Chilton eyeing 2010 title push

Chilton took Ford's first BTCC victory for 10 years - and the first win in the series for an LPG-powered car - at last weekend, and was only denied a double when his Arena Motorsport-run Focus failed a ride height test after race two.

Despite only lying 10th in the championship, 35 points behind joint-leaders Matt Neal and Jason Plato, he is adamant that the pace shown at Brands Hatch can be repeated throughout the season.

"We're really quick in the dry or the wet, and it gives me such a huge amount of confidence for the rest of the season," he told AUTOSPORT. I've had pole for the last two races and both me and [team-mate] Tom Onslow-Cole have won races.

"Were it not for the disqualification at Brands, I'd be sixth in the championship, and that's currently only 17 off the lead - it's just so close. Even [Fabrizio] Giovanardi is still in contention, and he's not raced since Thruxton.

"As it is, I'm 35 behind, but Jason was a lot further back in the points last year, and still nearly won it at the last race.

"Oulton Park is next and the car should suit that track just as much as it did Brands. There's every reason to be confident."

Chilton, who has driven Arena-run touring and sportscars since 2003, paid tribute to the work done by the squad that has turned the LPG-engined Focus into a winner.

"That win is the reward for all the team's hard work. We only decided in February that we were going to race with gas power this year and to win this soon is a real achievement," he added.