Photo: PSP Images

Podium “feels like a win” for BTCC returnee Tom Chilton

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Power Maxed Racing’s Tom Chilton described his return to the podium in his first BTCC race for six seasons as “perfect” and said his third place finish in the first outing for the new Vauxhall Astra felt like a win.

Chilton had been in and around the top 10 for the whole weekend in the first competitive running in the Astra, eventually setting the 12th best time in the rain-affected qualifying session.

And on raceday he battled forward to 10th in the opening race of the day, before advancing a place further to ninth in the second. When Rob Austin was excluded from the results, Chilton was promoted to eighth and inherited reverse grid pole

He hung on gamely to the coat-tails of the fast-starting West Surrey Racing BMW 125i of Andrew Jordan in the early stages, before having to give second best to the charging Colin Turkington in the sister BMW.

Nevertheless, Chilton comfortably hung on to finish third and take home a trophy.

“It was perfect. It’s our first event of the year and we’re still learning the car. It shows what a great job Power Maxed Racing has done and to get a podium is brilliant,” said Chilton.

“It’s put me right up there in the championship in a new car – it’s amazing. I didn’t expect it at all. The BTCC has 32 of the best drivers in Britain and some of the best teams in the world, so to get a result is very difficult – especially a podium, so I’m absolutely over the moon. It was quite special and for us, it felt like a win.”

Describing his race three, Chilton added: “I got a good start but the rear wheel drive start of the BMW is renowned, and Jordan beat me to the first corner. I pressured for the first four laps but wanted to look after the soft tyres as well as get away from the pack behind.

“All was going to plan until Turkington caught me on lap 18. I wanted to finish with a podium for the guys at PMR, so I let him past and hung on to his tail to finish third. A great race for the team at PMR and it’s awesome to be back on the podium with Vauxhall again in the BTCC.”

Chilton’s podium completed a successful weekend for Power Maxed Racing, which also saw them take manufacturers’ honours in race one, and rookie driver Senna Proctor secure Jack Sears Trophy honours.