Wrathall: “It’s like a dream” stepping up to the BTCC

Frank Wrathall will be stepping up from the Ginetta G50 Cup to the BTCC with his own team this season, and the Lancastrian driver is looking forward to the new challenge with the NGTC Toyota Avensis.

The team won’t take delivery of the NGTC prepared chassis until February, being the second recipient after Speedworks Motorsport.

TouringCarTimes spoke to Frank Wrathall about the challenges and objectives for Wrathall and his team Dynojet Racing this year

TcT: It must be good to be stepping up in what’s looking like a really competitive season this year. How much are you looking forward to it?

“It’s not just me stepping up, it’s the whole team and it’s like a dream – it’s a very big achievement just getting to the BTCC for us. The new regulations have made it more accessible to smaller teams like us, and we’re really looking forward to the challenge, and it’s going to be a really competitive year.”

TcT: Was it always the plan to step up with the team, or has this only been possible now because of the new Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) regulations?

“Well, I’ve only been car racing for four years now and always done it with a family team, so year, we’ve always intended to step up as a team rather than individually. Two years ago, we wouldn’t even have thought this was even possible.”

TcT: Currently in the BTCC, the independents category is a pretty tough field, do you have any goals going into the season as to where you hope to be running?

“Obviously, it’s a massive step up for me just in terms of my driving, but also we’ve got a lot to learn as a team, I’ve got a lot to learn about the car, so it’s always going to be a learning year. We’d like to think that once we get to grips with everything we can challenge for top tens, that’s what we’d be aiming for.”

TcT: This will also be a change for you switching to front-wheel drive, I understand you’ve also enlisted Chevrolet’s Rob Huff to help you out with the transition? How did that come about?

“Rob drove with us at Thruxton at the start of last year, and we’ve kept in touch, and I’ve only ever driven rear-wheel drive so I’ve got something new to adapt to, so the more help I can get the better, and there’s no one better to give me advice and guidance than Rob.”

TcT: One of the other benchmarks is likely to be the other new teams coming in with NGTC spec cars built by GPR, such as Speedworks and Rob Austin Racing. Are you hopeful to be ahead in the ‘100% NGTC league’?

“Yeah, against anyone else in the same car, you want to be the top Avensis. You want to beat people in equal machinery. Coming from a single make series is what we’re all about you can just the team and the driver rather than the actual machinery.”