Team BMW aim to strengthen their position as British Touring Car Championship leaders when the 2020 season reaches its halfway point at the series’ fastest circuit, Thruxton, this weekend.
With Colin Turkington and Tom Oliphant first and fourth in the Drivers’ points table and the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ title races also being led by the WSR-run team, it’s been a great start to the season.
“The almost three-week gap between Knockhill and Thruxton gave us a much-needed break and meant some of the team members could take a few days off for the first time since July,” commented Team Principal Dick Bennetts. “Everyone’s come back more motivated than ever to continue this strong start we’ve made.
“The new BMW 330i M Sports haven’t missed a beat since the start of the 2019 season and this, along with the quality of the preparation and both drivers’ ability to maximise every opportunity that’s come their way this year, have been the keys to our position in the championship.
“The stakes get higher as we move into the second half of the season. We’re the ones everyone wants to hunt down, but we’ve been in this position before and that experience will be crucial at what’s both the home circuit for ourselves and BMW UK.”
Three wins and 11 podium finishes from the 12 races so far have been a result of spectacular reliability from the pair of BMW 330i M Sports plus some superb on-track performances.
Northern Irishman Colin holds a 10-point lead in the battle for the Drivers’ crown after a best-ever start to a BTCC campaign that has included two victories and a double-podium at each of the four events held so far.
Thruxton has been the scene of four of his 53 career BTCC wins so far, but the task of adding to that total has been made harder for the four-time champion due to the maximum 60kg success ballast he must carry through practice, qualifying and the opening race as points leader.
Team-mate Tom, now in his third year of BTCC competition, is enjoying his best season to date in the series.
With a maiden race win at Brands Hatch and two further podium finishes, the Leamington Spa-based driver is fourth in the championship and so carries 42kg into the weekend.
Tom – one of only three drivers to score points in every race so far this year – secured a pair of top-five finishes on the BTCC’s most recent visit to Thruxton last August and is keen to take another step forwards and finish on the podium this time.
Comments