LOCAL hero Rob Collard claimed his first British Touring Car Championship victory of 2017 at Thruxton.

The Hook driver had previously appeared on the podium in both of the opening two events of the season at Brands Hatch and Donington.

Collard bettered that in north Hampshire by winning the second of the three races which formed the third round of the ever-popular event at Britain's fastest circuit.

Honda had taken a 1-2-3 finish in the opening contest which saw Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Matt Neal head home stablemate Gordon Shedden and Eurotech Racing’s Jack Goff.

As a result, Neal drew level with Andy Rouse’s tally of 60 BTCC wins – the equal-second most victories in history.

Collard then claimed his first-ever triumph at Thruxton in a truncated encounter that included two stoppages and heartache for Neal.

Team BMW’s Collard had already surged from tenth on the grid up to sixth, before the race was red flagged for the first time following a high-speed accident involving Senna Proctor’s Vauxhall and the two MGs of Aron Taylor-Smith and Daniel Lloyd.

Collard made a strong getaway once again at the restart, firing his rear-wheel drive BMW 125i M Sport up to third.

It was three-wide for second into the final chicane on the opening lap as Collard emerged, 'elbows out', ahead of Goff and Shedden.

The drama continued as the Honda Civic Type R of initial race leader Neal crawled into the pits with steering problems, handing Collard the advantage.

With the race seemingly building towards an exciting climax, it was unfortunately cut short due to an accident for the Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo Ford of Martin Depper.

So, as the red flags waved it was Collard claiming a maiden win on home soil at Thruxton from Shedden and Ingram.

That was BMW's 99th career BTTC win.

They didn't have to wait long for a 100th as Colin Turkington – having powered to two BTCC titles in BMW machinery – secured a memorable century in the third race.

Ingram finished runner-up to extend his lead in the Drivers’ Championship.

The BTCC returns in two weeks’ time (20/21 May) for Rounds 10, 11 and 12 at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

Collard said: “The BMW felt absolutely stunning and I’m so pleased for the team.

"We did a lot at the first start, and the re-start was similarly textbook. I had a really good opening lap and then I’m not sure what happened to Matt – I could see sparks coming off – so it was obviously a shame for him, but I will take this one and with pride.

"I must admit, going three-abreast into the chicane was pretty scary!

"The BMW was on fire today and it’s brilliant to take my first win of 2017.

"A big shout out to Billy [Monger], who is watching at home on TV – Forza!”

Monger, a teenage Formula 4 driver, recently had both legs amputated after a high speed crash.

2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Round 7 – Thruxton

1 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 16 laps

2 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.290s

3 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +1.372s

4 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +1.772s

5 Adam MORGAN (GBR) Ciceley Motorsport +2.230s

6 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +2.474s

Round 8

1 Rob COLLARD (GBR) Team BMW 6 laps

2 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.212s

3 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.507s

4 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +1.575s

5 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +2.791s

6 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW +2.971s

Round 9

1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Team BMW 16 laps

2 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +2.576s

3 Jack GOFF (GBR) Eurotech Racing +4.081s

4 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +5.836s

5 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +10.002s

6 Ashley SUTTON (GBR) Adrian Flux Subaru Racing +10.756s