Maximum Motorsport is aiming to build on a strong first half of 2017, with the year-old outfit already producing consistent top ten finishes so far this season.
The team fielded Dennis Strandberg at Croft last time out, with the 23-year-old securing three solid finishes at his maiden event. Strandberg stepped into the breech, having been known to Team Principal Stewart Lines through competition in the Maximum Motorsport-backed VAG Trophy. Going forward, other commitments – including a full campaign in the Swedish Touring Car Championship for one – mean the Swede may have to limit his involvement in the BTCC this year.
With Josh Cook behind the wheel of the squad's Ford Focus, Maximum had previously secured a series of best-ever results, starting with a seventh-placed finish back at the opener at Brands Hatch. This was followed by yet more points-scoring pace, yielding further encouragement with another step forward – fourth at Donington Park in race two, complemented by a further seventh-placed score in Round 6.
A minor blip at Thruxton wasn't to last, with Cook able to storm back into the top ten and tally sixth and eighth at Oulton Park before seeing a race three podium arguably taken from his grasp in contact. Having made the most of a reverse-grid pole, the outfit were on to take home its first BTCC silverware, though a coming together in the early stages put paid to those hopes. Despite this, all concerned were encouraged given the pace inherent in what had become a well-honed Ford Focus – the Focus no stranger to the top step in the championship, and Maximum Motorsport has dialled in to what has proven a successful package.
Following the departure of Cook to MG Racing RCIB Insurance, and the subsequent outing by Strandberg, the team is now searching for a driver to complete the remainder of the campaign. Lines is keen to retain his role in managing the team, a role he is is relishing, although stepping back into the hot-seat for the second half of the year remains an option.
"Our ideal scenario would be to find a young and upcoming driver," said Team Principal Lines. "I am passionate about giving young talented drivers an opportunity, and we feel Maximum Motorsport is the perfect place for a driver with real potential to flourish, but of course it has to work commercially for all parties too.
"We put the car through some significant upgrades over the winter and we've shown we can run up at the front. Now we're keen to speak with interested drivers as we look to continue the upward trend that the team has been on."
The next rounds of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship take place at Snetterton on the 29/30 July.
