Sam Tordoff’s Team GardX Racing with Motorbase Ford Focus RS will sport an eye-popping new look at Snetterton this weekend (July 28/29) as the Yorkshireman commemorates the special ‘Diamond Double’ event.
Tordoff’s one-off livery will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the Norfolk track on Saturday as part of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, with the distinctive bright pink bodywork and contrasting black branding guaranteed to bring an extra splash of colour to the grid to help mark the occasion.
The six-times BTCC race winner is hopeful that the makeover will also bring some additional good fortune for his comeback campaign as the second half of the season gets underway on the 2.99 mile circuit.
Sam Tordoff said; “We had such a great reaction to the JCT600 70th anniversary platinum livery that we ran at Croft in 2016. As soon as I had signed the contract with Motorbase to return to the BTCC this year, I was adamant that we should do something similar once again. The 60th BTCC anniversary celebrations at Snetterton seemed the perfect time to do it.
“We wanted to choose a colour that really made an impact on the track and also on TV. Bright pink has become my signature colour over recent years. My pink helmet attracts a lot of attention and comments – as you’d expect – and we wanted something special for the car, so it was a no-brainer to run with it!”
“It’s definitely going to grab people’s attention. Who knows, we may even decide to keep it!”
The 29-year-old heads into the second half of the season in confident form after a recent run of strong results in the GardX-backed Focus RS. Remarkably, despite being the fastest qualifier on the grid so far this season, Tordoff’s race results have been hampered by a series of unfortunate and uncontrollable incidents – a fact that the Yorkshireman hopes to put right this weekend.
“Snetterton is probably my successful track, especially in the BTCC;” he added. “I’ve won there in everything that I’ve raced in and it’s one of my all-time favourite circuits. I took my fist Clio cup win there and also my first BTCC pole position and race win, so it holds great memories for me.”
As part of the 60th Anniversary celebrations, Snetterton also plays host to a one-off double distance, double points contest for the final race of the weekend. Following an additional 15-minute, base-weight qualifying session on the Saturday, all cars will also race the 20 lap distance free of the usual championship success-ballast.
“We’re going into the weekend well prepared;” added Tordoff. “The team clocked up a huge amount of mileage on the recent two day tyre test, so I’ll have the knowledge to build on that data.
“Race 3 is going to be a true test to see where everyone’s cars really are when we’re not hampered by ballast. It’s going to be like round 1 at Brands Hatch all over again. It’ll be interesting to see how our car stacks up against everyone else, both in qualifying and the race.
“It all bodes well for a good weekend. Hopefully the stars will finally align and we can get back to winning ways.”
Rounds 16, 17 and 18 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship take place on the Snetterton 300 circuit in Norfolk on July 28/29.
Saturday (July 28) plays host to two free practice sessions at 09.30 and 12.10 before the first customary 30 minute qualifying session at 15.10 -15.40, with the additional ballast-free qualifying session for the special anniversary race taking place at 17.40 – 17.55.
Live coverage of both qualifying sessions can be viewed online at: http://www.itv.com/btcc/qualifying-live
Sunday’s (July 29) opening two races are scheduled for 11.30 and 13.50, with the extended double distance, double point contest scheduled for 17.15 with live full-day coverage on ITV4, ITV4HD and online at itv.com/hub/itv4 from 10.30-18.30.
Live timing for all sessions is available at: http://www.tsl-timing.com/event/183003
