British Touring Car Championship outfit Triple Eight Racing are aiming to add to their collection of titles in 2015, after a busy day at the series’ annual Season Launch event.
The team, who won the manufacturers’ crown last season, enjoyed a successful afternoon of testing at Leicestershire’s Donington Park circuit, having earlier revealed the livery for Jack Goff’s 2015 challenger.
While it was former driver Jason Plato who topped the afternoon’s official test session, both Goff and 2013 champion Andrew Jordan enjoyed another productive session in their pair of MGs.
Jordan, who was fifth quickest, felt that although the test fell slightly short of his expectations, there was every reason to be confident as he attempts to reclaim the drivers’ title.
“It’s been a good day, but I haven’t quite achieved what I wanted to,” he said. “Today we didn’t quite find the sweet spot, but we have a few more things to try and I think we’ll be ready for the race in a few weeks time.
“Coming back to Triple Eight has been great and I’ve enjoyed working with the team, it’s a really positive place to be. I’m looking forward to getting the real stuff started in a week and a half at Brands; we had a test there a few weeks ago and I feel pretty confident about our chances there and over the course of the year. The MG was the fastest front-wheel-drive car last season and it looks like it will be a challenger again this year.”
Goff, who ended the afternoon one position higher than his teammate, also completed the most laps of any driver (65) and was delighted to formally unveil his machine for 2015.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to race with Triple Eight, MG and Andrew,” said the 24-year-old. “Triple Eight have a huge history in the series, I remember watching the BTCC on TV and seeing them dominate; it’s very exciting to be part of the team now.
“Similarly, MG has a massive heritage in motorsport. It’s great to be part of that now and having begun my racing career in a MG ZR, I feel my MG racing career has now gone full-circle.
“I love the car and the new livery is excellent. We go about things slightly differently and I have a number of partners who help bring me to the grid. It’s a brilliant group of people and without them, MG and Triple Eight we wouldn’t be here today. Hopefully we can go and win some pots together!”
Despite news yesterday that West Surrey Racing and their three BMWs would join Team Dynamics and Support Our Paras as Triple Eight’s rivals for the Manufacturer/Constructor crown in 2015, the team insisted that their sights were fixed on retaining that title and helping their drivers to achieve their individual aspirations.
“We’re the reigning manufacturer/constructor champions, so first and foremost our desire is to successfully defend that against the opposition. Andrew has unfinished business with us and he has his sights firmly set on lifting the drivers title. Jack has a host of personal goals that we want to help him realise too, and his pace has been encouraging. We’re under no illusions about the depth of quality on the grid this year, but we’re in a strong position to challenge for the titles.”
Jack Goff photo courtesy of Jakob Ebrey Photography.