Congratulations to Beavis Morgan sponsored Ollie Jackson and the AmD with Cobra Exhausts team on securing a brace of points scoring finishes on the latest rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season at Rockingham.
The West Thurrock-based team headed for the Northamptonshire circuit in confident mood having enjoyed strong results at the oval circuit in the past, with both Ollie Jackson and Sam Smelt optimistic about their chances.
A solid performance in qualifying saw Tamworth-based Ollie put his Audi S3 19th on the grid for the opening race of the weekend, with a best lap just six-tenths of a second away from pole position.
Just missing out on the points scoring positions in race one, Ollie showed the race pace of the Audi in race two with a fine drive in drying conditions after an earlier shower to cross the line in eleventh spot, just missing out on pole position through the reverse grid draw.
Once again showing the speed in the Audi in race three, Ollie fought his way as high as sixth despite running on the less favourable hard tyre and battled hard to keep the works Honda of Dan Cammish at bay before taking the flag in ninth spot for a second points finish of the weekend.
Ollie Jackson, #48 AmD with Cobra Exhausts Audi S3, says: “We could have enjoyed a better Saturday but I think the race pace was strong this weekend and it’s good to come away from Rockingham with two points finishes and a top ten. If anything, it’s a little disappointing that we didn’t manage to score in all three races.
“In the final race on the hard tyre we were particularly strong but I didn’t quite have the legs to get ahead of Adam Morgan and then had to make sure I kept Dan’s Honda behind. It shows the progress we have made however to be battling for position with cars that have won races, and that are run by the works teams.
“If this is the final time we come to Rockingham with the BTCC, I’m glad we’ve closed this chapter with a strong performance on track.”
Shaun Hollamby, AmD with Cobra Exhausts team principal, adds: “I think it’s a mark of the progress we have made with the Audi that Ollie is coming away from the weekend disappointed that he didn’t get three points finishes as twelve months ago, we’d have been delighted with a top ten. The grid is so competitive this season and he really held his own on track against some of the top drivers with some really strong performances, and he battled hard to earn his results.”
Well done to Ollie and the team, from all of us at your proud sponsor Beavis Morgan.
[Photo credit: Marc Waller]