Aron Taylor-Smith scratches seven-year itch

Aron Taylor-Smith admitted delight at ending a seven year wait for a BTCC podium in the final race of the weekend at Donington Park.

The Irish racer had last made it onto the rostrum at Rockingham back in 2016, where he secured a surprise victory for series newcomers Team BKR at the wheel of a Volkswagen CC.

Following his move to Power Maxed Racing for this season, Taylor-Smith had shown flashes of pace, with a top-six finish at Thruxton and a fourth place last time out at Knockhill, but the return to Donington GP would prove to be the weekend of the campaign to date.

Having qualified in fifth place – his highest qualifying performance since 2015 – Taylor-Smith scored top ten finishes in the opening two races of the weekend and then benefitted from the reverse grid to line up on row two for the final race.

Running in the top three throughout, Taylor-Smith took the flag in second place for a 19th career podium to move closer to the top ten in the standings.

“This is unbelievable,” he said. “There have been some dark moments over the last few years trying to get back to this point and I just want to thank everyone for believing in me.

“Nothing has changed in me, but the team has really resurrected my career. They have given me a new lease of life and we’re in a position where I think would could something special before the end of the season at two circuits where the car has been strong in the past.

“Getting that podium was hard work and Rory [Butcher] just managed to get ahead. He did a great job and I’m pleased to see him score a win, but I’m now looking forward to fighting at the front at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.”