Tom Oliphant pleased to lead BMW challenge at Thruxton

Tom Oliphant said he was pleased to lead the BMW challenge after a solid performance on track in the latest rounds of the British Touring Car Championship season at Thruxton.

With his 330i M Sport free of additional success ballast, Oliphant qualified seventh on the grid for the opening race of the weekend; where he duly secured a fifth place finish.

Oliphant looked well set to secure a podium in race two only to lose out to Matt Neal in the closing stages as he finished in fourth, and then missed out on a potential podium in race three thanks to the heavy rain that arrived in the closing stages.

Despite that, Oliphant was first BMW home in all three races and secured Jack Sears Trophy honours for the weekend after points leader Rory Butcher ran into problems and could only finish two of the three races.

“I’ve been the top BMW points-scorer in all three races and in qualifying, and that’s the first time it’s happened, so I’m very pleased about that,” he said. “We’ve had the 3 Series in the sweet spot from practice onwards and that’s given me a lot of confidence to drive really hard all day.

“Yes it’s a bit disappointing to miss the podium in the second by less than a tenth of a second, and for the rain to come in the third when I was on course for second or third, but I’ve won the Jack Sears Trophy for the round, brought myself right back into contention for that title, and had three clean races and a big points haul.

“If we can take this form into Knockhill, where the BMW’s rear-wheel-drive should be a big help, we can have another good weekend there.”