![Daniel Rowbottom, Halfords Racing with Cataclean [Team Dynamics], Honda Civic Type-R FK8 NGTC](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Race-1-Start-Rowbottom-001.jpg "Photo: JEP / Team Dynamics")
Daniel Rowbottom admitted that he had ‘shed a couple of tears’ after picking up his first-ever win in the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park, with a follow-up podium elevating him to third in the drivers’ championship.
Rowbottom had qualified his Team Dynamics Honda in fourth for Sunday’s first race, and the 32-year-old shot into the lead at the first start, as team-mate Gordon Shedden moved into second.
The Worcestershire racer would have to make another start after the race was red-flagged due to a crash further down the field, although for the second start he assumed pole position as the field lined up in the same order as when the red flags flew.
Despite Shedden keeping him honest for the race, Rowbottom was able to hold on and secure his first win in the championship as Team Dynamics bagged a 1-2 finish.
He then followed that up with second in race two, despite maximum success ballast and heavy pressure from the BMW of Adam Morgan, to claim another podium finish for the team.
Race three was curtailed early due to another crash-induced red flag, but by this stage Rowbottom had made his way up to sixth from eighth in the reversed-grid race.
After enjoying his best-ever weekend in the BTCC, an emotional Rowbottom thanked those who had stood by him ,especially after his challenging first season in the series in 2019.
“It’s a little bit surreal to be honest,” said Rowbottom. “I shed a couple of tears, as I’m sure you can see from the in-car camera. It’s fantastic.
“For Halfords Racing with Cataclean to get a one-two is great, I kind of wanted to get the first as it’s Cataclean’s home circuit and they’ve got a lot of people here today.
“It’s one ticked off the list, but the list goes on and the work never stops.
“We had a couple of nips in the rear corner of the car [from Shedden], and I thought ‘oh no he’s here’ but I just managed to collect it all together, pull a bit of a gap and it was just enough at the end.
“To be honest in the first part of the race before the red flag I couldn’t keep with him. He was too far gone, so that worked out great.
“I think perhaps we were unfairly criticised due to my 2019 performance, so the aim this year was to come in and get top tens and make people realise what we could be here.
“But to come in and start winning here is fantastic and great for the championship too!”
Rowbottom thanked Team Dynamics and his sponsors for their faith in him ahead of the 2021 season.
“It’s been hard fought getting here and I must thank Team Dynamics and Cataclean for their faith in me.
“My confidence continues to grow, and I think that showed in race two coping with the pressure whilst running with full ballast.
“I’m chuffed to bits not only for me, but for my family, the boys & girls in the team and my sponsors. I’m itching now to get out their racing again in two weeks’ time at Knockhill.”