Stephen Jelley confident of stronger 2019 campaign

Stephen Jelley says he is confident of a stronger 2019 season as he prepares to kick-start his second year in Team Parker’s BMW this weekend with the BTCC opener at Brands Hatch.

Jelley endured a tough 2018 season with the ex-WSR car and scored points on just two occasions over the course of the year to end the year well down in the championship standings.

There were flashes of pace, most notably at Croft and Knockhill, with the team then working hard over the winter to make improvements to the car in order to try and make strides forwards this season.

The only 125i M Sport on the grid ended up eighth quickest in the Season Launch test at Brands Hatch last week and Jelley said he was now taking a lot more confidence into 2019 as he looks to try and regularly push for points.

“It’s the only BMW 1-series on the grid, but a make of car which won the championship last year,” he said. “We’ve overhauled everything and its working really well. It’s the first time in ten years I’ve had the same car, the same engineer, same team, the same mechanics, and the same complete package. It’s like getting back into an old comfy pair of shoes.

“I believed last year we had a good balance, but it didn’t translate to the watch. I can concentrate on my driving, and when my engineer lets me off the lead, I can go hell for leather. I think we do a very good job as a one car team against the manufacturers, so I’m looking forward to it.”