- Cole & Geddie continue to make progress with Toyota Avensis
- Breeze & Davenport both now inside championship top-six
- Bell & Patterson start two-hour British GT race from second row
Having made its Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship debut five weeks ago, United Autosports will now be able to make good use of a five-week break in the 30-race series.
Nine races into the season means that important data can be analysed and translated in to improving the Toyota Avensis – not to mention allowing the small, dedicated team to catch its breath in what has been a whirlwind opening four months to the year.
Such is the competitiveness of the series, the times set in qualifying of James Cole and Glynn Geddie would have secured pole-position around the 11-corner, 2.36-mile Thruxton track in the corresponding event 12 months ago.
The team will be out testing prior to the next rounds of the BTCC and Ginetta series staged at Oulton Park, Cheshire, over 7-8 June.
#20 Drivecool – Toyota Avensis
James Cole (GB). Age: 25. Born: Southport, England. Lives: Liverpool, England.
“The United Autosports guys did a remarkable job just getting me on the grid this week in a newly built up Toyota so hat’s off to them for a tremendous effort.
“Qualifying was good and I was pleased to be only a little over a second off pole-position and in the top half of the grid. Unfortunately I was the innocent victim of other drivers’ accidents in two of the three races which doesn’t help our cause.”
#21 – Toyota Avensis
Glynn Geddie (GB). Age: 23. Born & Lives: Aberdeen, Scotland.
“I’m certain the break in the series will give us an opportunity to make up ground on our rivals. Essentially the opening nine races have been glorified test sessions. The series is so incredibly competitive.
“The team is doing a good job. We’ll be testing during the break and hopefully head to the next races at Oulton Park having closed the gap on the opposition.”
May 03-04, Thruxton
Rd 7: Qualifying: 14th #20, 1m 17.293s; 19th #21, 1m 17.739s. Weather: Sunny/dry.
Race: 15th #21 +28.627s; Not classified #20 (accident). Weather: Bright/dry.
Rd 8: Start Pos: 15th #21, 28th #20.
Race: 16th #21, +20.173; 21st #20, +27.670. Weather: Bright/dry.
Rd 9: Start Pos: 15th #21, 28th #20.
Race: Not Classified #20 (accident) / #21 (. Weather: Bright/dry.
Championship standings:
Driver’s Championship: 19th #21, Cole, 4pts; 21st #20 Geddie, 2pts
HiQ Teams’ Championship: 13th, 7pts
Independents Team Trophy: 10th, 44pts