Tom Chilton compared scoring his first podium for Power Maxed Racing’s Vauxhall programme to a race victory after coming third in the final British Touring Car Championship race at Brands Hatch.
Chilton, who started the reverse grid race from pole position after Rob Austin was excluded from the middle contest, was unable to prevent Andrew Jordan’s fast-starting BMW 125i M Sport from taking an early lead on the outside into Paddock Hill bend.
He put up a valiant defence of second against Jordan’s team-mate, double champion Colin Turkington, but the latter secured the inside line heading into Surtees with the race two-thirds run, leaving Chilton to fend off Matt Neal’s recovering Honda Civic Type R.
With Senna Proctor also claiming the Jack Sears Trophy, the combined efforts of both drivers see Vauxhall take a respectable third in the Manufacturers standings heading to Donington Park. Chilton himself lies 6th in the championship with three top ten finishes across the weekend.
“It was perfect,” admitted Chilton.
“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.
“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.”