Rob Collard believes that a ‘big points’ haul is possible for Team BMW in this weekend’s British Touring Car Championship races at Snetterton, as he seeks to move into the top ten in the drivers’ standings.
Collard has only one podium finish to his name so far in 2018 – courtesy of victory at Oulton Park – but the Hampshire racer has an improving record at the Norfolk circuit, having claimed three of his four podiums at the track in the past two years.
The weekend will also feature an unusual one-off format change to celebrate the BTCC’s 60th Anniversary, with race three being run to twice the distance without success ballast as a result. The extra long encounter will also see double points awarded for the only time this season.
Collard believes he can claim a strong set of results at Snetterton and expects that the BMW will be one of the pace-setting cars without any additional weight.
“I’m looking forward to the second half of the season,” said Collard. “I’ve had three podiums in the past three years at Snetterton in the BMW – including a second and a third last year – so without success ballast, I think it’s possible to score big points and add to the Oulton Park win.
“We’ve had some bad luck this year, like the puncture at Croft in race two that potentially cost me a front-row start in race three, but that’s in the past.
“The task for the rest of the year is to keep the hammer down, go for the best possible finish every single time, and try to improve our championship position.”