SWINDON’S Handy Motorsport team are celebrating their maiden podium finish in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after driver Rob Austin guided his Toyota Avensis into third place at the Snetterton circuit on Sunday.

Having displayed super race pace in the day’s previous two contests, where he finished 13th and ninth respectively, after suspension problems in qualifying, Austin delivered the goods in the last of the weekend’s three races to also claim Handy’s first Independents Trophy class victory.

Round 18 was initially red-flagged after an accident in the pack but upon the restart, Austin initially stormed through from ninth into the top four.

Edged back to fifth on lap three, he threaded his way into third place a few corners later and defended third stoutly to keep multiple champion Jason Plato at bay.

“I’m over the moon with this and need to thank Simon (Belcher, team principal) for keeping the faith in me, the whole team did a fantastic job”, said Austin.

“We worked our way through in the first two races and I’m happy we didn’t get the reverse grid pole actually for the last race as we earned every position from ninth.

“To be on the podium, from 23rd after qualifying, is a fantastic result for Handy Motorsport.”

Belcher added: “It’s only taken us half a season to get on the podium which I think is pretty good going and, now we’ve got this monkey off our backs, we want to take the next step as our aim is to be winning races. I’m over the moon.”

Knockhill Circuit in Scotland is next on the schedule on August 13-14.