TOM CHILTON kept a solemn promise he made to The Sun – by spraying his hair ORANGE after winning a race.

Way back in March, at a pre-season test session at a freezing Rockingham, Tom and I struck a deal.

He showed me the sparkling new Honda Civic he was set to drive for Team Halfords in the British Touring Car Championship.

"Look at it, it’s beautiful," he chirped. "It’s all . . . orange."

When I suggested that he should dye his trademark spiky hair the same colour if he won a race, Tom laughed and said: "Right, you’re on. I’ll do it."

All season long he carried a can of orange hairspray in his kitbag, ready for the big moment.

But as he endured a tough year it looked like it was never going to happen – and his locks would stay blonde.

Just before the 30th and last race of the season, at Brands Hatch yesterday, I spotted Tom in the Honda garage sitting in a corner getting ready to put his crash helmet on.

I slapped him on the knees and said: "Come on, Tom, you’ve got one last shot. I want to see that orange hair."

And, hey presto, he did it! He shot off the starting grid like a man possessed, was never headed and sprayed his mop moments after taking the chequered flag.

Afterwards Tango Tom and I – looking like a giant tomato in my bright red Sun gear – celebrated together as his pit crew called out: "Well done, Ginger."

And he told me: "I did it for you, mate. I’ve gone orange. We had a deal at the start of the year. I’ve kept it – and couldn’t be happier."