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A View From The Driver's Seat: Are you ready to Rock?

By Frank Wrathall / MJP Media | 17 September 2012

Following bitter disappointment at Knockhill, Frank Wrathall looks forward to Rockingham where he expects his Dynojet Toyota Avensis to perform well - as it did there last year.

On course for pole position at Snetterton
On course for pole position at Snetterton

Rockingham Motor Speedway is my favourite track and the venue last season for some impressive results. I head there this weekend hopeful of putting the disappointment of the engine failure which cost me so much in the championship at Knockhill firmly behind me.

A new 2.0-litre turbo-charged Toyota power plant, featuring developments aimed at strengthening its already robust nature, has been fitted to my Dynojet Avensis and we did some shaking down at Donington Park last week. A further Donington test is planned for this week if we can manage it.

Engine failure at Knockhill was a real disappointment
Engine failure at Knockhill was a real disappointment

Let's be blunt, Knockhill cost us a lot in real terms as we slipped to 10th in the championship. It was made even worse because the two people who were behind us in the points finished 1-2 in the last race, however one strong weekend can change everything. We are overdue some luck and hopefully we can get back to eighth - which I feel is more where we belong - at Rockingham. Had we completed all three races at Knockhill we would probably be comfortably there already.

Rockingham was a happy hunting ground last year for me as my Avensis claimed third place in qualifying and a double race podium. This has only been bettered by my pole position followed by a race second last month at Snetterton. My big target is a maiden race win before the end of the season.

On the podium at Rockingham in 2011
On the podium at Rockingham in 2011

Looking back, Rockingham was excellent for me last year; it was really the only place we had the Toyota spot-on. I love Rockingham - it is definitely my favourite circuit. I always tend to go well there and I enjoy it, not least because the people who run it are always helpful and really friendly.

I want to win a race before the end of the year - I definitely think we will have missed out if we don't - and Rockingham may offer the best chance we have of that. We will see this weekend!

All my love

Frank #11

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A VIEW FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT

A regular account of life in the British Touring Car Championship from the driver's point of view

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