Josh Caygill secured a fantastic and richly deserved maiden Audi Sport TT Cup podium at Oschersleben in Germany over the weekend, 12th/13th September, after delivering a superb drive during the seventh round of the season.
After producing a season-best qualifying performance on Saturday morning, claiming fifth on the grid for the opening contest, the 26-year-old ex-motorcycle racer went on to finish third of the regular points scorers. Claiming his first trophy in one-make car racing, the result also marked only his second ever podium since switching to cars in 2013.
Backing the result up with fifth of the TT Cup championship regulars in round eight on Sunday morning, Josh concluded the fourth event of the campaign inside the coveted top six in the driver standings to cap a truly memorable weekend.
“It’s been a mega weekend, from start to finish we were competitive and to come away with my first podium is mega – especially for my sponsors who’ve been with me for years and always believed in me”, said an ecstatic Josh, “Although I’ve had a class podium before [in the Dubai 24 Hours], this is my first podium at this level and it’s been on merit. We were P4 in practice, P5 in qualifying and then on the podium in the first race – I’m over the moon.
“Everyone involved in this, my dad, manager Tim [Sugden] and Jordan [Lee Pepper], have all put in a lot of effort so it’s nice for all of us to get the results we’ve had this weekend. To be honest, a massive part is relief too – it feels like I’ve been holding my breath for the last two years! As soon as we were a few laps into the first race, though, I knew we could do it.”
From the start of the weekend Josh was determined to produce a strong showing on his second visit to Oschersleben – having debuted there in the VW Scirocco R Cup last year – and he most certainly delivered with a series of tremendous performances.
Qualifying was delayed due to early morning fog but when the session did get underway, the Briton produced fantastic pace and went on to secure fifth on the grid for race one with a best lap of 1m36.308 seconds (138.157km/h) – placing him just 0.3 seconds shy of guest driver, experienced Le Mans 24 Hours and DTM racer, Uwe Alzen.
At the start of Saturday’s race Josh made an excellent getaway and climbed into fourth on the run into the first corner, close behind third placed Joonas Lappalainen. An early incident further behind triggered the deployment of the Safety Car but the action resumed on lap three and Josh made a good re-start to stay close behind Lappalainen.
With the top four almost nose-to-tail into lap six, the vastly experienced Alzen began to close in as Josh continued to try and find a way past Lappalainen into third place. On the seventh tour, though, Alzen managed to move past to take fourth but a lap later, at the first corner, contact between Lappalainen and erstwhile leader Dominik Peitz enabled Josh to move into third of the points places.
Despite a worrying moment on lap 11 after running wide, the West Yorkshireman recovered still holding a podium position and he was able to see off the threat from Dennis Marschall during the closing stages to secure a sensational season-best result.
Beginning round eight on Sunday from seventh of the series regulars, his second best time in qualifying just 0.3 seconds shy of the second row, Josh made a good start to gain two places and although edged back by title contender Nicolaj Moller Madson and losing another spot, he swiftly battled back into fifth again at mid-distance.
Sticking with Moller-Madsen, Josh pulled well clear of the chasing pack and held the position to the flag to chalk-up another excellent haul of points to do his championship placing the world of good with two events remaining on the calendar.
“Race two was good to be fair and a great way to finish off the weekend”, he added, “Every time we’re in the car I’ve got more understanding of it, I’ve got a clearer picture of things and definitely feel more confident. I’m really happy I’ve held my own this weekend, now we need to build on that at the next one.”
Josh’s next track action is just a fortnight away when the Nurburgring in Germany hosts rounds nine and 10 of the Audi Sport TT Cup over the weekend 26th/27th September.
Provisional 2015 Audi Sport TT Cup Driver Standings (after Rd8): 6th Josh Caygill, 76pts
