How Matt Simpson became the BTCC's newest race-winner
The British Touring Car Championship's newest race winner Matt Simpson has credited Eurotech Racing team-mate Jack Goff for his upturn in form in 2018
Simpson dominated the opening race at Oulton Park last weekend from pole to take his maiden win in the category before an engine problem with his Honda Civic Type R sidelined him for the rest of the afternoon.
Prior to moving his Honda to Eurotech this season, Simpson had not qualified or finished in the top 10 in his first two BTCC campaigns.
He opened 2018 with eighth on the grid and two seventh place finishes at Brands Hatch in April, before his Oulton breakthrough.
"Jack has been a huge help to me and I love the fact that even though we are rivals on track, we are all in the same team and we are working together to help the common cause," said Simpson.
"It is little things: Jack is there for advice, he helps me on track walks at the beginning of the weekend and we share so much.
"That has been a real boost for me and I think I have learned as much over the start of this year as I did during my first two seasons at this level."
The 36-year-old was a multiple European Hot Rod champion prior to switching to long-circuit racing in the club-level Intermarque series and winning two titles.
He was assisted by Speedworks and then Team Dynamics in his initial BTCC programmes before this year's Eurotech move.
Simpson also said that a fresh approach to his racing this season has also reaped rewards, with effort away from the track paying off on it.
"In the off-season, I worked a lot on myself too: just on my mental preparation and the psychology side of things," he said.
"I needed to believe in myself a bit more, and I have found that now.
"I would say 50% of my step forward this year has been down to the Eurotech team and the atmosphere we have here, and then the other 50% is down to me and the extra performance that I have got from myself.
"We have the first win out of the way now, and that is the hardest one.
"I know I am not in the championship picture due to things that have happened over the first part of the season, so that means that I can go for wins, just go out and grab headlines. With the form I am in at the moment, I think I can do that."
Simpson, who was 29th and 24th in the standings in his first two BTCC campaigns, is now up to 16th in the 2018 championship.
Motorbase signs Independents Trophy champion Butcher
Motorbase signs Independents Trophy champion Butcher Motorbase signs Independents Trophy champion Butcher
BTCC 2020: Ollie Jackson to race newly built Motorbase Ford Focus RS
BTCC 2020: Ollie Jackson to race newly built Motorbase Ford Focus RS BTCC 2020: Ollie Jackson to race newly built Motorbase Ford Focus RS
The final-race twist that capped a decade of BTCC drama
The final-race twist that capped a decade of BTCC drama The final-race twist that capped a decade of BTCC drama
BTCC race-winner Matt Simpson splits with Eurotech team
BTCC race-winner Matt Simpson splits with Eurotech team BTCC race-winner Matt Simpson splits with Eurotech team
BTCC Oulton Park: Matt Simpson scores strong first BTCC victory
BTCC Oulton Park: Matt Simpson scores strong first BTCC victory BTCC Oulton Park: Matt Simpson scores strong first BTCC victory
BTCC Oulton Park: Honda driver Matt Simpson scores first BTCC pole
BTCC Oulton Park: Honda driver Matt Simpson scores first BTCC pole BTCC Oulton Park: Honda driver Matt Simpson scores first BTCC pole
How a BTCC reunion yielded glory in Britain's 'other' tin-top series
How a BTCC reunion yielded glory in Britain's 'other' tin-top series How a BTCC reunion yielded glory in Britain's 'other' tin-top series
Leading BTCC outfit BTC gets new name and expands into GT racing
Leading BTCC outfit BTC gets new name and expands into GT racing Leading BTCC outfit BTC gets new name and expands into GT racing
The grassroots rise that shaped an understated BTCC star
The grassroots rise that shaped an understated BTCC star The grassroots rise that shaped an understated BTCC star
The big dilemma facing Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team in 2024
The big dilemma facing Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team in 2024 The big dilemma facing Valentino Rossi's MotoGP team in 2024
Fry: Williams F1 team has to develop 'winning mindset'
Fry: Williams F1 team has to develop 'winning mindset' Fry: Williams F1 team has to develop 'winning mindset'
The rise of a new F1 superpower
The rise of a new F1 superpower The rise of a new F1 superpower
Madrid F1 project still lacking key steps, says FIA
Madrid F1 project still lacking key steps, says FIA Madrid F1 project still lacking key steps, says FIA
How a BTCC Alliance swept the field away in 2023
How a BTCC Alliance swept the field away in 2023 How a BTCC Alliance swept the field away in 2023
How a top-down overhaul formed the basis of Sutton's 2023 BTCC dominance
How a top-down overhaul formed the basis of Sutton's 2023 BTCC dominance How a top-down overhaul formed the basis of Sutton's 2023 BTCC dominance
A BTCC star tests the cars that transformed tin-top racing
A BTCC star tests the cars that transformed tin-top racing A BTCC star tests the cars that transformed tin-top racing
Can the BTCC's underrated Toyota ace stake his claim to a title?
Can the BTCC's underrated Toyota ace stake his claim to a title? Can the BTCC's underrated Toyota ace stake his claim to a title?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.