Halfords Yuasa Racing heads to Oulton Park for the fourth round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 9/10 June looking to maintain its forward momentum following a landmark first pole position and win for the new Honda Civic Type R. 

Team Dynamics had cause to celebrate last time out at Thruxton after Matt Neal powered to a lights-to-flag victory from the top spot in race one. He claimed a second podium of the weekend in race two and team-mate Dan Cammish impressed with his own trip to the rostrum, no other team scored more points over the course of the weekend.

Moreover, Neal’s strong turn at Thruxton in the Civic Type R has seen him make gains in the Drivers’ standings. He joins Cammish in the top ten with the pair now classified sixth and eighth respectively, while Honda and Halfords Yuasa Racing are primed to fight for the top spot in the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ standings too. 

Onto Oulton Park, a venue regarded as one of the UK’s most demanding circuits with its challenging blend of sixth-gear stretches, undulating curves and heavy-braking points a true test of a chassis’ all-round strength. 

The Honda outfit has enjoyed significant success at over the years, winning six of the last 18 races to be held there. 

Neal himself has triumphed at Oulton Park on seven occasions over the course of his BTCC career and is bullish about Honda’s chances with the new Civic Type R around a circuit he likens to the Nurburgring.

“We head to Oulton Park in good spirits and targeting another set of strong results for Halfords Yuasa Racing," said Neal.

"Thruxton was a wonderful weekend for myself and the entire team, one that showed just how far we have progressed with the Honda Civic Type R since the start of the season.

"Though we know we still have work ahead of us, it is very satisfying to already be scoring wins in a car that is surely only going to become quicker and more consistent as it develops.

"I love racing at Oulton Park; I think of it as a Nurburgring with its combination of sweeping curves, sections where we go maximum sixth gear and tricky hairpins and chicanes.

"It requires a lot of commitment but it is a circuit that has treated myself and Honda well in the past, so it is always pleasure to return.

"As with every event this year this is new territory for the Civic Type R, but we are ready to rise to the challenge and set our sights high.” 

With two podiums already under his belt, leading BTCC rookie Cammish is targeting the top step at Oulton Park. It's proven to be a happy hunting ground for the Yorkshireman, having tasted the winners’ champagne in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB on multiple occasions, Cammish is feeling positive about his chances. 

“I’m really pleased with the start of my BTCC career," said Cammish. "It’s been a steep learning curve but I am understanding more about the championship with each round.

"It certainly helps to have a brilliant team around me and a great team-mate in Matt. There is still plenty more to come from myself and the Civic Type R, which gives me confidence heading to Oulton Park.

"We won’t have too much weight on-board and qualifying has gone well in each round so far, so I believe we can get close to the front once again.

"I claimed a podium in my first-ever race at Oulton Park and picked up several wins there in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, so you can be sure I will be giving it my absolute best to continue my good form next weekend.” 

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship twisted this way and that at Thruxton a fortnight ago and it is shaping up to be anybody's game once again as the UK's biggest motorsport series heads north for a blast around Cheshire's picturesque Oulton Park circuit next weekend (9-10 June) – a fan-favourite venue, with tens of thousands set to soak in the festival-like atmosphere.

The opening three events of the BTCC's 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee campaign have thrown up the sort of fiercely competitive, high quality racing that the championship is renowned for and its current crop of young chargers are at the fore, led by Oulton 'local', Lancashireman Adam Morgan, with Josh Cook and Tom Ingram in close company. The opening nine rounds have produced six different victors, and a host of fresh faces have joined them on the rostrum. 

A record crowd lapped up the sunshine and the first-rate on-track action back at Thruxton in Hampshire, which saw the championship's experienced heads bite back. Halfords Yuasa Racing's series legend and triple champion Matt Neal stole the initiative for the Honda outfit on home soil with a storming pole lap – smashing his previous lap record set a year prior. His pace wouldn't be denied in the opening race of the weekend, either, as he fended off the advances of another multiple BTCC champion in Team BMW's Colin Turkington on the way to a dominant lights-to-flag win.

