ROB Collard ended round three of the British Touring Championship at Thruxton, as joint leader of the drivers' championship with Matt Neal.

Collard summed up his feeling after three superb drives at his home circuit in North Hampshire said: "It feels fantastic to be at the top of the championship, We have led after one or two races, but never after three rounds."

The Hook racer came into the third round of races, fourth in the standings and after a poor qualifying he was way down in 18th.

However, the extreme hot weather at the weekend, meant tyre wear was at a premium and many drivers suffered punctures in the first race. One of these was Neal, who was running in the top five on the lap 11.

The Honda driver foolishly, tried to pull into the pit lane, in front of a train of cars and was hit by Josh Cook's MG.

This was the catalyst for carnage in start finish straight, which Collard managed to avoid and moved up to sixth.

After the punctures in race one, for safety reasons the next two races were shortened in distance.

In race two, Collard came close again to a maiden win at Thruxton as he finished second.

In the reverse grid final race Collard collected another sixth place, to complete a superb outing in his West Surrey Racing BMW.

Collard said: "We had an awful qualifying after we changed the car's set-up and then thanks to Neal and the carnage he caused we have finished sixth in race one which I never expected. The car was going really well and in race two I always felt we would get a podium and if the race had been full distance I am sure with the BMW looking after it's tyres we would have won."

For Rob's youngest son Jordan, Thruxton proved to be another tough weekend as he finished 16th in both races.

Father Rob said: "It was a shame for Jordan as he is working so hard and I am sure good results are only just around the corner.”

Rob and Jordan are next in action on the first weekend of June at Oulton Park and week before Rob's oldest son Ricky drives at the same venue in the Formula 3 Championship.