Kent’s Michael Crees heads into the penultimate event of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season at Silverstone National Circuit this weekend absolutely brimming with confidence following on from his career-best showing just over three weeks ago at Thruxton.
Delivering a brace of top eight results and an additional ninth place during the three BTCC races at the Hampshire track, and also chalking-up a hat-trick of second place finishes in the Independents Trophy, Creesy was on cloud nine after overcoming so much recent misfortune.
Now, ahead of rounds 25, 26 and 27 of the season, the Broadstairs driver is determined to continue his superb momentum in the No.777 Vauxhall Astra and mount a challenge for major points as well as his maiden victory in the Independents Trophy.
Drivers always want to end a season strongly, and that’s especially true when a campaign has been derailed on multiple occasions through mechanical issues and other people’s incidents. With a fair wind at Silverstone, Creesy will be focused on delivering the sort of form he did last time out.
As one of the shortest tracks on the BTCC calendar, just 1.64-miles, Silverstone National delivers an all-action lap, each and every lap, and it is the kind of circuit which will suit the CarStore Power Maxed Racing entered Vauxhall Astra.
With the BTCC entry so closely matched at the Northamptonshire venue – last year the top 20 were covered by a mere 0.5 seconds in the first of two qualifying sessions – the grid determining run will be absolutely crucial, with hundredths and even thousandths of a second making a major difference.
As always, Creesy will be supported by his excellent portfolio of sponsors for the penultimate event of the 2022 season – Glencar Construction, Geberit, DDS Group, PCS, Fire Control Services, CTD, Blue Rock Systems, Aquadart and BITA.
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Michael Crees was in an optimistic mood:
“I’m buzzing for Silverstone, especially after Thruxton went so well for us – and there was actually the potential for even more there. Silverstone is obviously a short lap on the National Circuit, only four corners really, so lap times are mega close and you really do have to be on it in qualifying to get the last thousandth you can out of the car. Lose a couple of tenths and you’re way down the grid.
“It’s no secret we’ve had a tough year, with one thing and another, but Thruxton was a much fairer indication of where we should be and I’m confident – aside from any incidents or things you can’t predict – we should be able to carry that form into this weekend and have three strong races. I’m determined to put on a good show for my fantastic sponsors and, of course, the amazing BTCC fans.”
The first of the two free practice sessions at Silverstone will commence at 09.25 on Saturday, 24th September, with the second run beginning at 12.05. Qualifying will follow at 15.05 and will be streamed live online at www.itv.com/btcc
On Sunday, 25th September, round 25 will start at 11.40, round 26 will get underway at 14.25 and round 27 will close the day’s action at 17.10. All three races will be streamed online and screened live on ITV4.
2022 BTCC Independents Trophy Standings
9th Michael Crees, 210pts
2022 BTCC Drivers Championship
20th Michael Crees, 50pts
Picture supplied by Jakob Ebrey Photography.