BTCC star MacDowall aiming for Brands GP points hat-trick
Following on from a luckless outing at Rockingham last weekend, Carlisle’s Alex MacDowall aims to deliver at least three points finishes at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit this Sunday, 2nd May, during the latest installment of the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Excelling in only his second ever BTCC qualifying session at Rockingham with a sensational third fastest time, Alex’s weekend unfortunately dipped from that point onwards when all three races resulted in difficulties.
An erroneous tyre choice for the rain-affected fourth round of the season meant the Silverline Chevrolet racer could do nothing to avoid a slip down the order to an eventual finish of 12th place. After matching that result in round five, he was unceremoniously shunted out of round six.
“Rockingham was disappointing in the end but we proved how quick we can be during qualifying and that’s the level of performance we’re aiming for again this weekend”, said the 19-year-old, “The team has done a fantastic job for me so far, it’s a real privilege to be racing the Chevrolet Cruze in the BTCC, and I’m sure we’ll be strong at Brands Hatch.”
Graduating to the UK’s biggest motor racing series after a successful tenure in the one-make ELF Renault Clio Cup, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star has certainly turned heads in the BTCC since signing to partner ex-champion Jason Plato in the RML-run Silverline Chevrolet squad.
At the 2.3-mile Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit in 2009, Alex rounded-off his final year of Clio Cup racing with a win and a second place during the two races. With proven ability at the world famous Kent track, his aim will be to convert that experience into three top performances this Sunday.
Alex’s first action of the weekend will come with two free practice sessions on Saturday, 1st May, ahead of round seven qualifying. All three Brands Hatch races will take place on Sunday, 2nd May, at 11.45, 14.05 and 16.55, and will be shown live on Freeview, cable and digital satellite channel ITV4.
2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship driver standings:
1st Jason Plato, 64pts; 12th Alex MacDowall, 11pts