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[BTCC] Smith Aims to be A Crowd Pleaser |
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Smith Aims to be A Crowd Pleaser
Mondello Park could see poetry in motion this weekend if Dubliner, Gavin Smith, takes his maiden victory for VX Racing in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Fulfilling his ambition would make the 28-year-old Ireland's first driver to win a race outright in the BTCC's 48-year history.
"Normally it's quite difficult for me to celebrate after races because I have to jump straight on a flight," said Smith, who has raced for VXR since 2005. "If I win a home round, you won't need to worry about me making the most of it!
"I feel my driving has gone from strength to strength since I started with VXR and I'm fitter than ever. The team has loads of confidence in me and the whole crowd will be willing me on. If it's going to happen anywhere, it's Mondello."
Despite not yet being able to celebrate a race win, Irish BTCC fans have had their own champion with Alec Poole in 1969 driving a Mini Cooper. That was when the championship was divided into classes so drivers of smaller-engined cars could become overall champion without winning a race, provided they won their class often enough.
The modern championship has no such caveats and Smith will have to out-drive a field of vastly experienced and celebrated drivers to claim his place in history, including fellow team-mates, multiple championship winning Fabrizio Giovanardi and BTCC prodigy Tom Chilton.
Prospects for all three are excellent at Mondello Park, which is historically a good venue for Vauxhall. Last year the team walked away with all three victories and James Thompson's qualifying and race lap records, set in VX Racing's Astra Coup
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