EDENBRIDGE & QUEST/VARTA BOOST BRANDS GRID
Brands Hatch’s Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship
grid will be boosted by additional entries from the Edenbridge
Racing and Team Quest/Varta squads. Both will field ETCC-spec
cars, the former its spectacular BMW 320i and the latter a
Honda Civic Type R. Justin Keen and Richard Marsh will drive
the cars respectively.
Some believe Tonbridge-based Edenbridge will make an immediate
impact on its return to the BTCC. The BMW is one of the strongest
forces in European Touring Car racing and its rear-wheel-drive
transmission is known to suit Brands’ tight Indy circuit
lay-out. Driver Keen is out to impress on his BTCC debut after
strong performances in international Formula 3000 and sportscars.
Edenbridge is also seeking to become the second team in the
championship to challenge for race wins with an ETC-spec car
- Jason Plato took a sensational victory for SEAT Sport UK
on its BTCC debut at Thruxton on Easter Sunday with the Toledo
Cupra model the Spanish manufacturer races in Europe.
But said Edenbridge team boss Peter Briggs: “It will
be very tough out there. Bear in mind that SEAT had quite
a bit of testing prior to Thruxton, whereas we’ve had
just one shakedown day with Justin in the car.
“Give us more time and I think we can cause a few surprises.
I would certainly fancy our chances when the BTCC returns
to Brands in August. Then again, who knows? Something special
could happen this weekend - it’s not unknown for Brands
to throw up a shock result.”
Marsh, meanwhile, hopes to build on the experience he gained
driving as a BTCC rookie in the second half of last season.
He previously raced in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB - one of
the BTCC’s five support championships that will be in
action at Brands Hatch this weekend alongside those from BMW,
Renault and SEAT.
For all the latest news and event information in the run-up
to Brands Hatch’s BTCC weekend, visit the championship’s
official website www.tocatour.com
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