WHALLEY’S Adam Morgan survived two dramatic smashes to maintain seventh place overall in the British Touring Car Championship driver points standing following a testing weekend in the wind and rain at Croft.

Morgan celebrated his first BTCC podium finish at Oulton Park earlier this month, and followed up with a couple of strong points-scoring finishes at the wheel of his Toyota Avensis.

But the 48 hours of action was not without episodes of real drama as Morgan and his team fought tooth and nail to stay firmly in the hunt.

A high-speed accident in poor conditions in Saturday’s second free practice session gave the Cicely crew an opportunity to show their repair skills – but a second accident in Sunday’s third race brought a halt to Morgan’s run of point-scoring finishes.

The practice crash saw Morgan slide off a greasy circuit and into the barriers at Clervaux corner.

“I just locked up going into the corner and the engine stalled,” said Morgan.

“I couldn’t get the car stopped and it was a big hit. It damaged the barriers and the tyre wall wrapped around the car so I couldn’t get out.

“Luckily, the crash structure seems to have done its job and hasn’t damaged the important bits on the car.”

The Ciceley technicians worked hard to get the Toyota repaired in time for qualifying, and Morgan rewarded their labour by claiming an excellent tenth place on the grid for the first of Sunday’s races.

Morgan elected to use the softer Dunlop ‘option’ tyre in race one and he added: “When the tyres came good the Toyota felt great, it just didn’t last for long.

“Towards the end of the race I was getting hit left, right and centre because the tryes were past their best and I was having to brake so early into the corners.”

Morgan made a steady start to race two, and had picked up several places by mid-distance, and continued on to eighth at the chequered flag.

“It was tricky to begin with because of the damp surface,” added Morgan.

“I just had to concentrate on keeping out of trouble, and then made up some places.

“I couldn’t live with the pace of the cars in front of me towards the end, but eighth is good – it means more points.”

The reverse-grid draw saw Morgan selected to start from pole position and, had the conditions remained dry, that could have laid the foundation stone for at least a podium finish.

Instead, the rain came and Morgan had to contend with standing water on the track and an un-tried set-up on his Toyota.

And the thrills and spills continued as Morgan held second on the opening lap before spinning back to 13th place. His race finally came to a halt after four laps.

“There was a lot of standing water and, for some reason, the second I touched the brakes the wheels locked up,” he added.

“I really struggled, had a big slide at Sunny Corner, and then couldn’t get out of the crash at Clervaux.

“I feel so sorry for the lads; they did a mega job repairing it and now they have to do it all over again. I’m gutted.”

Despite the mishap, Morgan’s points haul sees him remain seventh in the table – and in the same position in the Independents Trophy Drivers League.

Ciceley Racing also hold third place among the teams.

Morgan takes a six-week break from action before the second half of the BTCC season roars into life at Snetterton on August 4.