Photo by: Pat Cranham
Aiming for the Highland(s)
Triple Eight Race Engineering with Collins Contractors travel to Knockhill, near Dunfermline this coming weekend for the 16th, 17th and 18th rounds of the 30-round Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
Regular driver James Nash, currently fifth in the battle for the BTCC title will be joined at the Scottish circuit by Irish driver Aron Smith in our two-car turbocharged Vauxhall line-up. Smith replaces Tony Gilham who has stood down from the team.
Smith, 21 is the younger brother of former BTCC driver Gavin Smith who drove for our VX Racing team in 2005 and 2006. He is a structural engineering student and has alongside his studies been competing in the Renault Clio Cup for the past two seasons. Last year he raced in Italy where he finished fourth in the Championship and has this year competed in the UK series. He has won three times already this season, including last time out at Snetterton and is currently second in the Championship standings and its leading graduate.
James Nash: “I’ve got to qualify as high as I can for sure, but anything can happen at Knockhill and the only thing you can guarantee is that they’ll be lots of action.”
“The points are close at the top and we’re still in with a shout of the Championship. I know that I need to keep pushing and have got little to lose by having a go while guys like Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal might feel a little more circumspect. With Jason Plato around though, I guess that’s unlikely. It should be fun!”
Aron Smith: "I'm over the moon to be making my BTCC debut with a team with such experience as Triple Eight. I'm certain that they have a very competitive package and I'm equally sure we will work very well together. To get to make my debut at Knockhill makes it even better. The track itself should suit my driving style and now I'm just dying to get out in the car! I know it'll be a steep learning curve but with the help I’ll be getting from the team I'm sure we can get some good results.”
Ian Harrison, Chairman Triple Eight: “I think Knockhill will be quite good. The cars are always good around Knockhill. We’ve got more power this year than we had last year because the drag up the hill used to be the killer for us so that’s going to help. Chassis wise I still think we’ve got the best car out there”.
“James is driving very well too this season. He drove the best laps he’s ever driven for the team last time out at Snetterton and is maturing nicely into a top contender. I’m pleased too that we’ve managed to sign Aron for this one. He’s an impressive young driver and I think he and James will make a great team, so high hopes.”
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