Team Aon head to Snetterton next weekend for round six of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after a lengthy mid-season break which saw more preparation work on the Global Ford Focus. A short test at Pembrey last week provided several developments which will help Tom Chilton, Andy Neate and Tom Onslow-Cole ahead of next weekend’s races in Norfolk. Having had six race-free weekends the Team Aon drivers are extremely keen to get back into their Global Ford Focus after the previous round at Croft proved to be a weekend of mixed results for the team.Chilton managed three top 10 finishes, scoring points in every race while Andy Neate suffered a puncture during race one and a crash during race three, he did however finish in the points for race two. New recruit Tom Onslow-Cole followed team mate Neate home in tenth to secure the final points paying position during race two.This weekend sees the drivers racing on the Snetterton 300 circuit – a brand new configuration of the existing Norfolk track. The Snetterton 300 becomes the longest circuit on the British Touring Car Championship calendar at a length of 2.99miles with thirteen turns. In order to create the track, a brand new infield section has been added and the Coram bend have become a 180 degree high-speed loop. The new infield section should also offer some great viewing for spectators.Although the drivers have tested the new configuration this year it will be the first time that they will competitively take to the track. Both Chilton and Onslow-Cole have previously won at the Norfolk circuit however the new layout will be a challenge to not only them, but the rest of the field. Twice race winner at Snetterton Tom Chilton said, “It’s the first time for us at the new circuit; I’ve only had one test there. It’s a lot more technical – a real driver’s circuit where one little mistake can cost you a lot of time on the stopwatch.“In the break we’ve been able to test at Pembrey which went really well, we’ve made some positive changes to the car. We’ve learnt a lot, and the team have put in so much hard work – there’s some great development going on. Most changes we made at Pembrey seemed to make the car faster – even though it was scorching hot which weren’t the best conditions for the tyres. Overall I’m very happy with the car and especially how the test went.”Having secured his maiden win at Snetterton in 2007 Tom Onslow-Cole said, “I didn’t take part in the pre-season test at Snetterton so I’ve not driven the new configuration yet. It might be a little bit tough for me but I’ve been trying to learn the track through various different ways.Following somewhat of a baptism of fire in the new car at Croft last time out, Onslow Cole is happy with the outcome of the team’s test at Pembrey; “I’m feeling much more up to speed with the car and the developments are good. I’ve been to the factory a few times since the last race so by the time I got to Pembrey I already felt really comfortable around the team and car. I sometimes forget that I’ve only just rejoined Team Aon – but I know I have great people around and I feel good about our chances at Snetterton.”
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