Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing recorded its best result of the season in the latest Dunlop British Touring Car Championship triple-header at Thruxton.
The weekend also saw the debut of ex-Formula One racer Martin Donnelly in the No 85 Infiniti Q50, partnering team-mate Derek Palmer in the No 22 car.
The Mallory Park-based team's race cars are prepared by injured ex-servicemen from the Parachute Regiment, with all team profits being donated to Support Our Paras, the official Regiment charity. Donnelly, the 51-year-old Northern Irishman, finished in the top 20 in his first two races before he was forced to retire from the day's finale after his car suffered a power steering failure.
Palmer meanwhile, who was forced to sit-out Saturday's opening free practice session when his car also fell victim to power steering issues, recovered to finish 17th in today's second race. "Despite all the power steering problems the team has endured this weekend, ultimately it's been a positive outcome," the 28-year-old Scot said. "Having been forced to sit out Saturday's free practice, the Paras worked tirelessly to ensure I had a car capable of finishing all three races on Sunday. "Finishing 17th in the second race showed the progress we'd made. In race three, Martin and I went for different set-ups aimed specifically at further developing the car. "Unfortunately, the way we went with mine wasn't ideal, but we've learned from it, which is a positive."
Donnelly meanwhile was upbeat following his first appearance in both the BTCC and the Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing Q50. "This car, and team, has massive potential," Donnelly said. "I've enjoyed the weekend, working with the team, the Paras, and the guys from Infiniti. "But due to a problem beyond our control, a problem which has plagued all three race weekends so far, the weekend ended early for me. "We haven't managed to get to the bottom of the power steering issue, and that's frustrating. But we've got four weeks now until the next round at Oulton Park, and I know the guys will be working hard to find a solution."
