Tom Chilton’s Grit Shines at Brands Hatch: A Veteran’s Weekend of Quiet Brilliance
At Birch, we’ve always admired the qualities that separate the good from the great —resilience, consistency, and a touch of understated class. Those same traits were on full display as our own Tom Chilton took on the 2025 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) round at Brands Hatch this past weekend.
While the weekend headlines went to BMW’s factory-backed dominance, those paying close attention would have noticed a far more nuanced story unfolding in the midfield. Chilton, a driver with decades of experience and a racing CV as polished as many of the vehicles we house at Birch, delivered a weekend of intelligent driving and calm recovery—exactly the kind of cool under pressure that wins championships, not just races.
Qualifying Challenges
Qualifying most certainly didn’t go to plan for Tom with a newly resurfaced circuit meaning all the learnings from the pre-season test, where Tom was fastest– went out of the window. On top of finding a new set-up, woes for another driver impacted Tom’s pace potential.
“Qualifying didn’t go to plan. Just as the tyres came in, the red flag came out. I ended up doing my fastest lap on lap 12—basically a race stint on those tyres.
“Didn’t make it into Q2, which was a real shame. The new tarmac didn’t suit my car either—very frustrating.”
Building Momentum in Race 1
Race 1 saw Tom navigating the densely packed midfield with the kind of composure only experience brings. Though he wasn’t running at the front, he stayed clean, avoided unnecessary risks, and brought the car home in one piece—crucial in the BTCC’s bruising triple-header format. It was a strategic opener, laying the foundation for a stronger push in the afternoon.
“We started on the hard tyre and went backwards—but we expected that. Everyone struggled on it.”
A Masterclass in Race craft: The Race 2 Comeback
The standout moment came in Race 2. Starting 22nd on the grid after a challenging Saturday, despite a start line electronic glitch which meant he dropped to 25th, Chilton carved his way through the action to finish 12th— an incredible thirteen-place gain. It wasn’t just the positions he gained, but how he did it: sharp overtakes, impeccable timing, and a precise reading of the track conditions. In a race littered with incidents and retirements, he kept a cool head and delivered one of the most impressive (if under-celebrated) recovery drives of the day.
“The dashboard failed before the start—I was last by the time I crossed the line. But then I had the race of my life: 25th to 12th with some proper overtakes. That’s why I love racing.”
Consistent and Calculated in Race 3
Race 3 was all about consolidation. Starting from the mid-pack once more, Tom kept the pressure on, securing more championship points with a clean and composed drive. As the conditions evolved and tyres wore down, his consistency shone through—proof, once again, of his enduring competitiveness at the top level.
“Starting 12th, I pushed through to finish seventh. More points, and I only dropped from third to fourth in the championship. We’re still leading the Teams’ and Constructors’ standings too.”
Looking Ahead to Snetterton
Tom leaves Brands Hatch sitting fourth in the overall standings—a strong position as the series heads to Snetterton later this month (May 24–25). With his Race 2 performance offering a clear signal of intent, there’s every reason to believe he can edge further toward the front of the pack in the coming rounds.
“Snetterton should suit us better. We’ve got more turbo boost now, and if I can save that awful hard tyre until later in the day, I’ll be smiling.”
At Birch Gatwick, we take pride in supporting drivers who reflect the same values we stand for: attention to detail, a relentless pursuit of excellence, and the kind of dedication that withstands the test of time.
For official race results and standings, visit btcc.net
.jpeg)
