Brands Indy Review & Thruxton Preview 2022
- aroundthecountryin
- May 25, 2022
- 6 min read
Introduction
Good evening,
Almost two weeks on from the action-packed weekend at Brands, and we're here again, on the precipice of another racing weekend. Sticking to the South of England once more to the joy of some and the hassle of our more Northern friends we're looking at an entirely different beast this time round, that's correct, its Thruxton baby! The UK's fastest and most terrifying track, which rarely disappoints.
Brands Indy Review
Two weeks ago we saw the best of British summer (or late Spring) show itself with a glorious sunny Saturday, which saw the trackside fans and pundits calling for everyone to be careful and bring your sun cream. This however showed itself to be a limp warning as Sunday we an absolute washout. Great fun for the fans who want to see some unpredictable racing. But, rewind a touch to Saturday as I'm sure WSR fans will love to remember the 3-car lock out which saw veteran Colin Turkington plonk himself on pole with team mate Jake Hill sat next to him. The two early championship contenders would have been happy to see their rear gunner Stephen Jelley sat behind them, though although rear, didn't provide a lot of gunning it has to be said as he faced the threat of experience from yet another BMW in the form of Adam Morgan, the ever tenacious Josh Cook and championship leader Tom Ingram.
Race 1
The day started with the looming of threat of rain, and by the time the first Porsche race was in mid-flow, rain it did. This saw the race red flagged so they could change into their wets and have a five lap dash to the finish. This triggered everyone to through on the blue logo'd Goodyears and have at it. Bar our cunning Scotsman Mr Butcher, most likely smirked and chuckled at the apparent risk aside from the fun-loving 'Tingram' who announced he'd rather be on his slicks to the thousands watching at home. However with an 'off' on the green flag lap from the man on slicks Tingram probably rather wished he hadn't spoke. The race started and from the off it looked like the BMW powered outset would run away with it, but if there's anything to be learned from spectating this series, its don't count your chickens. As the race bedded in the front wheel drive cars reeled in their rear ended counterparts it was apparent this would be a long 26 laps. With thrills and unfortunately some early spills we saw Josh Cook reign in everyone to take a very commanding win. Jake Hill did all he could be along with the rest of his band of BMW men lost out on a podium, Tom Ingram extended his championship lead taking second while almost forgotten front runner Dan Cammish thought well to earn his podium. Up until the final bend it looked like the drying track was going to show Rory Butcher to be the most intelligent man in Kent as his slicks stormed into action and saw him defy the odds... right up until he binned it coming into clearways, fortunately he managed to save it and clutch onto 7th, not what he deserved, but I'm sure he'd take it.
Race 2
And I'm sure most would agree the best of the three races of the day saw an early altercation which wiped out much of the middle pack, this saw Dexter Patterson arrive down Paddock Hill with a very North facing wheel, Aiden Moffat with a bonnet for a windscreen and what once was a Vauxhall Astra manned by Michael Crees. This prompted a safety car which allowed the race to calm down for just a moment, but a moment is all we were given, an amazing set of multi car battles saw Josh Cook take yet another win though pushed all the way Jake Hill lost his rear end up at druids, this allowed for Dan Cammish and Rory Butcher to fill the rest of the podium, another win for the front wheeled men. Onto the draw picked out by one of motoring's most popular Americans, Zak Brown, and in dramtic American fashion, he plucked out the fateful number 12 Tom Chilton the chance to show there's lift at the pointy in left in him yet, Jack Sears hopeful Bobby Thompson second and Colin Turkington 3rd for one final stab at claiming a win.
Race 3
All to be told it was a race for Mr Chilton to forget, leading through the early safety car prompted by a bizarre off at druids from Jason Plato his lead didn't last long, and well it was kind of like buses, you wait for one, then they all come, seemingly a mechanical issue Tom didn't finish the race, which would explain how a veteran could lost such a lead. The final race of the day was taken by Mr Turkington, much like his counterpart at Donington he qualified first on the Saturday, and left it very late for a win on the Sunday. However it was local(ish) lad an newly found fan favourite of Bobby Thompson who claimed his first ever BTCC podium, this calmly prompted some large Team HARD celebrations similar to those last year after Jack Goff took a similar race 3 result. This leaves our returning maverick second in the Jack Sears only a mere point behind George Gamble, its shaping up to be a two horse race, but Jade Edwards is looking strong, consistent and ready to throw her claim to the title.
Summary
Once again the sun set on Brands Hatch leaving Tom Ingram still in the championship lead but the ever charging Josh Cook will be confident going into on of his more favorable tracks. Despite crossing the line regularly in the podium places and collecting more trophies you can fit in a BMW 3 series boot, Jake Hill still sits 4th behind reigning champion Ash Sutton, how? We don't know, well.. we do but still Sutton seems to be quietly going about his business and if you rule him out, you're a fool. But to call out a driver of the day some might disagree, but with a tactically genius move and a couple of offs I see Rory Butcher as the man, hes been quiet in that Toyota but he's making waves again, and I for one love to see it.
Thruxton Preview
Yes indeed, we're heading across the South of England to Hampshire to swap blue to green, and get racing fast. The old aerodrome has always provided some good racing, it's never short of drama.
Last year we saw Josh Cook claim the title 'The King of Thruxton' taking his 7th overall win there equaling the record, will he take the record for himself? well as Alan Gow says, you have to wait. But based on this year I would bet my bottom dollar on it. It was also last year the sheer quality of Jake Hill was confirmed to all, driving his Focus around the wet layout of Thruxton on slicks, but to anyone tuning in late he would have appeared to have been on his blue wets. Dan Rowbottom also got to silence his critics by making his most memorable overtake of his career by forcing Jason Plato into a mistake which saw him smoothly undercut him out of the chicane.
In short I can see familiar faces going quickly this upcoming weekend. I expect to see Jake Hill or another BMW qualify one pole, but come Sunday its to my belief we'll see victories from Josh Cook, Jake Hill and Colin Turkington once more. Not far behind will see Dan Cammish once again enjoy Thruxton after his successful one time outing last year.
Dark Horses
Rory Butcher - Yes, say what you want that he's not a dark horse but many will probably forget he'll be looking to build on last weekend, after all if luck is on his side, that's all he'll need to climb the table.
Dan Cammish - Again, people seem to be forgetting this guy, and for the life of me I have no idea. Yes it hasn't been the electric start for NAPA UK but this is BTCC nothing is a given, even with two outstanding drivers and a steadfast team, you have to earn it. However, despite not charging out ahead, they are still doing the business and by the time they collect a win. They'll flood in.
Gordon Shedden - Oh come on now? Really? a multiple championship winning driver? Yes, the return has been tough for Shedden, but he's starting to awaken, his performances have been much more consistent from the off this year and shows every chance of making some real ground this time around.
Jack Sears
Based on the fact is becoming a two man dash early on I'm going to have to take the route of experience will show true this time out. Although Gamble would appear to be in a more competitive car, Bobby Thompson is getting every bit out of his Cupra. And as established this track needs a level head. So my take is for 'the bobster' to take Sundays Jack Sears trophy.
Conclusion
With it all to play for on Sunday whatever the weather, this place never disappoints. Familiar faces to show themselves on the podium, the select few in the early championship battle will almost certainly pull away from the rest.
Until next time,
Will.
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