Warren Scott was delighted to have achieved a maiden top ten British Touring Car Championship finish at Silverstone, after crossing the line in ninth place in the second race of the day.
Scott’s quartet of Team BMR Restart Volkswagen CCs had been expected to fare well at the Northamptonshire circuit, given their strength in a straight line, and the squad backed that premonition up in the weekend’s opening practice session with three cars in the top ten – including Scott, who was ninth fastest.
Sunday’s first race saw the ex-motorbike racer drop two places from his grid slot to 16th, but an inspired drive in race two, which saw Scott muscle past the likes of Gordon Shedden, netted a ninth place finish, a result that he repeated in the final race of the day.
The pair of results smashed Scott’s previous best finish in the series – a 12th place at Snetterton two months ago – while Aron Smith and Alain Menu also secured a podium apiece in their machines.
And speaking to TouringCars.Net, the team owner and driver – who had extra reason to celebrate as Sunday was also his 43rd birthday – was ecstatic to have seen his outfit perform so strongly across the weekend.
“It couldn’t be better,” beamed Scott. “The team has worked hard all year and it was a great result in the last race to have four cars in the top ten.
“For me personally it’s been fantastic and Aron and Alain’s performances have been great so it’s just been a cracking day. Jack [Goff] got a bit of contact – I think he’s had some of what I usually get today – which has held him back a bit and he’s not just had the fortune today.”
Speaking about his personal results, Scott acknowledged that the straight line speed of his car had a hand in his strong showing, but also believed he was more comfortable on the Silverstone circuit, having previously raced it while competing in the British Superbike Championship.
“It’s great, especially on my birthday. My qualifying has always been my bad point and when I start too far back, there’s often a problem.
“For some reason driving a car round Silverstone is very similar to riding a bike around it and I think that’s why I’ve found it a little bit easier, I was quite quick here last year. The lines maybe are a bit more similar to how I used to ride it with a bike…it just seems more natural to me being here.
“It also helps that we’ve got a fast car in a straight line, there’s no denying that, but we’ve set it up for that and it worked well here. We’re very pleased and we’ve done very well.”
And with a short break until next weekend’s meeting at Brands Hatch, Scott was optimistic about carrying his form through to the finale.
“I know Alain, Aron and Jack will be very fast anyway but I’m hoping that these two top ten’s for me – the confidence will just push on.
“Around the top 15 is great, getting in the top ten is even better. It’s a good field out there and anywhere near the top 15 is great, but it’s just been a great year.”