Gavin Pyper has powered the Thruxton-based GA Motosport team to first place in the Independents Cup category of the British Touring Car Championship.

A double win at Silverstone last weekend in rounds seven and eight gave the young Scot the championship lead.

Pyper, pictured right, has now won five times in his GA Motorsport Vauxhall Astra. And, although he's one of the privateers, he still managed sixth overall in the race.

A strong start saw Pyper running as high as fourth overall in the early laps and battling the big budget factory cars. He now leads the Independents Cup by 15 points going into the next races at Rockingham on June 21 and 22.

Rob Collard took second place to Pyper in round eight - a fitting reward for the Hampshire driver and his team who worked flat out to completely rebuild his Vauxhall Astra after a huge accident at Thruxton two weeks ago.

The Collard Racing team presented Collard with an immaculate car at Silverstone bearing the livery of new sponsor Brackenwood Windows

"The guys have done wonders," said Collard. "To be honest, they worked so hard that if the race had been on Thursday afternoon we could have made it - despite only receiving the bodyshell back on Tuesday morning. We're also pleased to have a new sponsor on board for this weekend. It's great to have their support."

David Metcalfe from Brackenwood Windows had visited the team at Thruxton and, after Collard's expensive first-lap drama there, had still decided to team up with the Cove-based driver.

"Thruxton was the first time I had been to a meeting to see Rob race and, after everything that happened there, I felt Brackenwood Windows could help and support him," said Metcalfe.

Saturday's qualifying was disappointing for Rob and the team.

A niggling misfire affecting the car at speed proved difficult to trace, which also hampered their performance in the opening race.

Fortunately, the team's work between races cleared the problem, Collard bringing his car home ninth overall and second in the Independents class, which leaves him third in the championship.

Collard said: "I was catching the class leader but, after my pit stop, I had a brake problem and I had to nurse the car in the final laps."

Salisbury's Alan Blencowe had a good day in the production class, taking third and second places behind his Barwell Motorsport teammate Luke Hines.

Overall honours were gobbled up by Vauxhall who enjoyed a one-two in both races. James Thompson won first time out from team mate Yvan Muller, but championship leader Muller reversed the order in the second race.

MG made the podium for the first time this season through Colin Turkington and Warren Hughes.

Unluckliest driver of the day was Honda's Matt Neal who retired in both races when in contention.