SCORTON'S Max Coates made a strong comeback in the British Touring Car supporting Ginetta GT Supercup at Croft last weekend with three top six finishes, which included one podium.

The 19-year-old got to grips with the Ginetta G55 in testing on Friday before he qualified fifth for his first race in eight months on Saturday. A bad start sent the teenager back to eighth but he fought back through the pack to finish sixth.

On Sunday, Coates lost one place at the start of his second race and got involved in a battle for fourth position. At one point lying in eighth, the teenager made the most of his race craft to overtake and finish fourth.

The reverse grid gave Coates third for the final race driver was keen to turn into a strong finishing result.

Despite a good start, the Scorton racer lost out into turn one when he was boxed in and left with nowhere to go when the driver in front had a bad getaway.

A strong drive through the pack put Max into third place around lap seven and pushed hard to keep his podium place.

"It's been a fantastic weekend, to finish in the top six in this championship is special when you've been out of the race car for as long as I have," Coates said.

"The podium in the final race was the cherry on the cake and I want to dedicate it to my late friend, Ben Gautrey, whose foundation has helped me to race this weekend.

"At the moment I don't have the budget to race at Snetterton in about a month's time, but I will be working on some sponsors to try and make that happen so who knows what will happen."