Subaru Team BMR driver Josh Price took his maiden Jack Sears Trophy victory in race two at Oulton Park, as well as his first points in the hugely competitive British Touring Car Championship with a 15th position in the second race of the weekend.
There were much improved results all round for the BMR Racing team with us being one of the teams being monitored by TOCA for engine performance data levels throughout the weekend following an anomaly being found regarding power delivery.
Price was compromised going into Qualifying for the opening race at Oulton Park, after technical issues plagued testing to leave him on the back foot in terms of setup and seat time in the Subaru Levorg. Price managed to get out for qualifying - still struggling with balance however on his way to 31st on the grid.
Race one saw the youngster make a great start and hold his own - taking any advantage that came to him around the Island Circuit as he gained nine positions in total to finish 22nd in the first race.
The second race, going off 22nd on the grid saw the BTCC Rookie put on an outstanding drive which saw him in combat with Aiden Moffatt
and fellow Jack Sears trophy contender Senna Proctor all race long, after vaulting up another five positions from his starting berth.
The battle
ensued right up to the finish line. There was contact between
Moffatt and Proctor at Deers Leep and Price seized the opportunity taking
the Jack Sears win and a point in the process finishing in 15th
overall - taking his best result of the season so far and showing his rate of development with his Subaru machinery.
The final race of the day sadly did not go to plan for Price. Despite another great start and emerging from the Island hairpin in 12th position, three laps later contact from behind saw him pitched into a rival infront, damaging the front end of the car before a safety car was deployed just before half distance. Price was forced into the pits for repairs along with teammate James Cole - Team BMR made the quick fixes necessary to complete the race to prevent him falling a lap down. Price would rejoin the action, albeit compromised by the earlier contact he finished the race classified in 27th.
At the end of the Oulton Park weekend,Josh remains second in the rookie Jack Sears Trophy championship behind Senna Proctor. Adrian Flux Subaru Racing have now moved up to 3rd in the overall teams standings and 3rd in the Manufacturer standings.
The next round of the season takes place at the Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on the 10th and 11th June for rounds 13, 14 & 15. This circuit on paper should favour the rear-wheel drive Subaru Levorg well and Price, buoyed by his maiden Jack Sears Trophy will be aiming to go into the summer break on a high which follows the Croft round.
Josh Price “Oulton Park was a huge improvement for us, it was great to be able to get in the mix of things. We learned valuable lessons that should improve our performance even further looking towards Croft”.