Dan Welch is thrilled to be back racing for real in the revamped Proton Persona, as he fought his way to a double points finish at the Brands Hatch Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season opener.

Having endured some tough times in the BTCC, Welch’s 15^th and 12^th placed finishes at Brands Hatch provided a much needed boon for the Goodestone Racing man, much to his delight and that of his team and its sponsors. He’s now looking to capitalise on a good start to the season with more points at Donington Park.

“I’d totally forgotten what it was like to go racing and defend from people and work your way past and overtake – follow people down the straight,” said Welch.

“It was amazing. It brings the fun back into it and the team and all the sponsors and everybody involved come to watch us go racing and one of them even cried. They all loved it.

“It was a bit of a mixed bag of a weekend for us but to come away with points from the first race was certainly a reminder that we’re here to go racing.

“Saturday, we didn’t really get our act together and Sunday – I generally race better than I qualify anyway – so we were able to work our way up the grid. It was a bit of a shame we didn’t get a result in race three but hey ho!

“We hope to mix with the points. I think that’s where we are now. I’m looking forward to this weekend. If the weather’s a bit iffy like it is at the minute, then it could give us a good chance.”