Both Neal and Turkington took to the podium again in race two, and come the end of the weekend the latter had gathered the most points of any racer over Rounds 7, 8 and 9, with Neal notching the second-highest total, catapulting both right into the Drivers' Championship charge in fifth and sixth – hot on the heels of their younger rivals who'd made hay at Brands Hatch and Donington Park.

Oulton Park is beloved by families and campers, with thousands packing the surrounding fields ready to cheer on their favourite drivers, teams and local heroes, and there's always a unique feel when the BTCC comes to town. Everything's broadcast live and free-to-air by the BTCC's longstanding partner ITV, on ITV4 the ITV Hub and online at itv.com/btcc. You'll be covered down to the finest detail wherever you are – be it kicking back in the campsite or enjoying the action from your living room.

Tight at the top
The gap between Adam Morgan's Mercedes-Benz out front in the Drivers' standings and the Power Maxed TAG Racing Vauxhall of Josh Cook in second spot is just a solitary point. In fact, there are only 18 points between the championship's top five drivers with 22 up for grabs in any single encounter. When one considers that 17 points stood between the top two in the table at this same point last season, it's clear to see just how keenly fought the battle for the most coveted prize in British motor racing is this time around. 

Morgan's leading tally heading to Oulton is some 35 points shy of Ingram's benchmark this time last year – it's been a tooth-and-nail scrap so far for the Ciceley Motorsport man to hit top spot. There's also half the number of points between the championship leader and tenth spot in the running, currently harboured by Chris Smiley, as there was in 2017. The battle for top honours has scarcely been more fierce.

Local heroes
Oulton Park lies in a catchment area encompassing Cheshire and Lancashire and has proven to be something of a hotbed for BTCC talent with a number of teams and drivers calling the circuit home – starting with table-toppers Adam Morgan and Ciceley Motorsport.

The Lancashire racer hasn't had much cause to celebrate in his back-yard in recent years – with last year getting particularly toasty for Morgan as his Mercedes caught fire in spectacular fashion. He leads the charge this season heading to the Cheshire circuit and as a result carries the maximum complement of success ballast – meaning a doubly difficult prospect for the weekend to come. Ciceley also head the way in the Independent Teams' standings.

"For once, I'd love to go to Oulton Park and have a good result," said Morgan. "Our history there is not so very good but we're confident we'll go there this year on the best form we've ever been in and get a result. It's never been that kind to us and with the full 75 kilograms of success ballast on-board as championship leaders, it will be a challenge but we're hopeful we'll make the best of it this time around."

Tom Oliphant's a Cheshire lad and the local racer is hoping to push on in front of his home support after points scores in just his second weekend in Britain's top-tier tin-top series back at Donington Park.

“It’s always brilliant to go back to my home circuit, and for me, the Oulton Park weekend is one of the best BTCC events of the year,” said Oliphant.

“The crowds are always huge and really passionate. Driving round, you can barely see the green grass as the banks are packed and that’s a great feeling for a driver.

“I’m confident that I can build on everything I’ve learned so far this season and make Oulton Park a successful weekend for me and the Ciceley Motorsport team.”

Incumbent Independent champions Speedworks Motorsport hails from just down the road in Sandbach and they're right in touch in the Drivers' and Independents' running once again this season, with the outfit's self-proclaimed goal being to go one better this year and propel driver Tom Ingram to the overall BTCC title.

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher's James Cole hails from Liverpool, while AmD with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing's Tom Boardman is from Forton, Lancashire.

Timetable and tickets 
All three BTCC races on Sunday, 10 June – and many of the day’s other races – will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4 and over at itv.com/btcc. Those in attendance at the circuit can stay in touch with circuit commentary and live timing from every session, available at btcc.net/live throughout the weekend.
 
The support series on the TOCA package are also guaranteed to thrill with a double digit total of races set to entertain the crowds. Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Renault UK Clio Cup, MSA Formula Championship and the Ginetta championships will all be in attendance in Cheshire, making for a weekend of truly unmissable racing.
 
