Team BMW’s Tom Oliphant says the new-for-2019 BMW 330i M Sport he will campaign in the British Touring Car Championship is the best car he has ever driven.
Oliphant was 12th fastest in the opening practice session while teammate Andrew Jordan topped the times, before Oliphant set the pace in second practice to the Team BMW trio.
He told TouringCars.Net that the slippery, damp conditions in that second session played a part in the BMW’s pace, but says he feels very comfortable in the car and confident for a wet qualifying.
“Every session we’re going a little bit into the unknown, especially now in the wet for qualifying,” said Oliphant.
“But obviously Andy [Jordan] topped FP1, then I topped FP2 – and that was difficult in FP2 – not a lot of dry running so I think that played into the timesheets a little bit.
“I feel comfortable in the car, and I think we can challenge definitely for the top ten and maybe even a bit better for qualifying.”
After previously racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Oliphant made his BTCC debut behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class run by Ciceley Motorsport last season.
He now makes the switch back to rear-wheel drive, and admits he welcomes the change back to more familiar territory as he feels he can extract more performance from the car.
“It’s going back to normal! I’ve only ever driven rear-wheel drive stuff before last year. It’s much more comfortable for me, I’m able to get a lot more out of the car,” he said.
“The car is the best car I’ve ever driven, especially balance-wise. The guys at WSR and BMW have done a fantastic job to build it the way they have, in the timeframe they have.
“And I think it’ll be a really, really good car for a couple of years to come. It’s just about learning at the first couple of rounds, finding the setup, getting used to the team and trying to get the maximum out of it I can.”
After learning the ropes in his maiden season last year, Oliphant has ambitious targets for 2019, and has his sights set on winning the Jack Sears Trophy as well as targeting race wins and podiums.
“[My goal is] to win the Jack Sears Trophy. I’ll have some stiff competition but I think in the car and the team I’m with that’s got to be my aim,” said Oliphant.
“Then overall, I’m aiming for top five or six in the championship, and to grab some race wins and quite a few podiums. I feel like we’ve got the pace, I’ve got the team and the setup and I’m much more experienced than I was this time last year.
“It’s ambitious, but if you don’t set your sights high then you never achieve.”