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A View From The Driver's Seat: Laser Tools Racing are now firmly in the BTCC paddock

By Aiden Moffat / MJP Media | 19 March 2014

After 2 days of media launches and testing, I think it is fair to say that Laser Tools Racing, myself and the rest of the team truly feel that we have now arrived in the BTCC paddock for 2014.

Media Day at Donington Park yesterday

As I drove down to Donington Park for the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship media day I have to admit that I was very nervous indeed. Would the garage look how we had planned it? Was the car as impressive to look at as we had hoped? What would the sponsors think as they hadn't seen the car, the clothing, the garage or the truck etc. - you get the picture? More importantly, how would we compare with the more established teams on the grid and how would you, my wonderful fans see the team?

Well, rather than answering all of those questions, let's just say that thanks to the hard work of everyone in the team and our media guys, the garage looked good, the car looked awesome and I nearly died when I saw the huge number of the world's media waiting outside my garage for the gorgeous Hannah Clegg (my grid girl) and Martin the Managing Director of Laser Tools to unveil the car. There were hundreds of them!! I don't think I have ever been forced to smile so much for so long. I needn't have worried - everyone loved everything and so we were finally a full part of the paddock.

The Laser Tools Racing Chevrolet Cruze

On the afternoon of media day, we did a few runs in the car to bed brakes in and give the fans a look at the car however this was cut short by a long and very cold heavy rain storm. I felt so sorry for everyone of you who had turned out to support me and the weather ruined it. Today was a better day in terms of testing as I headed to Silverstone for some real work with the internationally recognised driver coach, racer and TV presenter Paul O'Neill.

What a day we have had with some very consistent lap times not far off the Hondas and BMWs who were there too. Paul was amazing in helping me understand the data and car set up a bit better, as well as braking points and so on. It was a real eye opener in many respects for me as well as a great way for the team to get used to working with other.

Testing at Silverstone today

I have to say a big thank you to so many people for helping me get so far, but as you probably need to be bored to death with that I'll just say thanks to my Mum and Dad for backing me, Rick and Mike who have been with the project from the very beginning, a massive thank you to Laser Tools as title sponsors for putting their trust in me, but most importantly to you the fans, because without you, racing would be a very lonely place indeed. I look forward to seeing you all at Brands Hatch at the end of next week, so please stop by the garage and say hello.

Cheers for now.

Aiden #16

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