Discounted advance tickets are on sale online from just £28 for Sunday, 10 June and they are available on the gate at £16 for Saturday, 9 June, with weekend tickets including a Paddock Pass available for just £37.
 
They can be purchased online at www.oultonpark.co.uk, by calling 0843 453 9000 or from the ticket office. Accompanied children aged 13 and under are admitted free.

Motorsport News Editor Matt James talks us through what was another first-rate weekend's racing back at Thruxton a little under a fortnight ago, and takes a look ahead to the next event on the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship calendar at Oulton Park (9-10 June)...

Ciceley Motorsport's Tom Oliphant heads to home soil for Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park next weekend (9-10 June) with the aim of pushing on as he gathers more top-tier tin-top experience.

Oliphant joined the BTCC for 2018 after four years on the support package – two in Ginetta GT4 Supercup, where he became the 2015 champion, followed by two in Porsche Carrera Cup GB. 

The Cheshire racer challenged for points on debut at Brands Hatch Indy earlier this year, before breakthrough top ten qualifying and race results back at Donington Park.

Oliphant was once again in the mix for points at Thruxton but found himself 17th and 19th with a non-finish. He sees it all as a learning process, though, and is buoyed by the quality of the machinery beneath him.

“I’m loving the BTCC," he said. "The racing is close, fast and exciting, and I’m out there battling wheel-to-wheel with some of the best touring car drivers in the world. I couldn’t be enjoying it more.

“I knew it was going to be a huge challenge but I feel like I’ve adapted well to the series considering it’s the first time I’ve competed in front-wheel drive machinery and the style of racing is completely different to what I was used to.

"I’m pleased with my progress so far, especially breaking into the top ten in only my second meeting.

“I certainly believe there’s much more to come as I gain more experience with the car and the championship.

"As my team-mates are proving, the Mercedes is a fantastic package and I’m confident that as we progress through the season, my time to get up on the podium will come.”

Raised in Tarporley, just down the road from Oulton Park, Oliphant used to marshal at the circuit and work there on experience days. Next weekend, he'll be racing in support of the George Heath Foundation which supports local causes.

“It’s always brilliant to go back to my home circuit, and for me, the Oulton Park weekend is one of the best BTCC events of the year," Oliphant continued.

“The crowds are always huge and really passionate. Driving round, you can barely see the green grass as the banks are packed and that’s a great feeling for a driver.

“I’m confident that I can build on everything I’ve learned so far this season and make Oulton Park a successful weekend for me and the Ciceley Motorsport team.”

Alongside AmD Tuning, we’re giving you the chance to win weekend VIP passes for Rounds 10, 11 and 12 from Cheshire’s Oulton Park plus a premium overnight stay on the Saturday with Holiday Inn! 

There’s a bumper selection of additional prizes included too, including a fully-fitted Cobra Performance exhaust system and a remap from the Essex-based tuning experts.

The prize includes: 

• A pair of VIP tickets to Oulton Park with the team on Saturday/Sunday 9/10 June
• An overnight stay in an Executive Suite on Saturday 9 June at Holiday Inn Chester South
• Meet the team and all of its drivers 
• Walk the grid to see all 32 BTCC cars line up before a race
• A fitted Cobra Performance exhaust system
• A remap
• A garage tour
• Liqui Moly goodies and a signed limited edition Liqui Moly cap
• A pair of tickets for a runner-up

To be in with a chance of winning, simply like the AmD Tuning Facebook page, share our competition post and comment on our Official BTCC Facebook Page to let us know you’ve entered! You may also enter on Twitter by following @amdessex, RT’ing our competition post and commenting to let us know you've entered.

The competition closes at 4pm on Tuesday 5 June. For full terms and conditions see below!

Good luck!

For more information about Holiday Inn Chester South, and if you'd like to make a booking, head to Holiday Inn Chester South's website.

