Tom Oliphant enters a five-week break from his maiden Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship campaign on a high after strong finishes at Croft.
The Tarporley racer enjoyed his strongest overall race-day so far with a hat-trick of top 16 finishes, having included his fourth and fifth points scoring results of the season.
Now the 27-year-old can enjoy a break until the campaign returns to action at Snetterton on July 28-29, a weekend which will include a special ‘Diamond Double’ race – an extended 60-mile contest to celebrate the championship’s 60th anniversary.
Oliphant, who races in the Ciceley Motorsport Mercedes A-Class, said: “We headed into the weekend knowing our car was going to struggle up against the rear-wheel drive machinery, but we put together a strong package and I was able to work my way up the order over the course of the three races.
“I enjoyed some really good, clean battles out on track and it was great to be able to bring the car home in pristine condition after each race.
“Three more full races under my belt is crucial experience that will only serve me well heading into the second half of the year.
“I’ve really enjoyed the opening five meetings of the season; the whole BTCC experience has been awesome.
“The Ciceley Motorsport team have done a fantastic job, we’ve made big strides forward so far and I’m confident we can enjoy some real standout results after the summer.”
Oliphant headed into the opening race hoping to challenge for points and a strong start saw him maintain his 18th place heading into an early safety car stoppage.
A sensational move around the outside of Mike Bushell through the Complex netted him 17th, before he picked off former Porsche Carrera Cup GB sparring rival Dan Cammish into Tower Bend.
That result would put him in a prime position to take a points finish in Race Two with a brilliant start seeing him rise two places on the opening lap, before moving up to 13th.
And the Marchand Watch Company brand ambassador would make more early progress in the final race, with superb overtaking moves helping him pick his way to 10th place by the end of lap four.
A composed drive saw him maintain position through to the chequered flag, finishing as the highest placed Ciceley Motorsport Mercedes in each of the three races.
(pics by Jakob Ebrey Photography)
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