The fantastic three-dimensional challenge of the Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire is the next destination for Andrew Jordan and Pirtek Racing over the weekend of 4/5 June in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
As well as attracting one of the biggest and most enthusiastic BTCC crowds of the season, Oulton Park is a fabulous drivers’ circuit and its fast corners and blind crests make it one of the toughest on the schedule. Not surprisingly, Andrew rates it as one of his favourite tracks on the BTCC calendar.
The season resumes after a four-week break since the previous races at Thruxton and the Pirtek Racing squad will head to Cheshire riding high after a mighty start to the season. With five podiums in the last six races, including overall victory at Donington Park, Andrew is right in the title hunt after the opening nine races. He currently lies fourth in the overall drivers’ points, third in the Independents’ Trophy for drivers and Pirtek Racing is a close second in the Independents’ Team Trophy.
Andrew is being superbly backed up by Jeff Smith in the other Pirtek Racing Vauxhall Vectra, and despite this being Jeff’s first season in the BTCC, he is already chalking up consistent top 10 finishes. Together, Andrew and Jeff are battling for the Independents’ Team Trophy and head to Oulton Park just five points behind the leading team.
“Oulton is a great circuit,” says Andrew. “It has some high speed corners and you’ve really got to hang on to the car. But I think brakes on the turbo cars will be the big issue, as you are braking really hard three times on every lap. We’re the strongest Independent team taking it to the big teams and we’re racing to make sure we get points all the time. I think we can really challenge for the Independents’ title.”
After qualifying on Saturday at 15.15, the first of three BTCC races will be 12.15 on Sunday, with race two at 14.30 and race three at 17.10. All three races will be broadcast live on ITV4 in a programme starting at 11.30. Qualifying will be broadcast live at itv.com and live results from the weekend will be available at tsl-timing.com
