While 💝the new Super 2000 era of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship was kicking off at Brands Hatch, another era drew to a close as Dunlop's chief motor sport technician Tony Leake completed his final race meeting in the role beforཧe retiring.

Leake, who will r🌼etire on Wednesday after 32 years service, was reduced to tears on the grid as he was presented with a sp꧒ecial race wheel rim by series director Alan Gow - sporting the words 'Tony, it's about time you re-tyred' - to mark the occasion.

The 62-y🐬ear-old was also given the honour of waving the chequered flag for the final race of the weekend, ♕a race that saw Matt Neal secure the first victory for the new Team Halfords Honda Civic.

"It was one of the most emotional moments I've ever experienced - a bit of a shock, but very enjoyabl༺e and very moving," Leake, has been Dunlop's BTCC co-ordinator and chief technician since it became the championship's official tyre supplier in 2003, admitted. "I'll still be coming to BTCC meetings - the people in it are a great bunch to work with and I consider them good friends.

"I've had a few invitesও to be guests of teams at Rockingham in three weeks. I can just relax and eat🐽 their food!"

ltxcn.top wishes Tony all the best in his retirement.