Team Halfords emerged as the only team to challenge the high-power SEAT diesels at Snetterton in the latest rounds of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Despite the superior torque of the Leon TDi at the circuit with two of the longest straights on the calendar, both Tom 'Sonic' Chilton and Gordon 'Flash' Shedden were the leading petrol cars taking the fight to the works machines, Chilton scored a fine podium finish in race one and both cars matched the diesels for pace on race day.

Following the weekend, Gordon lies seventh in the standings, with Tom in tenth. Team Halfords lie third in the teams' championship.

Race one:

Having qualified as the top petrol powered car in third place on the grid, Gordon lost a place when the lights went out after a stunning getaway from team-mate Tom saw him blast past the sister Honda Civic and defending champion Fabrizio Giovanardi into third from his fifth place on the grid. The pair then ran in formation for the remainder of the race, pushing the diesel-powered SEAT Leons of Jason Plato and Darren Turner all the way before the extra torque and power of the turbo diesel engine allowed the SEATs to stay in front on Snetterton's long straights.

Race two:

Tom made another fantastic start to race two from third on the grid and managed to split the SEATs on the opening lap when he got ahead of Turner at Russell. In the ensuing fight for position Tom unfortunately suffered a puncture after contact with Turner, this would force him to pit and rejoin further down the order in 15th.

Having moved up to third, Gordon then managed to comfortably hold his position. After a brief Safety Car period he snatched second place at the restart and set off in pursuit of the leader Plato. In trying to make up the time and a pursuing pack he unfortunately ran slightly too wide at the long fifth gear Coram on lap 17, picking up some tyre debris which would force him to slip back and settle for eighth place.

Race three:

Starting way down the order following his puncture in race two, Tom was embroiled in a number of heated battles throughout the final race as he looked to make the most of the pace in Honda Civic and battle his way back into the points. Having quickly made his way into the top ten, he eventually took the flag in highly credible seventh place.

Starting from pole position Gordon was engulfed by the fast-starting rear wheel drive BMW's of Mat Jackson and Steven Kane, but was able to quickly fight back and lock himself onto the rear of Kane's Motorbase entry through the opening laps. On lap five and with a quicker car, the Scot tried to make a move to sling shot into Sear Corner and past the BMW up the next straight, however Kane moved across clashing wheels, the resulting contact damaged Gordon's car and forced him into an unlucky retirement.

Driver quotes:

Gordon Shedden

"The Civic was going really well here and it isn't slow in a straight line, but the diesels were in a different league in the first race, you could be on their bumper at the start of the straight and they would be six car lengths clear by the end!.

"In the second race I was comfortable before the Safety Car, which was interesting as I couldn't see a lot wrong with the track, but I picked up debris on the rear tyres and it took too long to get them clean there after. In race three, I made a good start and I had a car underneath me that I felt was good to win the race! Steven had a big slide through the first corner, defended to the middle of the road and I moved wide for the sling shot, Kane then defended his line and there was inevitable contact. I'm sure opinions will differ as to whether he was moving back to take the racing line but by then, unfortunately I was there and the resulting contact broke my steering rack.

"I'm having a win next time out at Oulton Park, I have to win. I've won there the past two years with the Integra and with the Civic. It's a circuit I like and one that suits the car so there is no reason why we can't run at the sharp end."

Tom Chilton

"We've shaken up the Vauxhalls this weekend but we should never have touched the SEATs with all the power they have on the straights. I should have been third and second in the first two races, but I had a puncture in race two following minor rubbing with Turner as I was passing him. It gave me a slow puncture and I had to hang on before pitting. In race three I got up to seventh from 15th and it shows how good the car is getting.

"To be fair we've had our fair share of bad luck, we have a great car and in my opinion, the team work harder than any other on the grid - and it shows. I'm looking forward to a really strong performance at Oulton Park in two weeks."