CHIPPING Norton racer Sean Walkinshaw secured his first podium finish with a stunning drive in the third round of the Super GT series at Autopolis in Japan.

The 23-year-old finished third in the GT300 class race for his Autobacs Racing Team Aguri.

With team-mate Shinichi Takagi delivering a season-best fourth fastest time in qualifying, the duo went on to secure their maiden silverware in an action-packed contest.

Following an excellent first stint from Takagi and a smart pit-stop at midway, Walkinshaw actually led the race with fewer than 20 laps to go.

But after being edged back to second, he then fell victim to contact from a back-marker which dropped him to third.

The top-three finish lifted Walkinshaw and Takagi back into the top five of the championship table, moving up from 11th place.