HANDY Motorsport’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season suffered flag trouble in the three opening rounds at Brands Hatch.

Driver Rob Austin leapt from eighth on the grid in race one for the Swindon team to finish inside the top five and went one better in round two with fourth place.

However, a penalty for a yellow flag infringement in the second contest meant Austin was excluded from those results – also costing him the opportunity to challenge for the podium in round three on the softer tyres at the wheel of their Toyota Avensis.

Despite his dejection, Austin produced a superb drive in round three to rise through from 32nd on the grid into 18th place.

“I’m absolutely devastated," said Austin of his earlier exclusion.

“I’ve obviously seen first-hand the amount of effort the boys have put into everything, I know how much effort I’ve been putting in as well, and then there’s all of the amazing support from our sponsors and fans.

“I really feel I’ve let everyone down through a silly mistake in race two.

“We had the potential for three top-five finishes this weekend and to be right up there in the championship going to Donington. It’s devastating for things to turn out the way they did, I only have myself to blame.”

Handy team principal Simon Belcher added: “It’s been great to come to Brands Hatch in a positive mood, knowing our pace was solid and consistent.t “It hasn’t been a case of reinventing the wheel over the winter, we took what we’ve got and improved.

“To qualify eighth, despite the problems we had, and take away a top five proves we’ve got the pace to challenge. It’s been a much better start than 12 months ago.”

Founds four, five and six of the new season take place at Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire over Easter weekend.