Page 27 - Motorsport News (January 2020)

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Chilton says he has been
impressed with BTC Racing
TOM CHILTON – THREE OF THE BEST
During Tom Chilton’s 13 seasons in the BTCC, he has had a rollercoaster ride – he has experienced the highs and lows of the category. We look back at three of his standout seasons
2005
Car: Honda Civic Type R
Team: Arena International
Championship position: 5th
Wins: 4
In the sinister black Star Wars- Vauxhall driver Yvan Muller,
backed Civic, Chilton was one of
the stars of the show. The privateer
Honda was an ex-works car so
the driver knew it well and back-to- 2010
back wins in the first two races at
Snetterton were the first weekend
double victory of his career.
That also impressed works
who was leaving the BTCC and
recommended Chilton as a
replacement to his employer.
Photos: Jakob Ebrey, mkpics.net
Car: Ford Focus LPG
Team: Arena International
Championship position: 5th
Wins: 3
There was a huge controversy
when Arena International brought
in the liquefied petroleum gas-
powered Ford Focus machines
motorsport-news.co.uk JANUARY 29 2020 25
SteveDudmanhimselfhasbeen a regular winner in National Hot Rods
Dudman aiming to reach the top with BTC
BTC Racing has been through a huge is really highly driven to win the title.
transformation over the recent past I have always said to [co-owner] Bert
which has pushed it from a midfield Taylor that we need to keep making
outfit to one that can genuinely be progress in every season we enter.
seen as a title threat. “Consistency is important too, and
Steve Dudman bought into the team we have Josh Cook again. Now we have
at the end of 2018 and has his sights Chilton, and his level of experience and
set high. The successful businessman knowledge in the BTCC is second to
and Intermarque and Hot Rod racer is none. It will be a two-way street and
ambitious about the team’s prospects – he can tap into us and we will learn from
and the signing of Tom Chilton is all part his experience too. The rapport he
of that hunger to move forward. already has with Josh will be a bonus too.”
Buying new Honda Civic FK8s for last The pair will be joined by Michael
term was a big step forward, as was the Crees in the fresh line-up, and there is
expansion to three entries for 2020. a clear aim: the Independents Trophy,
Dudman explains: “We had a third car which Cook missed by just two points
to protect [2018-2019 driver] Chris last season. “To move forward as a team,
Smiley and give him options, but he was we have to win silverware and I think, with
unable to get the support he needed – the equipment and the drivers we have
which is what opened the door. We had got this season, we are in a very good
spoken to Tom and it was clear that he place to do that,” concludes Dudman.
The reveal at the Autosport
Show was...very unusual
into the BTCC. It was a fuel source 2018 fought out a huge battle for
that was hard to marry up with the Car: Ford Focus RS supremacy in terms of speed.
performance of the regular-fuel Team: Motorbase Performance Chilton prevailed and took an
machines and that meant there Championship position: 3rd under-pressure win in the reversed-
was much grumbling in the Wins: 1 grid race at Knockhill in August.
paddock. Despite the unusual In the second year of his UK return, He was in the title fight going
weight characteristics of the car, Chilton was partnered with James into the Brands Hatch showdown
Chilton took three wins and the Cole and Sam Tordoff in the Ford with two other drivers, but came
Independents Trophy. machines, and Tordoff and Chilton up just short.