It was the first time that the British Touring Car Championship had visited Rockingham Motor Speedway since 2003 and it also marked the first podium finish for Team RAC and BTCC newcomer Tom Onslow-Cole (New Malden).

Despite a storming drive through the field from Colin Turkington (Portadown) during the first race the ‘luck of the Irish’ was not on his side as he was forced into retirement during the second and third races of the afternoon.

Leaving Rockingham Team RAC still lead the Independents Team Trophy with Colin Turkington and Tom Onslow-Cole placed sixth and seventh respectively in the overall Drivers Championship.

Race 1

Starting from 25th on the grid, following his relegation after his car failed a weight check procedure at yesterday’s qualifying session, Colin Turkington gained a staggering 18 places to finish the first race of the day in 7th. The quality of the WSR BMW 320si was all to see as Colin progressed through the traffic and by the end of the first lap he had already climbed to 13th place.

On carving his way through the field and setting himself up nicely for the forthcoming races he said: "It went very well considering my starting position at the back of the grid. It’s the best that I could have achieved. I’m pleased with my performance and it’s rescued my weekend giving me a very good chance for the next two races. I’ve got a lot less weight ballast on board now, which is going to help in giving me a shot at the podium."

In the second Team RAC BMW, Tom Onslow-Cole once again had a steady race finishing in 8th place. Matching the pace of his team-mate, Tom showed confidence gaining valuable points for the team despite being on the receiving end of some hefty contact from Eion Murray’s Alfa.

Of his Rockingham BTCC debut, Tom said: "It was a tough race and much harder than my introduction to the series at Brands. I picked up come suspension and wheel rim damage on the opening lap after contact with the Alfa and from then on in it was a real struggle. I got caught in a couple of battles but I survived and managed to finish eighth which I’m happy with."

Pole setter Darren Turner failed to start the race after mechanical failure struck his SEAT on the grid. Vauxhall’s Giovanardi took the win leading Chilton across the line with Plato completing the top three.

Weather / Track : Dry / Bright

Race 2

An opening lap incident on the infield caused mayhem and the deployment of the safety car whilst stranded cars were removed from the circuit. The incident involving Colin Turkington, Matt Neal, Gordon Shedden and Tom Chilton saw the Team RAC BMW launched into the air and into the gravel suffering severe damage to the left front wheel following contact with Neal’s right rear wheel.

Having collected the spoils of the action in front of him Tom Onslow-Cole was promoted to third as the safety car joined the circuit. The ever-improving driver then went on to score his first podium of his BTCC career as he brought his BMW 320si home in second place.

Enjoying a battle for second place with Tom Chilton during the closing stages of the race it was the Team RAC man who came out on top. On securing his silverware and along with it producing the second fastest lap of the race, he said: "I’m ecstatic with that result, it’s a really awesome feeling. My aim at the beginning of the season was to be on the podium by the midway point but to achieve it at the second race meeting is amazing."

With his success ballast removed and an improved starting position Colin had his sights firmly set on the podium, but an opening lap incident ended his race. Wheels locked with Matt Neal’s Honda the BMW was forced off into the gravel ending Colin’s race and with it the chance of a podium. On his early retirement Colin said: "I got a really good start and the car felt good before I was forced off the circuit by Matt Neal’s Honda. The impact caused damage to the suspension, which was enough to put me out of the race. There’s quite a bit of work to repair the car but despite this I’m still in confident mood heading into the final race."

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Giovanardi took his second win of the day with Tom Chilton completing the top three.

Weather / Track : Bright / Dry

Race 3

With the reverse grid rule coming in effect, despite finishing second in Race 2 Tom Onslow-Cole started the third race of the day from ninth after the top ten finishing positions were transposed.

A good start from Tom saw him running in fourth place. Following the safety car period on lap 9 he pulled up in his BMW when in fifth when his radiator overheated following debris intervention. He said: "I’m really disappointed not to finish the race as the car was feeling good and I was running well and maybe could have got my second podium of the day. The extra weight in the car made a difference but it was still handling well. I could see that the water temperature in the car was running quite hot but we decided to continue for a while as I was in such a good position. We finally decided to pull the pin before we caused any major damage."

For the second time during the day Colin had a tough race ahead of him as he lined up towards the back of the grid in 19th. But once again he used the BMW rear wheel drive to power off the line and by the end of the opening lap he was riding in seventh place. But on the following lap he was forced to retire with a mechanical problem.

Despite some outstanding driving Colin was pleased to put the Rockingham race weekend behind him. He said: "It’s a shame as I had high hopes heading into this weekend and I was running well in the last race before the problem. The WSR guys will take the car back to the workshop and investigate the source in readiness for Thruxton."

Jason Plato was the eventual race winner with Mat Jackson and Darren Turner joining him on the podium.

Weather / Track : Dry / Bright

WSR team principal, Dick Bennetts had mixed feelings following the weekend’s events. He added: "I’m pleased that Tom is really getting to grips with the BMW and has collected his first podium, which I hope will be many, of the season. Colin had some great drives and it really should have provided him with some better results but driving standards of fellow competitors and technical gremlins were our downfall. However, we leave the circuit tonight still topping the Independents Team Trophy and we look positively towards Thruxton."

The next BTCC meeting takes place at Thruxton, Hampshire on 5/6 May.