Local teams and drivers will be looking to impress at the opening round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend.
Wrotham’s Motorbase team, rebranded Redstone Racing for 2012, is a genuine contender for victory, with a three-car attack from Mat Jackson, Liam Griffin and new signing Aron Smith.
“The plan for us is to hit the ground running but we will only know if that works at Brands Hatch,” said Jackson. “We’ve been in the championship for six years now and we’re still relatively young in terms of what we have got. The plan every year is to take the championship away from Plato or Neal.”
Sunbury’s West Surrey Racing also heads to the Kent track full of confidence. New Malden’s Tom Onslow-Cole joins regulars Nick Foster and Rob Collard, and the latter said: “We’ve got a very good upbeat feel around the team at the moment, we think we’re in for a very good season; I’ve got two very quick team mates as well, so between the three of us I’m sure we’re going to get some podiums.”
Dartford’s Tony Gilham also has high hopes for the season, after setting up his own team to run the Civic that was campaigned by 2011 runner-up Gordon Shedden last year. “It’s a big start with a decent car,” he said. “I can’t wait to race in front of my supporters at Brands Hatch and I’ll be aiming for three points finishes within the top ten at Brands Hatch.”
Meanwhile Thurrock’s AmD tuning.com team made good progress with its VW Golf in 2011 and has signed up promising newcomer Oliver Jackson, who debuted well with the Triple 8 team last summer.
Outside of the BTCC, several local drivers travel to Brands Hatch hopeful of good starts in the support categories. Goudhurst’s Jake Hill, son of ITV4 commentator Simon, moves up to the faster G55 cars after finishing fourth in the G50 class last year. Meanwhile in the Ginetta Junior Championship for teenagers, Southwater’s William Palmer starts his first full season of car racing at father Jonathan’s flagship circuit.
Essex-based Australian Tania Mann has generated publicity as the first woman to embark upon a full Porsche Carrera Cup campaign, whilst in the Renault Clio Cup, three drivers from Kent line up on the grid. Maidstone’s James Dixon was a contender for the 2011 title, and is joined by Mike Bushell from Tunbridge Wells and Mark Tilbury from Whitstable. All three join a series enjoying massive exposure thanks to the appearance of Lewis Hamilton’s brother Nicolas in the series.
Tickets for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch on 31 March – 1 April are on sale on the gate from £13, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.