Michael Crees was once again in the points and also the drama at the latest round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The Broadstairs racer headed up to his local circuit of Brands Hatch looking to build on the momentum of the opening round of the season the weekend before.

It looked like he would qualify in a best ever for him within the top ten, only for the laptime to be taken away for exceeding track limits. It meant that he would start Sunday’s first race from 18th place on the grid.

He managed to start the day well moving forward to 12th place finishing ahead of a number of vastly more experienced BTCC drivers. Bagging the Clever baggers backed driver more points and also maintained his lead in the Jack Sears Trophy.

Race two would see Crees involved in drama with Trade Price Cars Racing’s Bobby Thompson. With the race just three laps old, Thompson and Crees had a coming together that sent Crees into the gravel trap and out of the race with a broken front suspension.

With race three just around the corner the BTC Racing mechanics had to work hard to get not just Crees but his teammates Tom Chilton and Josh Cook on the grid for the start of the race.

Starting in 25th place on the grid he literally picked off car after car to move he way through to another 11th place finish. It was some impressive racing from Crees to overtake 14 cars in that final race of the weekend. He also holds a seven point lead in the Jack Sears Trophy over Carl Boardley.

Speaking after an up and down weekend, Crees said: “The pace in the car was mega all weekend, but we were still struggling with managing the temperature again. Race 3 was especially frustrating, to be honest not being able to push harder. But P11 is my highest-ever finish in the dry. Overall I had a solid weekend on track.

“I feel that we had the pace to be running higher all weekend. It could have been a whole different story if we’d kept the P10 in qualifying. We’ve proven to ourselves that we can do it now, and we’ve held on to our lead in the Jack Sears Trophy.”

“Personally it was one of the hardest weekends of my life, which made it extra tough to go out there. I’d like to thank everyone who sent me and my wife Jodie messages this weekend. It’s been a great support to us both.”

The thoughts of everyone here at Kent Sports News are with Michael and his family.

Image courtesy of Phil Laughton