The Peugeot 406 Coupé Race Team witnessed a change of fortunes today after a fantastic race day at Oulton Park for Rounds 19 and 20 of www.theAA.com British Touring Car Championship, which saw Eaves take 3rd and Soper charge for 1st in the Feature Race on the tight 2.36m circuit.

Today's Feature race made for spectacular racing, as Eaves took 3rd for the team after qualifying 6th for the race, ahead of Lexus and Alfa Romeo. Excited Eaves commented; " That was superb. My first podium! It's unfortunate that Steve couldn't win the race though. Now we move onto Silverstone with more development potential and a victory looking on the cards."

Soper who celebrated his 100th BTCC start in today's Feature race held the field from the Vauxhall Astra's for most of the race, which saw brilliant pit-stop strategies prove an advantage. After qualifying 4th yesterday Soper mixed it with the Vauxhall's as he held the lead for most of the 30 lap race which witnessed Vauxhalls Muller retire and the three remaining Vauxhall drivers left trailing behind the Coupé driver as he gained an advantage over the competition.

Beaconsfield based Steve Soper commented; "Its frustrating that I couldn't finish the race due to the engine leaking oil that was spilling on the track, but the best and most amazing thing is the track time we gained in my quick pitstop which allowed me to overtake Thompson and eventually take the lead from Plato for most of the race."

Earlier on in the day during the Sprint race Soper charged ahead into third leaving Vauxhall's Plato a tough fight on his hands. After successfully blocking the Astra driver for several laps Steve radioed in with a steering problem. This was later revealed as a cracked front sub frame. Eaves finished the race ahead of Erdos (Lexus) and Blair (Alfa Romeo) in 6th.

VLR Team Manager, Vic Lee who prepares the 406 Coupe's at the Peugeot Sport competitions department commented, "Its good to finally see Eaves on the podium. A 1st and 3rd would have been better but Soper's Coupé made a marked improvement this weekend that will hopefully show through further at the next round at Silverstone."

+ Motorsport Manager of Peugeot Motor Company Plc, Mick Linford commented, "A well deserved and well earned result for Dan Eaves. For Steve it was so close to being a perfect day, his 100th BTCC start and close to an outright win."