AmD Milltek Racing.com head to Thruxton this weekend hoping to build on their success so far this year. Last time out at Donington Park Tom Onslow-Cole ensured the Essex-based outfit had their best weekend in the BTCC to date by scoring their first points in the second race. This was followed by Onslow-Cole briefly leading the final race of the day.
However the team expect the situation to be more difficult at the high-speed Hampshire venue – especially as Onslow-Cole himself knows how quick the Vauxhall Vectra can be around the track.
“Thruxton is probably my favourite circuit in the country,” said 23 year-old Onslow-Cole. “I spend a lot of time there working and I’m really looking forward to the weekend.
“We have a good handling car and are now getting more power from the engine, but I know from experience that the Vauxhall Vectra has both the handling and the power and I expect them to be strong this weekend. Until we arrive at the circuit, it’s difficult to know exactly how everyone will perform but I think we’re in for a good weekend.
“Our season so far has been all about making progress and taking steps forward. We’ve eliminated some of the issues we had and have managed to break into the top ten for the first time to put some points on the board. This is only the third round of the season and if we can score points again this weekend then it will be more good progress for the team.”
Team Principal Shaun Hollamby, who raced the Volkswagen Golf last season, admitted that Thruxton will be more of a challenge than Donington Park due to the circuit’s high-speed nature not playing to the car’s strengths.
“Thruxton probably won’t be our strongest circuit as its very high-speed and the Golf doesn’t have the aerodynamics of some of the other cars,” said Hollamby. “However, we found a number of things at Donington Park and we’ll aim to keep moving forwards this weekend. The car has good handling, which you need at Thruxton, and even though it won’t be easy, we’re definitely looking to score more points and build on the performance at Donington Park.
“Tom is getting more from the car each time he goes out on track and we are making improvements all the time. If we can come away from Thruxton having collected the same kind of result as at Donington Park, then I’ll be happy as now we’ve broken into the top ten, regular points finishes are our aim through the rest of the season.
“Thruxton was the circuit where we competed with the Golf for the first time last year, and I’m interested to compare how far we’ve come when we return this weekend.”
Tom Onslow-Cole is currently 14th overall in the drivers championship and 9th overall in the Independent drivers championship. Rounds 7, 8 and 9 take place at Thruxton this weekend and all three races will be broadcast live on ITV4 on Sunday.
In other AmD Milltek News:
Jake Hill has been signed as the new junior driver for the AmD Milltek Racing.com BTCC team. The 17 year-old will be working alongside the team at the remaining meetings of the year and also at their Thurrock base. Then at the end of the season Hill will get the opportunity to test the team’s Volkswagen Golf touring car.
Hill also picks up new sponsors for his campaign in the Ginetta G50 Supercup which supports the BTCC, as AmD Milltek and Tesco Momentum 99 sponsor the rising star.
“Of course the support of AmD Milltek and Tesco Momentum 99 is fantastic, and the chance to learn from the team will be incredible,” said Hill. “But I am so, so excited about driving the BTCC car at some point – although my race car has about the same power it will be a completely new experience.
“Who knows, ultimately it may become possible to race for the team; that really would be a dream come true. But one thing at a time! I am really, really grateful to Shaun [Hollamby], Chris [Tweed] and the team for this opportunity.”
Good luck to them! It’ll be real challenge at Thruxton though, hope the VW/Audi TFSI engine has enough grunt.