Tom Onslow-Cole drew on his British Touring Car Championship experience to claim a World Rallycross Championship RX Lites Cup podium finish in Turkey.

The New Malden 28-year-old, driving an Olsberg MSE prepared car, finished third in Sunday’s final after five qualifying races in Istanbul on his debut in the event.

Onslow-Cole, who won his RC Lites race seat in an MSA talent search shootout, made 189 starts and won seven races in a seven-year BTCC career which saw him go close to claiming the drivers’ championship title in 2010.

“For my debut, it couldn’t have gone much better,” he said.

“It’s so different to GT racing, but I think some of my Touring Car skills came in handy.

“This track has a lot of gravel compared to other rallycross tracks and I thought that would hold me back.

“But, actually, I was as strong in that sector as I was on the Tarmac.

“I’m absolutely buzzing and I’m hungry for more.

“I’d like to thank the MSA, the World RX Championship, RX Lites, Olsbergs MSE and Rockstar Energy Drinks for making this happen.

“If I have it my way, I’ll be back soon.”

Onslow-Cole returns to 24Hour Series action in the Czech Republic this weekend where he hopes to claim the GT3 drivers’ title in his RAM Racing Mercedes SLS AMG GT3.