Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher returns to its home circuit this coming weekend for the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season finale at Brands Hatch (October 12/13).
Although out of the running for the championship title, the Wrotham-based outfit is eager to sign off the season in fine style as it also reaches the end of its three-year partnership with Shredded Wheat.
With the Motorbase Performance workshop less than five minutes away in nearby Wrotham, Brands Hatch is a firm favourite of the squad. The team has celebrated more wins at its local circuit than at any other track over the years, and always attracts fantastic local support.
Reigate-racer Tom Chilton took his maiden win of the season on the Indy layout in the season opener back in April, and is looking to end a challenging year for the squad on a high note on the iconic GP circuit.
Ollie Jackson is also hopeful of a happy ending to his Motorbase return after a successful season. Also racing at his home circuit, the Surrey-man took his maiden Independent win earlier this year, and is keen for a rostrum return in front of his home crowd.
“We’re looking forward to ending the season on a high at our home track,” commented Team Manager Oly Collins. “We always love coming to Brands Hatch. It’s a fantastic venue to open and close the BTCC.
“We started our campaign at Brands in April with Tom on the top step of the podium. Since then, 2019 hasn’t quite gone to plan as a season-long challenge, despite the pace we’ve shown at times.
“Once again we may see weather commanding the weekend which always makes things a little trickier for the team behind the scenes, but that’s the same for all of us.
“It will be a shame to run in the Shredded Wheat colours for one last time, but we’ve been proud to represent such a huge brand in the BTCC.”
“I’m really excited to get back to our local track for the team and myself,” said Chilton. “Last year I had fantastic memories from having such an incredible team and teammates behind me to help us clinch 3rd place overall and 2nd in the Independents Championship.
“We went into Brands GP last year with a lot of success ballast and qualified what felt like near the back, but I was next to Turkington and Ingram. The ballast is a killer around the hilly GP circuit more than most. But with the help of my teammates, I carved through the field from the back to 9th. Then went on to take 6th and just missed out on the podium by tenths.
“We always go well at Brands and I’m hoping to end on a high for everybody. We are 3rd in the Indy standings and top 10 in the main championship, but I want better so will never give up.”
“I can’t believe we’re already here at the last round,” said Jackson. “It’s been a challenging season with some big highs and lows. The aim is to end on another high and really go for it this weekend. It’s my favourite track of the season, not to mention my local and I’ve had some great weekends here in the past.
“We’re also trying something very different with the set-up. Hopefully, it will unlock some more pace from the car. We’re expecting to be competitive, but if we get it right, we can steal some last-minute glory.”
Rounds 28, 29 and 30 of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take places on the Brands Hatch GP Circuit this weekend. Live coverage of Sunday’s (October 13) events will be shown on ITV4, ITV4HV and via the ITVhub from 1030 – 1815; with itv.com/btcc featuring live timing and streaming from 1400 on Saturday (October 12), including the BTCC qualifying session from 1500.
