Alex MacDowall heads to the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia this weekend (31 March/1 April) looking to secure his maiden victory in the Yokohama Independents trophy after his strong opening weekend at Monza last time out.
The WTCC rookie secured a second and third in class last time out to end the weekend as the joint leader of the trophy in his bamboo engineering Chevrolet Cruze.
Just like Monza, Valencia is another circuit which the Carlisle racer has no experience of and the four kilometre circuit is widely expected to suit the BMW 320TC race cars, like the one of Stefano D’Aste, but MacDowall is confident that the Chevrolet Cruze will be a potent piece of kit around the Spanish circuit.
“We can aim a bit higher at Valencia, we can definitely do better than at Monza – there I really just wanted to get the first weekend in the championship out of the way with a couple of decent results, but now I’m aiming for more”, said Alex.
“I think the Cruze will be the strongest front-wheel drive car in Valencia but everyone says it’s a BMW track so (Stefano) D’Aste should be strong. We need to stay out of trouble and try to pick up as many points as we can, but I’m also going there to try and win at least one race.”
Having made a strong impact on his WTCC debut at Monza, MacDowall arrives in Spain sitting eighth overall in the outright Championship and the second best placed British driver, his stock and reputation has risen in double quick time.
“I think after Monza I’m used to the car and tyres really”, said Alex, who has had to adapt from the naturally aspirated Chevrolet Cruze which he used in the BTCC to the 1.6litre turbocharged version of the WTCC.
“In terms of getting the raw speed, I’m fine with that, the thing to get used to is the difference with the turbo not having the engine braking of a normally aspirated car like the Cruze I had in the BTCC last year. I’ve had to adapt to that, the front-end is a bit heavier too, but other than that I think we’re pretty much there really.
“The Dunlop tyres I ran on in the BTCC the last couple of years probably had better grip over a single lap but the Yokohamas are much more durable, more consistent through the race, so you’re able to keep putting the lap times in.”