Silverline Chevrolet driver Alex MacDowall is hoping to score his second podium of the year at Croft this weekend. After feeling that he should have had pole position last time out at Oulton Park, MacDowall feels that the Chevrolet Cruze will be the car to beat at the twisty Croft.
The 19-year-old driver is from Carlisle in Cumbria and the Croft circuit near Darlington is as close to a home event as he gets.
Following strong pace last time out at Oulton Park, including a good qualifying, MacDowall hopes to be on the pace again from the very beginning. At Oulton Park MacDowall qualified in fourth just one hundredth of a second behind team-mate Jason Plato and only 0.069 seconds off the ultimate pole position pace.
“We should really have had pole position for the first race at Oulton but I made a mistake on my best lap in the final sector and that made all the difference”, said MacDowall. “At Croft, I think we should be just as strong so I’m aiming to qualify on the front row – it’d be nice to take the pole we should have had at Oulton.”
During the three races last time out MacDowall finished in the points in the first two races but was unlucky in the final race of the day when he was forced into retirement whilst leading the race. However the rookie driver is not looking back at what could have been and is instead focusing on the races ahead, adding that he is hoping to replicate his strong form at the North Yorkshire circuit from previous years in the support championships.
“Croft is definitely one of my top two favourite circuits – it’s my local track and there’s always a very good atmosphere,” he added. “It’s a daunting track and it’s fast too, which is what I like, plus it’s been a good circuit for me in the past. Last year I had a double pole, a win and a second place in Clios so I’m focused on trying to re-produce that sort of performance in the touring car.
“Although we should be quick on the straights, the Chevy will probably be strongest through the twisty parts of the track as it has very good grip on turn-in. I’m looking forward to the weekend, hopefully we can have a strong qualifying and three trouble-free races.”
All three races from this weekend’s meeting will be broadcast live on ITV4 on Sunday.