DROITWICH-based Team VERTU top the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) teams standings after securing four podium finishes in the first weekend of the season.
Team VERTU driver Tom Chilton took a commanding victory in race three while Tom Ingram finished second in all three races at Donington Park.
The Droitwich team lead NAPA Racing UK by virtue of the finishing positions in the final race of the weekend.
Chilton said: “A race win in the final race, and third in the points is a really pleasing way to go into Brands Hatch and my favourite circuit on the calendar, although we haven’t had it all our own way this weekend.
“However, we fought through and to score the first win for Team VERTU this season and help to secure the team award for the weekend as a whole is mega.
“We were able to really make the most of the pace we had in the car.
“NAPA Racing are also very quick, so it isn’t just us and I feel the others were playing catch-up a bit, so it was important to really maximise what was available.
“We know the others will improve but we really made the most of a strong winter testing programme to hit the ground running and deliver the results.”
Ingram added: “This season will be one where you can’t adopt the kind of approach of always being in the top six – now we realistically need to be pushing for the podium each weekend.
“It’s going to be a very competitive season, but we have started it strongly, which is ultimately what we needed to do.
“Clearly, we were very strong, as were NAPA Racing, but we know that there are others on the grid who are going to improve as the season goes on and the impact of the new turbo boost rules really takes effect.
“We’ve made our performance count this weekend to pick up three strong results, and I’m really pleased for Tom to get the win as he deserved it.”
Team VERTU finished the first weekend of the season in style as Chilton and Ingram secured a one-two.
Chilton stormed to victory after starting on pole by virtue of the reverse grid draw.
And Ingram followed Chilton home as the Coventry driver completed a clean sweep of podium finishes.
Chilton also finished seventh in race one and sixth in race two.
Team VERTU’s Adam Morgan enjoyed an impressive end to the weekend as he placed 10th in race two and fifth in race three after suffering a DNF in the first race of the season.
The team’s other driver, Michael Crees, finished 18th, 17th and 19th respectively across the three races.
Team owner, Justina Williams said: “This has been a fantastic way for us to start the season and although it is still very, very early in the title race, it’s clear that the hard work that has gone in over the winter has put us in a strong position.
“We’re now reaping the rewards of the fact that we were able to get out testing at Anglesey before Christmas thanks to the support of Vertu, as it provided us with that early information of what we needed to do to deal with the removal of the hybrid systems.
“From the moment we hit the track this weekend, we’ve been quick and to come away with a win, four podiums and the team’s award is fantastic.
“Not only have Tom and Tom done a fantastic job, Adam has also driven brilliantly on his first weekend in the car and we’ve seen good progress from Michael considering this was his first real time behind the wheel.
“We can take a lot of confidence from the weekend but there is a long way still to go, and we need to make sure we don’t rest on our laurels.”
The BTCC season continues at Brands Hatch on the weekend of May 10 and 11.
