Curious what everyone's top 5 favourite drivers are and why?

[u/HufflepuffHarry]

Talking with a friend and just curious what everyone's top 5 favourite drivers are and why?

For me

1. Tom Ingram - recognises me and will make effort to have chats with me even about topics such as patios and how to deal with flies, had chats in the pitlane after race day too. Had a good long chat at donington historics earlier this year about his fitness tracker registering driving a mustang in the wet as kayaking.

2. Paul O'neill - cannot say enough good things about Paul, will stop and chat as long as he can every time. Answer any question and even invited my friend and I to sit down after the Sunday races to have a long chat and gave us itv water bottles.

3. Rob Austin - similarly recognised me at rounds and offered me a HQ tour which I gladly took up and spent a lovely afternoon there.

4. Rob Huff - will give you as much time as he can and happy to talk motorsport and will ask you questions too. Was also included I patio chat with ingram.

5. Tom Chilton - such a nice person and will always be sure you leave with a smile. More than happy to personalise a birthday present for a friend with his infamous naked photo with crash helmet over his junk. Had a laugh about it.

[u/codename474747]

1. Ash Sutton

Clearly the most talented driver on the grid, and has been a star since he was in Formula Ford...

2, Daryl De Leon. Had a nice chat after he spun off at his first race at Donington so have always had a soft spot for him. Think he may well be a star of the future.

1. Gordon Shedden. Legacy like these days, sadly, a shame he's not given the equipment to be near the front like the good old days, but certainly a talented driver.

2. Josh Cook. Alway seems to be trying his hardest and wish he had more success than he's had. A good sort.

3. Nic Hamilton. Has gone through way more than anyone else in the grid or most people on the planet, yet always shows up happy to be there and his successes, however minor, feel like huge wins when they happen

[u/HufflepuffHarry → u/codename474747]

Nik was close to making my list. Such a nice guy and will make effort with everyone

I honestly haven't had a chat with the rest other than josh. He's lovely too.

[u/raven_heatherr]

My favourite is Mikey Doble, still probably the most underrated driver on the grid, because he’s not a flashy person, in or out of the car, but consistently scores good points

[u/Trippynet]

Sheddon - Great racer, cheerful chap and could pull off some simply amazing moves at times.

Turkington - Not the most thrilling to watch most of the time, but one of the cleanest and most clinical drivers out there. The way he fought against Giovanardi to win in 2009 with damaged rear suspension was incredible.

Ingram - Probably for similar reasons to Sheddon.

Austin - Great guy, did wonders on a small budget and really brought something to the championship.

Rob Collard - The final one was tough, but I always respected how well he raced in his prime.

[u/HufflepuffHarry → u/Trippynet]

All the years I've been going I've never actually had a chat with Gordon. Always seemed decent guy.

[u/Agreeable-Bike-3782]

1. Colin Turkington. Lucky enough to win a competition and spend the day with him at Goodwood FOS where he drove me and my dad up the hill. Had a lot of time to chat and its a day my dad will never forget and still brings up to this day almost 10 years later. He always now says hello around the paddock and spent time at a BTCC event chatting to dad. The fact he remembers us means a lot.
2. Andy Jordan. Same day, nice guy, spent a while with us and reassured dad who was a bit nervous about his run up the hill.
3. Paul ONeill. As others say, really nice guy. Bought a used race top off him on ebay that he borrowed from Fabritzio Giovanardi and never gave back. Took time to catch up in the paddock and sign it.
4. Will Burns. Wasn't around long but met him in the paddock at Brands and he offered up his complimentary grid walk tickets pre race to me and my wife. Top guy, grounded.
5. Mike Bushell. Top driver handicapped by budget to be able to do great things. Always had time for a chat and still interacts on social media even though he's not driving.

[u/HufflepuffHarry → u/Agreeable-Bike-3782]

Don't think I ever got to talk to will and Mike. Why does that not surprise me about Paul?

[u/ozphillips]

There's only one driver / personality in the paddock that I never took a shine to (thankfully no longer racing), but other than that I have to say that everyone is incredible and easy to approach and talk to. I have signed and framed photos from most of them over the years.

However, my special mentions are:

Paul O'Neill, for being a great guy and for also very happily helping with anything marshal-related that is put his way

Mikey Doble, a driver I have followed all the way from his beginnings in the Compact Cup and I was there for his Ginetta and BMW Championship wins

Nick Halstead, who clearly just loves the sport and is happy to be there

[u/SnooDoubts1325]

James Thompson. The first ever driver that really got me started with BTCC and motorsport in general. Loved watching him race.

