Team Halfords triumphed at Thruxton winning two trophies, as Tim Harvey proved he is still one of the best drivers in the Championship. He defiantly battled against the odds after problems in qualifying, to finish 1st in the Independents cup for both races, and was voted ‘Driver Of The Day’. Dan Eaves, following the example set by his team mate, finished both races in 2nd for the Independents cup.

Qualifying on Sunday proved eventful for Team Halfords as both drivers were struggling with the 406 Coupes handling. Eaves, who was repeatedly in and out of the pit lane with electrical problems and a mis-fire on the engine, managed only minimal laps at speed which left him16th for the Sprint race and 6th for the Feature race. Harvey, who was running with 30kgs of success ballast carried forward from Oulton Park, was struggling with the balance of the car, and qualified 7th in the Sprint Race and 10th for the Feature race.

Race day dawned, yet the team were by no means intimidated by their starting positions. With the rain holding off for the start of the Sprint race (round 5) the lights went to green, Harvey defended his 6th position, while Eaves was on full attack to start his climb from the back of the grid. After all touring cars made it clear round the first corner, the race was fully underway. Harvey, conscious of his extra weight in the car, drove an outstanding race defending and attacking every step of the way, to take the chequered flag in 5th position, for first place in the Independents cup.

Eaves, who had much work to do from the back of the grid, made his steady attack on the rear markers of the touring pack. Picking them off one at a time, Eaves finished in an outstanding 6th position, for second place in the Independents cup.

The Feature race saw Harvey move up to 9th place on the grid as Aaron Slight was unable to start . After a chaotic start for the touring cars, Tom Chilton was the first casualty spinning off, bringing the safety car out for 5 laps, increasing the Feature race to 30 Laps.

On the re-start, MG’s Warren Hughes made contact with Eaves causing rear wheel damage, which resulted in him dropping behind Harvey, and off his early race pace. Harvey was on a charge and was taking no prisoners, defending and challenging every step of the way.

After two blistering pit stops for the Team Halfords crew, and all other teams having completed their mandatory pit stops, Harvey was holding a strong 5th position close behind MG’s Anthony Reid, with Eaves following a close 6th. Reid, after making contact with Turkington coming through the home straight, was knocked out going into lap 24, moving both Harvey and Eaves up a place to 4th and 5th.

Harvey withstood the constant pressure of Priaulx’s Honda, while constantly challenging Matt Neal’s third position, bringing the number 8 Team Halfords coupe home in 4th place, for another Champions trophy for 1st in the Independents cup.

Dan Eaves, who was battling with damage he had incurred earlier on in the race, held his 6th position as he crossed the finish line, collecting a well-earned 2nd place in the Independents cup.

Tim Harvey commented: ‘I concentrated on driving the race consistently, keeping a close eye on the brakes and tyres. I’m really pleased to be taking away two trophies, as it lets everyone know that Team Halfords are here to win. The car handled a lot better with the loss of the weight for the second race, and I felt I could really push the car to its limit.’

Dan Eaves commented: ‘I had quite a frustrating time in qualifying which meant I had my work cut out for me in the races. Then I struggled with rear end grip for nearly the whole of the Feature race, so I was pleased to finish in the top 6 for both races, and get two 2nd positions in the Independents cup.’

After 3 completed British Touring Car Championship weekends out of 10, Tim Harvey and Dan Eaves are respectively lying in 1st and 3rd in the Independents cup, 7th and 8th in the Touring Drivers Championship and 5th in the Touring Teams Championship.

Roll on Silverstone….