BTC Racing’s Josh Cook admitted he had “never been so relieved” after converting reverse grid pole into his first victory of the 2020 campaign in race three at Thruxton.
Cook, who has suffered seemingly never-ending bad luck so far this season, held off team-mate Tom Chilton and the fast-starting BMW of Tom Oliphant behind before setting about building his lead.
He would eventually cross the line over three seconds clear of Chilton who fell back with an issue in the closing stages, taking a comfortable victory that he admitted looked easier on camera than it was for him in the car.
Clearly relieved, Cook cited the Oulton Park disqualification after his on-the-road victory in race one as part of the reason he was so grateful to finally get his first win of the 2020 season.
“I’ve never been so relieved! It probably didn’t look it from the outside but I was clinging on to that, it was qualifying laps every lap, I just needed to bring it home,” said Cook.
“The guys and girls at BTC obviously deserve it, it’s been a tough few weeks, it’s been a tough weekend. To come home with a win for the team – especially after what happened at Oulton Park – is just mega.”
Having suffered with a recurring braking issue throughout the day at the high-speed Hampshire circuit, Cook admitted the problem was still not solved in race three, but emphasised how much the team needed a strong result to boost morale.
“We took a big step forward in race two, I don’t think we’ve got to the bottom of it yet but they’ve just worked tirelessly,” he said. “We really needed a good result, obviously morale has been down a little bit, we’ve just had struggle after struggle so far.
“Like I said I’m just so chuffed for the whole team – my number one Dom – he’s worked flat out trying to get the car ready for this weekend and during the weekend, it’s credit to the whole team.
“I’m just so glad that we finished with a 1-2 for BTC Racing.”
With nothing to lose in terms of the championship battle, Cook admitted his approach is to “go for glory” for the remaining rounds of the British Touring Car Championship season, with Silverstone coming up next weekend.
“You’ve got to just roll with the punches in BTCC and we’ve just approached every weekend the same, fresh start,” he said.
“We’re going to have to do the same at Silverstone, we’re just going for the glory, we’re going to have our elbows out and try and have more of what we’ve just had!”