EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDED FOR EARLY LEADER WILL ORTON

Will Orton admits that he has exceeded his early expectations in the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE after extending his lead in the championship standings at Brands Hatch.

The Hybrid Tune driver was a surprise points leader after the opening weekend of the campaign at Donington Park, grabbing a maiden win in the final race to earn top spot ahead of a number of more established rivals.

At Brands Hatch, Orton showed that his early pace was no flash in the pan with another impressive showing on track, which started with him grabbing third on the grid in qualifying.

Having taken second behind Dan Zelos in the opening race, Orton was pushing his rival hard in race two when a puncture forced the former champion into the pits.

That left Orton clear to take victory by a record margin in the JCW class, and he followed it up with a fine drive through from sixth on the reverse grid to snare a third win of the campaign.

It means he sits nearly 60 points clear of Zelos on overall scores after two meetings.

“If you’d told me before round one that I’d score three wins all season, then I think I’d have been happy with it,” he said, “so to have scored three wins in six races really exceeds my expectations.

“It’s been a great weekend and to secure a double race win, including the biggest ever winning margin in the JCWs, is just unreal and I have to say thanks to everyone at Hybrid Tune for their efforts.

“Winning from P6 in race three was particularly pleasing as I had to fight my way through, and when I got to the front I was able to just manage the gap. It was a case of risk versus reward but I wanted to put on a show, and I think I managed it!”