Marsh buoyed by discovery

Richard Marsh appears confident that engine modifications on his Peugeot 307 will enable him and the Team Farecla squad to enjoy a trouble-free run in Knockhill’s three Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship rounds this Sunday (3 September).

Marsh’s car failed to race at Snetterton after its motor suffered terminal failure in Saturday qualifying. But the 38-year-old from Ashbourne says that after a rigorous investigation at their Coventry workshop his team’s engineers have found the cause of the problem and will have a cure in place at Knockhill.

“We’re really quite proud of ourselves because we think we’ve identified a problem that has been on the car since it was built in 2003,” explained Marsh.

“When we analysed the design of the oil catchment tank, we didn’t think it was quite right. Rather than oil returning to the sump, it was storing itself in the head. This is why we think we’ve had a problem with lubrication and suffered the bearing failure at Snetterton.”

As a result of this discovery, the 307 will feature a brand new catchment tank at Knockhill and Marsh believes the combination of this, a fresh engine and the configuration of the Scottish track will stand him in good stead.

Marsh added: “We’re desperate to show the BTCC what we’re really capable of and, with the confidence that we’ve now solved the catchment tank problem, I think all the ingredients are now in place for a decent weekend.

“The twisty nature of the track should suit our new engine and I won’t be happy unless I’m in the thick of the midfield action and able to hold my own.”