Rob Huff made an instant impact on his full-time return to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the weekend as he scored a brace of top 10 finishes at Donington Park.
The Cambridge driver’s return to the United Kingdom’s premier motorsport series began in less than ideal circumstances on Saturday when he was not permitted to take part in qualifying due to his car not being in the pit lane by the allotted time.
Faced with the prospect of starting on the back row of the grid, the former FIA World Touring Car Championship title winner underlined his credentials in race one with a charge in damp conditions that saw him make his way up to the fringes of the top 10.
Unfortunately, the 44-year-old found himself the innocent victim of contact heading through the Old Hairpin which pitched him into the gravel and tumbling down the order to take the chequered flag in 18th position.
However, Huff showcased his overtaking prowess in race two as he rocketed his Toyota Corolla GR Sport up the order to claim ninth place and with it, pole position for the reverse grid finale.
From the front row, Huff was originally jumped by the fast-starting BMW of Adam Morgan and while he later managed to regain the lead, the former St Faith’s School pupil had to settle for a sixth place finish.
“That was quite the welcome back to the BTCC,” said Huff. “It’s been a real rollercoaster weekend so to come away with two top 10 finishes and having led some laps in race three is something to be positive about.
“Not being able to be allowed to do a lap in qualifying was obviously annoying but the team gave me a great car that I could fight with on race day, and in race one we were making solid progress before being collected by Mikey (Doble) and Dan (Rowbottom).
“Having to do all of that hard work again was frustrating in race two so it was nice to luck in on the reverse grid draw and start the final race from pole position.
“Unfortunately we were just lacking that final little bit to stay out front but it was great to be up there mixing it with everyone.
“It’s probably been one of those weekends where we could have come away with a little more but that is the way it can go in British Touring Cars. I’ve learnt a lot, the team has learnt a lot and I’m sure we’ll be a lot stronger.”
The BTCC season continues over the weekend of 11-12 May with rounds four, five and six taking place around the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.
