Tewkesbury’s Chris Dittmann Racing (CDR) tasted victory in Europe in F3 Cup, as Stuart Wiltshire claimed his maiden race win at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.

At one of the world’s most famous and most challenging circuits, Wiltshire started from second on the grid but slipped back to third early on. Quickly retaking second he made the most of the leader’s spin to claim the lead. A late safety car provided a tricky restart, but Wiltshire held off the bunched-up pack to secure his first-ever F3 Cup win.

It was his second visit to the prestigious podium of the weekend, having converted his second-row start into a third-place finish in Saturday’s race, the seventh round of the year. He has moved back up the points table and into fourth place.

Team-mate Tony Bishop came through the field from 11th on the packed grid to secure fifth-place in the opener, but a clutch issue ended race two before it began. The non-finish means he has slipped to ninth in the championship.

Malcolm Scott finished the weekend with his best result of the year, claiming fifth in race two. He secured seventh in race one, where he also now lies in the championship standings.

Chris Dittmann, team principal, said: “I’m delighted with Stuart’s win. It’s been coming, and to do it on a circuit as special as Spa really is brilliant. The whole team has worked hard to make it happen and he’s listened and really put the effort in to break his duck.

“Stuart was runner-up in the championship last year and hopefully this will be a springboard to move back up the table. The guys at the top didn’t score well so it’s been a much-needed boost in that respect.

“Tony did well in race one, Spa is not an easy place when the grid is as big as it was. He’ll be back next time out and will hopefully have some better luck. He’s due some. It was great to see Malcolm up there, too.

“It’s Oulton Park next, a circuit we all know well so we are definitely going to be looking to add to this first win of the year.”