DUNLOP MSA British Touring Car Championship racer Simon Belcher was within just 0.4 seconds of securing his second outright points finish in as many race weekends during round six of the season at Donington Park on Sunday after taking a competitive top 16 result in his Toyota Avensis.

Although an unfortunate non-finish in round four earlier in the day was then followed by a very challenging fifth round, during which he had to cope with exhaust fumes seeping into the car, the Handy Motorsport driver delivered a strong performance in the final race of the day to consolidate 13th place in the Independents Trophy standings.

“We made some changes to the car for race three and they definitely helped and got things back how we wanted them”, said the Swindon racer.

“The first race didn’t start how we wanted with a visit to the gravel, and that held us back a bit then with improving the car for race two. The final race was good though, I really think with another lap we could have been in the top 15 again.”

Although having to settle for 22nd on the grid for round four, having been confident of a top 18 start before being baulked on his best lap in Saturday’s session, Belcher was in buoyant mood going into Sunday’s opening race – in which he chose to use the ‘soft’ Dunlop tyres – and made a clean start.

Running in 21st place after the first lap, he maintained position and all looked good but on lap three at McLeans the rear brakes locked-up and Belcher was unable to prevent a slide into the gravel on the outside of the corner.

Although his Avensis was pushed back onto the track by marshals, Belcher headed straight back to the pits and unfortunate retirement with gravel lodged in the engine bay.

Meaning a challenging 25th position start for race two, the Webb Garden Power Equipment and KÄRCHER-supported driver put together an excellent first lap and climbed into 18th place prior to the appearance of the Safety Car. From there, though, the race became a real battle after exhaust damage resulted in fumes seeping into the car.

Making concentration incredibly difficult, the Wiltshire driver did well to hold on to a top 20 placing as the race wore on but on the final lap, with rear grip reducing at a rapid rate, an unfortunate spin at the chicane dropped him to 21st position.

Determined to wrap up the second event of the year on a high, Belcher delivered an excellent drive in round six to finish a whisker outside the overall top 15. Although losing a couple of positions initially after being tagged, having started in 21st place, he battled back through and was into 19th spot prior to the appearance of the Safety Car on lap seven.

Unfortunately slipping back a spot at the re-start, Belcher pressed on and made up good ground to work his way into 16th position with less than a couple of laps to go. Chasing down the Volkswagen of Warren Scott, at the chequered flag on lap 19 Belcher was just 0.475 seconds shy of his rival.

“Race three was good, we came through the order quite well and if I hadn’t been caught napping after the Safety Car I think we could have been in the overall points again in the top 15”, he said, “I was faster than Warren Scott at that point and could have passed him with another lap I reckon. It’s a bit frustrating, but still a positive way to finish and nice to end the day with a proper race as well.”

There is now a three week break in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship calendar ahead of the third event of the season, rounds seven, eight and nine, which takes place at Belcher’s home track, Thruxton near Andover, on May 9/10..