Crash.net's BTCC top ten: 6th

6 - Steven Kane

If points were awarded for likeability, then Steven Kane would be a contender for the title before a wheel was turned and he was a popular returnee to the series with Airwaves BMW after a year away in 2009.

The fact that team boss David Bartrum was so keen to have Kane back onboard showed how highly he was rather and when he led home team-mate Mat Jackson for a 1-2 finish at Thruxton, it was clear that it was the right move from the team.

Although he often left himself with work to do after qualifying, Kane was consistently the best of the BMW drivers on the grid and added a further seven podium finishes to his Thruxton win over the course of the year.

Despite a fine second place finish in the 30th and final race of the year, the Independents' title eluded him by just two points and he will aim to go one better in 2011 if he returns for a third season of BTCC competition.

Statistics - Steven Kane:

Team: Airwaves BMWCar: BMW 320si (S2000)

Championship position: 6thPoints: 169Independents championship position: 2ndIndependents points: 247

Victories: 1Podiums: 7 (excludes victories)Best result: 1st (Thruxton)Points finishes: 24