Last weekend saw Brands Hatch host the finale of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, which delivered action galore and a thrilling finale to Power Maxed Racing’s maiden season.
The Kent circuit hosted some great racing, drama and injury from both PMR drivers resulting in Josh Cook being named Jack Sears Champion for 2015 in the Chevrolet Cruze and seeing Power Maxed Racing finish 3rd in the Independent Teams Championship.
Race one saw both drivers, Dave Newsham and Josh Cook, make a great start and charge into the first corner making it through cleanly only for Newsham to be fired into the gravel at Hawthorns. He managed to recover and after a quick check in the pits went out to set a fast lap time, which would help him in race two.
Cook had made a place up to 9th and was right in the thick of a battle with the BMWs, showing some world class defending to keep them at bay.
Race two saw Newsham capitalise on his great grid position and despite being squeezed out on the first lap, which cost him two places, he knuckled down and pulled of a fantastic move at Paddock Hill Bend to get back to 4th, where he crossed the line. Cook had another solid race and maintained his position.
The season finale was definitely one to remember, Newsham made a great start from 4th on the grid. After five laps under the safety car, he was pushing hard for position on the restart when the back end came round, dumping him into the gravel and ending his season.
Cook, on the other hand, had an amazing race considering the circumstances. Heavy contact in a lap one battle caused the Rookie to dislocate his shoulder. Remarkably, he managed to pop it back in during the safety car and go on to finish the race higher up the grid than he started. Following the conclusion of the final race, Josh Cook was confirmed as BTCC Jack Sears Trophy winner and rookie champion for the 2015 season.
Adam Weaver, Power Maxed Racing Team Principal commented, “I’m immensely proud of the team and what we have achieved this year. From a standing start in January we have launched two highly competitive BTCC cars, made it to the podium, had pole positions, set fastest laps, won the Jack Sears and been consistently in and around the top 10. I said from the outset that this is a three-year programme, realistically were slightly ahead of our plan at the end of year one, so we will build upon this momentum to capitalise for next year.”
Weaver continues, “I can honestly say it has been a pleasure to work with both Dave and Josh, they are true team players and consummate professionals, the chemistry between them has helped drive us forward in a proactive and positive environment.”
There is no rest for the team who are already well into preparation for the 2016 season with a schedule of tests planned for the next few weeks to maximise their true potential.