Terms and conditions:

1x Like + Comment on Facebook = 1 entry or 1x RT + tag @amdessex on Twitter = 1 entry. 1 entry per person per platform. A winner picked at random. The competition will close 4pm on Tuesday 5 June. The winner will be announced on Facebook and Twitter the following morning. The winner will have 24 hours from the announcement to come forward. If this does not happen another winner will be selected. The winner must be available over the Oulton Park race weekend, transport to and from the circuit is not included. The prize is non-transferrable. Children under 16 will not be able to take part in the grid walk.

Halfords Yuasa Racing celebrated a triumphant return to winning ways in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship last weekend at Thruxton after Matt Neal steered the new Honda Civic Type R (FK8) to a dominant first victory.

On a breakthrough weekend that successfully demonstrated the full potential of the ever-improving latest-generation Civic Type R, Neal was in impeccable form in qualifying to smash his own lap record around the UK’s fastest circuit and pick up the team’s first BTCC pole position of 2018 before translating it into a dominant lights-to-flag win. 

Taking full advantage of his opportunity in race one, Neal held his ground off the line and through the opening turns to get out in front and lead the pack. From there he controlled the pace, the three-time champion pulling out a comfortable margin to take the chequered flag and score a hugely popular win at Honda’s home event – the perfect result to celebrate Yuasa's 100th anniversary.

Neal started from pole again for race two but now had a full complement of 75kg success ballast to haul around Thruxton’s high-speed turns. The Midlander produced a mighty effort, ceding only two positions to finish third and pick up another podium. In a hard-fought finale, Neal brought the car home eighth.

“It has been an incredibly special weekend and I am delighted to have given the Civic Type R (FK8) its first BTCC victory on ‘home soil’ at Thruxton," said Neal. "That pole lap is one I am especially proud of – I was hanging everything out there – so I am really chuffed to turn it into a win.

"I had a fantastic start to grab the lead through the opening bends and from there the Civic Type R’s strengths through the quick corners meant no-one could get close to me. To get another podium in race two with that much ballast demonstrates just how good the package is and shows we are very much in the title battle this year. I really think the tide is changing for us and this is the start of good things to come.”

Team-mate Dan Cammish complemented Honda’s joy in race one with a superb run to third position from fourth on the grid, his second podium result in what is already proving to be an impressive rookie campaign. When an early off amidst the thick of the action in race two left him consigned to a finish down the order, the Yorkshireman responded in race three with a marvellous fightback into the points in 13th from a lowly 25th.

“Race one was a brilliant result for the entire team. To get a double podium is a huge reward for everybody’s efforts in making the Honda Civic Type R such a competitive machine. It was a great qualifying for me and to turn that into my second podium finish of the season is very satisfying. Race two didn’t go entirely to plan for me.

"I had a bad start and ran off-track which put me down the order. I did the best in race three and I’m happy to have scored points. All in all, it’s been a good weekend and our pace at various points proves how much potential there is from both myself and the Civic Type R. Well done to Matt for his brilliant pole position and victory in race one – he has had an absolutely mega weekend.”

In the overall standings, Neal’s return to the winners’ circle has catapulted him to sixth, which together with Cammish in eighth puts the Honda pair firmly in the title hunt. 

Similarly, Honda’s huge points haul sees it ascend to joint-second in the Manufacturers’ Championship, while Halfords Yuasa Racing rises to second in the Teams’ Championship heading next to Oulton Park on 9-10 June.

WIX Racing with Eurotech headed to Hampshire's Thruxton circuit off the back of a strong start to the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with victory and a podium to its name from the opening two race weekends of the campaign.

Brett Smith's qualifying performance, with third spot and his best grid slot to date, looked to have signalled the team's intent for the weekend but from there on in, things didn't quite go to plan. Jack Goff's Honda Civic Type R was proving a source of frustration as it struggled to supply the pace he'd been expecting around a circuit at which it traditionally thrives. He lined up 14th for the opener.

Smith, unfortunately, was unable to capitalise on his second-row slot in race one as, in track temperatures topping the 35 celsius mark, his car bogged down off the line – easily done with stickier than anticipated tyres due to the heat, said Tim Harvey at the time from the ITV Sport commentary box. Still, he rounded in eighth for a solid points haul.

