![Rory Butcher, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK [Speedworks Motorsport], Toyota Corolla](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/RoryButcherToyota.jpg "Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography")
Toyota’s Rory butcher says his ‘hopes are high’ heading to this weekend’s British Touring Car Championship races at Oulton Park, with the Scot hoping to emulate previous victories.
Butcher has won on each of his previous visits to the Cheshire circuit in Toyota machinery, taking a pole position and race one victory in 2020, and a race two victory last year.
With strong previous form, Butcher is hoping to be able to get build momentum in his 2022 campaign, which sees him sitting ninth overall in the drivers’ championship standings going into the event, with just one podium to his name thus far.
“Moving on from a tough weekend at Thruxton and going back to the scene of my first win with the Toyota Corolla, hopes are high,” said Butcher.
“That was a very special moment last year, and it was wonderful to see how much it meant to Christian, Amy [Dick – Team Manager] and the whole crew.
“I’m feeling really good in the Corolla right now, so hopefully we can deliver a similar result this time around.
“Oulton Park is unquestionably one of the country’s most iconic circuits, and somewhere I’ve enjoyed racing at throughout my career – right back to my very early days in Formula Ford.
“I just love the place; it’s such a varied track, with constant undulations and the contrast between its fast, flowing sections and the tight, technical nature of the Island Bend hairpin and Knickerbrook Chicane.
“It’s a tremendous challenge for drivers and teams, and it’s really hard to string together a perfect lap – everything needs to be absolutely spot-on.
“Not only that, but with it being so narrow, overtaking is tricky so exploiting the hybrid system will be key, especially exiting Island Bend going up Hill Top and climbing Clay Hill after the Knickerbrook Chicane, where I expect the extra power to be particularly effective.
“With that in mind, maximising free practice will be even more important than usual, since qualifying will be crucial.
“We need to try to get onto the front few rows of the grid in order to give ourselves a fighting chance in the races, because if we can get the most out of Saturday, Sunday will take care of itself.”