Hard day for debutant Ben Collins

Ben Collins, formerly ‘The Stig’, ended up in the dumps after his first competitive day of BTCC action, thanks to gearbox woes. Problems with keeping the gearbox cool meant Collins only completed four laps during qualifying, meaning the Bristolian failed to set a time, and will start Sunday’s opening race in 22nd position on the grid.

“I’m gutted for Ben,” said Team Principle David Bartrum, “As the gearbox issue has plagued us from the first moment today, and we couldn’t get round it, even after rebuilding the box on several occasions.

“To make it right Ben’s team of mechanics will be working through the night to effectively supply and fit a brand new gearbox.”

“I’m very disappointed as I didn’t get to drive a lap in anger,” said Collins. “I suppose that will come in tomorrow’s first race. The guys are working overnight on the gearbox so I can only hope they can get the job done and I’m sure they will.
“I’m looking for a zero to hero moment and my BTCC debut would be a great place for it.”

Also looking for a change in fortunes on Sunday will be teammate Steven Kane, who currently lies second in the Independent Drivers standings, eighteen points behind Tom Onslow-Cole. The Northern Irishman though could only qualify fourteenth, and went on to say, “I felt the car was very strong in FP1 and FP2 and we made a few changes for qualifying as we were after pole.

“The truth is we went too far and lost time, but it was a learning lesson and we think we now know what needs to be done for tomorrow. There is no reason why I can’t win in this car against this field.”

Luckily for Kane, Onslow-Cole also had a, by recent standards, poor qualifying session, ending up tenth so just four places ahead of the BMW man.

“Steven got a little unlucky and couldn’t put the lap he needed together,” said Oliver Collins from Airwaves BMW. “Frustratingly just a tenth would have put him five places up the order showing how competitive this grid really is, but I’m looking forward to a positive result from all three drivers tomorrow.”

Rounding out the Airwaves three car line-up is Mat Jackson, who also has an outside chance of the Independents’ title, though he’s put that out of his mind.

“I haven’t been thinking about the championship,” said the Warwickshire driver. “I’m just driving as best I can and letting fate take care of the rest. Today the car was good and quick and we have a little more pace to come. We got held up a little by traffic today and that cost me a fraction, but overall I’m happy and I we’re in a strong position going in to tomorrow.”