Top-three finish in British Rallycross Championship within Canterbury racer Tristan Ovenden's grasp after fast and furious action in Dreux, France

Canterbury's Tristan Ovenden and his team have a top-three British Rallycross Championship finish in their sights after competing in France last weekend.

British drivers joined the French Championship for their end-of-season show, a two-day event which included night racing under floodlights, at the Dreux circuit.

Motul-backed driver Ovenden recorded respectable mid-table results in the first two qualifying sessions as the track started to dry out after a very wet start.

But as the track got quicker, so did Ovenden’s 30 French opponents.

The night racing didn’t finish until nearly midnight and, overnight, Ovenden was just outside the semi-final cut-off, knowing he had to place in the top 16 to advance to the semi-finals.

After a hard-fought fourth qualifying session, he crossed the line fourth and secured 20th place just short of the cut-off, however, he was the third-fastest British driver.

The podium finish means, with one round to go, a top-three championship finish is firmly in his sights and all will be decided at his home circuit of Lydden Hill.

“Our second trip abroad with the Supercar has been a great adventure - on and off track,” Ovenden said.

“[It was] very difficult to learn the track in the wet on the Saturday, and for the team to work in the muddy paddock, but once it dried out, it was a really fun circuit.

“[There was an] amazing level of competition from the French, I still got some respectable times and results and I’m very pleased to have got on the British podium.

“Thanks very much, as always to the red and yellow racing team, and a special thank-you to Motul.”

The Lydden Hill double-header will be on November 5-6.