Aron Smith has had his first taste of the Redstone Racing NGTC Ford Focus, as the Irishman looks to finalise a deal to race the car in 2013.
Redstone Racing spent the day at their local circuit, Brands Hatch with both versions of their Ford Focus ST race cars as well as their British GT Championship winning Porsche 911 GT3.
Smith, who secured his first BTCC victory at Brands Hatch at the wheel of the S2000 version of the Focus, took advantage of the opportunity to try out the NGTC Ford Focus, which Redstone Racing team-mate Mat Jackson won it at Silverstone.
“As soon as I got into the NGTC I could immediately feel the difference from the S2000. It’s got so much more grip, and as good as the car is in its current set up, you can tell that it’s still only running at about 70% of what it’s capable of,” said an impressed Smith, who was recently named as ‘most promising newcomer’ by former Champion Tim Harvey.
After the run which Smith had in the car, he is full of praise for the car and the work which the team has put in; “Even in just the 10 or 12 laps I got in around Brands I loved being in the NGTC. You can just sense that the car has potential to be unbelievably good – in the areas where the guys have cracked the set up, it’s mind-blowingly strong.”
Smith’s first test in the NGTC Focus has whet his appetite for more and he hopes to return to the BTCC in 2013 at the wheel of the Redstone Racing NGTC Ford Focus ST.
“I have no doubt that with some more testing and development over the winter, the Motorbase NGTC has the potential to beat the Hondas and MGs and win the Championship in 2013, and I’m working very hard to secure a deal to be in it!” concluded the Irishman.