![Tom Oliphant, Team BMW [WSR], BMW 330i M Sport](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TomOliphant202104OP06.jpg "Photo: BTCC Media")
Tom Oliphant described the repair job by his Team BMW mechanics as ‘incredible’ after they rebuilt his BMW 330i M Sport for the third British Touring Car Championship race at Oulton Park after a big crash in race one.
Oliphant came together with Power Maxed Racing’s Jason Plato in the opening encounter in Cheshire, spinning his BMW in front of the chasing pack at the final corner on the lap.
The 30-year-old was collected hard by two Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundais, firstly by Chris Smiley and then again by Rick Parfitt Jr in the driver’s side door.
Despite extensive damage, Oliphant walked away from the shunt, although it meant he would not take part in race two as his team worked frantically to repair the car.
Against the odds, the West Surrey Racing mechanics pulled off the ‘incredible’ feat, allowing Oliphant to start from the back of the field for race three.
In a race again filled with incidents, Oliphant was able to salvage two points for 14th, although the bruising weekend has now seen him drop to 12th in the drivers’ championship standings, 52 points from the top of the table.
Nevertheless, Oliphant was grateful to both the efficient work of the trackside marshals immediately following the shunt and then to his team for repairing his car in the afternoon.
“While I’m naturally very disappointed with what happened in race one, I want to focus on the two big positives from today,” said Oliphant.
“Firstly, I want to thank the marshals that were on the scene in double-quick time after what were two very big hits.
“Secondly, I can’t even begin to imagine how the WSR mechanics and Willie Poole’s team were able to fix my car for the third race.
“They did an incredible job because I was expecting to back at home to watch race three when I saw the damage I had.
“Two points feels like a bit of a victory after that.”
Team BMW Team Principal Dick Bennetts slammed the driving standards which had led to Oliphant’s crash, as well as a separate incident with team-mate Colin Turkington in race one with Aiden Moffat.
“Firstly, I want to congratulate the WSR team and Willie Poole for moving heaven and earth to get Tom’s car back out for race three,” said Bennetts.
“It looked like an impossible job, but they got it done and Tom was able to score points too.
“We’d never have been in that position if the driving standards hadn’t been so appalling today.
“I’m concerned that the drivers that caused the incidents with both Tom and Colin have not been penalised, and I hope this doesn’t continue in the future.”