Four different drivers stood on the top step of the Division 1 podium at Brands Hatch this past weekend (April 4-5) as the British Truck Racing Championship blasted into life for the first time this season.
Bringing an end to the months of excitement and anticipation, the UK’s biggest motor racing series served up an Easter extravaganza of entertainment at the Kent venue – with Craig Reid, Ryan Smith, Stuart Oliver and Richard Collett all taking on a starring role.
Qualifying on Saturday morning provided an indication of what was to come as multiple drivers all staked their claim to clinching pole position. When all was said and done however it was Craig Reid that clinched top spot on his return to the series.
The Reid Trucksport driver underlined that his one lap pace wasn’t a fluke either as Reid hustled his IVECO to a flawless victory in the opening race of the new season.
Maintaining his lead as the lights went out, Reid held firm at the head of the field while the likes of John Bowler, Michael Oliver and reigning champion Ryan Smith harried him from behind. Despite their best efforts, Reid remained resolute to triumph in style.
Defending champion Smith underlined his credentials in race two as he opened his account for the season with a measured drive in his Daimler Freightliner.
Starting on the front row of the grid, Smith quickly hit the front and didn’t look back as the likes of Michael Oliver and former champion David Jenkins led the chasing pack in second and third respectively.
Easter Sunday brought with it three more action-packed races and the series’ two most experienced drivers charging to victory.
Having endured a lacklustre Saturday, ten-time champion Stuart Oliver returned to form as he romped to victory in race three. He then doubled up a couple of hours later as he produced a repeat performance in the weekend’s penultimate contest.
Arguably the biggest cheer of the weekend came in the final contest as Richard Collett rolled back the years to claim a famous victory.
Starting from pole position virtue of the reverse grid, Collett didn’t put a wheel wrong and handled everything that was thrown at him by the likes of Bowler, Oliver and Reid.
Maintaining a consistent pace out front, Collett – who made his debut in the championship back in the early 1990s – took the chequered to raptures of applause.
Aside from the aforementioned winners, other drivers to enjoy strong outings included the ever-present Jenkins, Bowler and Neil Yates.
To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Brands Hatch, click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BARC/2026/261421btr.pdf.
