Tom Barley enjoyed his best race weekend this season in the VW Cup last time out at Spa Francorchamps.

The young racer came home with a fantastic fourth place in the race itself and he followed that up by exceling in the BTCC test at Snetterton the following week.

This all bodes well for the future for the young racer who is part of Gravesend’s Team Hard, a team that clearly see’s the potential in Tom.

Speaking about his weekend at Spa, Tom said: “To get P2 in qualifying was fantastic. I had hoped to be in the top 5, but front row was a bonus. Especially as I actually led the race from the lights!

“I’m very happy with this year’s progress. I started as a mid-pack runner, and I’ve now started challenging the front runners of the championship. A lot of it comes from running with such a supportive ambitious team, and being the protégé of current BTCC star Jack Goff.

Tom really enjoys driving around Spa and it shows with his first top five finish of the season, but he thinks it is all about pushing hard and not having a preferred track you do well at.

“It shows that if you keep pushing for what you believe you can achieve you will get there. Speaking with Tony before the weekend he said to me ‘controlled aggression and total commitment was key’ and I really employed that. Strong mind, strong results is another of his favourites!

“The siroccos really do seem that bit quicker, but I can taste the podium now. Brands is going to be a strong meeting for me, I’m hungry for success there, and mine and the teams home ground.”

Just a few days after the race weekend in Spa, Tom was being rewarded for his efforts this season with a test in the New Generation Touring Car and once again he excelled.

Giving his reaction to being handed a unique opportunity, Tom said: “To test the teams BTCC Insignia was a dream come true. What an awesome machine it was, and the pace was really promising from the word go. That’s got us all excited and motivated now, more than ever.

“The BTCC car is very different to the cup car. There isn’t a great deal of similarity. You could describe is as a Cup car on steroids I guess!

“I want to be in the BTCC. That’s always been the case and always will be. The test has shown me and the team that the potential is there. Let’s see what we can cook up in the team HARD. kitchen!

VW Cup onboard at Spa: http://youtu.be/Oh54FLBmBW8

BTCC onboard lap: http://youtu.be/mhug_oRaG0g