Power Maxed TAG Racing left Donington Park top of the pile in both the Manufacturers' and Teams' running after following up its maiden victory at Brands Hatch at the hands of Senna Proctor with another – this time via team-mate Josh Cook.
Cook managed to secure a first pole position on Saturday, to get things off in the best possible manner. The Bath racer favours the tricky, slippery conditions thrown up by a wet track surface and revelled in them as he stormed to P1. The outfit's work over the winter looks so far to be paying off as it entered season two with the new Vauxhall Astra.
On Sunday, Donington Park dried out, and some feisty to-and-fro on the opening lap saw Cook retain his advantage after briefly losing out to fellow front-row starter Chris Smiley. From there, he never looked back and took the win. An unfortunate incident in Round 4 left Proctor starting Round 5 from the back of the grid after receiving a third strike, despite finishing eighth. His finale was curtailed by another incident at the Craners, through little fault of his own.
“What can I say, other than it’s been a long time coming?" said Josh Cook, now third in the Drivers' standings. "Once I saw the times in FP1 and 2 I knew we could be on for a pole, which gave me that little extra push right at the end. Other than a little challenge from Smiley, who drove really well, leading Race 1 from grid to flag was a dream come true.
"I was happy with second in Race 3 too. Adam Morgan made that Mercedes super-wide, and I just couldn’t quite get the opportunity to pass him to chalk up a second win. I can’t thank my engineers and the whole of PMR enough for giving me what is a fantastically set up car, and I’m glad that I’m doing Euro Repar Car Service, Glide Parking and my other sponsors proud this early in the season.”
Team Principal Adam Weaver is understandably excited about the season ahead given the way things have started: “In just two events, we’ve seen both Josh and Senna take their first win, our first pole in the hands of Josh, and witnessed Martin Broadhurst cry with happiness!
"We’ve spent the last three seasons working relentlessly, building the right team and doing things the right way, and it’s really paying off. I’m immensely proud of Josh for what he achieved this weekend, and equally proud of Senna for keeping his head when the day went against him. I couldn’t imagine two better drivers representing us.”
Team Manager Martin Broadhurst was equally as positive: “I’m over the moon with Josh’s performance this weekend. From the get-go he was posting consistently quick times, and his feedback on the car and what it was doing was, as always, top notch.
"What happened with Senna was unfortunate, but when racing at this level you have to take the rough with the smooth. Every single member of the team put their lives into making sure these cars are at the front, and we’re proving that the hard work and dedication is completely worth it.
"To be out front in both the Manufacturers' and Teams' standings is a huge boost for us, and is exactly where we want to be.”
Senna Proctor, added: “The only word I can use to describe it is ‘frustrating’. The car was absolutely on the pace, but we were just marred with bad luck from the outset. The racing incident with Turkington in Race 1 set us back massively, and I truly believe that if we hadn’t lost eighth for the start of Race 2, I would’ve been up on that podium with Josh during Race 3.
"Unfortunately, that’s motorsport, and with Thruxton less than three weeks away, I’m confident I’ll be spraying that champagne by the end of the weekend! I’d just like to say thanks again to my sponsors-Bee Health, Matrix and LAPD for continuing to support me.”
