Oulton Park in Cheshire is next on the agenda for Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship gets back underway this coming weekend (June 9/10).
Three convincing points finishes for the Motorbase-run squad at Thruxton last month helped to bolster the squad’s championship position, with Tom Chilton leading the charge for the Kent-based outfit. The 33-year-old secured an excellent haul of points for the title campaign and is eager to carry that momentum forward on the demanding 2.26mile Island configuration.
Team-mate James Cole sadly had a weekend to forget last time out, nonetheless the Liverpool-based racer has reset after his ‘bogey’ circuit and is looking to reclaim his impressive early round form and put claim to some silverware on his home circuit.
Oly Collins, Team Manager commented; “Thruxton was another positive learning weekend for us with the RS, which resulted in some decent points finishes.
“It’s the first time that we had run the RS and our 2018 driver line up in the higher temperatures. With track temps nearing 40 degrees it was somewhat different to what we’ve been running in this year. So going into Oulton Park, we’re ready for whatever the English weather can throw at us.”
Both Chilton and Cole are ballast-free heading into Saturday’s qualifying session; so hopes are high of another strong starting position for the first of Sunday’s three contests. Chilton in particular has set competitive lap times in the Focus RS – securing top 8 qualifying spots during all three meetings so far this season.
“Oulton Park is definitely a circuit where qualifying is key. Qualifying has been one of our best attributes this season so hopefully that pays dividends;” added Collins. “If it’s dry all weekend it can be really difficult to overtake there. Oulton is also a killer on brakes so we’ll be keeping an eye on that area of the car.
“Historically Oulton Park has suited the rear wheel drive cars, but hopefully we can change that. We’re light so there is no reason why we shouldn’t be right up the front. James and Tom are both looking forward to it as it’s a circuit they’ve both gone well at in the past.
“With the pace that we’ve shown so far this season, the podium can’t be far away!”
Driver quotes:
#3 Tom Chilton:
“The best thing about Oulton Park is the fans. We’re really on the limit there and it’s great for them to get so close to the action and really feel a part of it. It always has a great atmosphere there.
“We need to keep moving up in the championship. We were really happy to grab some strong points at Thruxton and I’m hoping to carry that form into this weekend.
“We should be confident that we had a great qualifying car at Donington Park and the tyre and track temperatures are going to be a lot more similar at Oulton. I think we’ll have a strong qualifying and the aim for me is get two podiums this weekend and give our championship campaign a real boost. I’d love to get back into the top 10 in the standings by the end of this weekend.”
#20 James Cole:
“Oulton Park is a special circuit for me; it’s where I first started racing and also where I won the Formula ford championship back in 2007 which set me on the career path to BTCC. It’s a great circuit and I can’t wait to attack it again. It’s a special meeting that always has a great festival feel to it which makes the racing even more fun and enjoyable.
“It’s a challenging circuit and hopefully the weather will be in our favour. We’ve learnt a lot over the last couple of rounds and racing in the high temperatures at Thruxton means we can take that data into Oulton Park. I’m looking forward to picking up from where I left off at Donington Park, getting back into the top 6 and staying there.”
Rounds 10, 11 and 12 of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship take place at Oulton Park, Cheshire on June 9/10.
Race day coverage will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4, ITV4HD and via the ITVhub on Sunday 10th June from 11:15 – 18:00.
Live streaming of Saturday’s (June 9th) qualifying session is available to watch online from 15.25 on http://www.itv.com/btcc/qualifying-live with live timing for all sessions also available at: http://www.tsl-timing.com/event/182303
