Tom Chilton admitted that it was ‘quite nice to be disappointed with a podium’ after the Motorbase driver sustained race-ending damage in the final British Touring Car Championship race at Rockingham.
Chilton had earlier enjoyed a strong opening race, moving from seventh on the grid up to second at one stage, before slipping to third to claim his fourth podium of the year.
He then took points home from race two with tenth after struggling with 57 kg of ballast on board in the beginning, but that in turn gave the 33-year-old the reverse-grid pole position for the final race of the day.
In the end though a better result was not forthcoming, as despite a strong start, Chilton slid off in slippery conditions at the second corner of the opening lap and was collected by Andrew Jordan’s BMW as he rejoined, ending the race for both drivers.
“We nearly had two more podiums this weekend,” said Chilton. “Sadly, we only managed one in the end, but I guess it’s quite nice to be disappointed with a podium!
“I got a cracking start in the last race but then I got massive oversteer on the banking, went wide and then the contact ended our race.
“The team have done a great job this weekend. We’ve developed the car again and moved up in the Championship.
“I’m gutted for everybody that I didn’t get a second podium and that magical win.”
Team Principal David Bartrum admitted that the weekend had been one of ‘highs and lows’ after Chilton threatened to challenge for the team’s first win of the year.
“I’m not sure how else to describe this weekend – other than yo-yo,” said Bartrum. “Tom did a good job in qualifying to get P7 and to go on and get that podium in race one.
“The second race was tough all round but we stayed in fight and we were looking good for a strong finish to the day with the reverse grid draw.
“I actually thought our luck might have been changing after getting draw on pole. The extra green flag laps gave us more time to get some heat into the hard tyres as the rain came and then it was all over by the first corner!
“Highs and lows all weekend. We qualified well, we raced well, the car has the pace but yet again it just hasn’t gone the way it should have gone.
“It’s very frustrating but we’ll lick our wounds, get the cars sorted and try again in Scotland.”