CarStore Power Maxed Racing: 250 races - in 5 moments
This weekend, CarStore Power Maxed Racing celebrates a landmark moment in its history, clocking up a 250th race start in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
Formed in 2015 after dipping a toe in the water the year prior as a title sponsor, the Bidford-on-Avon team have since become a household name in the UK’s premier touring car category.
Among the highlights are four race victories, 21 podium finishes, two Jack Sears Trophy titles, re-introducing the iconic Vauxhall brand to the grid, and a roll of honour boasting some of the championship’s leading lights, not to mention the exciting new roster of Andrew Watson, Mikey Doble and Aron Taylor-Smith!
Ahead of the team’s 250th start at Knockhill this weekend, we asked Team Principal and Founder, Adam Weaver, to pick out five of his highlights from the last nine seasons.
Rockingham 2015: Cook scores the team’s maiden podium
Right from the get-go, Power Maxed Racing were an established top-ten team in the BTCC, armed with a pair of Chevrolet Cruzes, and a unique blend of experience and young talent behind the wheel in Dave Newsham, and the emerging Josh Cook.
Cook’s stellar form in his rookie year of touring car racing would be one of the ‘stories of the season’, and his first visit to the overall podium was nothing short of breathtaking.
Having started a lowly 14th, the Bath-based racer quickly set about making progress through the field at Rockingham, eventually bringing him to the tail of Adam Morgan’s Mercedes with a handful of laps remaining.
Morgan proved tough to pass, but a sensational move to the outside of the Brook chicane – the final corner – was enough for Cook to snatch his and the team’s maiden podium in the dying seconds of the race.
Brands GP 2015: Cook crowned Jack Sears Trophy champion
The season ended in fitting fashion for the fresh-faced Cook, too, as he got his hands on the Jack Sears Trophy in its maiden year – at the time, a championship for drivers racing in their first season of touring cars.
Cook had, in fact, wrapped up the honours with that overall podium at Rockingham, moving him decisively clear of nearest rival, and former Renault UK Clio Cup sparring partner, Mike Bushell.
But the weekend would not be without its drama for Cook. In his final appearance for the team, heavy contact on the opening lap dislocated Cook’s shoulder. He was able to pop it back in place during a safety car intervention, and went on to finish, and receive his prize.
Brands GP 2017: Proctor seals second JST title
The team’s penchant for bringing through exciting new talents continued in 2017, with the arrival of Senna Proctor – fast by name, and by nature.
Much like Cook, Proctor immediately established himself as a consistent points-scorer, and took a tremendous 15 wins – half a season – in class amongst the Jack Sears Trophy runners.
As a result, he finished nearly 100 points clear of his nearest rival Ant Whorton-Eales, and brought a second Jack Sears title back to PMR.
Brands Indy 2018: Wild scenes as Proctor wins chaotic wet-dry contest
The team’s first victory would arrive in unbelievable circumstances; a wet-dry contest around the natural amphitheatre of Brands Hatch’s Indy circuit.
A year prior, the team had re-introduced the hugely-successful Vauxhall brand back to the BTCC grid and were re-joined by Cook – now a seasoned front-runner – alongside Proctor in his sophomore year.
Fast-forward to the second round of the year, and tricky wet-dry conditions forced a number of teams to make a choice on tyre compounds on the grid – Senna and the team opted for slicks, a decision that would pay dividends later on.
Starting at the tail end of the grid in 27th, Proctor went on a stunning charge as the conditions came to him, rising to the race lead with just a handful of laps to go, before crossing the line to spark wild celebrations in the team’s garage.
Pre-Season 2019: Jason Plato joins the PMR ranks
The team made a real statement of intent during the subsequent off-season, by announcing the arrival of BTCC legend Jason Plato alongside seasoned championship contender, Rob Collard.
The news immediately boosted the team’s stock as a force at the front, with Plato adding the last of his 97 race victories – to-date! – in the season finale at Brands GP later that year. The team also brought home five podium finishes that campaign, one of its most successful to-date.
It also marked a reunion between Plato and Vauxhall for the first time since a title-winning campaign with the works squad in 2001, in which Plato triumphed in a bitter inter-team battle between himself and Frenchman, Yvan Muller.
