It's hard to see past this past weekend's action as perhaps Power Maxed Racing's best-yet in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with the outfit, on its first competitive outing as Power Maxed TAG Racing, securing a maiden victory in the series.
Following on in perfect fashion from his 2017 Jack Sears Trophy triumph, Senna Proctor stormed through the field from 27th to take victory in one of the most incredible BTCC races in recent memory.
“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet," said Proctor. "I didn’t even know that I’d won until I pulled into Parc Ferme and realised that no one was there in front of me - it was a very surreal moment.
"I can’t thank Martin (Broadhurst – Team Manager) and the team enough for putting together an incredible package, and the decision to bring Rob Peacey (engineer) in is definitely going to stand us in good stead for the season.
"Starting at the back of the grid, being the furthest down of the nine cars that made the decision to run on slicks, we didn’t expect to take the victory, but it’s proved that we’re here to win.
"I'm looking forward to this season even more than I was before and I know that between Josh and I, we’ll be seeing a lot more podiums. Thanks again to all my sponsors - we literally wouldn’t be here without you.”
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBTCC/videos/1920133324694775/
The decision to gamble on the Dunlop SportMaxx option tyre in drying conditions proved the right one, and the 19-year-old made dreams come down in the PMR garage, not least for an understandably emotional Team Principal in Adam Weaver.
“As with pretty much everyone in the paddock, I’m a life-long BTCC fan," said Weaver. "I remember watching the likes of Steve Soper and Andy Rouse as a kid, determined that at some point I’d be there, doing that.
"To win the second race of the season in the championship’s 60th anniversary year is an indescribable feeling, and to do it from almost the back of the grid is something that none of the thousands of spectators watching will forget in a hurry. Seeing Josh (Cook) fight his way up from 28th to fifth spot within just a few laps had my heart racing, but it was just unfortunate for him that the track dried out as it did.
"I can’t overstate how proud I am of Senna, Josh, Martin Broadhurst, and of the team he’s pulled together over the past four years. Bring on Donington!”
PMR Team Manager and Technical Director, Broadhurst, spoke with equal pride.
“The drive Senna put in was absolutely spectacular," he said. That race will, quite rightly, go down in history as one of the greatest drives of the NGTC era, and the decision by Senna and Race Engineer Rob Peacey to stick with the option tyre was a risk that I backed one-hundred percent.
"Yesterday was the culmination of four years' hard work, and both Adam and I made sure to personally thank every single person that played a part in getting those cars onto the grid.
"I take pride in the team we’ve put together and I know I speak for us all when I say that each and every one of them puts literally everything into making the cars the best they can possibly be, and this weekend it paid off - our first race win and fastest laps by both Josh and Senna, to boot. Getting both drivers home in the points isn't a bad feeling either!”
Former Jack Sears Champion Josh Cook had a weekend of mixed emotions.
“I was a little disappointed about an incident in Race 1, as the car was feeling fantastic and I genuinely think we would’ve been on for a really strong result, but that’s racing!" said Cook.
"If the track had stayed damp in Race 2, I would’ve been up at the pointy end. We were the fastest car on wets, and I’d battled my way up to fifth before the tyres unfortunately started to go off. Had that happened, though, Senna wouldn’t have had his first win, and I can’t even begin to describe how happy I am for him.
"As a team, I think we’ve shown that the cars are competitive and that we’re a force to be reckoned with this year. I spent the majority of Race 3 defending, whilst battling with power steering issues, which didn’t allow me to push on quite as much as I would’ve liked. A solid 10th puts us in the points and sets us up well for Donington in a few weeks’ time. I’m so glad I made the decision to come back to PMR this year - it’s good to be home!"
