Chilton keen to maintain winning ways at Silverstone

Motorbase Performance's Tom Chilton is targeting a repeat journey to the top step of the podium at this weekend's Silverstone round after taking his first BTCC win of 2018 last time out at Knockhill.

Chilton fended off Team BMW's Colin Turkington in race three at Knockhill to secure his first BTCC race victory since returning to the series last season.

As a result of his 13th race victory in the series, Chilton has moved to within a single point of breaking into the top-five drivers' standings, with just two race meetings to go.

“The last time I was at Silverstone in a Ford Focus I won, very much like Knockhill.  After taking the win last time at Knockhill I’m hoping that follows through this weekend and we make the top step again," said Chilton.

"I really need to get another win in the bag to keep my championship alight for the last round."

Knowing the role success ballast will play in qualifying at Silverstone, Chilton has set his sights on reaching the top-ten on Saturday as the Ford Focus RS driver bids to remain in the championship contention.

“It’s so close around there, last year there was just 8 tenths of a second from pole to 32nd which is the closest I’ve ever known in the BTCC. I do think the success ballast will really hurt us in qualifying though," Chilton continued.

"Even if it’s only 3 tenths of a second off, that could mean 15 cars on the grid.

“If we can get into the top 10 in qualifying I’ll be very happy and we can try and work our way through and make the reverse grid work for us again. At Knockhill we went from 17th to 1st in race 3, which shows that anything is possible in the BTCC.”