Kent racer Jake Hill tops the driver standings after the opening weekend of the British Touring Car Championship.

Hill, from Tunbridge Wells, claimed three podium finishes at Thruxton and the MB Motorsport driver admitted he couldn’t believe it after ending the weekend top of the pile.

Having taken three third places, Hill said: “It’s a huge result for me, MB Motorsport and Motorbase. It’s fantastic for all of us!

“For our first time as manufacturers to come away with a podium at Thruxton – which has finally been good to me – I’m over the moon.

“As it rained at the end of race three, those last few laps fighting with Ash [Sutton] and then Jason [Plato] got me on the line, it was such hard work to keep it on the road.

“I was the first person on slicks by a long way in the end and I’m proud of myself and proud of the team, we’ve just done a fantastic job and I can’t believe I’m standings leader!”

Josh Cook won the opening two races, with Tom Ingram and Dan Cammish taking second places while Hill bagged third spot in both.

Race three was all about the weather, with wet-dry-wet conditions producing a thriller. The Ford Focus of Hill was quick at mid-distance as he carved his way back through the order and eventually passed Ashley Sutton for the lead on lap ten.

But Sutton hit back as the rain fell to take the lead and on the final lap Plato grabbed second from Hill by just 0.070 seconds with fourth placed Gordon Shedden 0.166secs behind.

Cook’s double success leaves him one point adrift of Hill in the standings.

Maidstone-based Team HARD picked up points but have work to do after an opening-race crash from Glynn Geddie as he barrel-rolled to a standstill which led to a red-flag situation. Andy Neate received a fine of £2,000 and had his licence endorsed by the addition of three penalty points for the incident.

Geddie said: “I am just devastated for all the team as I know how much effort they have put into building these new CUPRA’s. It was one of those things I just couldn’t avoid but I’m okay.

“I did go to the medical centre for a few checks, but I was confirmed to be okay pretty soon after the accident which is a testament to the guys who have built a safe car and shown that touring cars is a super safe sport to participate in.”

Snetterton is the next stop for the Championship on June 12/13.