Oulton 1: Thommo wins, Muller is champ
Yvan Muller is the British touring car champion for 2003. Although James Thompson did all he could to prevent it happening by winning the first race at Oulton Park's Island circuit, there was nothing he could do to stop Muller taking third spot and thus securing his first (and long-awaited) BTCC title
Thompson led from start to finish in his Vauxhall Astra, surviving both the traditional early safety car period and the round of pit stops for a well-judged victory. Muller was sixth on lap one and did well to scrape his way back onto the podium.
"Those were the longest 25 laps of my life," said an extremely chuffed Muller.
The Frenchman's cause was helped by a persistent misfire for Matt Neal and an early breakdown for Paul O'Neill. But he could do nothing about Alan Morrison, who made a blinding start and stayed second for the full distance. Morrison finished 1.5 seconds behind Thompson but about six in front of Muller.
The pace car was out on lap two after Tom Chilton lost control of his Honda (his tyres were wet after a first lap excursion) and took out Jay Wheals and Mark Fullalove. It then circulated one lap longer than scheduled when O'Neill's car ground to a halt.
Warren Hughes came home fourth, heading his two sister MG machines of Anthony Reid and Colin Turkington.
Gareth Howell took his first win in the independents category, and in the production class there was another début winner, Alan Blencowe. Blencowe jumped into the class lead after the late retirement of Tom Boardman.
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