Kane hoping for more podiums at Brands Hatch finale
Airwaves BMW head to Brands Hatch for season finale
Airwaves BMW have already confirmed a third car to be driven by experienced racer Ben Collins, formerly known as ‘The Stig’. Following successful tests at Brands Hatch in November and at Snetterton last week, experienced racer Ben Collins, formerly known as "The Stig", will make his eagerly anticipated debut in front of a packed grandstand filled with home support in a Motorbase Performance run BMW.
He will join Steven Kane, who currently sits in second place in the Independent Drivers championship, 18 points behind leader, Ford’s Tom Onslow-Cole following the Irishman’s dramatic haul of 30 independent points in the previous rounds at Donny. With good fortune and great skill Kane can still clinch the title if he can make the podium, and Brands just may play into the hands of his BMW.
Mat Jackson sits in fourth in the Independent Drivers Championship, 17 points behind his Airwaves BMW teammate. The Warwickshire driver will need all the points he can get his hands on if he is to win the Independent Drivers and help Airwaves BMW attain their first ever Independent Teams championship. With a win at the circuit already chalked up this year and two podiums in 2008 Jackson needs a repeat performance, and both tiles are not something the Motorbase outfit will let go of lightly.
You can catch all the action and witness Motorbase Performances title challenge live on ITV4 on Sunday the 10th of October between 10.30am -6pm. For the first time Saturday’s qualifying session will also be available to viewers online between 3pm – 6.15pm on Saturday the 9th of October, just log onto www.itv.com/touringcars.
Airwaves BMW driver Steven Kane said:
“We can win at Brands Hatch and that’s what I’ll be going there to do. Over the last few weeks I’ve been really pleased with my pace so at a track like Brands where we are not relying so heavily on engine power I think we’ll have a real shot. Back in 2008 I was on the podium twice with two second place finishes and I was back again this year on the GP circuit so that’s giving me a real boost. It’s clear the BMW can do the business; I just need to concentrate on winning rather than points and let the rest fall into play. If Tom has a little bad luck and I get three good races the Independent title is well within my reach.”
Airwaves BMW driver Mat Jackson said:
“I have a great history at Brands having won there this year on the GP circuit and grabbing two second place podiums in 2008 on the Indy. We’ve proven the BMW can win here so we’ll just have to see what happens with the other teams and their turbos! I have no doubt the Focus and Chevys will be quick so we’ll have to make up the pace through the corners and by conserving our tyres, but I’ve done it before and I don’t see why I can’t do it again. We’ve had a solid season and a win or two and the Independent title would cap it off nicely”
Airwaves BMW driver Ben Collins said:
“I can’t wait, it’s my first race in the BTCC and I want to thank all the sponsors for getting me here. The car felt very responsive at Snetterton during testing and I feel I’ve made the necessary changes to suit my driving style over a race distance. I put in a set of consistent, quick times so I shall go out on the weekend to do that again. I need to be competitive and aim to win, I’m not here to make up the numbers.”
Airwaves BMW Team Principle David Bartrum said:
“I can’t wait! The whole of the Motorbase team has been amazing, both drivers and crew and they fully deserve the titles to back up all the hard work which has been put in this year. I always like going to Brands Hatch, partly because it’s our home circuit but also because we’ve had some great results there. We’re now running nine cars at the final race weekend of the TOCA season, which I think is probably a team record. I think I might be a little nervous come Sunday afternoon though! “
