BTCC debutant Andy Wilmot: “I’m living the dream”

BTCC debutant Andy Wilmot says he is “living the dream” as he prepares for his maiden touring car race at Rockingham this weekend.

The 32-year-old VW Cup and Ford Fiesta Championship regular is stepping into the Tony Gilham Racing Volkswagen CC vacated by Tom Onslow-Cole for this meeting.

Wilmot, who was the first driver signed by Tony Gilham Racing in 2011, has only had a handful of laps at Bruntingthorpe to acclimatise himself with the car, before a damp free practice this morning.

But despite the weather, the Kent man said he felt comfortable in his new machinery.

“I jumped in the car and felt quite at home, really. There were no nerves, because there’s no pressure on me,” said Wilmot to TouringCarTimes.

“I went out there and was obviously learning the car. It feels quite wallowy in comparison to what I’ve driven before. The suspension feels really soft, and not just because we’ve got a wet setup on. It leans quite a lot.

“It is a long wheelbase car so it is a lot more settled through the corners, but if the rear goes, it goes, and it is less easy to catch.

“I’m just trying to find the grip out there, and put the car to my limit. It’s limit is far beyond mine, but we are going to make a few changes to get a bit more grip at the front.

“And I’m just trying to find the buttons, to be honest! It’s a bit of a reach to the windscreen wipers and its difficult to read the letters on the lights. You have got a lot to think about.

“There are other cars out there who are quicker, and you’ve got to make sure you stay out of their way, because at the end of the day, I’m not in the championship.”

Asked about his hopes for the weekend, Wilmot added: “I haven’t given myself a target other than to finish, and maybe get some points. It is like anything – you have got to learn, and it is going to take more than just today to even be scrabbling at the back of the mid-pack.

“I just don’t want to be last! Nobody wants to be last. But it is a great experience, I’m living the dream. I would definitely love to take this further and hopefully get some sponsorship for next year, and be a full-time touring car driver.”