Airwaves Racing sets sights on Snetterton success

The Airwaves Racing squad has been kept busy during the six week hiatus with intense development work taking place at the Motorbase Performance-run outfit’s Kent workshops. Both Airwaves Racing Mountune-powered Ford Focus ST’s also joined the third Motorbase in-house built next generation touring car (NGTC) and Addison Lee Motorbase S2000 at the Norfolk track recently during a two day Dunlop tyre testing session; with factory Porsche driver Nick Tandy joining the regular driver line up to assist the team with its NGTC development.

Airwaves Racing drivers Mat Jackson and Aron Smith made good use of the two day test to trial new set-up changes on the Focus NGTC’s with both the #7 and #8 Airwaves Racing Ford Focus ST’s posting promising times over the final day’s sessions; and both drivers are now confident that the team has unlocked the potential in the NGTC’s to enable Airwaves Racing to compete for wins and podiums as the racing resumes.

This weekend also sees the return of Addison Lee Motorbase driver Liam Griffin who is back behind the wheel of the S2000 Focus having missed the last round at Croft due to business commitments. Despite this, the 40 year old is still second in the Jack Sears Trophy standings and just two race wins behind current leader Lea Wood with every chance of reclaiming the lead over the weekend’s three races.

Snetterton has rewarded the team well over the past few years with race wins and podiums here in 2010 and 2011; and with this weekend also marking the 1st anniversary of the unveiling of the Motorbase designed and built NGTC Focus ST, Airwaves Racing is hoping that a change in fortunes is on the cards to help get its championship campaign back on track.

Round 6 of the 2013 season takes place at Snetterton circuit on August 3/4. Live coverage of Sunday's events will be shown on ITV4, itv.com and also in HD from 11.15am – 6pm; with itv.com featuring live streaming online of Saturday’s qualifying session between 3.20 and 3.50pm.

Motorbase Performance Team Principal David Bartrum said: “It’s been a big break, but a useful break nonetheless. A lot of the teams have been out testing and we've all been to Snetterton now, so it’s going to be really interesting and exciting to go back and race there with what we've learnt.

“I’m looking forward to this race weekend just like it’s the first one of the season.”

Airwaves Racing driver Mat Jackson said: “The recent two day tyre test at Snetterton showed some very encouraging pace and we have been working relentlessly over the mid-season break to recover some of the pace that was lacking in the first part of the year.

“With some big changes made to the car, I feel that we have a package that will enable us to fight for wins as the season resumes this weekend at Snetterton.”

Airwaves Racing driver Aron Smith said: “This weekend was a turning point last year for Motorbase as a team with the birth of the NGTC Focus, so returning here with our cars at the best they've ever been is rather fitting.

“Everyone in Airwaves Racing has the right to go into this weekend feeling confident and with all the hard work that’s gone on in the six week gap; I think that we are on for our best weekend to date.

“Snetterton is a circuit that I've always gotten on well with, it's been kind to me in the past and now it all seems to be shaping up for one hell of a weekend.”

Addison Lee Motorbase driver Liam Griffin said: “I’m looking forward to getting back out in the car again this weekend; it feels like it’s been a long time since I last raced – although I did beat my 10 year old at karting last week!

“We had a good couple of test days here recently; the weather actually made it hard to judge some of the times but I was happy enough with my pace and the car ran faultlessly all day. The testing did show up the growing gap between the next generation and S2000 cars so I just hope it doesn't become an issue in the races.”

Airwaves Racing