Motorbase Performance will look for more of the same at Thruxton (7/8 May) as it sits atop the Independent Teams’ table, with Mat Jackson and Andrew Jordan second and third in the Independent Drivers’ standings following a profitable Donington Park weekend.
Jackson notched the team’s maiden win of the 2016 campaign with a fine performance in race one in Leicestershire a fortnight ago, following up with a podium and points in races two and three.
The Kent-based squad aims to build some consistency this weekend at Thruxton, the third event on the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship calendar and a happy hunting ground in recent years with Jackson victorious there in both 2011 and 2012.
“Thruxton should be a good for us off the back of a strong weekend at Donington Park,” said Jackson. “It’s always nice to get that first win of the season under your belt but it’s a long championship and we need to make sure we carry that on going forward and keep banking the points.
“Thruxton is unique – a fantastic circuit to race on and it always has the knack of throwing a few curve balls into the mix in terms of results.
“We’ve had some great wins and podiums there in the past, including a double podium last time we were there in 2014 and it would be mega to repeat that but based on the times we’ve seen so far, I think it’s going to be really close.”
Team-mate Jordan also harbours optimism ahead of the trip to the ‘old-school’ Hampshire track – his pick of the BTCC bunch, in fact – following positive steps at Donington Park and in testing.
“We had a breakthrough with the car set-up in race three at Donington and followed that up with a positive test last week so I’m feeling really upbeat about the weekend,” said Jordan.
“The car is on the pace, and all of the pieces are coming together. We just need everything to click into place and the results will come.
“I’m genuinely excited about this weekend. The car feels good and I love Thruxton. It’s a proper old-school circuit and my favourite on the BTCC calendar by far.
“You have to be 100 percent committed to get the best out of the car but also look after your tyres. I’ve had three pole positions there in the last four years so it would be great to add to that record but three decent points finishes are the priority.”
Team Manager Oly Collins said: “After collecting our first win at Donington we're going to Thruxton with more confidence. It’s a circuit that the drivers always look forward to. Mat and Andrew as well as us as a team have enjoyed some good times there so hopefully that will continue this year. It’s a circuit that always throws up a challenge to the engineers and drivers.
“We've had a bit of a break from racing which has been used productively back at base and out testing. There's always a lot of work going on behind the scenes to help the team achieve the best results.
The weekend's action takes place at Thruxton, May 7/8. Live coverage of Sunday's rounds will be shown on ITV4 in HD and at itv.com/btcc between 11.00 and 18.00 with itv.com/btcc featuring live streaming online of Saturday’s qualifying session between 16.10 and 16.40.
