Hampshire temple of speed ready to welcome BTCC support stars
Ginettas, Formula Fords, Renault Clios and Porsche 991s head for Britain’s fastest circuitTest day a tantalising warm-up ahead of early May race meeting
Some of Britain’s finest young racing drivers will take to the track at Thruxton this week, as the TOCA support series’ pay a testing visit ahead of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s annual trip to the ultra-fast Hampshire circuit next month.The test on Wednesday (9 April) is in lieu of the usual Friday running at BTCC meetings, and competitors from the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain, Courier Connections Renault UK Clio Cup, Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Ginetta Junior Championship and Porsche Carrera Cup GB will ensure that it is a busy and productive day as all seek to perfect their set-ups ahead of the race meeting on 3-4 May.For decades, Formula Ford has served as the first stepping-stone in single-seater racing towards an eventual career in Formula 1 – think Ayrton Senna, David Coulthard and Jenson Button. At least 14 of this year’s grid of potential future grand prix aces are expected at Thruxton on Wednesday.These look set to include Brands Hatch race-winners Jayde Kruger (JTR) and James Abbott (Radical Motorsport) and qualifying pace-setter Harrison Scott (Falcon Motorsport), as well as standout rookie and local favourite Ricky Collard (Falcon Motorsport) and a possible guest entry in the form of Nigeria’s Ovie Iroro (Richardson Racing).A similarly strong contingent is expected from the fiercely-contested Clio Cup – an established proving-ground for the BTCC stars of tomorrow, with defending BTCC Champion Andrew Jordan and young guns Sam Tordoff, Árón Smith and Jack Goff amongst the series’ many success stories.Fittingly, the full 2014 field is scheduled to be in attendance, including SV Racing KX Akademy-backed quartet Alex Morgan, Ant Whorton-Eales, Josh Cook and Ash Hand, Team Pyro rivals Mike Bushell and Rob Smith and Westbourne Motorsport duo James Colburn and Devon Modell.Porsche protagonists Michael Meadows and Josh Webster will be amongst those taking advantage of the first opportunity to lap Thruxton in the latest Type-991 car, whilst the ever well-supported Ginetta championships will also be out in force.Representatives from the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup are likely to include Brands Hatch race-winners Andrew Watson (Douglas Motorsport), Charlie Robertson (HHC Motorsport) and Luke Davenport (United Autosports). Meanwhile, championship leader Jack Mitchell (JHR Developments) and rookie trophy-winners Jonathan Hadfield (R&J Motorsport) and Dan Zelos (JHR Developments) will figure amongst the Ginetta Junior crop of karting graduates.“The BTCC is always one of the most popular events on Thruxton’s calendar, with fans turning out in their tens of thousands,” said Bill Coombs, Thruxton Group Managing Director. “The racing provided by the support series’ is every bit as impressive, entertaining and gripping as the BTCC itself, and we are delighted to have so many of those support series stars testing here this week in preparation for the race meeting.“Spectator entry to the test is free, so come along and take a look at some of the F1 and touring car drivers of the future honing their skills around the fastest circuit in Britain. And if you like what you see – and we’re convinced you will – make sure you don’t miss the race meeting next month. It’s sure to be a belter!”Tickets for Thruxton’s BTCC meeting on 3-4 May are on sale either online via the official http://www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/ website or by calling the ticket office on 01264 882200.
