Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing are aiming to close out the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season in style at Brands Hatch this weekend (5-6 October).
Bringing the curtain down on a memorable year of racing in the UK’s premier motorsport series, the Worcestershire-based team go into the final three races of the campaign having secured an unassailable lead in three different championships.
Árón Taylor-Smith tops the Independent Drivers’ Championship last time out at Silverstone while teammate Mikey Doble did the same in the coveted Jack Sears Trophy. And between them, their season-long efforts have also left them primed to take the honours in the Independent Teams’ Championship.
With a career-first BTCC title ready and waiting, Irishman Taylor-Smith heads into the season finale eager to make one last appearance on the outright podium; with his sights firmly set on a long-overdue return to the top step.
Doble meanwhile has been one of the breakout stars of the season with a maiden overall podium at Oulton Park being bolstered by multiple Independent wins and domination of the Jack Sears Trophy.
Having already secured the latter, the 25-year-old will be eager to close out his sophomore season around the 2.433-mile circuit with a trio of solid results and potentially another visit to the rostrum.
Qualifying at Brands Hatch will be broadcast on the ITV Sport YouTube channel on Saturday from 15:40 before all three races are aired LIVE on ITV4 on Sunday. Race one is scheduled to begin at 11:30 ahead of race two at 14:45 and race three at 17:35.
Árón Taylor-Smith: “Going into the final race meeting of the season is always special but this time around it feels even more significant - especially given what we as a team have achieved winning three championship titles.
“The Grand Prix circuit is a real favourite of mine and it holds fond memories as it was there, more than a decade ago, that I won my first BTCC race. Since then I’ve always gone well and have had podiums and other top results.
“I feel like we’ve taken a real step forward with the car from last year so I’m excited to see what we can achieve. It would be great to sign off the season with a proper result in front of what is going to be a huge crowd!”
Mikey Doble: “To be going to Brands Hatch knowing that I’ve got the Jack Sears Trophy wrapped up is a great feeling; it almost feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders as it’s been my sole focus all year.
“It’s very rare that you have the opportunity to go out and compete at this level for the pure enjoyment of driving but all of our hard work throughout the season means that we can do just that this weekend.
“The car should be strong, especially around the Grand Prix section, so I’m confident that we can qualify on the first few rows and then hopefully be in the mix for some podiums. It’s going to be a weekend to remember that’s for sure.”
Martin Broadhurst, Team Manager: “This season has been fantastic and we head into the final three races with both momentum on our side and in the knowledge that we have wrapped up the three titles that we were chasing.
“Over the course of the year we’ve really progressed the car and I’d go as far as saying the Vauxhall is as good as it has ever been. That bodes well going to Brands Hatch as its a circuit that has always been well-suited to the Astra.
“Everyone is determined to end the year on an even bigger high and it’ll be great to watch Árón and Mikey be able to race without any pressure. If we can get back on that podium - before the prize-giving presentation - that would be brilliant.”
Adam Weaver, Team Principal: “It’s been a brilliant year for the whole team and the focus is very much on finishing it off at Brands Hatch with the only thing that has alluded us so far - a race win.
“Whilst we don’t need it to celebrate what has been a great season, we want it badly and it would be the cherry on the cake. The pressure is off Árón and Mikey so we’ll be giving it everything across the final three races of the season.
“I know that there are drivers that will be going for the Drivers’ Championship but they can still achieve that by finishing second to us. We’re highly motivated and feel more than ready for one last big push.”
