Independent Championship leaders Motorbase Performance head North once more this coming weekend as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship makes its annual visit to North Yorkshire’s Croft circuit for rounds 13,14 & 15 (June 18/19).
Having extended its lead at the top of the Independent Teams’ standings at Oulton Park just two weeks ago; the Kent-based squad heads into this weekend with a comfortable 49 point lead ahead of its nearest rivals. Three solid points finishes by Andrew Jordan on the Cheshire track also saw the Red Bull athlete take top honours in the Independent Drivers championship with Duo-backed team-mate Mat Jackson close behind in third.
“Croft will be interesting;” said Oly Collins, Motorbase Team Manager. “We're leading the Independents in both drivers and teams championships going in to the weekend and our aim is to increase that lead. We're also still well in the mix for overall honours which is pretty good up against the might of the Manufacturers in this championship so hopefully we can close the gap to the front.”
With a capacity 32-car grid set to descend on the challenging North Yorkshire circuit, competition will be as tough as ever as the championship enters the mid-way point of the ten-event season. Jordan, who already has one race win under his belt this season, carries 33kg of ballast into qualifying and Sunday’s opening race is aiming to reach yet another career milestone this weekend as he looks to add to his impressive tally of 48 BTCC podiums on the circuit where he made his racing debut back in 2003 and also claimed his maiden BTCC win in 2010.
Jackson currently lies seventh in the overall standings and similarly takes 27kg of weight into the weekend on-board the #7 Focus ST. Having achieved an incredible 100th consecutive race for the Motorbase NGTC machine at Oulton Park, the 27-times race winner is determined to turn around a difficult Oulton Park meeting and move up in the drivers’ championship before the BTCC heads into its extended six week summer break.
“We struggled a little at Oulton Park in qualifying in a few areas and unfortunately this season is so close that being just a couple of tenths off the pace can cost you dearly;” added Collins. “Hopefully we can put that behind us and come away from Croft with some trophies heading into the break. The usual subjects will be strong again I’m sure and now Subaru have got their act together there are even more cars in the mix making it even tighter at the top.”
Rounds 13, 14 & 15 of the 2016 BTCC season take place at Oulton Park on June 18/19. Live coverage of Sunday's events will be shown on ITV4, itv.com and also in HD from 11.15am – 6pm; with itv.com featuring live streaming online of Saturday's qualifying session between 4.00 and 4.30pm.
Driver Quotes:#77 Andrew Jordan:“I always have fond memories of Croft having had my first ever car race there which was also my first win. It always has a great atmosphere and the crowd always get into the racing. I am going there very determined to get our season back on track after a tough Oulton Park for the team, although we managed to climb up in the championship and take the Indy championship lead, I feel it was a missed opportunity so my aim is to go there and score three big results. Obviously it’s going to suit the RWD cars as it has done over the last few years but I am going there expecting podiums and maybe even sneaking another win.”
#7 Mat Jackson:“We’re in a good place heading into the last round before the summer break leading the Independent Teams championship but the main title is the one that everyone wants! Oulton Park was a bit of the let-down after such a strong weekend at Thruxton so we need to have another winning weekend at Croft to keep the pressure on.
“Croft has been good to us in the past and we’ve enjoyed some great results there over the years in the Focus so hopefully we can look forward to more of the same. The BTCC is all about consistency; you need to stay out of trouble, finish every race and just keep banking the points so that’s our plan!”
