Team HARD driver Tom Barley showed he’s got a bright future after making his British Touring Car Championship debut at Brands Hatch.

The 26 year old from Crayford reiterated why he is being spoken about as one of motorsport’s bright young stars by impressing in atrocious conditions at the Kent circuit on Sunday.

Given the opportunity by Team HARD’s Team Principal Tony Gilham to get behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Insignia, Barley didn’t let the team down as he brought the car home safely in two of the three races on the day.

Had it not been an unfortunate incident in race two and a bit of luck in race one, Barley could have also been celebrating scoring points in his maiden BTCC weekend, but he told KSN how he was pleased to have been behind the wheel at such an historic track like Brands Hatch:

“It was really positive and I had such a great day. Talk about debuts, that was fantastic! To have two really good, solid finishes and an unlucky one in race two where I got a bit of contact in the pack, which was a shame, but you have to take the highs and lows of motorsport.”

“What a great end to the weekend it was and a great end to the season for me.”

“It was very difficult conditions, but funnily enough the wet kind of suited me in the end, so I can go forward now knowing if it is wet I can enjoy it and push on.”

Having spent the season driving for Team HARD in the VW Cup, Barley has come through the ranks with his father’s support and the KSN sponsored driver is now looking towards 2014:

“I can’t stop thinking about being on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit at the start of next season. I can’t get that off my mind, so fingers crossed we will have to see what happens next year.”

“Hopefully I will get some testing in and I’m already talking about my 2014 plans. We will see what we can pull together, but I can’t wait to get back out there, even though the season has only just ended.”

For most of us watching on, we can’t imagine what it must be like to be behind the wheel in such horrendous weather conditions and Tom told us that it was probably one of the most scary experiences of his life driving in almost zero visibility:

“Lap one, down the back straight onto the GP loop was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life.”

“I was flat out in sixth and I couldn’t see a thing! Other than that, it was absolutely fine. You just have to adapt to it, get on with it and go as quick as you feel you can go.”

Watching on from the garage was a whole team of supporters of Tom with his Dad turning ever corner from the comfort of the dry and Tom told us how he appreciates the support he gets:

“That’s a father’s love for you! Dad loves every second of it and I’m so grateful that he’s always with me to enjoy it.”

“Jack Goff has been my mentor all season. We’ve done lots of trackdays together and he’s been teaching me his skills and passing on his knowledge.”

“I’m so happy for him to have finsihed the season the way he has with a second place in the final race of the season.”

“I’ve also got to pay tribute to the guys as what the technicians do behind the scenes means the likes of Jack and I can go and do the fun bit.”

“We are the heroes in some people’s eyes, but they are the true heroes as they put in all the hard work.”

Barley was to finish 16th in race one and 20th in race three, whilst ending up in the gravel on race two, but given the talent he has and with the determination he’s shown, it won’t be long before the 26 year old is up at the sharp end of the grid in years to come.

To support Tom or to keep up with what he’s doing, visit his website – http://www.tomb47ley.com/

Track pictures supplied by www.psp-images.co.uk