A tally of 4th, 5th and 6th place finishes in the latest rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship elevated Tom in the points table, but he was hoping for better…..

Following Tom’s victory at Brands Hatch, the first for an LPG powered car in the BTCC, series organisers – TOCA reduced the restrictor size on the Team Aon Ford Focuses, but Tom’s continuing work with the team’s engineers has found gains in the chassis and set-up which appeared to negate the reduction in engine power.

Fastest in both of Saturday’s free practice sessions, Tom had high hopes of a repeat performance in qualifying. Having secured pole position in the previous events at Brands Hatch and Rockingham, it seemed that three consecutive poles was a real possibility, but despite setting the pace early on, it wasn’t to be. Tom was called onto the weighbridge after his first run and an excessive time spent there unfortunately over-heated his brakes. He tried everything he could to improve but with others gaining advantages through the half-hour session, Tom ended up 5th fastest.

Brakes were again an issue in Sunday’s first race. Tom had to concede a place in the first couple of corners, but after that he was constantly battling with the works Chevrolets, looking for a way through. He eventually got an opportunity and took his chance, but 5th place was as high as he could get.

“It was a tough race and I was always right up close behind other cars.” Tom explained. “I think that reduced the brake cooling and later on in the race I suffered with a really long brake pedal.”

The day’s second race saw Tom finish 6th, but he’d managed to get as high as 4th place from the start before unplanned contact resulted in a slightly bent steering arm and from then on he struggled to match his earlier pace.

“The car was great in the opening laps, really good,” he said, “But unfortunately when the steering arm got bent the handling went a bit weird and I couldn’t hold on to 4th place. Considering the damage, I’m pleased to have brought the car home in 6th.”

The reverse grid format for the third and final race gave Tom a second row start position and over the opening laps he took full advantage. Prior to a safety-car period he’d got up to third and after the re-start he took the lead. Into Cascades at the head of the field it nearly all went horribly wrong. A massive slide and the lead was lost. Tom did well to hold on to the slide but had fallen to 4th place and that’s where he finished.

“I’m gutted. That should have been a win.” Tom said afterwards. “I don’t know what happened, we’ll have to look at the data, but obviously I slid wide, had a big moment and that was it – win gone.”

Overall he might have expected more from the Oulton Park races, but it’s a long season with plenty more points available and the Team Aon Fords appear to be a match for anything else in the field. Tom will get his next opportunity to close the gap to the points leaders at Croft in Yorkshire in two weeks time.