing car on a drying circuit.

The frontrunners had all chosen the wet weather tyres but they were reeled in by several others who had also chosen to gamble on the dry weather rubber.

Tom Ingram (Speedworks Toyota) jumped the early leader Andrew Jordan (WSR BMW) and the pair raced clear, but deposed polesitter Jack Goff (Eurotech Honda) came back into the picture as he protected his wet Dunlops.

But by lap 19 of 27, the wet tyre runners were beginning to struggle.

Proctor, who was battling with the similarly slick-shod Mercedes-Benz A-Class of Aiden Moffat, had moved into the top 10, and within two laps the pair jumped the leaders to assume command.

Moffat grabbed the advantage from Proctor as they made their way to the front, with Jake Hill (Team Hard VW CC) and Ollie Jackson (AmD Tuning Audi) - also both on slicks - in their wheeltracks.

The crunch point came on lap 26 when Proctor and Moffat went side-by-side on the exit of Druids.

The pair made slight contact and the Mercedes went into the wall.

Proctor continued untroubled to victory from Hill and Jackson.

"It is a dream come true and I am not really sure that I won't wake up soon," said Proctor afterwards.

"I saw that there were some dry patches on the track on my out lap to the grid, and I said to my engineer that we should try slicks.

"From 27th on the grid, I figured we had nothing to lose - and I was proved right.

"This truly is an amazing result."

Tom Boardman (AmD Tuning.com MG) took fifth from Rob Austin (HMS Racing Alfa Romeo), who was also on slicks after starting in 29th spot.

Austin has been drawn on pole for the reversed grid race later on Sunday.

Other slick-shod cars of Matt Simpson (Eurotech Honda Civic), Mike Bushell (Team Hard VW CC) and Rory Butcher (AmD Tuning MG) completed the top nine.

Goff eventually finished 10th ahead of Ingram and Ash Sutton (Team BMR Subaru).

Race two results