Alex MacDowall News

Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship podium finisher Alex MacDowall heads into the final three races of his rookie season next weekend, 9th/10th October, with an all or nothing approach as he strives for his elusive maiden category victory and a top 10 finish in the driver standings.

 

The Carlisle 19-year-old, who made history as the youngest ever driver in the BTCC to qualify on pole position during the Snetterton race meeting in August and then went on to break more records by eclipsing the Knockhill qualifying lap record last month, has been a genuine revelation this year.

 

Driving for the RML-run Silverline Chevrolet squad as team-mate to 2001 BTCC Champion and current points leader Jason Plato, Alex has thoroughly enjoyed his maiden season in the UK’s highest-profile motor racing series. But before the end of the current campaign, at Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, he wants a podium return and, preferably, a visit to the top step for the first time.

 

Alex’s chief aim is to end his debut season inside the coveted championship top 10 and ahead of the last triple-header of the year he is within just four points of 10th place. There’s no doubting he’ll be pushing as hard as ever at the 1.2-mile track though and, to that end, a victory challenge certainly isn’t out of the question.

 

“This season has gone really quickly and I want to finish it inside the top 10”, said the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star, “I know 10th place is a realistic goal but anything beyond that would be a struggle. I’ll be pushing as hard as ever though, I know what I can achieve, I have a fantastic car with the Chevrolet Cruze and the team always does an incredible job.

 

“The win is now more important than ever as contracts for next year will be up for review. I’m feeling really confident heading into Brands, I achieved my first podium on the GP circuit there so it’s a good track for me. Jason was also the quickest on the Indy Circuit on the Media Day there. Nothing is guaranteed for next year so I will be treating the weekend like it might be my last!”

 

So far this season, Alex has achieved some notable highlights including two podiums, a pair of pole positions and he also set the fastest lap during the first of the Knockhill races. He’s proven time and again he has the pace to run consistently at the front and will arrive in Kent next weekend focused on concluding his debut season in touring cars on a spectacular high.

 

Following two free practice sessions on the morning of Saturday, 9th October, BTCC qualifying will take place at 15.35. The final three races of the 2010 season will follow on Sunday, 10th October, at 11.30, 14.05 and 16.55 and all will be screened live on Freeview, digital satellite and cable channel ITV4 as part of the station’s bumper seven and a half hour broadcast.

 

2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship driver standings:
1st Jason Plato, 224pts; 11th Alex MacDowall, 75pts