We have reached the half way point of the Kwikfit British Touring Car Championship and it is fair to say Michael Crees has become a firm fans favourite.

It is quite impressive for the BTCC fan to become so popular with the fans in his first season in the campaign.

Speaking to Kent Sports News about the season so far, Crees said: “Yes it has been very good on the whole, getting points and becoming close with all the fans is extremely overwhelming for the start of the year.

“I just can’t believe it’s all happening. The amount of fans who turned up at Oulton was outrageous.”

In the first half of the season Michael has scored points in his first ever race and then has consistent in the rest of the races, and he couldn’t have asked for more.

He added: “No not really, we only wanted a top 20 all year and see seem to be knocking on the door every weekend.

“No, not really just keep doing what we’re doing and on the steep learning curve which is great. I want to work on qualifying and getting laps in straight out the box.”

We asked Michael what it is like becoming a fans favourite having been a massive fan of the series himself.

“I am getting my head round it now. I get a bit of stick off all the other drivers but it’s great to get so much attention so early on in my BTCC career.”

Crees is enjoying working with local team Team Hard for his debut season and the family feel that the team has.

He said: “I can’t believe how hard they all work especially when I have a small off and they work through the night to make sure it’s all good.

“I am working really hard with my engineer Richard Owen learning the car and how it works.”

Images courtesy of www.pspimages.co.uk