Andrew Watson was crowned Jack Sears Trophy champion at Brands Hatch as the Northern Irishman rounded out a sensational rookie year in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship which has seen him claim two overall podiums, 15 points finishes and four Jack Sears Trophy victories in a year to remember for himself and the team at Car Store Power Maxed Racing.
Andrew headed into the season finale at Brands Hatch with a 18 point lead in the Jack Sears Trophy standings over stablemate, Mikey Doble. Saturday's action saw him secure P13 on the grid for the opening racing action that would follow on Sunday morning.
Race day arrived, and with it came clear, sunny conditions for the racing that was set to follow. In the opening race of the weekend, Andrew would be locked in a race long battle with Josh Cook and Tom Chilton for the points paying positions, with Andrew taking the chequered flag in P14, adding valuable points to his championship charge in the process.
Race two would once again see Andrew battling valiantly for position in the tightly-knit pack, with driver's jostling for position lap after lap. Andrew picked up damage in the early stages of the race and would manage this throughout to take the chequered flag and with it championship honours the Jack Sears Trophy!
The final race of the season would see Andrew once again involved in the thick of the action in the battle for a points finish and would ultimately take the chequered flag in P18 once more to bring his fantastic rookie campaign in the championship to a close.
The weekend's results see Andrew finish P15 in the Overall Drivers' Championship on 95 points and P4 in the Independent Drivers' standings on 353 points respectively in a campaign that saw him collect two overall podiums at Knockhill and Silverstone, three Indepedent victories, four Jack Sears Trophy wins and 15 points finishes in an unforgettable display.
Reflecting back on a brilliant maiden BTCC campaign Andrew said:
"Jack Sears trophy winners for 2023. I can’t sum up how much this means to me and my family. To my team, you’re unbelievable and this is an achievement I’m so proud of and happy to share with you all. This season has been truly amazing and I have enjoyed every single moment, to be battling it out race after race in such a competitive championship and claim that Jack Sears title at the end of the season is a feeling I will cherish for a long time to come."
"A massive thank you to the fans, my partners and everyone involved this year who made it all possible, your support really has been fantastic and I can't wait to see what 2024 holds!"
Imagery courtesy of Jakob Ebrey Photography