11th September 2023
Matrix Motorsport driver Jeff Alden took part in his second TCR UK event of the year at Donington Park over the weekend of 9th & 10 September, delivering two strong performances in rounds 12 and 13 of this year’s championship for global specification touring cars that provided the positive outcome the team was looking for.
Driving the DW Racing prepared Vauxhall Astra TCR, Jeff was extremely pleased with the way the car felt during Saturday morning’s 15-minute Free Practice session and was eager to see how its good handling would transfer when it came to the 30-minute Qualifying session and two 25-minute races.
However, the early September heatwave did little to help and Jeff’s Qualifying session was compromised when the engine’s temperature started to cause concern. Whilst the mechanics did what they could to resolve the situation, following a blistering start in Sunday’s race one, the overheating issue re-emerged, causing Jeff to short-shift gears in order to get to the end of the race.
With the weather taking a turn in the afternoon, Jeff hoped that the damp conditions and lower temperatures would help keep things run cooler in race two.
After another now-customary quick getaway when the lights went out, a combination of scrubbed wet tyres and indifferent levels of grip provided by the Donington Park tarmac meant that short-shifting also became a feature of the second race. But when the chequered flag came out after 19 laps, the tricky conditions meant that the Matrix Motorsport driver finished closer to the front of the field than he did in race one.
At the end of the two-day meeting, a very satisfied Jeff said:
“Whilst the weekend has had its challenges, I’m extremely pleased with the outcome. The changing conditions enabled me to learn more about driving a TCR car. I enjoyed exploring the limits whilst making sure I made it to the finish in both races.
“The outcome of this weekend has made up my mind that I’ll enter the final two rounds of the TCR UK season at Brands Hatch on 21st & 22nd October. I’m also now looking at a full season campaign next year.”
Matrix Motorsport’s 2023 programme is supported by Matrix Group Services, HVAC FM Recruitment, SEE Services, Gemstones Consultancy, MML Maintenance Managemen