Stuart Middleton says he achieved “exactly what we needed to” as he took two wins at Croft last weekend to return to the summit of the 2016 Ginetta Junior Championship standings.
Middleton headed into the meeting just one point shy of points leader Will Tregurtha, but he changed that with a dominant Saturday at the North Yorkshire circuit.
The reigning Winter Series champion converted a second pole position of the season from qualifying into a pair of lights-to-flag victories, his fourth and fifth of the season so far.
That had extended his advantage to 39 points overnight after troubles for Tregurtha, but roles were reversed on Sunday as Tregurtha took victory and Middleton hit drama.
That came at the first corner as contact in the pack sent Middleton into the gravel trap and out of the race – only his third retirement in 32 races in the main championship.
“We made pretty much the perfect start to a great weekend with pole position and two wins on Saturday,” said Middleton, who’s championship lead sits at four points.
“We did exactly what we needed to do, we clawed back the points we lost during the previous couple of races and it felt fantastic to be back on the top step of the podium and to be back on top of the championship.
“Race three was really frustrating, obviously, but we just need to hit back now at Snetterton after the summer break.”