BTCC Brands Hatch: BTC Racing's Cook storms to Race 1 win

The early stages of the race featured a thrilling battle between BMW 330e M Sport team-mates Colin Turkington and Jake Hill before the pair dropped back later on as their wet weather tyres started to struggle, enabling Cook to pounce.

Polesitter Turkington maintained the lead at the start but was soon under attack from local driver Hill, who made repeated attempts to grab the lead around the outside at Druids.

Cook, meanwhile, briefly grabbed third on the opening lap before sliding wide at Surtees and dropping back behind the third of the WSR BMWs of Stephen Jelley.

Cook regained the spot on the inside at Druids on lap seven of 24 before then quickly hunting down the lead pair.

Four laps later, he made a sensational dive down the inside of Hill at Paddock Hill Bend, the BMW driver doing his best to defend but was unable to keep the charging Cook at bay.

It was then a repeat move on Turkington that netted him the lead, which he maintained to the flag.

"We like these conditions and it was a mega job by the team," said Cook.

"I was secretly happy but also terrified [by the rain] because of the pressure.

"The trip across the grass was a rookie error - I was looking down at my dash and missed the corner.

"I had the fear factor of being told off when I got back to the garage, so I got my head down!"

Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

It was championship leader Tom Ingram's Hyundai i30 N that ended as Cook's closest challenger, the Excelr8 driver picking his way through from sixth on the grid, while Dan Cammish grabbed a podium in his Ford Focus - profiting from Hill running wide at Paddock Hill Bend with three laps to go.

Hill therefore had to settle for fourth, while Turkington faded