Judgement day in the BTCC is just around the corner with the season finale at Brands Hatch just one week away. Five championships are still up for grabs including the coveted drivers, teams and manufacturers crowns. Every point is going to matter as the blockbuster 2025 season comes to its conclusion. Before the action gets underway at Brands Hatch, we will give you the complete picture for each championship and who is still in contention.
The Drivers Title:
Ingram (419 Points) Vs Sutton (386 Points)
It’s fair to say that Ingram and Sutton have picked up where they left off in 2023 when Sutton added a fourth title to his illustrious BTCC career. But this year, Ingram has had the measure of Sutton so far. Ingram heads into the final meeting of the year with a healthy 33 point lead over Sutton. It looks like Sutton has a mountain to climb in order to take a record breaking title but of course if anyone could, do it Ash Sutton could. If Ingram can get a good points swing over Sutton in race one, the title would be as good as won. But Ash Sutton has nothing to lose so expect him to be at his very best at Brands.
These two drivers are currently at the peak of their powers and have the utmost respect for each other, so expect to see three brilliant motor races to decide the 2025 drivers honours.
The Manufacturers Title:
Alliance Racing (763 Points) Vs EXCELR8 (762 Points)
The manufacturer’s title is definitely going to be one to look out for throughout the weekend. The Alliance Racing Ford and EXCELR8 Hyundai teams enter the deciding round separated by just a single point so it is a straight shootout between the two teams. The Alliance Ford squad do come into the deciding weekend with the upper hand over EXCELR8. Expect to see plenty of teammates working together especially if this championship goes right down to the last race of the weekend and if other championships have been wrapped up.
The Teams Title:
Team NAPA (700 Points) Vs Team Vertu (697 Points)
The teams title is just as close as the manufacturers. Three points separate NAPA Racing UK and Team Vertu with NAPA currently on top. Ingram and Sutton will be playing a huge role in all three of these championships so it is vital they are at the top of their game. Once again, this battle will get very tense and expect teams to be doing everything to finish on top of the pile.
The Independent Drivers Title:
Something else to keep a keen eye on throughout the weekend will be the Independent drivers title battle. Three drivers are still in contention to take the crown and are all separated by just 13 points.
Chris Smiley: 364 Points
Smiley sits in third place in the standings after a brilliant start to the season. He has the most independent wins (9) of any of the three but has struggled in the second half of the year. A 13 point deficit isn’t insurmountable for Smiley but he will need some good fortune and to consistently outscore both of his rivals across the three races.
Mikey Doble: 372 Points
Doble and Power Maxed Racing undoubtedly had the worst fortune of all this season after they lost their main facility to a fire in August. Many thought their season was over but they rose from the ashes and managed to get back on the grid at Knockhill just days later. After losing their Vauxhall Astra’s to the blaze, PMR switched to Cupra’s which are a completely different beast to tame. Doble has struggled a bit with getting to grips with the new machinery but is gaining confidence every weekend. Wouldn’t it just be the fairytale ending to a troubled 2025 for Doble and PMR. Doble is just five points adrift from the championship crown but his competitors will be tough to crack.
Dan Lloyd: 377 Points
After his overall victory at Silverstone, Lloyd looks like the form man in the Independent battle. Despite the points gap between the three being small, Lloyd’s advantage over the rest heading into this weekend could be crucial come the chequered flag of race three. Lloyd has had success on the GP loop before. Claiming an overall victory in the final race of the weekend three years ago. If Lloyd can stay out of trouble and bank some good points across all three races, he will be in a good position to take the title at the end of the day.
The Jack Sears Trophy:
Daryl DeLeon (417 Points) Vs Charles Rainford (409 Points)
The Jack Sears Trophy looks like it’s going to be a battle between the two BMW drivers for the top spot. DeLeon and Rainford have been the runaway contenders for the title for the majority of the season. Both return to a circuit where they claimed their first touring car victories earlier in the season. But the Jack Sears title would trump any prior achievements.
The pair have had very similar results this year. Taking a win each at Brands last time out and then a handful of podiums and a pole position each throughout the season. Despite being behind in the overall championship, DeLeon has been brilliant in his class. The driver from the Philippines has taken nine wins in his class compared to Rainford’s five. The BMW duo are separated by just eight points in a battle which could determine the number one driver at BMW next year after Jake Hill announced his departure earlier in the week.
The Independent teams standings was already wrapped up by Restart Racing after their results at Silverstone.
Be sure to tune in for race day on Sunday the 5th of October to see champions crowned at Brands Hatch.