Speedworks Motorsport Team Principal Christian Dick admits that the team should be doing better as the British Touring Car Championship heads into a five week break after Thruxton.
“We should be much better,” he said. “However to feel like that after two top 10 finishes, and having the first Toyota to finish twice, means the glass is half full at the moment.”
Dave Newsham in the #17 Toyota Avensis secured his first triple points score of the campaign and in the process, the best points total of the season for the team.
He was also the top Toyota driver in two of the three races around the Hampshire circuit.
“That’s the biggest positive we can take from the weekend,” explained the 2 time BTCC race winner.
“It’s a small consolation though because I can’t help but feel disappointed; we still need to find more pace.
“We’ll go testing before the next round [at Oulton Park] and try to unlock more speed from the car.”
Having qualified ninth for the opening race of the weekend, the Inverness racer finished 8th and set the 4th fastest lap of the race.
Having diced with 2009 Champion Colin Turkington during the second race of the day, he dropped down to 12th after running wide whilst trying to pass the BMW driver.
He secured another top 10 finish in the final race as he brought home the Hughes Safety Shower backed car home 9th.
“Right now we’re basically testing and experimenting as we race, which is costing us while others are spending time on fine tuning,” he continued.
“The balance of the car was much better and it was easier to drive on the limit. As the race went on, I noticed that my lap times were better too.”
Having finished the damn first practice session second fastest, Ollie Jackson ultimately wound up pointless after the three races.
He finished just outside the points in the opening two races before a spin in the final race meant that he retired with tyre damage.
“It’s a shame as the car was handling a lot better by the end of Saturday which had put me in a good position for the races,” explained the 29 year old Attleborough based racer.
“We’ll keep trying to make progress.”