Max Buxton concluded a busy debut month in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship this past weekend (30-31 August) by tallying a trio of finishes around the Donington Park Grand Prix circuit.

Carrying the momentum from action-packed events at Croft and Knockhill, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK with IAA driver continued his touring car education by delivering yet another positive performance in his Toyota Corolla GR Sport.

The 20-year-old arrived at the East Midlands circuit having never previously competed at the venue; however, it wasn’t long before he was up to speed, ultimately punching in a competitive lap time during qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

Opting to run the hard compound tyre in race one, Buxton was able to enjoy several wheel-to-wheel battles on his way to the chequered flag. Bolting on the medium tyre for race two, the Lancashire-based racer had hoped to move forward, but his aspirations were dealt an early blow.

The 19–year–old was the victim of a contact that pushed the front-wheel-drive ace off the circuit, subsequently filling his radiator with grass and forcing him into the pit lane.

With the errand turf removed, Buxton then rejoined the contest amongst the race leaders a lap down and learnt plenty as he followed in their wheel tracks.

The second-generation driver showed immense maturity in the closing stages as he was one of the very few drivers who managed to keep their slick-shod car on the circuit when a flash downpour hit the circuit.

Following that drama, Buxton closed out his third race day of the campaign with another measured performance as he fought his way forward to finish on the fringes of the points-paying positions.

Max Buxton: “It’s been an intense month with three race meetings in five weeks but it’s fair to say that I’ve learnt a huge amount and I’m continuing to gain confidence and speed every time I’m out in the car.

“This past weekend was intense. We decided to run the hard tyre early with the hope that that would set us up for a strong race two and three; sadly the hit we took in race two scuppered those plans slightly.

“Being out on circuit when that downpour hit was like nothing I’ve experienced before - it was like someone had flicked a switch. That was the first time I’d driven the car in the wet and I didn’t imagine it being on slick tyres.

“However, the pace in comparison to my team-mates during race one and two was a huge step forward and I’m delighted with that improvement, it shows we’re going in the right direction. To be only a few tenths off these super-experienced drivers, is a real positive – we just need to start the weekend at that pace next time!

“To finish just outside the points was a solid end to an action-packed day and now we can go away as a team, take stock of what we’ve learnt over these past three events and then set about coming back strong for the final two rounds at Silverstone and Brands Hatch in a few weeks’ time.”

Next up for Buxton in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is a trip to Silverstone on the 20-21 September.