Round-up: Slight still on for Donington…
Peugeot's UK motorsport boss Mick Linford has refuted rumours that Superbike ace Aaron Slight's scheduled race debut in his team at Donington Park on July 1 has been put back
"He will be out at Donington," said Linford, who also indicated that the team is working hard to ensure that the New Zealander can take part in the official TOCA test at Snetterton on Monday June 25.
Slight is scheduled to drive a third 406 alongside regular drivers Steve Soper and Dan Eaves in five meetings this year.
Thomas Erdos will take over the ABG Motorsport Lexus IS200 for the next rounds of the BTCC at Donington Park on July 1.
The Brazilian signed up to drive the team's second car at the beginning of the season, but with that unlikely to appear now until the Snetterton night race at the beginning of August and the series' much delayed testing ban currently due to be introduced at the beginning of July, team principal Tim Blake has decided to give Erdos some seat time.
"It makes sense to put him in the car," said Blake, "or he won't get any testing. So he will do the testing before Donington and the races there."
Erdos commented: "I'm looking forward to it, but I'm conscious that I will still need more seat time. At this level you don't just have to drive the car, you have to wear it and you can see that in the drivers who've spent a lot of time in their cars."
Luby is expected to be back behind the wheel for the Knockhill rounds in July, before both drivers compete at Snetterton.
Five BTC production drivers didn't take the ferry to Ireland, reducing the class field to 15 and the overall grid to 22.
The missing runners were Matt Kelly's Bintcliffe Sport Nissan Primera, which has already missed several rounds; Jim Edwards Jr's TCR Honda Accord, the Synchro Motorsport Accord of Dave Allan and the two Team B&Q Integras of Nick Beaumont and John B&Q.
In addition the two JS Motorsports Alfa Romeo 147s stayed in the UK as the team tries to sort out ongoing engine problems.
Most are expected to rejoin the fray at Donington on July 1.
Previous article
Feature race: Two easy for Muller
Next article
Slight gets first taste of Peugeot power
BTCC: Croft Race 3 in 60 seconds
BTCC: Oulton Park Race 3 in 75 seconds
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 3 in 60 seconds
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 2 in 80 seconds
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 1 in 80 seconds
The increasingly varied CV behind a new BTCC title challenger
A driver with limited funds behind him, it’s been a tough road to the top of the British Touring Car Championship for Jake Hill. Now he’s a title contender, accomplished historic racer and in-demand coach. It’s a great life for this self-confessed motorsport junkie
The outright tin-top wins achieved by a forgotten tin-top great
Already established as a formidable force in the British Saloon Car Championship, the Triumph Dolomite became a legend in 1977 when Tony Dron's Broadspeed machine frequently embarrassed the mighty Capris
Five key plotlines to follow in the 2021 BTCC
It’s been a busy silly season in the BTCC since the chequered flag fell to end the 2020 campaign last November. While last year’s top two have stayed put, there’s plenty of talking points elsewhere, which should result in another fascinating year of tin-top action
The giantkilling 'dad and lad' operation taking on the BTCC's best
The Lancashire squad of Ciceley Motorsport has been a BTCC race winner for several years with Adam Morgan and Mercedes. But the switch to WSR-built BMWs and addition of Tom Chilton as a true barometer for Morgan should see the team step up into title contention
How a returning champion is feeling at home again in the BTCC
After topping the times at the end of British Touring Car Championship pre-season testing, it feels like Gordon Shedden has never been away. But after plenty of changes behind the scenes, the three-time champion is bedding himself in to pick up where he left off
Why a BTCC legend remains defiant at '97 not out'
After a year of enforced absence from the British Touring Car Championship grid, Jason Plato is back and hungrier than ever. Despite stellar opposition and some familiar challenges, the two-time champion still has his eyes focused on the biggest prizes
How Ingram's clean slate can end his BTCC title wait
After seven years together, Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport have amicably split and gone down separate paths for the 2021 BTCC season. With engineer Spencer Aldridge joining him at the Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai squad, Ingram is confident he can challenge for titles from the off
How the unlikely Capri-slaying Dolomite triumphed against adversary
The Dolomite Sprint was a potent giantkilling weapon during the 1970s in the British Saloon Car Championship, now known as the BTCC. Tin-top legend Andy Rouse explains how it became such a force
