With a return of Martin Deppers car only on the Tuesday before the race weekend, the team had some hard days & nights preparing his car for round 25, 25 & 27 of the BTCC championship.
Arriving in somewhat brand new appearance, both cars had visited the body shop for a full once over and were in mint condition ready for the race weekend ahead on Friday.
Both drivers relaxed and enthusiastic with excitement, started their weekend with mucking in a getting the garage set up and making the final adjustments on the cars.
Saturday morning and with rain in place for the afternoon the drivers set out in free practice 1 with anticipation to get as much track time as possible, when disaster hit and it was all over for Martin Depper when his engine blew on lap 2. This meant with high spirits Martin was in for a spectator post watching and supporting his team mate for the weekend. A disappointing start that what was looking to be a great progressive weekend for this driver.
Arthur in the mean time was using the best from this free practice in putting in a race distance and constantly brought in quicker and quicker laps into the 14’s. Each lap he achieved a faster time not just by tenths but by seconds or half seconds, meaning he and this challenged car, had a lot more to give.
Free Practice 2 – Arthur was on a roll, now have full confidence in his setting and car handling he was now in an opportunity just to tweak elements to the car to improve his performance. Again he was lapping up the quick times and got into a dead 14’ only 4 tenths away from the experienced Andy Neate. Each sector the team where pleased to say was going green, including his strongest sector the fast section of the track from Craner Curves he was pushing on.
Qualifying in the traditional way of weather, saw the rain set in at the start of the session, the race was on to make attempts to get as much dry laps in a possible when Craner curves saw a pool of rain forming, the track was getting damp. 10 laps in and the session was reg flagged due to a spin at Redgate by a fellow BMW driver, meaning Arthur was to pit.
But on route trying a new set up with the dampers, saw Arthur slightly struggle with the handling which made him spin. And having unfortunately selected first gear caused the gear box to blow meaning the session was over and he would start for a fight in P20.
Races 1 & 2 Getting into action with a great start in race 1, Arthur was there standing in for the team and striving for success. But in Race 2 Arthur’s brake biased not working properly saw him lock up the back wheels ending up in the gravel trap at Redgate. With slight damage to the bumper and both front wheels flat spotted the team made a decision to bring Arthur into the pits. During this time using the team’s strategy Series leader and his title rivals ended in a 5 car pile up at last chicane of pit straight causing a long SC period. Under the safety car this was great opportunity, so a quick pit stop and tyre change saw him on the back end of the grid making his way back. Until the lap after another Safety car was deployed due to an incident at Coppice, that enabled Arthur a great opportunity to work on closing the gap. It was then a race finish on a 2 lap sprint to the chequered flag, placing Arthur in P18 for race 2.
Race 3 Arthur Forster sat in that back position of 20th again had a lot to work for, determined to gain a great result going into the final round this man was on a mission. Having his best start of the day Arthur was now with the pack and pushing lap after lap. Having a great gentleman battle with the AMD golf driver Shaun Hollamby he was now up a place and on the charge for John George and the smooth operator of Dave Pinkney. Arthur ecstatic with his car set up he now had a car to drive not just to hold onto and handle. He worked consistently chasing Dave Pinkney gaining tenths on him on each lap, the laps where not enough but what a fantastic result in 14th place and one happy driver.
Both drivers are now looking forward to the final round on the Indy Circuit of Brands Hatch….
