James Cole unhappy at pre-race Subaru boost adjustment

Race three pole sitter James Cole was critical of the decision to reduce the boost level on his Subaru Levorg before the final race at Snetterton, saying “the cards had been dealt” before he’d even taken the start.

Cole raced strongly from 26th on the grid to 15th in race one and eighth in race two, before benefiting from the reverse grid draw to start the finale at the front.

The Liverpudlian took a career-best fifth despite dropping back from pole, but felt his chances of a better result were hampered by TOCA’s boost ruling.

“Considering we started race one in 26th, to come through and get three points-scoring finishes is very good,” said Cole to TouringCarTimes.

“There’s always the disappointment when you start on the front row and not to convert it to a win, but given the bulletin that went out just before race three saying there had been a boost adjustment for the Subaru, we did a good job.

“It shouldn’t be [changed during the weekend]. It was one of those things, the cards were dealt before the start of race three and we had to race accordingly.

“In race three we didn’t have the same pace, but it’s three points-scoring finishes and it’s a good day.”

Cole gave a frank assessment of his own performance compared with his team-mate Ash Sutton, who is now just 11 points off the series lead after the weekend.

“Ash is making us all look a bit crap at the moment, so we are all having to pull our fingers out! The Subaru is a really good car when you’ve got it dialled into the window, and my window is a little bit narrower than Ash’s,” said Cole.

“Race two it was in my window and I was racy. Race three it wasn’t far off, but there were other circumstances.

“I’m feeling confident about Knockhill – it’s like a mini-Croft and the car is good around Croft.”