Matt Simpson, in the Eurotech-run sister Type R baring Simpson Racing colours, was in the thick of it in the opener and would be pleased with a points finish and 12th. Goff, with 48kg of success ballast on-board, came home just behind his stablemate in 13th spot – a points score for each of the trio.

With success ballast now by the wayside, Goff capitalised to move through the pack to eighth. Smith made a much better start this time around and was making good progress until an off caused irreparable damage, forcing a frustrating retirement while Simpson held his own, battling to score points once again with 14th.

In the final race, Goff put in one of the standout performances of the day to fire his Honda from eighth to second spot. Simpson battled hard to 12th and with a triple-points score, elevated himself into the Independent Drivers' standings top ten. Smith once again suffered race-ending damage and harbours 12th position in the same tally as a result. The team find themselves just three points off of the Independents' summit heading to Oulton Park.

Eurotech Racing Team Principal Jeff Smith said: "All in all, it was a very successful Sunday. It looked at times like it might be a disappointing one but on the whole the team and drivers did a fantastic job. Jack's drive to the podium in the third race was just phenomenal, Brett's qualifying performance was incredible and Matt showed brilliant pace in quali and all three races – and was good value for three consistent points finishes as a result. So, a great job all round."

"We’ve been struggling and we were scratching our heads a little bit," added Goff, who's sitting pretty in fourth in the overall Drivers' standings. "We knew we should have been fast around here. Last year the car was quick and there was no reason why the car shouldn’t have been even faster this year.

"When we qualified down in 14^th we realised we had some real problems going on. The lads worked hard overnight trying to figure out the issues and we think we found it heading into race one. We played a bit conservatively and then into race two we tried a bit more and it was good.

"The car felt strong towards the end of that race then we honed it slightly again heading into race three and with a couple more laps it could have been a different story. I’m glad we’ve got the issue behind us and certainly in the last race the car was so much stronger and it allowed us to race.

"At Donington Park and early on at Thruxton we just didn’t have the pace to race. It was clear for all to see that in certain areas of the track that we were struggling.

"We go to Oulton Park carrying a little bit of success ballast which will hurt us but there are a lot of people around us carrying weight too. The guys and girls at WIX Racing with Eurotech did an all nighter and they’re as determined as I am to find the issues and get some nice points finishes at Oulton Park and continue it on throughout the rest of the year."

Team BMW enjoyed a profitable weekend in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton, with Colin Turkington producing two storming second-place finishes in the first and second races of day.

That double podium provided Turkington with his 125th and 126th visits to the rostrum in the BTCC and he followed those up with fifth spot later on in his WSR-run BMW 125i M Sport. This represented a 47-point haul – the highest total achieved by any driver on the day and enough to vault the two-time champion up to fifth in the Drivers’ standings.

The Northern Irishman made a brilliant start from the front row in race one and battled for the lead for much of the opening lap. After that, he chased the leader all the way to the flag, claiming his 50th fastest lap in the BTCC and breaking the 16-year-old lap record around Thruxton in the process.

Laden with 66kg success ballast in the second race, Turkington this time took the lead into Allard. He led for 10 laps before being caught by Josh Cook's lighter Power Maxed TAG Racing Vauxhall, which he was unable to keep behind despite a valiant defence.

Turkington started race three from fifth – again carrying a hefty 66kg of success ballast. Whilst a third podium of the day proved elusive, he was delighted with his day’s work all things considered.

"My job at the moment is to score as many points as I can and we definitely got the maximum from the BMW," said Turkington. "It was a really good day, so it's job done and on to the next one. My car has been strong even with weight on-board and it's a nice feeling to have led for the first time this year in race two.

"When somebody is coming with a significantly quicker car at that stage of the race, then you have to assess whether it is better to defend like your life depends on it or be clever and not get dragged into the pack. I decided to be sensible. The points difference between winning and second is not so much, and I had already led a lap so that's a point and I was trying to use my head.

