Six weeks since an extraordinary conclusion to the first half of the inaugural Audi Sport TT Cup season, the championship makes a welcome return to action at Oschersleben in Germany next weekend, 12th/13th September, where Josh Caygill will again be proudly flying the flag for the UK.
Netherton-based Josh, who is the sole British racer in the one-make category, has enjoyed a progressive campaign to date at the wheel of his 2.0-litre Audi and is now determined to build on the career-best top five points finish he achieved at the Norisring in late June.
Prior to the summer break, the visit to the Red Bull Ring in Austria did look set to deliver another strong haul of results for the West Yorkshireman but the second contest was brought to an early conclusion after a spectacular multi-car accident in extremely wet conditions.
Fortunately able to avoid being caught-up in the drama of the rain-lashed contest, the outcome did still have an impact on his championship tally when officials – with no option other than to red flag the race – declared a result from the original starting positions, costing Josh a top 10 finish.
Therefore, ahead of the trip to Oschersleben, the Audi racer holds 11th position in the standings but is only a mere 4.5 points outside the coveted top 10. Alongside his desire to edge closer to a maiden podium finish in cars, the former motorcycle racer is committed to climbing the championship table in rounds seven and eight as the second half of the campaign begins.
“It’s been a long old break since Red Bull Ring so we’re looking forward to being back in action and it’ll be good being back for another crack at Oschersleben as I’ve got unfinished business there from last year in the VW Sciroccos”, said Josh, “It’s been nice to recharge the batteries and I’ve been keeping up to speed with some work on the sim, but now I’m ready for the real stuff to start again.”
While race pace has been consistently strong in recent rounds, matching the top six runners during the opening Red Bull Ring contest in early August, qualifying is the area Josh is determined to work on and improve during the final three race meetings of the 2015 championship.
In only his third year of car racing, and second at European level, the 26-year-old is continuing to develop strongly and hopes the second half of the season will begin to deliver the kind of results his true pace warrants.
“Norisring was a good weekend for us and the second Red Bull Ring race could have been a different story as we were into the top 10 when it was red flagged”, added Josh, “The race pace is good, I’m pretty happy with everything where that’s concerned, and if we can nail qualifying at Oschersleben we should be on for a good weekend.”
Free practice for the Audi Sport TT Cup at Oschersleben will take place on Friday, 11th September, with qualifying beginning at 08.15 (UK time) on Saturday, 12th September, ahead of round seven at 14.55 (UK time). On Sunday, 13th September, round eight is scheduled to start at 10.20 (UK time).
Both contests will be streamed live online HERE
Provisional 2015 Audi Sport TT Cup Driver Standings (after Rd6): 11th Josh Caygill, 44pts
