While the new Super 2000 era of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship was kicking off at Brands Hatch, another er🦹a drew to a close as Dunlop's chief motor s🐟port technician Tony Leake completed his final race meeting in the role before retiring.

Leake, who will retire on Wednesday after 32 years service, was reduced to tears on the grid as he was presented with a special race wheel rim by series director Alan Gow - sporting the words 'Tony, it's about time you re-tyred' - to mark the occasi🦹on.

The 62-year-old was also given the honour of waving the chequered flag for the fin꧟al race of the weekend, a race that saw Matt Neal secure the first victory for the new Team Halfords Honda🌱 Civic.

"It was one of the most emotional moments I've ever experienced - a bit o🌌f a shock, but very enjoyable and very moving," Leake, has been Dunlop's BTCC co-ordinator an𒐪d chief technician since it became the championship's official tyre supplier in 2003, admitted. "I'll still be coming to BTCC meetings - the people in it are a great bunch to work with and I consider them good friends.

"I've had a few invitꦯes to be guests of teams at Rockingham in three weeks. I can just rel🐎ax and eat their food!"

wuqian0821.com wishes Tony all the best in his retirement.