The United Autosports team are looking forward to their first break from action in the British Touring Car Championship, as they continue to make progress in their first season in the championship.
The team had already made heroic efforts to get James Cole onto the grid at Thruxton after his car was written off at Donington Park, less than two weeks prior to the event, but the debutantes looked to have made serious progress at the Hampshire circuit when Cole – who only had the chance to shakedown his Toyota Avensis two days before the event – qualified in 14th, 1.1s away from Andrew Jordan’s pole time.
The races were not so kind to the team however, with Cole retiring from two of the three races and finishing 20th in the other, although Glynn Geddie added more points to his championship tally after two 15th placed finishes, the latter coming after an Exclusion for Rob Austin.
Cole was nevertheless grateful for the efforts of his team, and was pleased to be able to begin showing the true potential of his car at the fastest circuit on the calendar.
“The United Autosports guys did a remarkable job just getting me on the grid this week in a newly built up Toyota so hat’s off to them for a tremendous effort,” said the 25-year-old. “Qualifying was good and I was pleased to be only a little over a second off pole-position and in the top half of the grid.
“Unfortunately I was the innocent victim of other drivers’ accidents in two of the three races which doesn’t help our cause.”
Geddie shared the team’s view that the five-week break could only be a good thing, as they look to learn more about the cars and move up the competitive order.
“I’m certain the break in the series will give us an opportunity to make up ground on our rivals. Essentially the opening nine races have been glorified test sessions. The series is so incredibly competitive.
“The team is doing a good job. We’ll be testing during the break and hopefully head to the next races at Oulton Park having closed the gap on the opposition.”