TONY Hughes says scoring a top ten finish in a race during this season’s Dunlop MSA Touring Car Championship will feel like a maiden victory.

The Knutsford-based driver returns for a second term behind the wheel of a Speedworks Motorsport-prepared Toyota Avensis after a challenging maiden campaign last time out.

“If I get among the first ten finishers then I’ll want a bottle of champagne,” he said.

“That’s the same as a win for me.”

The 54-year-old’s best result last year was 14th in at home circuit Oulton Park, which also marked his first ever BTCC race in wet conditions.

It was not enough to secure him a first point in the series’ drivers’ standings, although he did help Northwich outfit Speedworks – also a debutant last time around – to nine in the independent teams’ table.

Hughes said: “I feel much more prepared this time around and obviously know the car better.

“For me this remains a dream as I’m basically a fan who is lucky enough to have the chance to race, but I’m hoping to improve upon my best result last season.”

He returns to action for the first round at Brands Hatch next month, a venue at which he made history last year as the first driver to finish a race in a machine built to specifications new to the series for 2011.