AT CROFTTom Chilton says he needs three stellar results at the Croft circuit on Sunday 3 June if he’s to keep title rivals Jason Plato and Fabrizio Giovanardi in his sights in the vital middle stages of this year’s Dunlop British Touring Car Championship season.

Chilton will arrive at the North Yorkshire circuit having enjoyed his best start to a BTCC season – he currently lies third in the standings, but is 30 points behind Vauxhall team-mate Giovanardi who in turn trails Plato by another nine.

Both drivers have won four times so far while Chilton is still seeking his first victory of 2007. He is also wary that reigning champion Matt Neal is only two points behind him and knows that strong results in all three rounds at Croft are of great importance to his title aspirations.

The 22-year-old from Reigate, Surrey, said: “I really need to pull something out of the bag at Croft. I don’t want Jason and Fabrizio getting much further away as we get into what is a critical stage of the season.

“I was a bit confused leaving Thruxton last time out because my car had been as good as Fabrizio’s over the first few laps but then just seemed to lose a bit of performance.

“But I’ve got a new chassis coming for Croft. If it gives me that last little drop of performance then I’ll be on fire.”

Chilton says that Croft’s BTCC meeting is one of the best on the calendar in terms of atmosphere among the watching fans. Indeed, with Britain’s premier motor racing series making just one visit each year to the North-East, the event annually draws a bumper crowd.

Chilton added: “When you’re racing you’re 100 per cent focused on the track and the cars around you, but at Croft you realise just how many people are watching when you’re on the way to the grid or on the slowing down lap.

“The banking around the first few corners is absolutely packed out and you start to hear the air horns and pick out banners. It’s always a really passionate crowd at Croft. Every driver gets a buzz from it.

“Croft is also a great touring car circuit and the lay-out means there’s always a lot of side-by-side action. I think the fans will be in for some great action.

“My aim is to score as many points as possible, but I’ve had seconds and thirds and now I want a win. I was strong at Croft last year and had pole position until the final seconds of qualifying. I’d love to put that right this year and then lead all the way to the finish.”

Tickets to see the BTCC in action at Croft on 3 June cost £25 on the gate or they can be booked on Croft’s website croftcircuit.co.uk or by telephone: 01325 721815. Admission for children aged 15 and under is FREE.

Prices include free access to the BTCC paddock and the hugely popular Pit Lane Walkabout when the public, including children, is invited into the Croft pit lane to meet the drivers for autographs and give-aways.

The timetable includes ten races in total: the latest three BTCC rounds plus another seven races from the supporting BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT championships.