Wrotham based Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship team Motorbase Performance heads to Thruxton Circuit this weekend aiming to continue its podium finishing momentum – as well as bolstering its 2022 title challenge.
Hot on the heels of his first trophy haul of the season at a wet Brands Hatch just over a week ago, where he achieved excellent third and second place finishes in rounds four and five, NAPA Racing UK’s Dan Cammish is focused on maintaining the impetus and rising further up the points table.
Last year, of course, Cammish was a podium finisher at Thruxton during a one-off BTCC outing prior to beginning his, ultimately successful, Porsche Carrera Cup GB title bid. Back in April, he ended the official pre-season ‘Media Day’ test at the ultra-fast Hampshire track inside the top six.
NAPA Racing UK team-mate Ash Sutton, who was quickest of all during the pre-season visit to Thruxton, goes into the third event of the year holding third position in the driver standings and determined to be back on the podium, as he was at Donington Park during the season curtain-raiser.
Qualifying maladies led to a very challenging raceday at Brands Hatch last time out, but the reigning champion showed his class and quality with three superb drives. Charging from 18th on the grid to a terrific ninth in race one, he climbed from ninth to fourth in race two and added sixth in race three.
Ollie Jackson and Sam Osborne go into rounds seven, eight and nine of the BTCC season aiming to put together a consistently strong weekend in their Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan hybrid powered Ford Focus ST cars.
Last season Thruxton was the venue for the championship opener and it proved a successful event for the team-mates, Jackson claiming a best of ninth position and Osborne taking his best result yet in touring cars with a strong top 12. More of the same, or indeed even better, will be the target just a few days from now.
Going into this weekend’s action in Hampshire, Motorbase/Ford holds second place in the BTCC Manufacturers/Constructors Championship while the squad’s NAPA Racing UK entry is second in the BTCC Teams Championship.
Oly Collins – Motorbase Performance Team Manager:
“After a strong weekend at Brands last time out we’re confident of some more strong results at Thruxton. We had a good test there earlier in the year at the season launch, so hopefully we can build on that. There’s another interesting weekend in store as we all continue to learn how to maximise the Hybrid for this year and we’re all learning it together throughout the grid.
“Thruxton is a circuit which requires us to manage tyre wear probably more than any other circuit we visit, so it’s always a challenge for the teams as well as the drivers. The weather could also throw a spanner in the works like Brands, but we’ll have to wait and see what the wonderful British weather delivers on the day!”
Ash Sutton – NAPA Racing UK, No.1:
“I’m looking forward to going to Thruxton this weekend, it’s always a mega track to race around. Since Brands Hatch we’ve been working hard to see if we can progress the car forward and address the balance issues we’ve had – I’m confident we’ll get on top of it. We had good pace at the season launch and the Focus seemed pretty hooked-up there, so I’d like to think we’ll be in the mix. Making in-roads on the top two and picking up some more silverware is the aim.”
Dan Cammish – NAPA Racing UK, No.9:
“I’m really excited to get going at Britain’s fastest race track, I always love racing at Thruxton and the challenge it provides. You need to be as one with the car to find the lap time there, the balance must be right and you’ve got to have confidence to push the limits through the fast stuff like at no other track we visit with the BTCC. Brands was obviously good for us, a strong response from the first round at Donington, so I’m hoping to continue that momentum and further climb the points table.”
Ollie Jackson – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.48:
“Challenges on the BTCC calendar don’t come much bigger than Thruxton and I’m really looking forward to being back there. It’s a fantastic track, the racing is as exciting as it gets, and it’s the kind of circuit which really does reward bravery and commitment. Brands was a mixed weekend for us after we went the wrong way with the set-up initially, so I’m hoping we can start off on the front foot this weekend and build from there to battle for some great results.”
Sam Osborne – Apec Racing with Beavis Morgan, No.77:
“Thruxton is always a big challenge and a unique one as well, you really do need a good car under you to give you the confidence to push – especially with so much of the lap flat out. It’s been a mixed start to the season for us but we’re working hard on moving forward with the set-up and I’m really hoping to push towards the top 10. Last season at Thruxton we had a good run to 12th place so I’m focused on trying to repeat that and really push on.”
Following the free practice sessions at Thruxton on Saturday, 28th May, qualifying – which will be streamed live online at the www.itv.com/btcc website – will begin at 15.15. On Sunday, 29th May, round seven will start at 11.40, round eight at 14.40 and round nine at 17.20. All three races will be screened live on ITV4.
Image courtesy Jakob Ebrey Photography.