Croft circuit in North Yorkshire was the venue for British Touring Car Championship contenders Team Halfords to pick up another trophy. Despite missed fortunes, Dan Eaves celebrated an Independents Cup victories in the Feature race after a storming performance, earning him forth place overall.

Qualifying on Saturday proved testing for the team, Tim Harvey was unable to participate due to engine gremlins, demoting him to the back of the grid for the 1st race. Similarly, Norfolk based driver Carl Breeze, failed his ride height test resulting in a demotion to the back of the touring grid for both races, alongside team mate Harvey.

Gloucester man Dan Eaves, put in the best lap times for the team and qualified 10th and 8th respectively for the Sprint then Feature race, despite an unsettled engine and steering problems.

The start of the Sprint race saw Eaves instantly manoeuvre his way into 7th position and after the first corner he was bearing down on Championship leader Matt Neal. Problems struck for Eaves, when his coupe lost nearly all power steering, dropping him completely off the pace. He struggled on and ended the race in 9th position, just behind teammate Carl Breeze who finished in 8th.

Touring car legend Tim Harvey, determined to regain his winning form, powered his way up to 6th position. As he rounded ‘Hairpin’ for the last time, a driving misjudgement by Egg Sports Matt Neal took him out, leaving the car with substantial damage.

The afternoon Feature race started promisingly for current Formula Renault Champion, Carl Breeze, who catapulted his way forward after starting 17th. Breeze had a front running position in his sights and made his attack when the race leaders pitted for their mandatory stop. He took the lead but good fortune for the rookie Touring driver ended as the fire extinguisher exploded inside his car, creating an almost impossible driving situation. Breeze eventually managed to bring his number 23 coupe home in a well-deserved 12th position.

A rapid turnaround was needed for Tim Harvey’s car, after the extensive damage suffered in the earlier race. The number 8 coupe was unable to get out of the garage in time, leaving him to join the back of the field from the pit lane. Harvey’s car was going well, until a knock from Phil Bennett’s Proton on lap 5, landed him in the tyre wall at Jim Clark Esses and out of the race.

Dan Eaves, holding a strong line throughout the race, steadily pushed his way up the field. After a blistering pit stop he rejoined the race, having gained 3 places. Eaves continued to defend his position from the ever advancing MG of rival Independent contender Colin Turkington, and he stormed passed the chequered to win the Independents cup and 4th overall.

Eaves commented: ‘It was a fantastic race for me, I had a good start, but it was the pit stop that really turned it around as when I exited the pit lane I had made up three places. I had a touch of under steer through the last half of the race, but was able to control it, and I’m just really pleased for the whole team that we were able to come away with a trophy.’

Final standings for Team Halfords are 2nd, 3rd and 7th respectively for Eaves, Harvey and Breeze in the Independents cup, and 5th in the Championship after this the 6th round in this 10 round Championship.