Josh Cook praises new Hybrid Energy Management System

Josh Cook was amongst the drivers to praise the BTCC’s new Hybrid Energy Management System following the first meeting of the hybrid era at Donington Park.

The BTC Racing driver managed to fight back from a tricky start to the weekend at the East Midlands circuit – which saw him only able to turn limited laps on Saturday – to grab three top eight finishes on race day.

That included a solid third place finish in race three after a race-long battle with the Hyundai of Dan Lloyd, with Cook nipping ahead on the penultimate lap when his EXCELR8 rival ran slightly wide at turn one.

It leaves Cook fourth in the early season standings despite the team admitting it was struggling for straight-line speed with the all new M-Sport engine.

“We were taken out of contention for the title last year because of our bad weekends, and hopefully this turns out to be our bad weekend as we managed to turn it around from Saturday to grab a podium,” he said.

“I’m pleased for the team as we know where we are lacking, and they are pushing hard to make sure we can find the straight line speed we are currently lacking to take the fight to the guys at the front.”

Cook however was enthusiastic about the new hybrid system developed by Cosworth, which also debuted alongside the new engine over the course of the weekend.

“The hybrid is mega; it’s really good fun,” he said. “To do what TOCA have done and become the first touring car series in the world to run with hybrids is an amazing achievement.

“They have done something really special and having now driven with it in the heat of battle, the vision they had has panned out and should lead to an amazing season.”

The race three battle between Cook and Lloyd would be one of the more frenetic of the day, and the latter admitted that managing the limited hybrid available to him had been a challenge.

“The hybrid has added a new element to the racing and there is a lot to think about,” Lloyd said, “especially if you are in a position where you are limited in how many laps you are able to make use of it.

“It’s difficult when you know you have laps when you can’t use the hybrid and if you are under pressure like I was with Josh, then it’s bloody tough. You have to stay strong because once you commit to a hybrid-free lap, you have to stick to it – otherwise you risk wasting the lap by suddenly pressing it for a second because you’re worried someone is going to ahead.

“I really had to be clever to try and keep Josh behind me and I was proud of the way I drove to keep him at bay. I’m just a bit gutted he got me at the end.”