Power Maxed Racing’s Michael Crees was ‘over the moon’ to score his best-ever result in the British Touring Car Championship, as he also scored his first independents-class podium of his career.
The weekend started on a challenging note for the Vauxhall Astra driver, with electrical issues in practice, meaning he missed the first session entirely, followed by a misfire in qualifying limiting Crees’ preparation time.
Qualifying in 19th, 1.2 seconds from pole, Crees lost a place at the start of the opening race but fought back to claim 13th by the chequered flag.
The Kent-based racer gained another place in race two, meaning he would start from 12th on the grid for the final race of the day.
Again, Crees lost ground at the start of the race, dropping to 15th on the opening lap, but he pushed on and was up to 11th by the 11th lap, having passed team-mate Ash Hand.
Crees then gained three places through the forced pitstops for Jason Plato and Jake Hill, with Gordon Shedden’s retirement at the end of the race promoting him to a career-best eighth.
After the race, Crees praised the efforts of his team in resolving the issues which had blighted his Saturday running.
“We had everything thrown at us this weekend, from the electrical problems in practice to a misfire in qualifying, but we worked hard to battle through everything and the guys in the team did a great job,” said the 38-year-old.
“Race one was good and race two was pretty strong as well, we moved forward in both, and then the last one was fantastic!
“I was determined I wasn’t going to waste the opportunity in the last race, the car was good and I was able to push and really get stuck in.
“I’m over the moon to take my first Independents podium of the year, and my best ever overall result in the BTCC with eighth.
“We’re moving forward all the time; I’m really looking forward now to Oulton.”
Crees has now moved up to 18th in the drivers’ championship standings with 22 points, two adrift of his team-mate Hand.