Ricky Collard has given credit to the West Surrey Racing-run Team BMW outfit for what he described as a “surreal” maiden British Touring Car Championship podium in race one at Silverstone.
The 22-year-old qualified second yesterday and challenged polesitter Sam Tordoff for the lead into turn one.
He was forced out wide and dropped to fifth before recovering to third, aided by WSR stablemate Andrew Jordan’s retirement with a loss of power when he was running third.
Collard told TouringCars.Net that the result was unexpected, and that he is delighted that he has come to grips with BTCC racing in just his third weekend.
“Absolutely over the moon. I didn’t really expect it going into this weekend but we’ve all chiselled away,” said Collard.
“It’s a credit to the team that have given me this car and they’ve learnt so much about me and I’ve learnt so much about them.
“When everything falls into place and works together it’s mindblowing what you can achieve.
Having grown up in the BTCC paddock watching his father Rob race, Collard described being up on the podium as a surreal feeling, and one that meant a lot to him.
“I always say to everyone, if you’ve got a dream, never give up on it,” he said. “Because I’ve always had a dream, having been on the other side of the fence to eventually get myself up onto that podium. And now today to achieve it is pretty surreal.
“The other thing as well is it’s not just me. I get to have the champagne and the trophy but I look down and I see everyones faces and that’s the best bit about this weekend.
“So as long as we can continue to do that in race two and race three we should have a good night tonight!”