One Motorsport with Starline Racing’s trio of drivers are hoping for a successful weekend as the contest prepares to tackle the fastest circuit on the calendar, Thruxton (3/4 June).
The Hampshire speed-bowl sees average lap speeds of over 110mph around the challenging 2.36-mile former airfield. It is also a track where One Motorsport with Starline Racing driver Josh Cook has had success in the past.
The Honda Civic Type R racer has claimed 10 victories at the historic venue – some may say Cook has the nickname King of Thruxton. The Bath racer is brimming with excitement ahead of the BTCC’s return to the track, while team-mates Aiden Moffat and Will Powell will be aiming to tap into Cook’s knowledge and expertise this weekend.
The Brackley-based outfit had a successful weekend last time out at Snetterton earlier in May. Cook was a double Independents Trophy winner and both he and Moffat registered top 10 finishes in the final race of the day.
Cook, who is firmly inside the top 10, is in the hunt for this year’s overall title. He explains that the lessons learned at Snetterton and the upcoming Thruxton layout have put overall race victory on his radar.
“There are a few rival cars out there which are on fire in terms of pace at the moment, but we will concentrate on what we can do,” said Cook, “That is all we can do. I know how to get the car working well around Thruxton and we made really good progress at Snetterton.”
“I really click with Thruxton and it is no secret that I love it. I don’t feel like I do anything unusual or trick to get the most from it because I am not aware of what the others are doing specifically. But even if I did have a special knack, it is not something I am going to share with anyone but my One Motorsport with Starling Racing team-mates…”
Moffat is aiming to capitalise on any advantage that Cook can provide ahead of the event. The Scotsman took two podiums in the Independents’ Trophy last time out and thinks that the momentum can carry him even further this weekend.
“I am looking forward to Thruxton, we all know that Josh and the Honda have always been ballistic around Thruxton in the past and that should stand us in good stead,” commented Moffat.
“When you add in all of those factors, I am very excited about the challenge that lays ahead at Thruxton. It is always a track which rewards bravery and it puts a smile on your face, and I want to be smiling on Sunday night too.”
Will Powell scored three solid finishes at Snetterton last time out as he aims to bank more experience this year.
“People often assume that Thruxton is a power circuit, because the speeds are so high, but actually it is all about having a sweet-handling chassis though all the sweeping sections,” said Powell, “The One Motorsport with Starline Racing Honda Civic certainly has that.”
“I had my first BTCC experience of Thruxton last season, which was a bit of a baptism of fire. It will be nice to be going back there with a car I trust and with another year’s knowledge behind me.”
The three races from Thruxton will be shown on ITV4. The opening encounter is scheduled to get the green flag at 11:30, with race two at 14:35 and the finale at 17:20. Qualifying will be streamed live on itv.com/touringcars and is also shown on the ITV Sport YouTube channel at 15:15 on Saturday afternoon.
