The GKR TradePriceCars.com team will hope to build on the solid performance it put in last time out at Brands Hatch when the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship heads for Oulton Park this weekend for the third round of the year.
The award-winning, Essex-based car dealership produced a strong showing at its home circuit two weeks ago, with series rookie James Gornall picking up points in all three races – including a pair of top ten finishes – and team-mate Bobby Thompson scoring twice himself in the sister Audi S3.
Having secured silverware for the first time this year thanks to James lifting the Jack Sears Trophy at Brands Hatch, the team now makes the trip north optimistic about its chances at a circuit where the Audi has gone well in the past.
That was particularly evident twelve months ago, when Jake Hill secured victory on the road in the final race of the weekend, before an unfortunate post-race penalty dropped him down the order.
Although yet to open his BTCC account at Oulton Park, Bobby has enjoyed success at the Cheshire venue in the past, securing podium finishes during his time in the Volkswagen Racing Cup.
Having scored points in four of the six races run so far this season, Bobby is already well on course for the best season of his BTCC career to date and will seek to add to his tally to not only strengthen his Jack Sears Trophy position, but also to move up towards the top ten in the Independents’ championship.
Bobby Thompson, #19 GKR TradePriceCars.com Audi S3, said:
“I’m feeling positive about the weekend and hopefully the weather might be a bit cooler, as those conditions seem to suit our car a bit more. I’ve spent some time in the sim since Brands Hatch and that is something that is proving to be really helpful as the model of the car is pretty much bang on. It’s allowing us to trial a few things that we can then try on the car when the weekend comes around, and helps me to get my eye in for a circuit I’ve not been to for a while.
“Oulton Park is a great track and one I enjoy, although it’s a challenge in a touring car as it is so busy and there is always something going on; you can’t relax. We know the car is strong at Oulton after Jake’s performance last year, but the new cars this year are quick and we have to raise our game compared to last season.
“I’ve started the season well with double scores in both meetings so far and the target this weekend is to get points in all three races and push for the Jack Sears Trophy – that’s the end goal. We’ve been consistently in the points, and now we have to push to break into that top ten.”