The Power Maxed Racing BTCC Team headed north to Croft last weekend for the latest round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
A sunny Saturday started with the team showing good pace in both free practise sessions and, after experimenting with a range of set ups, Josh Cook qualified in 19th and Dave Newsham in 20th.
Race saw both drivers get off the line quickly, passing the gaggle in front of them to make it to 15th and 18th respectfully by the end of lap 2. Both cars continued to charge in the early stages of the and on lap seven, Cook overtook Martin Depper to make it to 12th with Newsham putting himself into 15th, which is where they would finish.
With the race two grid decided by the pace of race one, Cook started the race in 15th with Newsham in 19th. In contrast to the overcast and mildly damp race one, the sun came out for race two and both drivers got off to a great start making up a place each on the first lap.
Newsham put in a bold move at the hairpin at the end of the first lap to grab a handful of places and jump up to 15th, right behind his teammate.
Maintaining positions until the penultimate lap when Cook crashed heavily under braking and hit the tire wall hard, sadly ending his race. He was unhurt and taken back in the medical car. Newsham has a final surge on the last lap to finish a well fought 13th.
The team found themselves again under pressure to get Cook’s car repaired in time for the final race of the day.
That race saw Cook start from 28th and Newsham in 13th. A fine opening lap from Cook saw him forces his way to 22nd by the end of the first lap. Newsham started well and held tight to 13th.
After an action packed race all over the circuit, the pair finished with Newsham in 11th and Cook in 15th.
Adam Weaver, Power Maxed Racing Team Principal commented, “We were hoping for a bit of luck this weekend, we are still getting to grips with the new tire compound but the team and the drivers are making great progress.”
Weaver continued, “This is also the second meeting on the bounce where the team have been given a mountain to climb to repair a car in under two hours. I’m proud to say they rose to the challenge admirably and got Josh back out for race three.”
