James Nash and Tony Gilham both make their debuts in a touring car at Thruxton this weekend and both drivers are looking forward to Sundays’ three races. Nash, who currently leads the driver’s championship, is confident that with Triple Eight’s past form at the fast circuit he is in good stead to score well come race day.
“I’ve not been to Thruxton in a saloon car before,” said Nash. “Mind you Triple Eight have always gone well with the Vauxhall and I’m driving with confidence so yes, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Nash, 25, leads the championship for the first time in his career – despite having yet to secure his first BTCC win.
“It’s great too to be leading the championship but it’s still early days and I’m not getting carried away with it all just yet,” he added. “There’s a long way to go and some very good drivers to try and beat.”
Tony Gilham, who enters his third weekend at the wheel of a BTCC car, is hoping to record more points finishes. After finishing in the points in all three races at Brands Hatch he was able to record just one points finish last time out at Donington Park.
“I always look forward to racing at Thruxton,” said Gilham. “Our race pace is good, but after Donington when I got involved in a final race crash I want to record some points finishes this weekend. Additionally after a few sponsorship worries before the last meeting it will be nice to get out racing again.”
Chairman of Triple Eight Race Engineering, Ian Harrison, is hoping for more of the success that the team have enjoyed at Thruxton in the past. Last year Fabrizio Giovanardi took two wins at the circuit for the outfit – their first as an independent entry. Additionally in 2009 Triple Eight took a coveted 1-2-3 finish in one of the races.
“We’ve had some very good days at Thruxton before so hopefully it will be more of the same,” said Harrison. “However as always at Thruxton with its abrasive track surface and fast right handers tyres are going to be the key.”
Harrison went on to give a valuable insight into how Sunday’s races might be decided.
“Tyres, particularly the front left, will be even more of a concern this year with the heavier turbo engine and our drivers are really going to have to manage them. Patience is the thing. If you feel the car going away from you just back off and bag the points instead of going for the ultimate honour and risk a puncture or worse, a non-finish.”