Tom Chilton claims first win of 2011

Tom Chilton claimed his first win of the British Touring Car Championship 2011 in the first race of the day at Knockhill.
“It has come through a lot of hard work and testing. The team has done a great job. It feels great, it feels so good,” said Chilton.

The Ford driver lead from start to finish with Honda duo Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden finishing second and third.

Frank Wrahtall was close to secure the first ever NGTC podium finish, but had to settle for fourth. The Toyota driver started third, but lost one position to fast starting Rob Austin in the start and another position as Gordon Shedden pushed his way past in corner three.

Austin’s podium position was not to last for long as Shedden got past on lap two, Wrathall a corner later and Matt Jackson a lap later.

The race came to an end for Austin on lap eight after contact with Team Aon’s Tom Onslow-Cole. The both went side-by-side in to the penultimate corner of the lap, resulting in a broken rear suspension for Austin and a spin, while Onslow-Cole hit the tyre barriers and had to retire as well.

The incident brought out the safety car, bunching up the field. Rob Collard was on a strong charge after the restart, getting past Jason Plato and took on Jackson on lap 24.

The both made contact coming in to the chicane, resulting in a puncture and a gravel visit for Jackson, losing vital points in the championship.

Collard was able to continue and finished fifth behind the trio of Neal, Shedden and Wrathall.

James Nash secured sixth, after following Collard past Plato. Tom Boardman secured eighth behind Plato, with Andrew Jordan and Aron Smith rounding off top ten.