Matrix Motorsport’s Jeff Alden kicks off 2024 TCR UK campaign at Brands Hatch
13th May 2024
Hopes were high for Matrix Motorsport’s Jeff Alden as he prepared for the opening three TCR UK races of the season at Brands Hatch, on Saturday and Sunday 13th & 14th April.
Following a winter of testing and development with his DW Racing prepared and run Astra TCR, Jeff was anticipating a positive start to the season. However, from the word go something appeared to be amiss and even though he felt he was driving as fast as he could, the car was not performing as well as it did in testing.
Even so, Jeff was able to finish 12th in races one and two and, although the team could not find any issues with the car, a good start in race three was to be a short-lived after he was nudged out on the exit of Druids Harpin on the first lap. Finding himself on the damp and slippery grass, it was inevitable that the Astra was to come to rest against the armco barrier.
Unsure if any damage had been caused and with his race now compromised, Jeff took the decision to return to the pits and call it a day. However, his two 12th places sees him 13th in the overall driver’s standings and fourth in both the Goodyear Diamond Trophy of over 40 year-old drivers and the Gen one cup for first generation TCR models.
Closer inspection and a rolling road test following the meeting revealed that a faulty actuator had caused the engine to be 80hp down on power from where it should be. With the car now fixed, Jeff and the DW Racing and Matrix Motorsport team now set their sights on rounds four, five and six, which take place on 18th & 19thMay at the flat and fast Snetterton circuit.
Putting his Brands hatch experience behind him and looking forward to Snetterton, Jeff said: “It was a frustrating start to the season but having said that, I was pleased to find my suspicions were correct and it was an issue with the performance of the car and not my driving. With this in mind, I’m hoping I’ll be able to get well into the top-ten and score a good haul of points next time around.”
Jeff’s Astra is prepared and looked after on events by DW Racing. His 2024 campaign is supported by: Matrix Group Services, SEE Services, MML, HVAC Recruitment, RPM Promotions, Gemstones Consultancy and Only Girls Lingerie.
ENDS
