Germany’s world-famous Nurburgring hosts the resumption of the Audi Sport TT Cup season next weekend, where championship contender Josh Caygill aims to step-up his challenge with a push for his first podium of the campaign.
Off the back of a very consistent front-running start to the sophomore year of the exciting one-make category at Hockenheim earlier this month as part of the DTM support package, the Netherton racer goes into the third and fourth rounds of the season with justified optimism.
Taking a best result of fifth place from the opening race weekend, and adding a similarly strong sixth position in round two, the 26-year-old delivered precisely the sort of start he wanted to his 2016 bid and was happiest with his excellent pace across the entire weekend.
With the possibility of a front row start to round one only prevented when Josh was held-up at the last corner on his quickest lap in qualifying, the Hockenheim weekend had the potential of a podium result and the British racer sees no reason why that shouldn’t be the case at the Nurburgring where the competitors will race on Friday, 27th May, and Saturday, 28th May.
“I’m really looking forward to Nurburgring, we had a good start to the season to be fair and I’m really pleased with the pace we showed”, said Josh, “We need to use that as a springboard now and something to build on, but we know we were there or thereabouts with pace good enough for the podium at Hockenheim so that gives me a lot of confidence for next weekend.”
Last year’s visit to the famous track in the Eifel mountains delivered a best finish of sixth place so, acknowledging the big steps forward he has made since the debut season of the TT Cup, Josh knows he has the capability to be right in the thick of the action at the front.
Importantly, he also delivered top three pace at the Nurburgring in the predecessor Volkswagen Scirocco R Cup in 2014 – his maiden season of racing in Europe – so is aiming to put the experience he has gained at the German track to good use.
“Nurburgring is a good track and we’ve gone pretty well there over the last couple of years, so I’m sure we can carry on the form from Hockenheim”, he added, “Qualifying will be important, as always, but if we’re in that top four or five I know we can do something from there in the races. The main thing is to score well again for the championship, but I definitely plan to push for the podium.”
Rather than its usual place on the DTM package, the Audi Sport TT Cup will feature as part of the huge ADAC Zurich 24 Hour Race weekend at the Nurburgring. Practice, therefore, will take place on Thursday, 26th May, along with qualifying.
Round three is scheduled to start at 10.55 (UK time) on Friday, 27th May, with round four following at 08.55 (UK time) on Saturday, 28th May. Live online streaming of all of the race action will be available HERE
2016 Audi Sport TT Cup Driver Standings (after Rd2):6th Josh Caygill, 27pts
