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Wednesday, 14 May 2008 |
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After seeing a certain win slip through his hands last time out, Tom
Onslow-Cole will hope to celebrate his 21st birthday at Thruxton this
weekend with his first victory of 2008.
Vauxhall’s young signing looked all set to dominate at Donington
Park ten days ago – fastest in both practice sessions in his Vectra VXR
he then achieved the first pole position of his career in qualifying.
And
the New Malden driver comfortably led race one until an error under
braking allowed former champion and SEAT rival Jason Plato to sweep
past for the win.
Onslow-Cole at least redeemed
himself with three podium finishes on the day and, having been involved
in a huge accident at Brands Hatch’s season-opener, appears ready in
only his second season of touring car competition to challenge much
more experienced team-mates Fabrizio Giovanardi and Matt Neal who
between them have won the last three BTCC titles.
Also to his credit this season he set a new lap record at Rockingham.
And
just as at Donington his car – a proven potent force at Thruxton – will
go into qualifying free of success ballast, surely increasing his
chances of a second consecutive pole position and of becoming the
BTCC’s eighth different race winner of 2008.
“I
had a fantastic weekend at Donington and I will still be fired up when
we arrive at Thruxton,” said Onslow-Cole, currently seventh in the
standings. “My best result at Thruxton so far was a seventh place and
I’m sure I can improve on this.
"The Vectra VXR is a very
good car and following my first-ever BTCC pole at Donington and my
three podium finishes, I’m very confident I can be up there again.
Thruxton will also be a special weekend for me as it is my 21st
birthday on the Friday.”
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