CHAMPION driver John Parton made a steady start to his 1999 campaign despite having his race dramatically cut short.

The Shavington hot-rod, who triumphed in the Super Road Saloon Champioinship last year, finished third in class in round one of the tougher Modified Production competition at Silverstone on Saturday.

But Parton was left wondering he could have achieved if the race hadn't been abandoned after just six laps of the scheduled 12.

The red flags were pulled out after race winner Gerry Cain slid into a gravel trap and his car couldn't be moved.

"It's a much tougher challenge this year with better opposition and the cars are more evenly matched, so it's fast and furious," said Parton.

"We finished seventh out of 21 cars overall, but when you consider that our car is in the smallest class then we are doing alright."

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