Speedworks aiming for big step forward after positive test

Speedworks Motorsport are hoping to reap the spoils of a strong summer break’s test programme, with Paul O’Neill assisting the team’s regular drivers Adam Morgan and Tony Hughes at Pembrey.

The Cheshire-based team has had a tough start to the season. Though Tony Hughes has been consistently picking up the smaller points paying positions, BTCC newcomer Adam Morgan has had a string of DNFs both for technical reasons and through racing incidents.

A one-off appearance by Paul O’Neill, sitting in for Tony Hughes at Croft, didn’t go as well as planned with more gremlins in the Toyota Avensis hampering the 32-year-old’s progress throughout the weekend, but after a successful test at Pembrey, Team Principal Christian Dick is buoyed up for the remainder of the season.

“It went absolutely 100 per cent according to plan,” said Dick. “We had quite a schedule planned out for the two days that we were down there, a lot to cram in, and a lot of data collection for the engineers to go through, and they achieved everything that they wanted.”

“It was really good and we have definitely taken a bit of a step forward. Hopefully by the time that we get through all the data that we have gathered then we can make an even bigger step forward. Paul, Adam and Tony were all very happy with the changes that we made.”

Adam Morgan, who drives the #33 Ginetta-sponsored Toyota courtesy of his success in the Ginetta GT Supercup last year, hopes to address what he considers is his major weak spot – qualifying.

“I have been quick in free practice at the last three meetings but have then slipped back in qualifying,” said Morgan. “I need to try to get into the top 10 on the grid and out of the ‘danger zone’ further back where the driving standards are not so good.”

Driver of the #50 car, Tony Hughes, is relishing his return to racing, now not having raced since the Oulton Park round at the beginning of June.

“Everyone around the team is positive as we look towards Snetterton following our successful test at Pembrey,” he said. “We took some big steps. It was a very productive test and great to have Paul involved. We’ve put time into set-up which should help us hugely, plus it was good to keep off those cobwebs.”