LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR's Charles Rainford scored a sensational maiden Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship pole position after leading a WSR 1-2-3 during qualifying today (16 August).
The BMWs showed improved pace at Croft last time out with Daryl DeLeon grabbing an outright podium, whilst Rainford claimed Jack Sears Trophy honours, but the Surrey stable have made a further step in Scotland.
It turned into a three-way fight among a trio of BMW 330i M Sports with Rainford, DeLeon and reigning champion Hill all trying to put three sectors together around the undulating 1.27-mile circuit.
All three had their moments but it was Rainford that got the job done of his younger teammate DeLeon, whilst Hill – running less TOCA Turbo Boost by virtue of his championship position – having to settle for third on the grid.
At just 27 and 20 years old respectively, Rainford and DeLeon will represent one of the youngest front rows in recent times, but the duo will need to keep it clean come race day having recently been scrapping over the same piece of Tarmac.
Dan Rowbottom was the best of the rest in the front-wheel drive NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus, as he continues his own progression. In truth, Rowbottom's performance was highly impressive as he edged out Team VERTU team-mates Tom Ingram and Senna Proctor in the 'Quick Six' finale.
Rowbottom's was the only Ford to make it through to the climactic session as Ash Sutton, Dan Cammish and Sam Osborne all struggled in the second segment.
Sutton arguably endured the most eye-catching moment during qualifying as the #116 went high on two wheels, with the four-time champion admitting his car could have rolled if it hadn't have turned out of the run through the exit of the chicane.
The top ten positions were completed by Cammish, local favourite Aiden Moffat (LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR), Árón Taylor-Smith (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA) and Chris Smiley (Restart Racing), with Sutton having to settle for 11th.
Rounds 19, 20 and 21 of the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Knockhill tomorrow with the action getting underway on ITV4 from 10:45.
Charles Rainford, LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR, said: "This is unreal, I can't believe it, this is something I've dreamed of. I struggled in FP1 and FP2, I wanted to change the setup of the car but Dick Bennetts was right. It's all mental and the car was just amazing. Thanks to WSR and everyone involved. I just want to keep learning and keep improving, it's my first pole position in professional motorsport, so I'm over the moon."
2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Knockhill – Qualifying – Classification:
P/ No/ Name/ Entry/ Q1/ Q2/ Q3/
1 99 Charles RAINFORD LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR 50.890 50.839 50.673
2 2 Daryl DELEON WSR 50.689 50.740 50.686
3 1 Jake HILL Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport 51.030 50.746 50.860
4 80 Tom INGRAM Team VERTU 50.884 50.811 51.143
5 18 Senna PROCTOR Team VERTU 51.041 50.756 53.764
6 27 Dan CAMMISH NAPA Racing UK 50.926 50.998
7 40 Árón TAYLOR-SMITH TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA 51.044 51.022
8 22 Chris SMILEY Restart Racing 51.166 51.051
9 16 Aiden MOFFAT LKQ Euro Car Parts Racing with WSR 50.964 51.084
10 116 Ashley SUTTON NAPA Racing UK 51.059 51.103
11 77 Sam OSBORNE NAPA Racing UK 51.114 51.300
12 123 Daniel LLOYD Restart Racing 51.165
13 33 Adam MORGAN Team VERTU 51.170
14 132 James DORLIN TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA 51.270
15 88 Mikey DOBLE Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing 51.198
16 3 Tom CHILTON Team VERTU 51.347
17 52 Gordon SHEDDEN TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA 51.482
18 17 Dexter PATTERSON ROKiT Racing with Un-Limited Motorsport 51.377
19 19 Max BUXTON TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA 51.716
20 50 Nick HALSTEAD Motor Parts Direct with Power Maxed Racing 52.748
21 28 Nicolas HAMILTON Powder Monkey Brewing Co with Esidock 52.309
DQ 32 Daniel ROWBOTTOM NAPA Racing UK 0
