The Motorbase Performance run Airwaves Racing are targeting a strong home showing during the final three races of the 2013 British Touring Car Championship.
After a disappointing start to the campaign, the team have taken six podium finishes since the summer break to arrive at Brands Hatch as one of the teams to beat on the 2.30 mile Grand Prix configuration.
On the back of his double podium finish last time out at Silverstone, Irishman Aron Smith returns to the scene of his maiden BTCC victory last year. Smith’s victory in the penultimate round of the 2012 campaign was the last outright win for an S2000 specification car.
With three races left in the season, Smith currently occupies ninth in the standings but is only 15 points behind team-mate Mat Jackson in 8th.
“The GP track is one of the tracks on the calendar that I count down the days to; it’s a place I’ve always loved and especially after claiming my maiden victory around there last year,” explains Smith.
“Coming off the back of my most successful weekend ever in the BTCC at Silverstone; I expect our Airwaves Racing Focus to be able to challenge at the front once again so hopefully I’ll be able to put on a good show in-front of the home crowd.”
Former Brands Hatch GP winner Jackson is looking to sign off his campaign with a win. Since he joined the grid in 2007, he has taken at least one victory a season and has finished no lower than 7th in the drivers’ standings.
He is 20 points behind Adam Morgan in the Ciceley Racing Toyota Avensis and with a strong weekend, he could move himself into 7th place overall.
“Driving the Brands Hatch GP circuit is always an amazing experience and one that I look forward to every year,” added the 2008 BTCC drivers’ runner up.
“I’m going there looking for the win; we have a car that is in the window and should suit the fast layout of the GP. With the championship yet to be settled it’s going to be very close but I just need to stay out of trouble and focus on a big points haul.”
Tom Onslow-Cole has also taken victories on the undulating 2.30mile Brands Hatch GP circuit in a Ford, while driving the LPG powered Team Aon Ford Focus in 2010.
After a tough couple of rounds in Northamptonshire, he is hoping for a strong weekend at the teams’ local circuit – their base is just a mile down the road from the circuit. He is within 20 Championship points of finishing the season 11th overall, with three podium finishes to his name while driving the Team Hard VW Passat CC.
“We tested on the Brands Indy circuit last week and had one of the most productive tests I’ve ever had in a touring car,” explained the #6 Airwaves Racing driver.”We went from a car that was quite nervous and difficult to drive but fairly quick to a car that was really quick and very raceable (sic) so I’m really looking forward to the weekend.
“Brands GP is a fantastic circuit; it’s really quick with some technical sections as well and I think the Focus is going to be well suited to the circuit. It’s one of my favourites to race on and I’ve already had a few races on the track this year so hopefully I’ve already got a heads up on what’s to come!” Onslow-Cole concluded.