Team Halfords yesterday thrilled the sun soaked crowds at Croft Race Circuit in Darlington for rounds 11 and 12 of the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship. The team’s new Peugeot 307 hot hatches laid claim to front running positions as Dan Eaves won Independent honours in the first race and new recruit Danny Buxton collected valuable points for his debut.

Race one saw a flying start for Dan Eaves, climbing from 11th to sixth position before the first corner. The marked improvement in the car was clear to see as Dan defended his position from Honda’s works driver Tom Chilton while also chasing down the Vauxhall of Paul O’Neill. After leading the race for several laps the number 0 Peugeot headed into the pits. Completing a blistering pit stop Dan held his position for the remainder of the race, passing the chequered flag in 1st position in the Independents cup and sixth position overall for his finest finish so far.

Ex-Clio Champion Danny Buxton put in a competitive first performance finishing in fourth position in the Independents cup and 11th overall, above rival independent contender James Kaye.

Race two saw Dan starting on the third row of the grid in sixth place with team mate Danny in 11th position.

Dan made another incredible start despite the 12 kilograms of success ballast due his earlier win, had moved up into fifth position by the first corner, pulling away from the Vauxhall of Yvan Muller. Yet disaster hit the current independent champion when the engine’s water temperature started to rise, diminishing the Peugeot’s handling. The problem worsened after the pitstop, so with only seven laps to go, Dan had to accept defeat and return to the garage.

Dan commented: ‘The first race saw a really well deserved win, the team have been working relentlessly to complete the next evolution of the car. We’ve proved we can do it now, so it’s onwards and upwards from here. I did experience a bit of bad luck in the second race, but I can take nothing but a positive stance on this weekend.’

Danny also made a fantastic start in race two, challenging the works teams into the first corner. Yet a tag from Honda’s Alan Morrison sent Danny careering into the barriers causing some irreparable damage, leaving the new number 30 Peugeot back in the garage after only two laps.

Danny commented: ‘I haven’t had the best of luck this weekend, but I’ve had some time in the car and had a chance to work with all the team to try and find the right set up. We’ll be testing before we get to Snetterton in four weeks time, so I will be expecting to get gets some more points under my belt.’