BMW trio targeting top spot at Brands Hatch

West Surrey Racing are setting their sights on top spot this weekend as the British Touring Car Championship continues at Brands Hatch.

The BMW 330e M Sport outfit scored three podiums at Donington Park less than a fortnight ago =, which in-turn netted them an early lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship.

Jake Hill led the line for the team – which will remain as a three-car entry for this event – as he clinched a brace of third place finishes. Arriving at his home circuit sitting third in the standings, Hill is confident that he can challenge for race wins.

“Brands Hatch is one of my favourite weekends of the year,” said Hill. “The local support is always fantastic; you really feel everyone willing you to make the pass or go for the win.

“I was pleased with what we achieved at Donington; forty-plus points when we didn’t have the fastest package was a good score and this weekend I think we have a much better chance of putting The Laser Beemer on the top step of the podium because it’s so well-suited to the short track.”

Four-time champion Colin Turkington was a winner on the Indy layout last year and after a standing on the rostrum at the season-opener, the experienced campaigner believes he and the team are in a strong position.

“We came into Donington knowing we were in a better position than last year, but not sure where that would put us relative to our nearest rivals,” said the Northern Irishman.

“Now we know where we are and what we need to focus on, but overall we had a good package at Donington and the BMW should be even stronger at Brands Hatch – a track I’ve won on before with the 3 Series. If the weather stays consistent and we can work through our plan in practice, I’m sure we’ll have front-running pace.”

Meanwhile, Turkington’s Team BMW team-mate Adam Morgan found himself in the thick of the action last time out but with Brands having been a happy hunting ground for him in the past, the Lancashire racer is optimistic of fighting at the front.

“Donington proved that the difference between a good or a bad weekend rests on such fine margins, and even which qualifying group you were in had a big impact,” added Morgan.

“The fact that I could drive through the pack in two of the three races shows that the changes to the hybrid regulations have improved overtaking and I’m sure we’ll see plenty of the same this weekend.

“My aim is to be ahead of all that though and with the BMW having great traction out of the slow corners, we have a good chance to take a really big points haul this time.”