BRCA TC Nationals - Rnd 3
Round 3 of the 2009 BRCA Touring Car Nationals took place at the weekend at the fast flowing Cotswold track in Gloucestershire and provided an A final podium place for the Associated TC5.
The weather was not kind to racers with windy and wet conditions but drivers kept with the programme and got on with the racing. In the Super touring class Olly Jefferies was looking good on his home track, running lipo with a heavier car he was able to match the nippier lighter five cell cars and his reward was third on the grid for the A final. Olly?s super touring team mates did not fare as well this time out with Alan Bickerstaff struggling with technical problems and Andy Robson taking time to dial himself into the track but by the end of the day was he on the pace, Andy qualified 14th.
In Pro Stock it was a much better day for the team and a big improvement on previous performances, after a frustrating few meetings Steve Lander shock off his gremlins and was right in the mix, constantly changing conditions for the finals saw Steve score a third in leg one but a disappointing last run dropped him a little way down the order and Steve ended up 6th in the A final.
Zak Smith continues to gain confidence and he turned a few heads with a strong performance, Zak would qualify 6th in the B. Tom Jefferies was putting his local knowledge to good use and Tom was a very creditable 14th in qualifying, in the final run of qualifying Tom was second overall and was left cursing a poor run on Saturday that prevented him securing an A final slot along side Steve.
In the finals Zak got a 3rd and Tom 5th in the B final. Cameron Macdonald was also showing good pace and was 2nd in the C final.
In the Super Touring A final Olly was looking strong, a poor first final saw him drop out of second place after a mistake and then struggle behind a fighting Andy Moore and Ben Cosgrove. The second final was spoilt by an electrical problem that slowed the TC5 to a crawl in the last minute of the run. The last final and Olly was leading on slicks as it started to rain, the whole field tip toed round, some gracefully sliding off the tarmac, but Olly kept his head nerve and held on to take the win, a result that gave him second overall on the day.
So a good day for Team Associated and a good debut performance for the teams new sponsors Tonino Lamborghini, the gazebo had a really good team feel and the drivers worked hard to get the best out of their equipment and try and forget the awful weather outside, unlimited amounts of energy drink and a buffet supplied by Olly's mum helping to keep spirits in the team on a high.
Olly and Cameron jetted straight off to Luxemburg after the meeting to prepare for the Euros in two weeks time; the next UK national is in a month at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk
You can follow the exploits of the Associated touring car team each month in Radio Race Car International magazine, RRCi are following 'the team' through the year providing an interesting insight to what goes on not only track side but behind the scenes as well.
Zak Smith continues to gain confidence and he turned a few heads with a strong performance, Zak would qualify 6th in the B. Tom Jefferies was putting his local knowledge to good use and Tom was a very creditable 14th in qualifying, in the final run of qualifying Tom was second overall and was left cursing a poor run on Saturday that prevented him securing an A final slot along side Steve.
In the finals Zak got a 3rd and Tom 5th in the B final. Cameron Macdonald was also showing good pace and was 2nd in the C final.
In the Super Touring A final Olly was looking strong, a poor first final saw him drop out of second place after a mistake and then struggle behind a fighting Andy Moore and Ben Cosgrove. The second final was spoilt by an electrical problem that slowed the TC5 to a crawl in the last minute of the run. The last final and Olly was leading on slicks as it started to rain, the whole field tip toed round, some gracefully sliding off the tarmac, but Olly kept his head nerve and held on to take the win, a result that gave him second overall on the day.
So a good day for Team Associated and a good debut performance for the teams new sponsors Tonino Lamborghini, the gazebo had a really good team feel and the drivers worked hard to get the best out of their equipment and try and forget the awful weather outside, unlimited amounts of energy drink and a buffet supplied by Olly's mum helping to keep spirits in the team on a high.
Olly and Cameron jetted straight off to Luxemburg after the meeting to prepare for the Euros in two weeks time; the next UK national is in a month at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk
You can follow the exploits of the Associated touring car team each month in Radio Race Car International magazine, RRCi are following 'the team' through the year providing an interesting insight to what goes on not only track side but behind the scenes as well.
