WSR drivers Rob Collard and Sam Tordoff remain optimistic after the Donington Park round of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), despite delivering no podium finishes.
Both drivers enjoyed a strong race one, with Tordoff leading the way in fifth after making up three positions during the race. It was an even stronger opening encounter for Collard, who climbed from 19th on the grid to take the chequered flag in eighth position.
Collard enjoyed another strong race in the second encounter, progressing to sixth after starting in eighth thanks to the eighth best lap in race one.
“I feel this is going to be a good season for me and everyone at WSR and Team JCT600 with GardX,” said Collard. “Qualifying was disappointing but we showed we had good race pace and was able to work our way towards the front throughout the day. Race one was fun as I made lots of passes to make my way up to eighth, and we showed similar form to grab sixth in the next one.”
The final race of the day proved to be one of the closest and most exciting in recent BTCC history, with Collard in the thick of the lead battle throughout. Ultimately the 46-year-old had to settle for fourth, having opted to use the super soft tyre in the race, which ultimately deteriorated faster than his rivals tyres.
“Race three was one of the most exciting and dramatic races to be involved in,” added Collard, who is joint seventh in the drivers’ standings. “We could have won but it could have also been a lot worse as there was just so much going on. To get fourth with the soft tyre was a great result.”
Tordoff fared less well than his team-mate. Having taken ninth in race two, the Yorkshireman was punted off by MG’s Jack Goff at the final chicane in race three.
“I suppose I come away from Donington Park with mixed emotions,” admitted Tordoff. “I was the fastest BMW driver in qualifying and kicking off race day with a top five result was a good solid start. I had to battle hard for another top ten in race two but then our fortunes began to change.
“We unfortunately missed out on the reverse grid draw and then I was punted out of the race. It’s frustrating but there are some positives that we can take into the rest of the season.”