James Cole optimistic of making Thruxton BTCC after Donington shunt
British Touring Car Championship racer James Cole is optimistic of making it onto the Thruxton grid this weekend after his heavy accident at Donington Park
Cole clashed with Robb Holland's Audi early in race two at Donington, with both cars crashing into the barriers at the top of the Craner Curves.
Both drivers missed race three as a result, but Cole's United Autosports squad is building a new Toyota Avensis for Thruxton.
"Car-wise I'd say we're 90 per cent good to go," said Cole, who hopes to shakedown his new machine on Wednesday.
"For UA to build a new car in eight days is ridiculous, but if everything goes to plan they'll do it. They were well prepared enough.
"Everything is new. I've even got a new steering wheel. You could put on a small shelf the parts we could use again."
Holland had initially been hopeful of his new-for-2014 Audi S3 being ready in time, but his Rotek Racing squad has had some issues.
"The boys are hard on it and the car came through really well, but we bent a bunch of custom fabricated parts that we are struggling to get remade in time," Holland told AUTOSPORT.
"Because of the tight deadline for the car build we didn't have time to fabricate spares as well. So now we need to do a month's worth of fabrication work in a week and a half.
"We are scheduled to shake the car down on Friday so fingers crossed."
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