Photo: PSP Images

Jack Goff surprised by early BMW pace

Jack Goff admitted he was surprised to emerge from the Donington Park weekend as the top BMW in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship standings after cementing a place inside the top three in round two of the year.

Having made the switch from MG to the West Surrey Racing over the winter, Goff made a solid to his season as Brands Hatch to take three points finishes in his IHG-backed BMW 125i M Sport, and went into the Donington weekend seeking to maintain his consistent approach on track.

From eighth on the grid, the youngster picked up a solid top four finish in the opening race of the weekend and followed it up with two further top six finishes to lie just twelve points behind championship leader Matt Neal going into the third round of the year at Thruxton in three weeks time.

“If I’m being honest, I didn’t expect to be the top BMW driver in the points at this stage of the season,” he said, “and hopefully we can continue to show this kind of form when we go to Thruxton for the next round.

“Race day started well with a fourth place finish in race one, although I think the pace was in the car to challenge for a place on the podium if the red flag hadn’t come out towards the end as we were catching the guys ahead. The car had good pace again in race two despite picking up some damage after a hit from Tom Ingram and then in race three it was a case of managing the soft tyre as well as we could.

“Whilst the car was really strong, we knew there would come a time when the performance of the tyre would drop away, so to bring the car home in the top six – and set fastest lap – was pleasing. It’s been another good weekend.”

WSR boss Dick Bennetts praised the 25-year-old for the way in which he had driven at Donington, admitted that the consistency displayed could prove to be key later in the year.

“Jack drove with his head again this weekend, and his reward it to be third in the standings which we’re really pleased with at this stage of the year,” he said. “He seems to be more at one with the car now, and he’s shown how important it is to be consistent. To have six points finishes on the board from six races is a very good start to his season.”