Derek Palmer Jr “proud to be a part” of Support Our Paras Racing
The new Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing drivers are relishing their opportunity in the British Touring Car Championship, with Derek Palmer Jr believing there’s “no better platform in the World” for their project.
Speaking at the unveiling of the new Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing team, held at the St Lawrence Jewry Church, the Principle Regimental Church of the Parachute Regiment, Palmer told TouringCarTimes that he felt immensely proud to call himself a part of a team supporting the Parachute Regiment.
“I’m going to be proud to be driving a car with a maroon red roof next year,” said Palmer. “Even though I haven’t earned a Paratrooper’s beret, only the elite get that, I’m proud to represent what that stands for and the guys in the team. I think the relationship with Infiniti and Support Our Paras is a great thing.
“The concept is fresh to touring cars, I think, and I think there’s no better platform in the World, definitely the UK, to do that with. There’s a lot of manufacturers in the BTCC, a lot of people go to watch it, there’s a great fanbase and it gets great TV coverage as well. I think the relationship with Infiniti and Support Our Paras is a great thing.”
Palmer can recently have been seen racing in the HSCC Super Touring Championship, driving a Nissan Primera, so he has experience of driving top level touring car machinery.
“Super Tourers are the pinnacle of touring cars so if you can drive one of them quickly it leaves you in a good place,” continued Palmer. “Other series I’ve raced in, like the Fiestas, you know what you’re getting in to and obviously the guys in the BTCC are more experienced at that kind of pushing and shoving. But I’m ready to give as good as I get, and you have to be ready otherwise you’ll get bullied.”
There has been debate recently about the parity between front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive machinery, although Palmer says the new Infiniti Q50 is “undecided as of yet” as to whether it will be front or rear-wheel-drive.
“There is quite a big debate over what will happen as of yet,” Palmer said. “It’s a very difficult thing to balance, obviously the RWD cars are better off the start, even with the longer first gear, the period where RWD is weakest is in the first couple of laps because they don’t get their tyres up to temperature and as it starts to balance out the tyres come on and the RWD become quicker.
“Looking at the stats, MG have won a lot of races this year. West Surrey Racing and BMW have got that car sorted out, Rob Austin has the Audi and he’s been competitive but not to the same level as the BMW. Turkington’s really got the best out of the car this year, the guy is a class act. I think maybe take more focus off the RWD and look at how good a job he’s done to be fair to him. I understand the concerns for both sides, from our side it’s not been released yet but whatever our car is we’ll be happy with it and we’ll endeavour to make it quick.
“We want to start to get in to points, top 15, top 10. It’ll be great to get a podium by the end of the year. The way the race 3 structure works has been to the advantage to some of the guys this year and if we can capitalise on that it’d be great. It’s really using the time to understand the car, the team to understand the car and we’ll be developing together. And it’s just great to have a new manufacturer in the series.”