“I knew what I had to do at Thruxton and this was the event that could either make or break my 2018 championship attack. It was important to focus on my performance behind the wheel and deliver the maximum from my car. Team BMW did a fantastic job in preparing a car that gave me confidence to really attack the high speed corners.

"I was able to test the limits from the beginning on Saturday and the balance by the end of race three was as close to perfect as I think we’ll ever get at Thruxton!

"We came, we saw and we conquered! It’s been a special weekend but it didn’t just happen by chance. It was the result of extreme hard work, dedication and expertise. To finally get a reward for our efforts is a great feeling. We needed that!"

Team-mate Rob Collard had a tougher day. Once he got in to his stride, he was able to fight up to 10th position in the last race of the day. This, added to his 11th spot in race one, contributed 11 vital points to his tally.

"We changed the set-up of the car for the last race and stiffened it up a little bit, and that suited me better," said Collard. "Race three was good, but it just wasn’t my day. It was a bit of a frustrating weekend for us and we haven't done as well as we hoped in the championship.

"Next we have Oulton Park, where we are back on what I would call a conventional racing circuit. The BMW goes very well there and I've always gone well there, so I am looking forward to it a lot."

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, added: "Colin has done an excellent job with two second places. I'm very pleased. To get two podiums, especially in race two with 66kg on-board, he did a great job.  Rob didn’t have such a good day, but we've had completely reliable cars and no issues this weekend, so well done to everyone. It feels as if we have got our momentum back and we are looking forward to Oulton Park."

Power Maxed TAG Racing is riding on the crest of a wave at the moment, heading the way in both the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Teams' and Manufacturers' standings.

Having scored its first victory in the BTCC back at Brands Hatch at the hands of Senna Proctor, Josh Cook followed up at Donington Park with his maiden win and the team's second just three weeks later. The outfit could scarcely have hoped to be heading into the third weekend of 2018 in better shape.

As it transpired, Thruxton marked the first time that both of the outfit's drivers made the podium over the course of a race weekend. Cook took the chequered flag victory number two of his career in the BTCC in race two after valiantly battling through the pack and lapping some half-a-second quicker than the next quickest man on track.

“I think it’s testament to the work by Martin (Broadhurst, Team Manager) and the Power Maxed TAG Racing team that in just three rounds I’ve had a pole, two wins, two fastest laps and a podium,” said Josh Cook. “There won’t always be weekend where we’re winning, but when there’s a sniff of an opportunity, I’ll take it.

"The car was absolutely on fire, as the times showed, and I’m so glad I’ve been able to do Euro Repar, Glide Parking, Helix Clutches and AST Suspension proud so far this season and winning at my local circuit makes it even more special. We’ve got our eyes firmly set on the championship, and this just strengthens my resolve for consistent points."

Proctor produced a consistent weekend's racing and didn't drop below seventh from the outset and rounded off a superb day with another visit to the podium – third in race three and another trophy for his growing collection.

“After the unfortunate early retirement from race three at Donington Park, I’m over the moon to have come away from Thruxton with some more silverware," said Proctor. "Sitting seventh in the biggest championship in the UK and one of the most competitive series around is just an amazing feeling. 

"I’m really chuffed with both my own and the team’s consistency over the weekend. The car handled amazingly considering the conditions, and the many bottles of water that I had to drink because 0f the scorching weather didn’t seem to slow us down too much!"

Power Maxed TAG Racing Team Principal, Adam Weaver added: “I can’t be anything but delighted with the performance both the drivers and the team have put in over the weekend. We’ve proved beyond a doubt that our previous results were far from a fluke, and seeing the lead we’re pulling out in both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ standings is a real boost for all of us.

"It’s a shame we couldn’t go away leading the Drivers’ standings and take the hat-trick, but with Josh only being one point off the top, I’m confident we can make that up at Oulton Park in three weeks’ time.”

