A ROOKIE touring car driver based in Hereford carded a top 20 finish during a race at Donington Park.

Stewart Lines finished 17th in the MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) meeting last weekend.

The placing was a boost to his team - St Owen Street-based Houseman Racing - after finishing 25th, 21st and 17th in the three races of the opening weekend at Brands Hatch.

Lea Wood, who has taken a managerial role at Houseman Racing, said his driver is only going to improve.

“He has never driven the car before but he did very well at Brands Hatch and finished all three races,” said Wood.

Lines only started testing the car last month and despite being an experienced driver, has never competed in the BTCC before.

Wood said he met him through a contact in motor racing.

“I knew Stewart was interested in driving the car, so I decided to sit out this year and take a managerial role,” said Wood.

“This is his first year, so he is a bit of a rookie, but has been racing for years.

“He has done the Clio Cup and still races in the Volkswagen Cup.”