Dealer
Oliphant can’t believe he’s a BTCC race winner
0 Comments
Tom Oliphant can’t believe that he’s a British Touring Car Championship race winner, after scoring his maiden victory at Brands Hatch yesterday.
The 29-year old Leamington Spa-based driver withstood tremendous pressure from Ash Sutton in the third race of the day to clinch victory around the 2.43-mile Grand Prix circuit in his West Surrey Racing-prepared BMW 330i M Sport.
Having finished eighth and seventh in the two earlier races, Oliphant – who wears a Stilo ST5 GT Zero 8860 helmet – moved from sixth to third after a great start in race three, before taking the lead at the start of lap two. Despite some severe pressure from behind, Oliphant held the lead all the way to the chequered flag.
That win lifts the former Porsche Carrera Cup GB champion into third in the BTCC drivers’ standings.
It also gave WSR its 300th BTCC podium, increases the squad’s lead in the Teams’ points table and moves BMW ahead in the race for the Manufacturers’ crown.
“What an amazing day. I can’t believe I’m a BTCC race winner,” said Oliphant.
“Huge thanks to WSR because the BMW was fantastic.
“I was chuffed with my move for the lead, but once I was ahead I had Ash [Sutton] on my tail for the whole race and I knew I couldn’t let my concentration drop for a second, or he’d have been by. I don’t think I could have pushed any harder.
“I’ve won championships before, but this one is the highlight of my racing career and definitely the toughest.”
