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Bell Happy With Final Outing |
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Tuesday, 17 October 2006 |
BMW ace brings debut season to a close at Silverstone
Martyn Bell said he was happy with his performance on Finals Day for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship as the Barrow-upon-Humber racer brought his first season in the BTCC to a close.
Armed with new suspension on the ex-WTCC BMW 320i, Martyn was hopeful of an improvement in performance in the final race of the year and qualified in 19th place on the 25 car grid, only fourth tenths of a second behind the Honda Integra of Dave Pinkney.
In the opening race, Martyn was able to hold onto the back of the pack for the majority of the 22 laps to take the flag in 16th place, although there was disappointment in race two – which had to restarted following an accident involving Mike Jordan – when contact from Mark Smith’s Alfa Romeo forced him to retire.
However, with the car fixed, Martyn was running strongly in the final race before an error at Becketts saw him spin the car, but to cheers from the fans watching on, he brought the distinctively sounded BMW home to the flag in 15th place to bring the curtain down on his maiden BTCC campaign.
“It was good as we are on the back of the midfield guys now,” Martyn said. “In the opening race we left the pack we had been running with behind by 17 seconds and the car felt good and strong. I got spun out in the second race and then in the third race I got a good start and held onto the pack until the Safety Car came out. I hung onto the pack again when we went racing, but I must have lost some temperature in the tyres because on the second restart I spun at Becketts. That was my mistake and a pilot error.
“It’s good that we could run with the people we wanted to run with so I’m happy with that. It’s also remarkable that I think this is the only car on the whole grid that has finished the season with the same engine that it started with, and I think that that is a credit to BMW.”
At the end of a long season, Martyn added that he is happy with the way his first year as a BTCC racer has gone.
“The sponsors are pleased with how our season has gone and it looks promising for next year,” he said. “It’s flattering to see the support we have gained this season and it is really moving for the whole team. I can’t believe that the grandstands this weekend have been cheering for me.
“I’d have liked to finish the season a little higher in the standings but it’s our first year in the BTCC and you don’t get rid of me that easily. I’ll be back smiling and the BMW will be wailing again next season.”
Martyn and all involved with the Geoff Steel Racing team would also like to wish all the best to Mike Jordan and his family following his accident on Sunday and look forward to competing alongside him and Team Eurotech in 2007.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 December 2006 )
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