Speedworks : Waxing star in the BTCC!

First victory in the BTCC in 2016, champion of the independents in 2017, leader of the 2018 championship after two meetings, there’s no stopping the Speedworks team!

 

 

 

The British Touring Car Championship, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is one of the most hotly-contested, spectacular series in the world in this branch of motor sport, but it is little known outside the United Kingdom.

 

There are few international stars on the grid, mostly drivers who have cut their teeth in the British national categories. Even so the field is an extremely high-quality one as a visit to the shared video sites will prove. This year BMW, Honda, Subaru, Ford, Vauxhall, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, MG, Audi, VW and the Toyota Avensis prepared and run by Speedworks are all part of the line-up.

 

As a driver Christian Dick won the Ginetta G50 Cup and the British GT4 title among other successes. Thus, he and his wife, Amy, decided to take the plunge in 2011 and enter his Speedworks team for the BTCC. In 2015 the outfit scored its first podium finishes thanks to Tom Ingram and the following year clinched its first victories. In 2017, the driver from Buckinghamshire won four races, finished third overall and sealed the independents’ title.

 

2018 got off to a great start with victory at Brands Hatch followed by another at Donington for Ingram who arrived at Thruxton in the overall lead. In race 1 he had to pit due to an electrical problem and he then pulled back 20 places in race 2 proving that he’s a hot contender for the title! So now’s the right moment to ask Christian Dick, the team principal, a few questions.

 

 

 

How does it work to build a competitive BTCC racer like Speedworks’ Avensis?

 

“When we are making the decision as to which car we are going to use for competition, we take into consideration factors like, aerodynamic co-efficiency, wheelbase and weight. We then take a standard road car body shell and install the ROPS (roll over protection system) along with the standardised TOCA (BTCC organisers) components that give us a modular, spaceframe chassis. We have freedom in body panel design, to further enhance aero performance, engine installation and cooling package which are all key areas to performance.

 

How about the engine?

 

Inside of the regulations we are allowed to run a 2.000 cc engine from the chassis manufacturers range or we can run the TOCA [unbranded spec] engine. This is a lease option from Swindon Engines, who are a series supplier. We chose this option as, for teams of our size, a full engine development program of our own wouldn't be financially viable.”

 

 

 

How do you explain the fact that Speedworks have enjoyed more and more success over the past few seasons in such a competitive series?

 

“Our growing success has come from continuity. All of the key team members have been involved in the project for multiple seasons and so has Tom Ingram. Having this continuation of staff and driver has allowed us to keep improving and learning year on year. We have always tried to not make the same mistake twice and I am very proud of how much passion for success this team of people have. This allied with a strong work ethic, is what has driven us to continually develop the Avensis in all areas and turn it into a true title contender. One of our greatest assets is our relationship with Tom Ingram, both Tom and Speedworks have a total belief in the others ability and the loyalty and trust shown by each has made for a very strong partnership. It's a fact that both team and driver have learnt and grown together over the past four seasons.”