Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing, an Absolute Alignment supported team for a seventh consecutive season, signed off the first half of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season in style at Oulton Park last weekend (22-23 June) as Mikey Doble and Árón Taylor-Smith powered their way to a double podium.
On what was a weekend to remember for the Worcestershire-based team, Doble and Taylor-Smith converted their front-row start in the reverse grid finale into a memorable silverware haul as they clinched second and third overall respectively.
In addition, both drivers maintained their 100% points-scoring record in the UK’s premier motorsport series and extended their unbeaten streak in the Independents’ Championship to 15 consecutive victories.
Arriving at the Cheshire venue - which was basked in bright sunshine - the Vauxhall Astra squad showcased plenty of front-running speed across Saturday’s two free practice sessions before embarking on one of the most competitive qualifying sessions of the season.
Taylor-Smith progressed into the second part of qualifying, clinching eighth on the grid for race one. Doble meanwhile would miss out on the Top 12 by the smallest of margins - 0.001s to be exact.
Both drivers kicked off race day by opting to run the Goodyear hard tyre in the opening encounter and it proved to be a strategic decision that paid off as Taylor-Smith finished seventh and Doble moved up the order to 11th.
Switching to the more competitive soft tyre for race two, the driver pairing placed fifth and sixth. There would be a further boost for the team after the race, when the reverse grid draw confirmed an all-Vauxhall front row for the finale.
Blasting away from pole position, Doble wasted no time in establishing a lead and was wheel-perfect from start to finish out front as Taylor-Smith valiantly fought off the chasing pack in second place.
The BMW of Jake Hill would eventually get the better of both drivers in the closing stages however that didn’t dampen the celebrations as Doble led home a first-ever Power Maxed Racing double podium.
Heading into the series’ annual summer break, the team occupy top spot in both the Independent Drivers’ and Teams’ Championship, while Doble has further extended his advantage at the summit of the Jack Sears Trophy.
Árón Taylor-Smith said, “I’m absolutely over the moon, what a phenomenal way to end the first half of the season! Oulton Park has never been the best circuit for the Astra but this double podium underlines the progress that we as a team have really made this year.
“The car felt absolutely mega all weekend and we knew that opting to run the hard tyre in race one might pay off for us later in the day; and it did!”
Mikey Doble commented, “To bring home a maiden BTCC podium and to be a part of the first Power Maxed Racing double podium is something really special; I think it’s fair to say that that was one of the best drives I’ve ever had.”
Martin Broadhurst, Team Manager, added, “To be coming away with a double podium, points in all three races and three more Independent wins is the perfect way for us as a team to head into the summer break.
“Over the past few rounds we have been steadily progressing and knew that the potential was there to really make our mark at the front of the grid; now we’ve been able to show what we’re about. This will serve as fantastic momentum going into the second half of the season.”
The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns to action at Croft Circuit on 27-28 July.
Absolute Alignment is proud to be a long-term Technical Partner to Power Maxed Racing in the BTCC, who are using wheel alignment equipment that is available to any workshop or race team. To find out more about the wheel alignment equipment that Absolute Alignment supplies to Power Maxed Racing and other teams in domestic and international motorsport, call the Technical Team on 01252 549340 or visit www.absolutealignment.co.uk.
Miss Alignment
June 2024