Emotional Dan Rowbottom admits maiden win a “little bit surreal”

Dan Rowbottom admitted it was “a little bit surreal” to secure his maiden win in the BTCC after his best weekend in the series to date at Oulton Park.

Rowbottom had found himself running in second place to team-mate Gordon Shedden in the opening race before the action was halted due to Tom Oliphant’s accident, but he then jumped ahead of the Scot at the restart to lead a BTCC race for the first time.

Keeping the former champion at bay, Rowbottom duly wrapped up a maiden BTCC victory and then followed it up with an impressive drive to second in race two, despite carrying maximum ballast on his Honda Civic Type R.

A sixth place finish in the reverse grid final race resulted in Rowbottom closing to within twelve points of the series lead going into the next round of the year at Knockhill.

“I think perhaps we were unfairly criticised due to my 2019 performance, so the aim this year was to come in and get top tens and make people realise what we could be here,’ he said. “But to come in and start winning here is fantastic and great for the championship too!

“It’s a little bit surreal to be honest as that is my first win and best points score in the BTCC, which has catapulted me to the sharp end in the championship. I’ve worked so hard to be on this grid and to get the win in a conventional race rather than through a reverse grid is very special – particularly when it has come at Cataclean’s home circuit as well.

“Race two was almost better than the win given we were carrying maximum ballast, as the weight really hurts you around Oulton Park. My confidence is continuing to grow and I can’t wait to now get out racing again at Knockhill.”