Rob Collard swept to an Independents Cup double in the first-ever British Touring Car Championship meeting at Rockingham Motor Speedway.

After claiming maximum points in his Collard Racing Vauxhall Astra in both 25-lap races, the Hampshire ace dramatically closed the gap on class leader Gavin Pyper.

Behind the wheel of the Thruxton-based GA Motorsport Astra, Pyper took second place in race one, leading at one time until a brush with one of the works Protons lost him time.

With damage to the engine and radiator, he couldn't keep pace with Collard, who finished seventh overall in the first race.

It was even better second time out for Collard who finished a superb fifth overall, highest finishing position for an Independents car this season.

And his main rival Pyper didn't make it to the flag, with his car suffering a reaction from its first-race collision.

Highlight for Collard came when he took his six-year-old son, Ricky, up the BTCC podium with him.

"To take two wins is fantastic," said an exultant Collard. "This has to be one of the best days in my entire career.

"We needed to put some confidence back in the team and this has done that. We are now right up there in the championship."

Honda's Matt Neal and BTCC leader Yvan Muller took a win apiece at the head of the field.

And, in the Production class, Salisbury's Alan Blencowe enjoyed his most successful weekend with two second places in the Barwell Honda Civic Type R.

His teammate, Luke Hines, scored his third win to move into the lead in the Production Drivers Championship.

Next round of the BTCC is at Croft on July 13.