Alex MacDowall took his first podium finish of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship during race one at Oulton Park which turned out to be one of the most eventful race weekends of the season so far.

Starting from 7th on the grid, the Carlisle driver scythed his way through the field to finish on the bottom step of the podium, just behind his team-mate and two time BTCC champion, Jason Plato.

Changing weather conditions throughout the race made the result even better as the 20-year old remained under control of his Silverline Chevrolet Cruze throughout. “We’ve probably got the best car out there in damp and wet conditions”, said Alex, “Overall it’s been a good weekend. It’s fantastic to be back on the podium.”

Alex’s last podium finish came in 2010 during round eight at Knockhill but despite getting the result, which was backed up with a fifth place finish in race two, Alex believes he and his Chevrolet Cruze are still down on power to the turbo cars but thanked the rain which fell on the Cheshire circuit.

“It wasn’t a bad result considering we’re still 40 horsepower down on the turbo cars! I knew the car was quick and for the first couple of laps I was all over Plato but he was being backed up by Neate so there was no way through”, said the Cumbrian. “The wet conditions really did help us against the power of the turbos – the rain definitely levelled things out.”

Photo Credit: Pete Mainey (www.psmmotorsportimages.co.uk)

James Mappin is the editor-in-chief covering the British Touring Car Championship. You can contact him at james@btcccrazy.co.uk, on twitter @BTCCCrazy or on his personal twitter account @jamesmappin.