Chilton Aiming to Close Down BTCC Leaders
at Croft
22 May 2007
Tom Chilton says he needs three stellar results at the Croft circuit
on Sunday 3 June if he's to keep title rivals Jason Plato and
Fabrizio Giovanardi in his sights in the vital middle stages of this
year's Dunlop British Touring Car Championship season.
Chilton will arrive at the North Yorkshire circuit having enjoyed
his best start to a BTCC season – he currently lies third in
the standings, but is 30 points behind Vauxhall team-mate Giovanardi
who in turn trails Plato by another nine.
Both drivers have won four times so far while Chilton is still seeking
his first victory of 2007. He is also wary that reigning champion Matt
Neal is only two points behind him and knows that strong results in
all three rounds at Croft are of great importance to his title aspirations.
The 22-year-old from Reigate, Surrey, said: "I really need to
pull something out of the bag at Croft. I don't want Jason and
Fabrizio getting much further away as we get into what is a critical
stage of the season.
"I was a bit confused leaving Thruxton last time out because
my car had been as good as Fabrizio's over the first few laps
but then just seemed to lose a bit of performance.
"But I've got a new chassis coming for Croft. If it gives
me that last little drop of performance then I'll be on fire."
Chilton says that Croft's BTCC meeting is one of the best on
the calendar in terms of atmosphere among the watching fans. Indeed,
with Britain's premier motor racing series making just one visit
each year to the North-East, the event annually draws a bumper crowd.
Chilton added: "When you're racing you're 100 per
cent focused on the track and the cars around you, but at Croft you
realise just how many people are watching when you're on the
way to the grid or on the slowing down lap.
"The banking around the first few corners is absolutely packed
out and you start to hear the air horns and pick out banners. It's
always a really passionate crowd at Croft. Every driver gets a buzz
from it.
"Croft is also a great touring car circuit and the lay-out means
there's always a lot of side-by-side action. I think the fans
will be in for some great action.
"My aim is to score as many points as possible, but I've
had seconds and thirds and now I want a win. I was strong at Croft
last year and had pole position until the final seconds of qualifying.
I'd love to put that right this year and then lead all the way
to the finish."
Tickets to see the BTCC in action at Croft on 3 June cost £25
on the gate or they can be booked on Croft's website www.croftcircuit.co.uk or by telephone: 01325 721815. Admission for children aged 15 and under
is FREE.
Prices include free access to the BTCC paddock and the hugely popular
Pit Lane Walkabout when the public, including children, is invited
into the Croft pit lane to meet the drivers for autographs and give-aways.
The timetable includes ten races in total: the latest three BTCC rounds
plus another seven races from the supporting BMW, Porsche, Renault
and SEAT championships.
BTCC.net
See series calendar for British
Touring Car Championship 2007
Related Story 21.05.2007 - North-East Track a Favourite for BTCC Champion Neal
