United Autosports boss Richard Dean admits that he has “many positives” to take forward from Brands Hatch, despite drivers James Cole and Glynn Geddie taking just one points finish between them at the weekend.
Cole took a best finish of 14th in the day’s final race, having earlier been turned around by Martin Depper at Druids in the opening race leaving the Southport driver with a recovery task for race two. Scotsman Geddie secured a brace of 20th positions and followed it up with 25th in the final race after pitting as a result of earlier contact.
“There are many positives to take forward from Brands Hatch but our first three races underline that we’ve a lot of work to do,” admitted Team Owner Dean. “None of us have previous experience with the New Generation Touring Car [NGTC] formula apart from James who ran a handful of races last year but we nevertheless made progress this weekend.
“We’re learning fast and that’s the vital element. James finished less than half a second behind reigning BTCC champion Andrew Jordan in the last race and he’d won the opening two races today.”
Despite the Anglo-American team racking up significant pre-season testing mileage, the Leeds-based outfit will now be limited to the amount of testing they can do during the season.
“Once the cars were ready we tested as much as humanly possible, bearing in mind our team competed in the Bathurst 12 Hours and have Ginetta and British GT programmes running simultaneously,” added Dean. “Now the season has started we’re only allowed to test on four days during the campaign. It’s a steep learning curve but our race pace improved each time today.”
Cole, who racked up significant pre-season testing mileage with the team, admits that there is more to come from him and the car as the season progresses.
“The important element is that we head for the next three races at Donington Park having moved forward in terms of gaining experience with the Toyota,” said Cole. “We haven’t scratched the surface in terms of the car’s potential and so to have scored some points is a bonus at this stage in the car’s development.”
Geddie endured a more challenging weekend, securing a best finish of 20th in the day’s first and second races – his first at the wheel of a front-wheel drive racing car. Consequently Geddie was pleased to simply be able to finish all three races and gain more valuable experience.
“Every race mile I clock up is a step in the right direction as the BTCC is a steep learning curve for myself and the team,” admitted Geddie. “I’ve now some front-wheel-drive race mileage again under my belt. With each race we’re learning together and moving forward as a team.”
United Autosports weekend results
| POS | NO | CL | DRIVER | NAT | ENTRANT | CAR | LAPS | TIME/GAP | BEST | GD |
| 20 | 21 | I | Glynn GEDDIE |  |
United Autosports | Toyota Avensis | 24 | 33.914 | 49.635 | 23 |
| R | 20 | I | James COLE | |
United Autosports | Toyota Avensis | 14 | 10 Laps | 49.512 | 19 |
| POS | NO | CL | DRIVER | NAT | ENTRANT | CAR | LAPS | TIME/GAP | BEST | GD |
| 20 | 21 | I | Glynn GEDDIE | |
United Autosports | Toyota Avensis | 27 | 12.855 | 49.488 | 20 |
| 21 | 20 | I | James COLE | |
United Autosports | Toyota Avensis | 27 | 13.256 | 49.631 | 29 |
| POS | NO | CL | DRIVER | NAT | ENTRANT | CAR | LAPS | TIME/GAP | BEST | GD |
| 14 | 20 | I | James COLE | |
United Autosports | Toyota Avensis | 27 | 11.184 | 49.274 | 21 |
| 25 | 21 | I | Glynn GEDDIE | |
United Autosports | Toyota Avensis | 24 | 3 Laps | 49.578 | 20 |