Boardman`s shock at difficulty of WTCC

SUNRED Engineering’s Tom Boardman is enjoying life in the World Touring Car Championship after claiming his maiden class win last time out at Brands Hatch. It hasn’t always been plain sailing for the Brit, who openly admits that he “expected it to be easier” in the WTCC.

In what has been a difficult season to-date for Boardman, he states that the team are progressing in the right direction, “we have been learning and finally everything is in place”.

This was shown in both races at Brands Hatch. After qualifying 5th in class, and 18th overall, the Lancashire-born driver raced to the third step of the Independent’s Trophy podium with a great drive, where other more seasoned tin-top drivers faltered.

The second race saw the true Tom Boardman, as he used his skill to claim a class victory after an enthralling battle with Tom Coronel and Stefano D’Aste. The battle which lasted for the entire race began with Coronel and Boardman swapping places a few times during the opening lap.

As the field crossed the line to begin their second lap, Boardman had regained the lead of the Independent’s Trophy runners, and went on to close out the race despite fierce pressure from the chasing Dutchman, who was himself under intense pressure from D’Aste.

Boardman gained his chance in the WTCC by winning the first race at Pau in the 2008 SEAT León Eurocup round. His prize for this feat was a full WTCC race weekend at Estoril in July of the same year, in a SUNRED prepared car.

His debut weekend wasn’t a dream one as he retired from the first race, and claimed 17th overall in the second. He ended the year 6th overall in the SEAT León Eurocup. SUNRED were openly impressed with Boardman and elected to sign him for the 2009 WTCC season, to drive alongside the vastly experienced tin-top ace, Tom Coronel.