Team Atomic Kitten driver Gareth Howell hoped for better results at Croft after the disappointment of Mondello, but despite his best efforts and those of the team it was not to be.

In the first free-practice on Saturday he finished in 6th place, just 1/10th away from the leading MG-ZS of Anthony Reid in 4th. In the second session however, a kerb at Sunny damaged his suspension heavily. With the replacement parts unavailable, one of the team set off for home to collect the part. Meanwhile the team had to work flat out to make a temporary repair, which they amazingly achieved. With no time to set the car up, Gareth managed 6 laps in the first qualifying for 13th place overall and in the second session achieved a time only 2/10ths off his first practice time.

Gareth made good progress through the field and was in 7th place overall and second in the Independents Cup when, approaching the final corner for the penultimate time, he was cruelly denied a finish by the over exuberance of drivers that should have known better. Peugeot driver Harvey attempted to move inside Gareth but he was torpedoed into the side of Gareth’s MG-ZS by Neal in the Astra. The result was the retirement of all three cars on the spot. “I am really disappointed,” said Gareth afterwards. “There was no need for it. The team had done such an amazing job to get me out for qualifying yesterday, and it is all for nothing. Drivers of their age and experience are quick to point the finger at some of the younger drivers but then take out 3 cars unnecessarily. Now the guys have a Herculean task to get my car repaired before the Feature Race.”

A less eventful Feature race saw Gareth again make up places in the opening laps. An early pit stop left him in 7th overall and 2nd in the independents cup. A faulty plug though saw Gareth lose power and he soon began to drop down the field. A solid drive over the final few laps left him to finish in 9th place and 3rd in the Independents Cup.

The races can be seen on ITV1 Saturday 20th July at 13:25 after F1 qualifying.

The BTCC moves on to Snetterton next for the meeting on the 27th / 28th July. Last year an outstanding race from Gareth ended with victory in the Feature race to probably the biggest cheer of the season.