Good day in the north for PMR

Power Maxed Racing was in action this weekend at Croft for the latest round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

 

In a mixed outing for the Vauxhall Astra’s, the team avoided any major accidents with points scored; Jack Sears Trophy won and further data gained for the newly built Vauxhall Astras.

Qualifying got under way in torrid wet conditions. With the opening laps resembling rally cross rather than touring cars, it became clear that setting a quick time would be challenging for both Vauxhall Astras. Chilton was focused and on a charge placed the car in 12th at the 21-minute mark with Proctor warming up placing his Astra in 17th. The session was red flagged with a high speed 12 car accident at the fastest part of the circuit, Barcroft. The session was cancelled while crucial recovery got under way and time to allow the medical staff to attend to the drivers involved.

Race day saw a little relief from Saturday's miserable weather conditions, resulting in a dry track and full options on tyre selection. The PMR Astra’s lined up on the grid in 10th and 15th respectively after the forced retirement of the Jeff Smith, Luke Davenport and Aron Taylor Smith.

Race one saw both Astra's get away cleanly with Chilton side by side with Ingram into the first corner, battling for the inside line. Proctor made a great start gaining places and running in the front pack. Chilton was in the thick of the action, as he held his line and entertained the bumper crowds. Both Astra's picked off places with retirements in the pack ahead, including the clash between Suburu teammates Cole and Price promoting Chilton to 9th and Proctor to 15th. Proctor made a last dash to the checkered flag in 14th carrying front end damage with Chilton securing a place inside the top 10 with both PMR drivers scoring points.

Race 2 saw Chilton line up in 9th with teammate Proctor in 15th. Chilton’s Astra slowed to an early retirement much to the disappointment of the team with a rare drive shaft failure. All eyes turned to Proctor who had the Jack Sears trophy in sight, he benefited from Cook’s stop-go penalty putting him up to 11 by lap 5. Not content with this the young Yorkshireman set about catching the Ford of Depper, after showing patience he got past cleanly into 9th. Final laps battles saw Proctor pushed wide and wrestled his car across in 13th, but still, another points finish.

Race 3, Proctor headed the PMR line up in 13th with Chilton’s Astra fully repaired between races started at the back of the grid on the option tyre. As the lights went out for the last BTCC race before the summer break, Chilton was determined to make progress and show off his overtaking skills. By lap four he was up to 22nd and chasing BTCC newcomer Strandberg, while BTCC rookie team mate Proctor chased veteran BTCC Morgan for 12th.

With both PMR drivers avoiding the final lap tangles, Proctor crossed the line in 14th with Chilton in 20th. A mixed weekend for the Power Maxed Racing team and a perfect time to break for the summer, to continue the development for the newly built Vauxhalls with testing planned.

Adam Weaver commented, “No one expected to witness the events of Saturday’s qualifying and firstly it is important to say that we pass all our thoughts and best wishes to Jeff and Luke and their families. Racing is racing, and yet again the BTCC medical team showed their skills and expertise to ensure that drivers were given the very best care. Our weekend didn't go to plan, but we still walked away with points on the board and two Jack Sears trophy podiums. The team have big plans over the summer break, and we will be back fighting”.

Power Maxed Racing will be back in action as the BTCC returns on the 29th July at Snetterton.

Full TV Coverage is available on ITV4 with highlights of this round shown throughout next week.

Photo © Jakob Ebrey.

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Ben Snowdon
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