Cook makes dream start to Touring Car Championship

❝ I’m really pleased for everyone at BTC, the hard work we’ve been doing has paid off

THRUXTON specialist Josh Cook got the 2021 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship off to a dream start for BTC Racing at the Hampshire track last Sunday by taking two outstanding back-toback victories in rounds one and two of the new season.

Having only just missed out on pole position by 0.053 seconds in qualifying, Bristol-based Cook took the lead of round one just three corners into the encounter and was never headed – also setting fastest lap in his Honda Civic TypeR FK8.

In round two, even with 75kg of success ballast on board, Cook, pictured, won after leading from lights-to-flag and bagged the fastest lap again, ably assisted by teammate Dan Cammish, who starred in second place.Round three turned into a lottery when rain arrived ahead of the start, resulting in some drivers changing to wet Goodyear tyres and others staying on slicks.

Two pit-stops for Cook resulted in an unrepresentative 20th place but he again set the fastest lap to confirm his clear speed.

Snetterton 300 Circuit in Norfolk will host rounds four, five and six of the BTCC season over the weekend June 12-13.

Cook said: “Two wins from three races is never a bad weekend, I’m over the moon to have made such a strong start to the season.

“I’m really pleased for everyone at BTC, the hard work we’ve been doing has paid off. In race two it definitely helped having my teammate there with me, I’ve got to say huge thanks to Dan.

“Taking a one-two for BTC Racing, the second win of the day, it really did get things off to a dream start. The car was mega, even with the weight in, so huge credit to the team.”