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ROUND 3 & 7: THRUXTON
                                  ROUND 3 & 7: THRUXTON


         Tractors, tanks and fast cars, it’s Salisbury Plain


                                         ow, BTCC aside, this is a land which I  Dan Cammish:
                                         am very familiar with but I won’t
                                   Nindulge you all with that one.  Not    “Race one was a brilliant result for the entire
                                   when this circuit proved so successful for  team. To get a double podium is a huge
                                   Matt and Dan last year. and what’s more, we  reward for everybody’s efforts in making the
                                   are going there twice during 2019.      Honda Civic Type R such a competitive
                                                                           machine. It was a great qualifying for me and
                                   Now, for those of us that drive to the circuit  to turn that into my second podium finish of
                                   will have a fair share of frustrations heading  the season is very satisfying. Race two didn’t
                                   to the Salisbury Plain Circuit but worry not,  go entirely to plan for me. I had a bad start
                                   the action and spectacle are so well worth it.  and ran off-track which put me down the
                                   Take my word for it, I was there last year in  order. I did the best in race three and I’m
                                   basking sunshine.                       happy to have scored points. All in all, it’s
                                                                           been a good weekend and our pace at
                                   Let’s recap on last years action with Matt and  various points proves how much potential
                                   Dan.  Firstly, Matt broke the lap record to  there is from both myself and the Civic Type
                                   take his first pole of the season and then  R. Well done to Matt for his brilliant pole
                                   went on to win the first race, a second  position and victory in race one – he has had
                                   podium 3rd and then an eighth spot in the  an absolutely mega weekend.”
                                   last race.  What a weekend.

                                   Dan did his normal fourth in qualies, (getting
                                   a bit of a habit, these 4ths) and then went on
                                   to finish 3rd in the first race, 26th in the
                                   second and then a very commendable 13th
                                   in the final race.

                                   In my unqualified opinion, I believe this was
                                   the first opportunity for the FK8 to really
                                   stretch it’s legs.  It’s a fast circuit with those
                                   long, sweeping corners.  The track was
                                   warm, the car was set up like a dream and
                                   the points rolled in.  For me, this was the one
                                   race that turned the West Midlands team into
                                   the right direction.
                                   So what did our boys have to say about
                                   Thruxton.
                                   Matt Neal:

                                   “It has been an incredibly special weekend
                                   and I am delighted to have given the Civic
                                   Type R (FK8) its first BTCC victory on ‘home
                                   soil’ at Thruxton. That pole lap is one I am
                                   especially proud of – I was hanging
                                   everything out there – so I am really chuffed
                                   to turn it into a win. I had a fantastic start to
                                   grab the lead through the opening bends  What are we in for in 2019?  Ideally, we
                                   and from there the Civic Type R’s strengths  would love to see a repeat or better
                                   through the quick corners meant no-one  especially as we have a second meeting
                                   could get close to me. To get another   when the BTCC comes back from it’s mid
                                   podium in race two with that much ballast  season break.  As we said before, this track
                                   demonstrates just how good the package is  is brill for the FK8 but we also have to
                                   and shows we are very much in the title  consider 28 other cars.  With two meetings
                                   battle this year. I really think the tide is  at Thruxton, every car on the circuit is going
                                   changing for us and this is the start of good  to be out to monopolise on  the points.
                                   things to come.”
                                                                           For the spectators, I have to say there are so



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