Photo: Power Maxed Racing

Martin Plowman tests the Power Maxed Astra at Donington Park

Martin Plowman joined the Power Maxed Racing team this morning, testing the team’s Vauxhall Astra at the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire.

The sports car regular and former IndyCar driver joined the team during the morning, and experienced his first taste of front-wheel drive machinery, before switching back to a rear-wheel drive Radical during the afternoon.

“I’m surprised by how easy I found the transition from a rear-wheel drive GT car to a front-wheel drive touring car,” said Plowman. “I expected it to be a bigger challenge.

“Essentially the fundamentals of racing and driving fast are the same leaving fewer nuances to master. I want to give big thanks to Martin Broadhurst and the team at Power Maxed Racing for helping me adapt. After my first session I felt at home in the PMR Vauxhall Astra.

“The main difference is the amount of rotation needed into the corner, I had to rotate the touring car more and square the corner off, and then be more patient on the power to prevent understeer. What I really noticed is how the BTCC car can take kerbs, it’s like they don’t exist.”