“Josh’s second win in as many rounds just goes to show that the hard work the team have consistently put into the car has paid off," said Power Maxed TAG Racing Technical Director, Martin Broadhurst.

"Despite the 75kg ballast he was carrying in race three, he drove his absolute socks off, and he fought well to hold his position consistently against the drivers carrying considerably less weight. From the start of Free Practice 1, Senna was fast and put together a solid race weekend, culminating in a well-deserved podium in race three.

"Having both drivers on the podium within two races is something that shows both our intent and strength, and puts us in a great position moving forward through the season.”

 

Speedworks Motorsport's Tom Ingram gained 24 positions on his way to Dunlop #ForeverForward honours at Thruxton – ten more than his nearest competition.

Qualifying saw Matt Neal smash the BTCC’s longest-standing lap record, set by Yvan Muller in 2002, in Saturday’s qualifying on Dunlop’s specialist Thruxton Sport Maxx hard compound tyre. The Halfords Yuasa Racing racer was in a class of his own in the opening race too, taking his first win of the year and a maiden victory for the new FK8 Honda Civic Type R.

Matt Neal: “With the ambient temperature in qualifying I knew it was going to be tough, but the tyres really held on. I just avoided the kerbs.” It looks as if Matt saw Dunlop's Thruxton circuit tour with Mickey Butler on Saturday:

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBTCC/videos/1974412935933480/

 
Power Maxed TAG Racing's Josh Cook took #ForeverForward honours in race one, making up six positions. He was followed by Jake Hill, who furthered his claim in this year’s #ForeverForward standings with a five-place improvement. Fans voted Tom Chilton's manoeuvre on Andrew Jordan on lap 10 as their #ForeverForward overtake of the race.

It was deja-vu in race two with the front-row unchanged. Team BMW man Colin Turkington produced a blistering start and held on to the lead. It was the PMR Vauxhall of Josh Cook making waves, storming through the pack to the tune of nine positions gained on his way to the eventual race win.

Tom Ingram pulled off the spectacular as he looked to make amends for a race one DNF. He gained a massive 20 positions after starting at the very back of the grid for race two. Additionally, AmD's Ollie Jackson quietly made progress, equalling Cook’s eight positions gained. Fans voted Cook’s decisive lap twelve overtake on Turkington as their favourite of the encounter.

As always, the race three reverse grid fuelled an action-packed BTCC finale. Mac Tools with Ciceley Motorsport's Adam Morgan produced a stellar lights-to-flag performance, securing his second win of the season and a one-point championship lead. WIX Racing with Eurotech's Jack Goff charged past five cars on his way to a well-earned second place.

Again, there was plenty of action throughout the pack. Dan Cammish gained 12 places, while the sister Mercedes of Tom Oliphant made up 11. However, nobody could top Ingram’s impressive 20 positions in race two – propelling him to second in the #ForeverForward table with a weekend-high score of 24 FF points.

"We were very pleased with the performance of the hard compound tyre at the weekend," said Mickey Butler, Manager, UK and One Brand Motorsport Events. "Teams were able to complete multiple race runs without any issues. The few occasions we had any issues crop up were when drivers hit the kerbs too aggressively. Overall, we're very pleased with the weekend all-round."

 #ForeverForward – Thruxton

1.   Tom INGRAM, 24
2.   Josh COOK, 14
3.   Dan CAMMISH, 13
4.   Tom BOARDMAN, 12
5.   Ollie JACKSON, 12
6.   Rory BUTCHER, 11
7.   Tom OLIPHANT, 11
8.   Jack GOFF, 11
9.   Bobby THOMPSON, 10
10. Sam SMELT, 8

#ForeverForward – Overall Standings

1.   Jake HILL, 58
2.   Tom INGRAM, 54
3.   Ollie JACKSON, 53
4.   Tom BOARDMAN, 49
5.   Adam MORGAN, 46
6.   Senna PROCTOR, 44
7.   Rob AUSTIN, 42
8.   Mike BUSHELL, 42
9.   Matt SIMPSON, 41
10.  Ash SUTTON, 39