Michael Crees is targeting his most consistent and competitive weekend of the season so far just days from now, when the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship arrives at Oulton Park this weekend.
Heading to the picturesque and uniquely challenging track on a high following his best outing of the season so far at ultra-fast Thruxton just over a week ago, where the Kent driver secured a career-best result of eighth overall and third in the Independents in round nine, ‘Creesy’ is hungry for much more.
As well as carrying terrific momentum to Oulton’s Island Circuit, the Broadstairs racer will also be completely refreshed and revitalised after an enjoyable early summer break in Spain with his family immediately after the previous event.
Renowned as a true drivers’ circuit where an attacking mindset can reap huge rewards, Oulton is the kind of track where determination and great skill – two attributes the CarStore Power Maxed Racing driver has in abundance – play a major role.
With his No.777 hybrid-powered Vauxhall Astra improving each race weekend too, with constant work to develop the set-up and performance, the Glencar Construction, Geberit, DDS Group, PCS, Fire Control Services, CTD, Blue Rock Systems, Aquadart and BITA supported racer is feeling positive.
Last time out at Thruxton the race meeting wasn’t without its dramas for Creesy and his team, with electrical issues in opening practice and a misfire in qualifying putting him at a disadvantage. Come raceday, though, he progressed fantastically in all three encounters and his pace was impressive.
In the third encounter, round nine, where he charged through to his career-best top eight result, the Kent sportsman lapped under two tenths of a second away from the fastest lap of the race to really underscore the steps forward being made.
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Crees said: “I’m feeling really pumped for Oulton. It’s an amazing circuit, nailing a lap there feels so satisfying, and I really am determined to continue the momentum from the previous round at Thruxton. We obviously had some bad luck at the beginning of that weekend, but we all turned it around and the guys did a great job to give me a car capable of what we achieved in race three.
“It’s an amazing feeling to have taken my best result in the BTCC, but now I want much more than that and with the pace we had in race three at Thruxton I know we’re going the right way with our package at this stage.
“I’ve been away since Thruxton getting some good rest and recovery in Spain with my family, but the work never stops as I’ve been in constant contact with the team on how we will approach Oulton Park and the new challenges it brings with the Hybrid system. The next target is an Independents win and to be a regular fixture in the overall top 10, so let’s try and make that happen at the weekend!”
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