Rob Collard: “Season has re-lit the fire in my belly”

West Surrey Racing’s Rob Collard says his progress in the 2014 season has reignited his love of racing – and said working with team boss Dick Bennetts as engineer has been a big factor in that.

Collard was in contention at the sharp end at Oulton Park all weekend, with results of second, third and 11th not telling the full story.

After following team-mate Colin Turkington home in race one, Collard repeated the feat in the second race, but was dropped back  to third when the stewards ruled he had passed Rob Austin under the safety car.

He was then running third in the finale before a clash with Triple Eight’s Jason Plato at Lodge dropped him down the field.

Collard was frank about his current emotions compared with those felt during a trying 2013, where he struggled with the then-new BMW 125i throughout.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Collard said: “I can’t wait to move on to the next round now. Every time I get in the car I’m really excited – it’s re-lit the fire in my belly.

“Last year I didn’t want to drive the car, I didn’t have that hunger. Everything I did with the car didn’t seem to work. This time, we’ve changed the car, I’m working with my new engineer Dick Bennetts, and we’ve got the car to handle.

“Colin has driven an absolutely stellar weekend, but I’ve had two second places and not been outside the top four in either of the practice or qualifying sessions. It’s a strong weekend.”

The 2003 independents champion was left with mixed emotions after the incidents he found himself involved in .

He said: “It’s a fantastic weekend in lots of ways. If I was offered this haul of points before coming to Oulton Park I think I would have snapped somebody’s arm off. And now you look at it and perhaps it’s what could have been.

“I got tripped up in race two by Colin – he slowed down under the safety car and I had nowhere to go. I had to slow down as you can’t overtake the leader.

“Rob Austin jumped through, which leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. To overtake somebody under the safety car, regardless of whether it’s a yellow flag or not, it didn’t need to happen.

“Race three I was holding my own nicely, sat behind Gordon [Shedden], really really comfortable. And I just didn’t expect to get a massive whack from a wild MG.

“It was a bit out of character for Jason. He shouldn’t have done it. We could have all gone a bit quicker, but what’s the point in risking it that early in the race? I like Jason as a friend, and I’m disappointed to be honest.”

Plato disagreed with Collard’s version of events when he was interviewed by ITV after the race.

He said: “I just wish Rob hadn’t closed the door when I was already committed and in. I’m sure we’ll dispute that bit of Tarmac in the bus.”