Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Belcher, Jackson expect to race in Oulton Park BTCC round

British Touring Car racers Simon Belcher and Ollie Jackson are expecting to make it to the Oulton Park round next month, despite their big accidents at Thruxton

Both Belcher's Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis and the Welch Motorsport Proton of Jackson were seriously damaged by separate crashes at the high-speed Church right-hander.

There had been doubt over their participation at Oulton, but both teams are working hard to make it onto the grid.

Belcher, who confirmed Speedworks Motorsport is helping Handy, said: "I think we'll be there. The shell is away at the moment - it is repairable - though just about all the bits that stick to it are being replaced.

"What's been brilliant is the fans' reaction. We didn't have a massive excess for damage in our budget and as soon as we said we were struggling, people got in touch suggested we do what Rob Austin does and sell T-shirts and things like that.

"We've started selling bits of the car from Thruxton. We've raised £3,500 so far just from the fans.

"Everything looks like it's coming together. We've got a very good chance of getting out for Oulton."

Welch confirmed that work is continuing on repairing Jackson's Proton.

"He hit a young tree at 96mph and the impact pushed the engine through the bulkhead," Welch told AUTOSPORT. "The tree then fell on top of the car.

"We're pretty much looking at a new front-end and the shell is twisted.

"There's no chance we can get a new shell in time so we're hoping we can do a very good repair.

"We're going hell for leather to get it out for Oulton. If we get the parts in time we're confident."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Thruxton defends safety of its circuit after BTCC crashes
Next article BTCC drivers call for changes at Thruxton after crashes

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe