Rob Collard criticises pace of TOCA engines

Rob Collard has criticised the pace of the TOCA engine after struggling to keep up with the Volkswagen of Jason Plato in a straight line during an enthralling battle in Thruxton’s race two.

Collard got to the front of the field off the line, but by the second lap Plato had found a way back past the BMW and held the position until the end of the race.

“I just sat there really,” Collard told TouringCarTimes. “We led the race at the start and then I knew Jason was really strong so I thought I’d just let him go and then stay with him and hopefully his tyres would get some degradation, which they did but not enough really.”

It was evident that the Volkswagen was faster on the run down to the chicane, but would then close up significantly on the run through the complex and out to Church. However, Collard felt that his advantage through the sweeping corners was not equal compared to the straight line advantage of the Team BMR car.

“Speed wise I just cant keep with these TOCA engines on the straight, they’re so fast,” he said. “They just pull away. We’ve made steps forward this weekend from Donington with our engine performance but there’s nothing left in the tank, we can’t do anymore. It’s physically at best where we can get it and you’re fighting a race you really can’t win at the moment.”

Plato, however, feels that the levels of performance is well balanced, enjoying his battle with Collard and the amount of work he had to do to keep the BMW behind.

“There were areas where his package was stronger and areas where my was stronger,” said Plato. “And of course, the levels of those differences change throughout the race when the tyre degradation comes in. Managing the differences on how both types of cars degrade throughout the race requires a bit of thought and it was really good, I enjoyed it.”