Tom Ingram takes career win 41 in race three of the day at Brands Hatch. He came from fifth on the grid to take a long awaited first victory in 2026.
Dorlin battles to keep his lead off the line
James Dorlin was put on pole position thanks to the reverse grid draw. However, he would have had a bit of a sinking feeling before the race as he would one of the only drivers to run the medium tyre in the race. The Restart Racing driver made a solid start but was instantly under pressure from the ever present Ash Sutton. Sutton got a brilliant getaway from seventh on the grid to challange for the lead by turn one! Dorlin crucially claimed the inside line for Druids with Ingram following close behind him. Sutton was shuffled to the outside and lost second place to Ingram.
Ingram managed to get a good run on Dorlin and passed him at Paddock Hill Bend. Both Sutton and Collard were both chomping at the bit to have a go at Dorlin. There wasn’t much opportunity for the pair as on lap four, Dorlin was still close to the back of Ingram despite his less favourable medium tyres.
There was trouble for Ricky Collard as his Hyundai slowed on the exit of Graham Hill and dropped out of the race early on.
Meanwhile, Mikey Doble was looking to get involved in Dorlin and Sutton’s scrap. Doble managed to take advantage of Dorlin focusing on defending from Sutton and passed the championship leader around the outside of Paddock Hill Bend. Doble then managed to blast past James Dorlin with his turbo boost on lap nine for second place.
Sutton was desperate to pass Dorlin aswell. He lunged his NAPA Ford Focus Saloon down the inside of Dorlin at Clearways and kept the inside for Paddock Hill.
Doble vs Sutton for second
Sutton wasn’t just content with third position. He began reeling in Mikey Doble’s Audi with his remarkable pace he had shown all day. It was going to have to be a tactical pass for Sutton. On lap 19 the tide changed as Doble had one lap less of turbo boost than Sutton. The four time champion took his chance immediately and made his move on lap 20 down the inside into Druids.
But Ingram was a long way ahead in the distance and Sutton couldn’t close the gap. Ingram crossed the line to take his first win of 2026 with a margin of 3.8 seconds at the line.
Hear from the top three
Tom Ingram, Team Vertu Driver: ” I’m really pleased, we knew we had to try and recover some points this weekend because we have been very unlucky so far. The team have worked hard this weekend and we got our reward at the end of the day.”
Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing Ford UK Driver: ” I couldn’t have asked for a much better weekend. The car is really good and to walk away with a race to pole win, two victories and a second is brilliant.”
Mikey Doble, LKQ Power Maxed Racing Driver: ” I set out for three top ten finishes this weekend and we came away with a podium. It was a great way to end the day and show the raw pace we have against two of the sports best.”
The top 15 finishers
*results are provisional*
1. Tom Ingram 2. Ash Sutton 3. Mikey Doble (Independant winner) 4. Daryl DeLeon 5. Josh Cook 6. Adam Morgan 7. Gordon Shedden 8. James Dorlin (Jack Sears Winner) 9. Aron Taylor-Smith 10. Aiden Moffat 11. Dexter Patterson 12. Tom Chilton 13. Charles Rainford 14. Sam Osbourne 15. Lewis Selby
The next round of the season is just two weeks away at Snetterton. May sure to stay tuned to our website and socials for more updates in the meantime.
