JUSTINA Williams admits Team Vertu’s five podium finishes at Croft went ‘beyond expectations’ as the Droitwich-based team returned to the track in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
Team Vertu secured a race win and four further podium finishes in North Yorkshire as the BTCC returned following a mid-season break.
And a race win for Team Vertu driver Tom Ingram, who also finished second in race three, means the Coventry racer now sits top of the drivers’ standings.
Fellow Team Vertu driver Senna Proctor placed third in races one and three while Tom Chilton finished second in race two.
And with Team Vertu now just three points off top in the teams standings, team owner Williams feels confident for the remainder of the season.
Williams said: “We were confident that Croft would be a strong weekend for us but to come away from it with five podium finishes is beyond expectations.
“All four drivers have done a fantastic job, and we’re delighted to have reclaimed the championship lead on the back of another win.
“As I’ve said before, there is still a long way to go until anything is won but are confident about the remainder of the season.”
Team Vertu made the perfect start to the weekend as Ingram led from start to finish to take the overall lead in the drivers’ standings.
And teammate Proctor ensured Team Vertu secured a double podium with a third-place finish behind Dan Cammish.
Proctor moved from eighth to third on the opening lap as the Yorkshire driver wowed his home crowd.
Teammates Chilton and Adam Morgan finished fifth and 10th respectively.
Ingram could not repeat his success in race two with the Championship leader down in eighth.
However, Chilton claimed second place with Morgan fourth, Ingram eighth and Proctor down in 18th.
Team Vertu responded with another double podium in the final race as Ingram and title rival Ash Sutton engaged in an epic tussle for the race win.
Ingram made contact with pole-sitter Aiden Moffat on the first lap and overtook Sutton later in the race following a safety car.
However, a sublime move from Sutton saw him move from third to first at the final hairpin despite his car taking damage in the process.
That left Ingram in second with Proctor third, Morgan fifth and Chilton eighth.
Ingram said: “Great result. Team VERTU did a brilliant job. The summer break was really positive for us.
“We made a lot of little tweaks to continue refining and optimising every aspect of the Hyundai.
“The car felt just superb, as it does every weekend thanks to the fantastic job done by Team VERTU.
“Every circuit we turn up to, it seems to be in a really good place.”
Proctor added: “To come away from my home weekend with two podium finishes is an absolute dream.
“Getting onto the podium in race one from eighth on the grid was a really good way to kick things off and I’d have been happy with that for the weekend after race two.
“My wife actually decided to go home when I was going to be starting the final race back in 18th.
“I was aiming for a top-10 but with everything happening ahead, we managed to make up ground to be in the top-six after a few laps and then I just had to get my head down and push forwards.
“The car is fantastic and despite missing the first three rounds, we’re almost in the top-10. We just need to keep chipping away and we’ll soon get there.”
The BTCC season continues at Knockhill on the weekend of August 16 and 17.
