Team Shredded Wheat Racing with DUO has stated its intent on retaining its Independent Teams’ title as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship arrives at Rockingham Speedway circuit this coming weekend (August 26/27).
Back to a three-car line-up, following the recent addition of BTCC rookie Rory Butcher alongside 31-times-race-winner Mat Jackson and team-mate Martin Depper, the Motorbase-run squad has its sights firmly set on closing the 10 point gap at the top of Indy Teams’ standings on the oval track.
Jackson’s early retirement from race 1 last time out at Knockhill, put paid to the 36-year-old's chances of a winning weekend. A strong fight-back from the Wrotham-based squad however saw Jackson, Butcher and Depper collect five points-scoring finishes from the weekend – salvaging what had been a disastrous start for the team in Scotland.
Rockingham has been a happy hunting ground for Motorbase over the years, with the team amassing an impressive collection of silverware in recent seasons. Jackson and then team-mate Andrew Jordan shared the spoils here last season with a 2nd placed podium apiece and a brace of Independent wins. Jackson also claimed Motorbase’s first ever BTCC pole position at the Northamptonshire track in 2015, with a record-breaking qualifying performance in the Ford Focus ST - before going on to claim the opening race win and a further 2nd placed podium.
“Rockingham is notoriously hard on tyres;” said Team Manager Oly Collins. “That will play a big part in this weekend’s results as everyone tries to get the best out of the tyres whilst lasting the full race distance. It may help the rear wheel drive cars over a race distance. It depends who manages it best. The track has a good mixture of high and low speed corners and despite the long straight and high speed turn 1, it’s the infield that you need to concentrate on for the lap time.”
“Martin and Rory both went well at Knockhill so hopefully they can keep that momentum going into this weekend;” Collins added. “Mat is quite light on ballast so are aiming to get back to qualifying near the front of the pack. Rockingham suits the Ford’s chassis, and in particular Mat has always gone well there.”
Just ten points separate 2nd placed Team Shredded Wheat Racing with DUO from current Independent Teams leaders Speedworks, with Mat Jackson sitting pretty in 2nd place behind in the Independent Drivers title fight as the BTCC enters the business end of the season, with just three events left to run.
“There’s not long left in the championship now and the fight at the top of the Independents is very tight between Motorbase, Speedworks and Eurotech, but we'll keep aiming for outright pace and then the Independent results will come automatically;” continued Collins.
“When you look at the Independent drivers with Mat, Ingram, Goff, and Morgan; they're all proven to be capable of winning outright so it’s a really competitive championship this year. I think with the level of competition this year, we will most likely see it go down to the wire again at Brands Hatch in October.”
Rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship take place at Rockingham International Sportscar circuit, Northamptonshire on August 26/27. Race day coverage will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4 and via the ITVhub on Sunday 27th August 10.45 – 17.45. Live streaming of Saturday’s (August 26th) qualifying session between 15.30 – 16.00 is also available via itv.com/btcc
Mat Jackson #3:
“The way the championship is moving this season means that we’re learning all the time. Hopefully this weekend we’ll get the chance to capitalise on what we learnt at Knockhill and convert that into podium.
“We’ve had some great wins and podiums at Rockingham and we’re in good shape. The pace is in the car, it was just unfortunate circumstances that cost us our weekend at Knockhill. We just need to get the rub of the green at Rockingham and pick up the results that reflect the performance of the team and car.”
Martin Depper #30:
“We took a big step forward at Knockhill and I’m looking forward to pushing that forward again into Rockingham. I’ve got my fingers crossed that we won’t need to do as much fine tuning on Saturday and hopefully we overcome our qualifying gremlins and get a decent start to the weekend.
“I love the infield section at Rockingham and I’m a previous mini challenge winner there as well so I have happy memories of the place!”
Rory Butcher #6:
“I'm really excited to build on my experiences from my debut at Knockhill. I learned so much in that weekend with so many different scenarios cropping up. We are now tailoring the car’s set up to suit my driver style so that's a nice feeling.
“I'm still at the start of my BTCC learning curve so I have to be realistic, however more top tens would be fantastic. One thing is for sure, I'll be giving everything on and off the track.
“Rockingham is unlike any other track in the UK with its banked oval, anti-clockwise configuration and extremely abrasive surface, which makes it such a challenge. I've had good success at Rockingham in the past with Porsche Carrera Cup victories, but I've haven't driven the track in over two years.”
