Tom Onslow-Cole returns to racing action at Donington Park this weekend, following a three-week break in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship calendar. For 20 year-old Tom, the return to the Leicestershire track is a welcome boost, as the circuit is one of his favourites and one on which he enjoyed much success in his Clio Cup days.

Double pole-position last year and a dominant lights to flag victory in race one, set him up well for a comfortable title victory and buoyed by his results around the parkland circuit last year and in 2005, the New Malden star heads to the event on July 14th/15th determined for more success.

Now having swapped his front-wheel-drive Clio Cup car for a Team RAC BMW 320si, the Surrey ace faces a different challenge this year, but one which does not so far seem to have fazed him.  With two podium finishes already to his credit in his first season in the UK’s premier championship, Tom has shown that he has adapted well to the rear-wheel-drive machine and has consistently matched the times of his more experienced team-mate Colin Turkington.

Last time out, at Oulton Park, Tom had his first experience of driving his WSR-prepared machine in wet weather conditions and that too showed that the car is more than up to the task in hand.  Now it’s down to the BRDC Rising Star to convert his qualifying and race speed into victory as he bids for his maiden BTCC win, which he hopes will come at the Donington Park track this Sunday (July 15).

The event will kick off on Saturday with two 40-minute free practice sessions around the 1.957 miles National circuit at 9.40 and 12.20 prior to the all-important official qualifying session held over 30 minutes starting at 15.45.  Sunday’s first 16 lap race is scheduled to start at 10.00 with races two and three at 12.45 and 14.50.

Overall drivers championship positions after 15 rounds:

1 Fabrizio Giovanardi 150

2 Jason Plato 149

3 Matt Neal 97

4 Colin Turkington 93

5 Tom Chilton 87

6 Darren Turner 85

7 Mat Jackson 82

8 Gordon Shedden 79

9 Mike Jordan 71

10 Tom Onslow-Cole 57