HILPERTON driver Dan Blake put a competitive showing in the Carbon8 Hyundai Coupe Cup, taking pole position and a podium on his first visit to Hampshire’s Thruxton circuit last weekend.

The Blake Motorsport driver, 27, had a great start to the meeting, taking an unexpected pole - his first in the Coupe Cup.

With the track damp from early morning rain, Blake put a brave lap together to put himself two tenths of a second clear of Paul Manyweathers, who was second in qualifying.

With racing taking place in the dry conditions, Blake dropped down to second behind Manyweathers and then behind Alex Cursley but he was back up to second again by the end of lap two as Cursley went off the track.

Blake found himself in battle with Eddie O’Kane for second, but when the Hilperton man nearly followed O’Kane off the track, Cursley sneaked through again and crossed the finishing line ahead of him, Blake earning his second podium of the season, following his third place in race two at Rockingham.

Race Two saw eight cars battle for second place for the majority of the race.

Blake, starting third, had a nightmare start losing six places but involved in battles with Matthew Plumb, Jon Winter and Gary Miller before eventually having to settle for sixth place “Thruxton went much better than I could have expected,’’ said Blake. “To get pole position was a shock but the lap I put in was fully committed, I knew it was decent but not that decent.

“In race one I was a little disappointed not to have been able to lead a lap but I had a great battle with Eddie and Alex. We really pushed each other on as the chasing pack were slowly starting to catch us up.

“A podium at one of my local circuits was a good way to start the races.

Blake is on the lookout for sponsorship to be able to complete the season. Email dan@danblakeracing.co.uk.