Coming off the back of a season-best Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship performance at Donington Park, Simon Belcher is in𝓀 buoyant mood as the series prepares to visit his 'home' track.

With a huge amount of support expected to travel from his home town for the third triple-header of the season, at Thruxton, the 40-year old is determined to maintain his unbroken finishing record and, more importantly, add to the Independents Trophy points he scored in round six last Sund👍ay.

"Thruxton is the biggest meeting of the🗹 season for us and I can't wait to get out there on track next weekend," Belcher said, "As well as being one of my favourite circuits, and an unbelievable challenge for any driver, we'll be welcoming a huge number of sponsors, 🍨supporters and other guests so it's going to be our busiest weekend yet.

"So far, it's been an incredible experience being part of the BTCC. Even though I raceܫd on the support package in the [Renault UK] Clio Cup in 2012 and 2013, nothing prepares you for the enormity of the championship and the incredible following it has - I'm loving every minute of it!"

Getting tantalisingly close to breaking into the top 20 on his touring car debut at Brands Hatch at the end of March, Belcher made a good step forward last time out at Donington - despite turbo issues in free practice putting his weekend on the b🌟ac꧃k foot from the start - and managed to secure a pair of top 20 results in rounds five and six with a best finish of 18th position in the latter.

Thruxton is notorious as one of the toughest circuits to conquer in the UK so trouble-free running in both of the weekend's free practice sessions will be of vital importance. With the track surface at the ultra♚-fast 2.35-mile venue particularly abrasive too, a specially produced compound of Dunlop tyre will be utilised next weekend.

"As well as continuing to learn about the Avensis and improving the set-up, we'll have the 'Thruxton' tyres to get our heads around as well - another challenge into the mix," Belcher confirmed, "𒁃The main is to get as much track time as possible in free practice so we can establish a good base to work from into qualifying. If we can achieve that, I'm quietly confident we cꦯan edge further up the order."