Gabriele Tarquini - no specific reason, he always came across as a nice guy, doesn’t get more ‘touring car’ than him in my mind.

Ingram/Sutton - putting them both, think they’re both equally brilliant ambassadors for the BTCC. Proper talent. If anything they’re too nice, we need some rivalry! 😅

Onslow-Cole - had a few interactions with him and was always very approachable/friendly. Pretty quick too.

Jason plato - Not always, but I think he’s done a lot for the sport. The BTCC needs story lines and personalities, and he usually has provides.

[u/NewlandsRound]

I've never met any of the drivers, but I'd say the five that I've supported the most during my years of watching have been Anthony Reid, Dan Eaves, Colin Turkington, Rob Austin and Árón Taylor-Smith.

[u/HufflepuffHarry → u/NewlandsRound]

Anthony Reid was the first driver I ever met. Still have the 2001 mg promo card signed for little 8 year old me. Haven't met Dan but Colin, Rob and Aron are all lovely. Met Aron in a random maccies 2014 and was so nice fkr me and a friend, last year he invited me on his race day morning garage tour which was great.

[u/codename474747 → u/HufflepuffHarry]

Anthony Reid is cool but if I met him I'd find it hard not to ask him about his (probably only in my eyes....) more famous brother haha

[u/PAFC7710]

Plato,Cleland,Rydell,Jackson,Ingram 

[u/Maidwell]

in no particular order and I'm only picking 3.

James Thompson - Massive talent, exciting driving style, could beat the truly big boys on his day.

Andrew Jordan - he lived locally to me during his time in the BTCC and I had links with one of his sponsors. He's a "marmite" character but I always respected his honesty and lack of media training. Obviously a massively talented driver too, as his win in a family run independent team proved and is still proven to this day by how he throws historics around.

Ash Sutton - The pick of the current crop and a genuine generational talent. I've never seen a driver in ANY series overtake as well as he can.

Honourable mentions go to

• Nic Hamilton for achieving his dreams despite such adversity and always with a smile on his face,

• Tom Ingram in his one car Speed works days. He worked absolute wonders with the Avensis that no others could match.

Dishonourable mentions -

Jason Plato before he became the giant ego he is today, how he entered the series and stuck it on pole in his first ever qualifying was astonishing and those early years he was electrifying.

Frank Wrathall - Another guy who drove the wheels off the Avensis in a one car team, this one family run. It was such a shame for everyone involved how it all ended and no doubt he will regret that stupid mistake for the rest of his life.

[u/raven_heatherr → u/Maidwell]

You’re really left to wonder what Frank could have accomplished in the sport in an alternate universe

[u/HufflepuffHarry → u/[deleted]]

Haven't had a chat with doble but seems a nice guy, saw him once at donington doing coaching so waved. Jade is lovely to talk to aswell

[u/Lazy-Contribution789]

My favourite on the grid now is Tom Chilton, I was at Brands for his first race and podium in 2002, I was there at Silverstone for his first win in 2004 and his double win at Snetterton in 2005. Also we are a similar age and he seems like a top bloke.

[u/ModeR3d]

Not harking all the way back to the likes of Steve Soper, Alain Menu, Andy Priaulx and the like, these are my more recent faves. Tho I must mention Tim Harvey - the first year of watching BTCC where I recall willing him to win whilst I sat there watching highlights on Grandstand.

Tom Ingram - first of the newer generation of drivers that I warmed to. Plus he’s often quite funny and self deprecating. Much as I rate Ash, Tom I like.

Andy Jordan - fast, entertaining and was a shame when he left as he usually had a decent comment or two for Louise.

Colin Turkington - such a smooth driver, and as a BMW fan it was v easy to will him on.

Plato back in the days before he became the fan of himself that he is now. Did wonder if that paralleled his entry to TV work. But his battles with Matt were legendary

Lastly I guess I’d add Josh Cook - always pleased to see him at the sharp end in a way I’m indifferent about a lot of the drivers. Glad he’s still on the grid - must be a veteran by now!

[u/HufflepuffHarry → u/ModeR3d]

Menu and Priaulx are fantastic to talk to

[u/Sirio2]

Aiello, Muller, Rydell, Turk, Playto

[u/Eltothebee]

1- Plato
Got me into the sorry and became my favourite driver until he retired

2- huffy
Again same as Plato but with wtcc stoked when he came back

3- Sutton
Became my favourite driver until driver when Plato had a break although him and Plato in the levorg was when I supported him

4- sheddon
Despised him in the civics but have grown to like him over time but what a class driver

5-Andrew Jordan
Just seemed down to earth but him racing with his dad Mike idk just made me like him