DAN Eaves has become the first driver in history to win all three races at a British Touring Car Championship meeting.

Evesham-based Eaves won rounds four, five and six at Thruxton to catapult him to the top of the championship ahead of the next rounds at Brands Hatch in June.

And with Eaves' team-mate Matt Neal, the championship leader before Thruxton, securing top-four finishes in each race, Team Halfords have extended their lead in the teams' title race.

"I'm just stunned," a delighted Eaves said. "Half-way through the third race there was no way I thought I would win but suddenly everything started playing into my hands and I took advantage.

"Three wins and the championship lead is just a dream come true but it's also the result of a great team and a great car."

Eaves, in his Honda Integra, overtook SEAT's Jason Plato to win the first race after early leader Tom Chilton needed a pit-stop to change a tyre. Plato finished second, just ahead of Neal.

Eaves' win gave him pole position for the second race and from there he romped to his second win, setting the fastest lap time en route.

A high-speed collision between Plato and Vaxuhall's Yvan Muller allowed Neal to close in and within a couple of laps had picked off the pair with brave moves to follow Eaves home in a one-two finish.

The result meant Neal and Eaves were tied on points at the head of the championship going into the day's final race, with Eaves starting 10th and Neal ninth.

An eventful race saw Vauxhall's Gavin Smith, at the front of the grid, eliminated as he collided with Chilton.

Colin Turkington was also delayed in the incident and dropped to last place. SEAT's Luke Hines inherited first position as the safety car lead the field while marshals cleared stranded cars.

Plato passed Muller for second but officials judged it illegal when the safety car was on track. Plato was ordered to serve a drive-through pit lane penalty, dropping him to the tail of the field.

As Plato headed into the pit lane, Eaves swooped past Hines and Turkington in one move to take the lead and, ultimately, an amazing third victory.