Tom Onslow-Cole believes that the Donington Park circuit, which hosts this weekend’s penultimate BTCC meeting, will suit his Team Aon Ford Focus. Currently third in the championship standings, Onslow-Cole knows that he needs a strong weekend to stay in contention for the overall championship at the final meeting.
“Donington Park is one of my favourite circuits in the country, it is right up there with Thruxton for me,” said Onslow-Cole. “I love the flowing nature of the layout, which should also really suit my Ford Focus. Looking at the championship standings this is really a make or break weekend. I will need another points haul similar to Silverstone’s if I am going to remain in contention and push Jason (Plato) and Matt (Neal) for the title.”
Last time out at Knockhill the team had a difficult weekend as the Scottish circuit didn’t suit the gas-powered car. Following restrictions for the Silverstone meeting, in which the Focus’ turbo engine was further restricted, the team were never able to get on the front foot at Knockhill around a track that favours a strong set-up over engine power.
Onslow-Cole managed the team’s only podium of the weekend in Scotland, whilst Tom Chilton just missed out on the podium with a best result of 4th in race two. Chilton echoed his team-mate’s views on his chances at Donington this weekend and is optimistic of a much stronger weekend.
“I think our car will be good around Donington and so I really hope we can challenge for podiums in each race”, admitted Chilton. “That will help in the battle for the other championships up for grabs, like the Constructors and the Independents titles. I’ve always enjoyed racing at Donington, so I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
With Chilton currently 5th in the championship and 59 points adrift of leader Plato, he admits that his own championship challenge is effectively over now. “Realistically I think my chances of winning the driver’s title are now remote, I really need the leaders to have bad races, but anything is possible with the BTCC!”
Team principal Mike Earle doesn’t believe the pressure is on his team but that it is on Chevrolet and Honda to lose the championship instead.
“As we move towards the conclusion of this year’s championship the pressure ramps up on everyone, but we really have nothing to lose at this stage,” said Earle. “We are attempting to hunt down our rivals in front of us and the championship is really theirs to lose. Our Ford Focus should be strong around Donington and so hopefully we can score some consistent results to ramp up the pressure on Jason and on Honda.”