A 10th and two 11th place finishes provided Jeff Alden with the solid outcome he was looking for in rounds four, five and six of the TCR UK Championship at Snetterton over the weekend of 18th and 19th May. This latest set of results was in contrast to the mixed fortunes the Matrix Motorsport driver endured in the first three rounds at Brands Hatch in April.
With the technical issues previously affecting the performance of his DW Racing prepared and run Astra TCR now fixed, Jeff was looking forward to a far more positive run this time out. However, without the opportunity of any pre-event testing due to busines commitments, Saturday’s Free Practice sessions were the first time he had driven the car since Brands, which meant Jeff went into the weekend with realistic expectations.
Still getting used to the car and the circuit in Qualifying resulted in a 12th place grid position for race one. After a good start and climbing into the top ten during the 20-minute encounter, a robust challenge on the final lap by those following saw Jeff relegated to 11th. As the grid for race two is dictated by the top 10 positions from race one reversed, a front row start was frustratingly denied.
With the fastest cars from race one now immediately ahead of him, Jeff was aware that making up places in the early stages of race two would be a difficult task, especially as his cars’ brakes were not responding as they should. Even so, he was pleased to stay out of trouble and cross the line in 10th place.
Taking into account the results of the first two races, the third outing of the day was to be one of consolidation, with Jeff gaining more experience and ‘seat-time’ in the Astra. Keeping on the pace and out of trouble, another 11th place finish rounded-off the weekend, with Jeff pleased to have made another step forward with the car that returned to the paddock damage-free!
The results of his Snetterton weekend see Jeff hold 13th place in the overall driver’s standings, as well as fourth in both the Goodyear Diamond Trophy of over 40 year-old drivers and the Gen One Cup for first generation TCR models. The team now prepares for rounds seven and eight at Oulton Park on Saturday 8th June.
“The DW Racing team did a great job with the Astra. It had the reliability and speed that’s needed for a fast circuit like Snetterton”, Jeff commented after the meeting.
“Still acclimatising to the car and the circuit in race one and then getting brake pad knock-off in races two and three, I have to admit that it affected my confidence and therefore, my commitment in the big corners like Coram. I now know what I need to work on and with Oulton Park - one of my favourite circuits - coming up next, I’m looking forward to building on many positives we’ve gained this weekend and turning them into even better results as we continue through the rest of the season.”
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
