CarStore Power Maxed Racing kicked off the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in fine fashion, with two Independent race victories at Donington Park last weekend (22/23 April).
The Bidford-on-Avon-based outfit featured in a starring role across the opening three rounds, with Andrew Watson and Mikey Doble picking up class victories on debut, plus two charging drives into the top ten by experienced contender Aron Taylor-Smith.
It marked a superb return to form for the Vauxhall Astras after a busy winter of development, as the team looks to build back to winning ways in 2023.
With three rounds in the books, CarStore Power Maxed Racing is five points clear at the top of the Independent Teams’ standings, with Watson, Taylor-Smith and Doble running third, fourth and ninth in the equivalent competition for drivers.
In the Jack Sears Trophy, Watson is the clear leader leaving Donington Park, with Doble fifth.
Here’s what the team’s main protagonists had to say following the curtain raiser…
Andrew Watson said: “I’m honestly over the moon with how this weekend has gone. We were hoping to be up there in the Jack Sears, so to be amongst the front runners overall is such a fantastic testament to how everybody at CarStore Power Maxed Racing is gelling together.
“It was particularly fun in that last race; I’d say it was my first ‘proper touring car race’, after the weather played a role in the first two. The car felt alive, I think we can have a lot of fun with this Vauxhall Astra this year.
“Huge thanks to the team, and I’m looking forward to getting to Brands Hatch.”
Aron Taylor-Smith said: “This has been a really strong start for the whole team. What we have is a really fantastic baseline with this car, and it’s clear the work we’ve put in over the winter is paying off in the performance we’ve had this weekend.
“A huge thanks to the whole team, my sponsors – everybody who is putting into this programme and helping us move up the grid. It was great to have a car underneath me today I could attack with, and really push. I think it’s going to be a very fun season ahead.”
Mikey Doble said: “There have been some highs and lows today, but without a doubt, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
“It’s all fantastic experience for me, and to come away with my first points, an independent win and something to really build on is as much as I could have asked for.
“We’re in a positive place across the board as a team, and a huge thanks to them for all their continued support to push us on. I can’t wait to pick it up again at Brands in a fortnight.”
Martin Broadhurst, Team Manager, said: “It’s a very encouraging start to the new season. We were confident we’d made a step forward in performance over the winter, so it’s good to not only see that, but also to understand with even more clarity where we need to build next.
“The atmosphere in the camp is fantastic at the moment. Now we want to sustain that momentum, keep building and arrive at Brands Hatch, another circuit that should suit us, with an equally competitive car.”
Adam Weaver, Team Principal, said: “This weekend has been a just reward for all the effort and commitment put in, by every member of the team over the winter.
“We have always known the Vauxhall Astra still has potential as a car and can compete at the very front in this championship. But these things don’t happen overnight, and this is the first step on a process that still has a way to go.
“But I couldn’t be prouder of what I’m seeing, in the workshop, at the circuit, every day. We have three fantastic drivers and it’s great to see us pushing on as a unit. This is a good start, and now we look to Brands for an equally good next step.
"I also want to give a special thanks to everybody working within our hospitality unit at the weekend. It was one of our busiest weekends since we joined the series, but everybody had a fantastic day and was well looked after. And to our partners - we'll keep pushing to repay your superb support."
