New Malden’s Tom Onslow-Cole reckons a minimum of three podium finishes at each of the last three British Touring Car Championship meetings can bring him second spot in the driver’s table.

The 21-year-old secured fifth, third and 11th at Oulton Park on Sunday to end a relatively baron spell in terms of point scoring from a personal point of view.

His VX Racing team currently top the manufacturers championship while team-mate Fabrizio Giovanardi has a seemingly insurmountable lead in the individual standings.

Onslow-Cole - who last secured a podium finish at Thruxton in May - qualified fourth, but only made it count with third in the second race before a pile -up involving Team Halfords’ Tom Chilton cost him in the final race of the day.

It means he trails Giovanardi by 74 points but is only 30 points adrift of Jason Plato in second, and the young star reckons a strong finish to the season can power him to a possible runners-up spot.

“It was good to break that quiet spell at last. Oulton Park is not my favourite track, so it was good to get something from the weekend,” he said.

“IT only needs a couple of big points hauls over the next three weeks and I’m right back in it. Fabrizio looks to be well clear now but second spot is still up for grabs.

“Three podium finished each week from now on in could do it. The car has been quick at every circuit and I’m confident I can get back on track.”

Chilton’s mistake in the final race saw Onslow-Cole slip back to 19th to ruin the weekend in front of a record 30,000 at the Cheshire track, despite recovering well to regain eight places.

“Oulton Park had been going alright for us, it was just a shame I was unfortunate to get collected up in the mayhem around Tom’s crash,” he added.

“It is a struggle to get back the places and into the points on a circuit like that but it means I’m really looking forward to Knockhill now.”