Tom Onslow-Cole’s season behind the wheel in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) keeps getting better and better, after a weekend to remember at Thruxton.
Driving his VW Passat CC for Team Hard, the 25-year-old followed up three points finishes at Donington Park in round two with two podium spots and a sixth place in round three.
The remarkable weekend’s racing saw the New Malden man climb to ninth in the BTCC standings on 66 points, with the next meeting at Oulton Park set for June 9.
What makes the results all the more impressive is that Onslow-Cole only got behind the wheel of his new-build car seven weeks ago, on the eve of round one at Brands.
Ready to go: Tom Onslow-Cole behind the wheel of his VW Passat CC Picture: Gary Brind
He said: “We were confident ahead of Thruxton because it is a fast sweeping track and it suits our car.
“The car has one of the largest footprints on the grid, which means it is more stable at high speeds. It really is a hang on to the wheel circuit.
“But we are slower over the more intricate circuits, which is something we’ve got time to work on before Oulton.
“We will look at the set up and take time to consider our approach to the next meeting.
“There was only a two-week turnaround between Donington and Thruxton, so it is good to have some time to consider options in the set up.
“But Thruxton was a good weekend and we are very pleased with the progress the car is making.”
After three of 10 rounds, Matt Neal and Andrew Jordan are leading the standings on 137 and 124 points respectively, and Onslow-Cole says it is no coincidence the pair are driving Honda Civics.
“The Hondas are on the pace in qualifying. They are in a different class,” he said.
“But they are bringing the vehicle into its second season, whereas we have only had our car for six to seven weeks.
“We’re confident that with time we can begin to test the Hondas week in, week out.”
Leading: Tom Onslow-Cole ahead of the two Honda's of Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal in the first race at Thruxton, a race in which he would eventually finish third Picture: Gary Brind
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