Tom's back on top BTCC form (From Surrey Comet)

Tom's back on top BTCC form

6:00pm Friday 7th October 2011 in Motorsport By Stuart Amos

New Malden race ace Tom Onslow-Cole has revealed a shot at the World Touring Cars Championship would be a dream come true, but he only has eyes for the Brtish series for the time being.

The 24-year-old Team Aon star claimed his first podium of the year in the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch on Sunday with a third-placed finish in the second race of the weekend.

His current employer is thought to be looking at taking its Ford Focus on to the world stage next season.

And Onslow-Cole, who out-performed team-mates Tom Chilton and Andy Neate in Kent, says he’d love to be there with them, but admits his first priority is to get a drive in the BTCC next term.

“It looks like Team Aon are going to the World Touring Cars next year, so there maybe something there, but there isn’t at the minute. I wouldn’t sniff at the chance,” he said.

“It would be an amazing opportunity, but I quite like the BTCC and what they are doing with the championship.

“The priority at the moment is working hard to get a drive in Britain first.”

Onslow-Cole’s performance at Brands – which saw him finish fifth and seventh in the other two races – shows signs Team Aon is finally getting things right with its Ford Focus.

But with only one race weekend remaining, Onslow-Cole admitted it was frustrating to see it come together so late in the day.

“Given the work we have put in it would have been heartbreaking if we hadn’t shown some improvement,” he added.

“We were on the podium 50 per cent of the time last season and it is nice to think we are getting somewhere close to being there again.

“The car is coming together now so it should be flying next year.

“It is just a shame the season is nearly over.”