All three of Rich Energy BTC Racing’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship racers are relishing the prospect of returning to the fastest circuit on the 2022 calendar at Thruxton this weekend (27/28 August).

Josh Cook was a back-to-back winner in the opening two races at the Hampshire venue during the BTCC’s first visit of 2022 to the track back at the end of May. He comes into this weekend in fifth place in the points and he knows that the Rich Energy BTC Racing Honda Civic Type R chassis will lap up the fast sweepers of the 2.36-mile layout.

Cook, who has won at least one race at Thruxton during the BTCC’s last seven visits, said: “Thruxton is one of those places that we all enjoy, and I have a great track record of success there.

“The secret to Thruxton is going there with a well-prepared car which can give you confidence straight out of the box to tackle the super-quick corners. I have done my homework and the Rich Energy BTC Racing team has been flat-out in the background to give me just the kind of car I want around there.

“We are getting towards the business end of the season now with only three meetings left, and this weekend is going to be crucial to our hopes. We will leave nothing on the table, and need big points from all three races on Sunday.”

Team-mate Jason Plato comes to the eighth meeting of the year fresh off the back of a podium finish at Snetterton last time out, when he crossed the line in a battling second position. He is also a multiple winner at Thruxton and took his first triumph at the venue 20 years ago.

The two-time title winner explained: “It was a really special reward for the work the team and the engineers have done to be able to score a podium at Snetterton. However, we all know that we have to keep working hard with our partners and suppliers to make sure we are really on the front foot for Thruxton.

“The Honda Civic Type R chassis is one of the sweetest handling cars in the Kwik Fit BTCC line-up and that will be in our favour. If we can unlock the secrets of straight-line speed too, then it should be a highly profitable weekend for us.”

Jade Edwards comes to the Thruxton event aiming for three solid points finishes to help her campaign for glory in the Jack Sears Trophy, which rewards drivers who have yet to stand on the outright podium. She has finished in the top three of the division on four occasions so far this year.

Edwards explained: “Thruxton is a track we all enjoy because it is a place where the cars can really get going on the fast sweepers around the back. It is a real test of bravery for all the drivers.

“There is a good flow to the high-speed corners and that is where it is vital to have a strong chassis, which is a real strength of the Rich Energy BTC Racing Honda Civic Type R.

“Going to a track where we have raced before this season will also be a bonus because we can use all of the data and experience that we gained earlier on in 2022. That means it is a meeting I am really looking forward to.”

Team principal Danny Buxton said that the squad is eager to return to the scene of two previous victories in 2022 and the ambitions were high for the three rounds.

“We will be going into the meeting with a very positive mindset,” explained Buxton. “Josh was the king of the circuit last time we were there with his victories and Jason was very unlucky not to have recorded a podium finish in race three.

“Finishing second at Snetterton last time out has really fired Jason up; he will be chomping at the bit for more silverware, and we will do everything in our power to make that happen.

“This is also Jade’s favourite track, and she is deep in the heart of the fight for the Jack Sears Trophy, so that will be her focus. If she can nail the qualifying session on Saturday and get a little bit of luck, she will make some real strides forward in that competition too.”

The 30-minute qualifying session takes place on Saturday from 1525 and will be broadcast live on itv.com/btcc. All three races on Sunday will be shown live on ITV4 from 1115, with the opening race scheduled to start at 1145 and the second race following at 1435 before the reverse-grid finale begins at 1720.