Blog / Maurice at Snetterton
25 SEPTEMBER 2023
On Friday afternoon, the results of two testing sessions placed Maurice and Team.HARD in good stead – the uniqueness of the BTCC car which is difficult to classify, was in a strong position to challenge the Class D, E, and F cars, coming 4th and 7th quickest
The new car, thanks to its shorter wheelbase, offered a more agile and powerful driving experience, which Maurice quickly adapted to and embraced. Surprisingly, there were no issues on Friday, despite it being the first time running the new car.
Saturday began similarly, with Maurice ranking 6th quickest and steadily improving. The pit-stop strategy was designed to account for various factors that would influence Team.HARD's performance in the race. Unlike its competitors, the BTCC car wasn't designed for in-race refuelling, resulting in pit stops that lasted twice as long.
Maurice handled a one-hour stint between the two refuelling stops, while
his teammate took the first and last 30 minutes of the race.
However, the fifth gear broke in the gearbox during Saturday morning's practice session, causing the team to miss qualifying. Nevertheless, the dedicated members of Team.HARD managed to remove the gearbox and deliver it to a gearbox rebuilder for repair just in time to start the race from the pit lane.
At the pit stop Maurice quickly jumped into the car and engaged in intense battles with other competitors, overtaking them to unlap himself. However, delays with the gearbox, combined with refuelling time, took a toll on their overall performance.
Despite the setbacks, the overall performance of the touring car in an endurance race was impressive, providing invaluable experience for Maurice.
“I’m really happy with the direction it is going, hopefully I can end the season on a high – the more and more I drive, especially in endurance, gives me the opportunity to learn more and try different types of British Touring Cars, and taking in all the experience for the future.”
Each race provides an opportunity to expand a driver's skillset, experience, and knowledge, and Maurice has faced each challenge this season with admirable resilience and a positive mindset. Having the chance to handle three different types of British Touring Cars has made him an incredibly versatile driver.
The final race, the Donington Grand Prix on October 14th, promises to be an exciting conclusion to the season, and we eagerly anticipate how the experiences gained this season will contribute to a thrilling finish!
