Winning start to new season for Rob

Rounds 1, 2 & 3 of the 2005 British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park
April 9/10, 2005

Independent win and best-ever BTCC finish at Donington

A new season, a new team and a new car for Rob, but the Hampshire racer was unphased, and soon set about making an instant impact. The highlight of the weekend was a second place finish in race two, just 0.179secs behind the works Astra Sport Hatch of Yvan Muller. With Matt Neal finishing third, this also marked a first Independents' Cup victory of the year for Rob and the West Surrey Racing team.

The weekend started well, with Rob setting the third fastest time in both free practice sessions on Saturday morning. In the afternoon's qualifying session, Rob claimed fifth spot on the grid for the first race of the year.

"I'm frustrated", said Rob. "The car's been very good in all the session. I just don't think we've had enough time in the car to get the most from the new tyres and the new car. We had a problem with the car at the end, and I had just done my best sector, but that's always the way! I'm very frustrated to get pipped at the end. I was P3 for a while, then P4 and then I got knocked down to fifth at the end. But as a whole, we're still very happy."

It did not take long for the action to hot up in race one, with Rob challenging Dan Eaves on the first lap, and being pushed wide on to the grass, needing some impressive car control. Back on the track, but down to sixth, Rob was soon on the tail of the Honda Integra of Dan Eaves and the Seat Toledo Cupra of Jason Plato. Both Rob and Eaves managed to slip past Plato, overcoming his strong defence.

The following laps saw Rob climb all over the back of what proved to be a very wide Honda Integra, but his efforts went unrewarded, although both drivers also found a way passed Colin Turkington, handing Rob a fourth place finish.

Starting on the second row for race two, Rob made a lightning start, beaten to the first corner by just Yvan Muller, who he then proceeded to put under pressure. However Matt Neal, in third, was quickly up on the back of Rob's MG, turning the focus to defence. Neal found a way past at the Old Hairpin on lap three, but the Team Halfords driver never escaped Rob's attention, and at around two-thirds race distance, the MG was once again in second position after the pair ran side-by-side down through the Craner Curves.

Once free of Neal, Rob set about chasing race leader Yvan Muller, closing at a rate of just under half a second a lap. Unfortunately for Rob, the chequered flag came just a little too early, and the first race win was not to be. However, the second place finish was Rob's best ever in the BTCC.

Following the race, Rob commented: "I'm absolutely delighted with the drive. I got a fantastic start, I beat Matt off the line into the first corner and I really pushed Yvan quite hard. Matt got past me, which was a bit unfortunate, but then I just sat behind him and picked my time and my place. Without a doubt, I could have got past Yvan if we had had a couple more laps. I really do feel we were a lot quicker at the end."

With his confidence high, it looked as though race three may bring yet more podium success for Rob, as he again made second position his own from the start. However, he lost out somewhat in a mêlée on lap six that saw Jason Plato drop from the race lead, and Neal, Eaves and Muller fill the top three places. A solid drive over the remainder of the race brought a fourth place finish to end the season opener.

"Overall, it's been a very good weekend", commented Rob. "I'm disappointed not to get on the podium in the last race. But as a whole, we couldn't have asked for more really. I'm looking forward to Thruxton."

"Matt's been very fast this weekend. It's the same with Yvan. He showed good pace. But everybody is beatable at the moment. We just have to keep positive and hopefully get some good results next time out."

"I think I've proved today that I've got the pace to be in a car of this calibre, and with a team of this calibre. So if I can get a few more results under my belt…look out!"