Sport   Other Sports   Touring Cars

Smith shines in British Touring Car testing at Oulton Park

By MJP Media | 29 February 2012

Oulton Park in Cheshire played host to the latest British Touring Car Championship testing this week with appearances by the Motorbase, Honda Racing and Speedworks teams ahead of the season which starts on 1st April at Brands Hatch in Kent.

Aron Smith

Motorbase had all three drivers Mat Jackson, Liam Griffin and new sensation Aron Smith at the test and although admitting there was "still a lot to learn", Smith was very much on the pace. In Wednesday morning's running in the Ford Focus he was within a second of last years pole time and we caught up with him for an exclusive interview.

"This is still very much a dream for me" said the young Irishman " but I would like to think I could be there or thereabouts for top ten finishes at the start of the season and then develop things from there". Certainly he is a big hit back home in Ireland where he has been made a road safety ambassador. The Motorbase team looks to be in good shape and if Smith can translate this potential in the cut and thrust of the series then the team could be hard to beat.

Tony Hughes testing the Speedworks Toyota Avensis

Honda Racing were continuing to develop the all new Civic which is quite a task for the team given that everything about the car is new. Some areas of the project are ahead of schedule whilst others such as the steering are still being worked on to suit the drivers but make no mistake, this is a special car. With Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden at the wheel, this should be a very potent package when the season starts.

Honda Racing's new Civic

Tony Hughes was at the wheel of the Speedworks Toyota Avensis for this test and the car was looking good. According to Hughes, a number of modifications over the winter have given the car a much better stance on track. "The handling is now feeling much more planted and predictable so we are certain that the car will be more competitive than last year". He then added with a big grin "and of course I am still getting better!"

Further testing takes place next week and we will bring you the news of that as it happens.

Touring Car content supplied by MJP Media