BTCC rookie Tom Onslow-Cole made an impressive debut for Team RAC at Brands Hatch yesterday, the 19 year-old Surrey star taking fifth and sixth places in two of the three Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship races. He had got up to third place in the second race, before colliding with Darren Turner and dropping down to last although he fought his way back to 15th at the flag.

Tom, starting his debut race in a superb seventh place, had a fantastic start off the line which saw the New Malden teenager move to fourth place by the end of the opening lap. Having seen off early pressure from Mat Jackson, he was eventually passed by double champion Matt Neal and Mike Jordan and went on to finish the first round in sixth place (although moved up to fifth following Jackson’s disqualification).

Another superb start for Tom from fifth on the grid saw him pass Jordan to move up to fourth as the pack entered the first corner in race two. Some great driving from the reigning Clio Cup champion took him into a stunning third place until the 11th lap when a collision with Turner saw him leave the track, although he recovered to finish 15th.

Tom had another great start in the day’s final race moving up to 11th place, from 15th, on the first lap. Throughout the race some solid driving saw him continue to move steadily up the grid, resulting in a seventh place finish. Turner’s later exclusion for contact with Tom’s team-mate Colin Turkington elevated Tom to sixth place.

“To think that in the second race I was up to third, in a podium finishing position was a fantastic feeling, it’s a shame about the actual result, but it’s been a great introduction to the BTCC.

“I really wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now it’s just been a fantastic weekend. I was introduced into the BTCC with a few knocks and nudges but I’m loving it, it’s a great place to be.

“I don’t think the race results were actually a true reflection of how I feel we’ve done this weekend. In qualifying to be just two tenths off pole in my first ever qualifying is great and then to be up to third in the second race was a real high point.”

“As a first event it’s been great, there have been some highs and some lows and I’m looking forward to what looks like being a great season.”

Tom’s combined results puts him into joint eighth place in the Championship with the next three rounds taking place in three weeks time at Rockingham, Northamptonshire on April 21/22.