The young Anglo-Filipino tin-top talent Daryl DeLeon secured his first-ever British Touring Car Championship win in an action-packed second race at Brands Hatch. DeLeon capitalized on the chaotic race conditions, equipped with the right tires and a boost of TOCA Turbo Boost, to claim victory in his West Surrey Racing BMW 330i M Sport.
DeLeon’s triumph came after a safety car period that shuffled the field, allowing him to overtake reigning champion Jake Hill and set the fastest lap of the race. Hill, who had led on hard tires for the first seven laps, was eventually passed by DeLeon and teammate Charles Rainford, who made a bold move on the hard-charging Hill at Druids corner.
The race took a dramatic turn when Dan Cammish, who had worked his way up to second place, suffered a mechanical issue and was collected by Mikey Doble’s Vauxhall Astra and Aiden Moffat’s BMW. This incident promoted DeLeon to second place for the final restart, where he quickly took the lead and pulled away from the competition.
Despite facing challenges with his power steering early in the race, DeLeon managed to maintain his lead and secure the victory. Adam Morgan finished in second place in his Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai i30 N, followed by Ash Sutton in third in his Alliance Ford.
Throughout the race, drivers battled for position, with Moffat making an impressive charge from 20th on the grid to finish fifth. Josh Cook, Rainford, and Hill rounded out the top eight, with Dan Rowbottom starting from pole position in the reverse-grid race.
The race was not without its share of incidents, with Ronan Pearson showcasing his skills in his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Corolla by making daring passes on his way to a top-10 finish. Tom Ingram struggled on hard tires in his Excelr8 Hyundai, finishing in 11th place.
DeLeon expressed his excitement and gratitude for the win, highlighting the challenges he faced during the race. The victory marked a significant milestone in his career and solidified his status as a rising star in the BTCC.
Overall, the second race at Brands Hatch provided fans with thrilling racing action and unexpected twists, showcasing the talent and determination of the drivers on the grid. As the season progresses, DeLeon and his competitors will continue to push the limits and battle for supremacy on the track.
