Race Preview: BTCC returns at Donington
Donington Park is situated close to M1, next to the East Midlands Airport. Nottingham, Derby and Leicester are not far away. Donington benefits from its central UK location attracting bumper crowds each season.
Previously at Donington
Anyone that attended the BTCC race at Donington in 2007 will surely remember the torrential rain that poured for much of the day. Some of the support races had to be withdrawn due to poor visibility and track conditions. The weather however was instrumental in ensuring all three races were eventful. In 2007 Shedden won Race 1, then Plato took the final two races.
The season so far
It was not a surprise when the BTCC season kicked off at Brands Hatch that Giovanardi would be at the top of the race results taking two wins. Rockingham was hit by rain particularly in race 3 and saw three different drivers take race wins, with Shedden in race 1, Jackson in race 2 and Matt Neal. Giovanardi currently leads Jackson in the drivers championship standings.
Quotes prior to the race
Jason Plato – SEAT Sport UK
“I’m really upbeat about our chances at Donington. We learned something about Leon TDI last time out at Rockingham which, although unproven, gave us a good reaction. If this new theory on set-up works well at Donington, we’ll be looking really good for the rest of the season. We don’t know for sure if it’s going to work, but we’re hopeful. I’ve got a sneaking feeling that we’re honing in on the car’s sweet spot and when we find it we’ll be quick. It’s a risky strategy to take on a race weekend, because if it doesn’t work in the first free practice session, do we go back to a set-up we know works well-ish or do we persevere, knowing that if it still doesn’t work we’ll have destroyed our chances of qualifying well? It’s a situation we find ourselves in having been unable to do any pre-season testing, but I’m up for taking the risk.”
Dick Bennetts – WSR Team Principal
“It has been a frustrating weekend for Team RAC. Colin and Stephen each suffered damage to their cars due to other competitors actions in race one, which meant we started race two on the back foot. Despite this, both drivers made great starts and showed the pace of the Team RAC BMW’s. After some brilliant driving in the wet final race, both lost out due to the safety car intervention.”
“Team RAC is looking forward to the next event at Donington and we’re confident both drivers will go well there. Stephen is quickly adapting to the rigours of touring car racing and is now regularly mixing it with the ‘big boys’ up the front. Colin continually demonstrates he is one of the best touring car drivers out there and just needs an ounce of luck to get him back to the top.”
Gordon Shedden – Team Halfords said after Rockingham
“To stick it on pole was a bonus as I was about a second quicker than on the media day. To win race one under the circumstances was really special, and I want to dedicate that win to David Leslie. Two fourth places finishes after that are results I’m delighted with, especially with the ballast onboard in race two and the fact I couldn’t see anything in race three because my car steamed up. I’m delighted to bring it home in one piece and to get some solid points. I’ve won at Donington Park for the last two years, so it is a happy hunting ground for me and here’s hoping I can add to it next time out.”
Schedule – Sunday 4 May (subject to change)
09.10 – Formula Renault UK with Michelin
09.50 – Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
10.30 – Ginetta Junior Championship
11.00 – BTCC Pit Lane Opens
11.10 – HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship
11.55 – SEAT Cupra Championship
12.35 – Lunch
12.35 – Pit Lane Walkabout
13.30 – ELF Renault Clio Cup
14.10 – BTCC Pit Lane Opens
14.20 – HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship
15.05 – Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
15.50 – Formula Renault UK with Michelin
16.35 – BTCC Pit Lane Opens
16.45 – HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship
17.25 – Ginetta Junior Championship
17.50 – SEAT Cupra Championship
