Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan believes he can be a front runner at Thruxton this weekend as the BTCC kicks off for the first round of 2010.
The 20-year-old is about to begin his third full season in the BTCC and it will be the first time has has consistency on his side as he continues to race a Vauxhall Vectra like what he raced last season.
In last week’s final pre season test at Brands Hatch, where many of the teams unveiled their cars for the first time, Jordan set a best lap of 49.273 seconds and ended the day with the tenth quickest time.
However it is the first meeting of the season at the high-speed Thruxton circuit in Hampshire that really excites the young touring car racer. In 2009 he was challenging for the lead from pole position before dropping out, and last season he took his first podium of the year at Thruxton in a VX Racing 1-2-3.
“I really enjoy Thruxton, it’s a great circuit, really high speed and it requires a lot of commitment throughout the lap,” commented Jordan. “I have good memories of the circuit, in my first year I was challenging Plato for the lead after starting on pole and last year I scored my first podium with VX Racing, so hopefully it will be third time lucky for me this year.
Although Jordan is running one of the Vauxhall Vectra’s that he raced last year, he is one of the first drivers to use the new NGTC engine from TOCA. With the new turbo-charged engine performing well in early tests, Jordan is hoping it will work to his advantage around the super fast Thruxton circuit.
“If we have reliability on our side, then I think this will be the first real opportunity where we can showcase of the potential of the NGTC Turbo Engine,” he added. “The Vectra was quick around this circuit last season and with my experience of the chassis combined with the power of the engine, we are confident of challenging at the front.”
With no pressure of racing for a works team, Jordan is clearly looking forward to the season ahead. “I’m more relaxed, focused and excited about this season than ever before. It’s great to have the support of the family run team behind me as well as the tremendous backing we have from Pirtek, I just want to go out there and get them the results.”
I really enjoy Thruxton, it’s a great circuit, really high speed and it requires a lot of commitment throughout the lap. I have good memories of the circuit, in my first year I was challenging Plato for the lead after starting on pole and last year I scored my first podium with VX Racing, so hopefully it will be third time lucky for me this year.
“If we have reliability on our side, then I think this will be the first real opportunity where we can showcase of the potential of the NGTC Turbo Engine. The Vectra was quick around this circuit last season and with my experience of the chassis combined with the power of the engine, we are confident of challenging at the front.
“I’m more relaxed, focused and excited about this season than ever before. It’s great to have the support of the family run team behind me as well as the tremendous backing we have from Pirtek, I just want to go out there and get them the results.”