Off the back of a season best Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship performance at Donington Park last weekend, Swindon’s Simon Belcher is feeling in buoyant mood as the UK’s biggest motor racing series prepares to visit his ‘home’ track – Thruxton Circuit near Andover.With a huge amount of support travelling down the A346 from his hometown for the third race meeting of the 40-year-old’s maiden season in the BTCC a week from now, Belcher is determined to maintain his unbroken finishing record. More importantly, he aims to add to the Independents Trophy points score he achieved in round six last Sunday as he targets the overall top 15.Boasting a grid of more than 30 cars this year, which includes no fewer than seven champions, competition is stronger and more intense than ever in the BTCC but Toyota Avensis driver Belcher is thoroughly enjoying the challenge which comes through being part of such a quality field.“Thruxton is the biggest meeting of the season for us being my home event and I can’t wait to get out there on track next weekend”, said the KARCHER-sponsored racer, “As well as being one of my favourite circuits, and an unbelievable challenge for any driver, we’ll be welcoming a huge number of sponsors, supporters and other guests so it’s going to be our busiest weekend yet.“So far, it’s been an incredible experience being part of the BTCC. Even though I raced on the support package in the [Renault UK] Clio Cup in 2012 and 2013, nothing prepares you for the enormity of the championship and the incredible following it has – I’m loving every minute of it!”Getting tantalisingly close to breaking into the top 20 on his touring car debut at Brands Hatch at the end of March, Belcher made a good step forward last time out at Donington – despite turbo issues in free practice putting his weekend on the back foot from the start – and managed to secure a pair of top 20 results in rounds five and six with a best finish of 18th position in the latter.Thruxton is notorious as one of the toughest circuits to conquer in the UK so trouble-free running in both of the weekend’s free practice sessions will be of vital importance. With the track surface at the ultra-fast 2.35-mile venue particularly abrasive too, a specially produced compound of Dunlop tyre will be utilised next weekend.“As well as continuing to learn about the Avensis and improving the set-up, we’ll have the ‘Thruxton’ tyres to get our heads around as well – another challenge into the mix”, Belcher added, “The main is to get as much track time as possible in free practice so we can establish a good base to work from into qualifying. If we can achieve that, I’m quietly confident we can edge further up the order.”Following the pair of free practice sessions on Saturday, 3rd May, qualifying for the third BTCC event of 2014 will get underway at 15.55 and will be streamed live at the www.itv.com/btcc website. On Sunday, 4th May, round seven will start at approximately 12.10, round eight will follow at 14.30 and round nine will begin at around 17.15 – all three races will be screened live on ITV4 and ITV4 HD.Provisional 2014 Dunlop MSA BTCC ‘Independents Trophy’ standings (after Rd6):23rd Simon Belcher, 2ptsProvisional 2014 Dunlop MSA BTCC ‘Independents Team Trophy’ standings (after Rd6):14th Handy Motorsport, 18pts