Three consistently strong race performances at Knockhill in Scotland on Sunday, 23rd August, secured Handy Motorsport’s Robb Holland another clutch of Independents Trophy points finishes during the latest instalment of Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship action – with the American also earning the accolade for gaining the most places across the event’s trio of contests.
Making continued steps forward with the Swindon team since debuting with the squad during the previous outing at Snetterton a fortnight ago, Holland’s highlight drive came during the second of the Knockhill encounters – round 20 – where he finished 16th overall from 23rd on the grid.
Electing to run the ‘Soft’ compound Dunlop tyres in the middle race, Holland produced pace within just 0.5 seconds of podium performance as he climbed the order impressively to also finish in the top 10 of the Independents Trophy classification at the wheel of the No.67 Toyota Avensis.
Gaining a place initially, before being edged back to 23rd position again, Holland made the most of the grip available to him and worked his way into 18th position at mid-distance prior to the Safety Car being deployed. When racing resumed, Holland continued to make progress and after taking 17th place within a couple of laps he passed James Cole for 16th position overall with two laps to go.
Holland qualified 24th fastest for the first race of the day, round 19, and after moving up into 23rd before a Safety Car period on lap seven, he managed to break into the top 20 a third of the way through the race.
Running closely behind Alex Martin’s Ford Focus, Holland passed his rival for 19th position with seven laps remaining and stayed there to the chequered flag on lap 25 – pulling almost five seconds clear of his rival during the closing stages.
For the third and final contest, Holland’s Webb Garden Power Equipment and KÄRCHER-liveried Toyota lined-up an improved 15th on the grid. With several of the BTCC front-runners, such as reigning champion Colin Turkington, beginning the race behind Holland, though, the opening laps were always going to be a challenge.
Although edged back outside the top 20 prior to mid-distance, Holland mounted a spirited recovery during the second half of the race and managed to climb through into 19th position – the result equating to 14th in the Independents Trophy for his fifth class points score from six races.
“We’re very pleased with the weekend, the second and third races were particularly strong for Robb and the Independents award is a great way to finish off”, commented Handy Motorsport team boss Simon Belcher, “We’ve got the car dialed-in how Robb likes to have it now, so we’re making more progress. There’s still work to do in qualifying, but in race trim we’re there or thereabouts.
“Race two was very strong, the Soft tyres held on really well and didn’t really go off much at all – we had good pace throughout. Finishing in the top 20 in every race this weekend is very positive and with Knockhill the least favourite of the three tracks Robb is racing at with us, there are high hopes for the next round at Rockingham. We’re all really looking forward to that.”
Rockingham International Super Sportscar Circuit, near Corby in Northamptonshire, will host the eighth event of the BTCC season – Holland’s final appearance with Handy Motorsport before Belcher’s return to the driving seat – a fortnight from now over the weekend 5th/6th September.
2015 Dunlop MSA BTCC HiQ Teams Championship (after Rd21): 13th Handy Motorsport, 5pts
2015 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independents Team Trophy (after Rd21): 8th Handy Motorsport, 112pts
