ANDREW Watson reckons it is only a matter of time before he visits the podium’s top step in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship after witnessing both of his team-mates do exactly that.
At Snetterton last month, former FIA World Touring Car driver Rob Huff took the chequered flag in the reversed-grid contest in his Speedworks Motorsport-run Toyota Corolla GR Sport hatchback.
It was the Englishman’s first victory in the UK’s tin top series in two decades, and it was achieved in fairytale fashion as he produced a masterful performance to lead home a one-two-three for the Japanese marque.
That success followed a fifth BTCC win and a first with Toyota for Aiden Moffat in the final race of April’s curtain-raising Donington Park triple header. He soaked up sustained pressure from Team BMW’s Colin Turkington and NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton to keep his nose in front and secure top spot.
Watson – the reigning Jack Sears Trophy champion – now wants to get in on the act as Thruxton in Hampshire, the fastest track on the calendar, is the venue for rounds 10, 11 and 12.
“I’ve had good pace at every circuit so far this year, particularly in qualifying,” said Watson, whose consistent start to life with his new team means he sits just outside the top 10 in the points’ table.
“Of course, the race results could have been better on my side of the garage, but the whole team is riding high at the moment, and we are now going into each weekend targeting trophies. Both Aiden and Rob have shown that the Corolla is a winning package and I want to tick that box, too.”
Although there is no disputing the British-made car’s speed, Watson says the learnings he takes from Saturday’s Free Practice sessions are going to be key for qualifying, which begins at 3.25pm.
“We can’t really test at Thruxton and we won’t have much track time before qualifying, so it’ll be super-important to get our eye in quickly and begin building up confidence from the very first lap in practice – you really need to feel comfortable if you want to explore the limits there,” he said.
“Thruxton is a unique challenge and one I’m looking forward to.
“As a circuit, it demands all of your attention and respect with so many high-speed corners that ask a lot of questions of the car, and when you really nail a lap, it gives you such a sense of satisfaction.
“It’s a lot of fun with little bits of time that can be unlocked here and there. It’s somewhere you can make a genuine difference.”
Sunday’s opening 16-lap race around the 2.37-mile former airfield will get underway at 11.45am followed by the second sprint at 2.35pm and the reversed grid contest at 5.25pm. Given the high-speed nature of Thruxton, tyre management even on the hard Goodyear compound will be crucial.
