SUPERSUB SAM WINS ON BTRC DEBUT
21 May 2024
NAPA Racing UK continues to be the team to beat in Division 2 of the British Truck Racing Championship having scored two wins from the second meeting of the season at Pembrey.
A near-perfect start to the season at Brands Hatch in early April had seen Paul Rivett power his MAN TGX to class pole, five Division 2 wins and four fastest laps – whilst he also became the first driver from the ‘second tier’ of the championship to score an overall win.
Rivett’s bid to defend his points lead took a blow when he was ruled out of the weekend with a broken ankle, with NAPA Racing UK drafting in Sam Osborne from its British Touring Car Championship line-up to replace the defending champion.
BTRC QUALIFYING
With Paul in attendance to cheer him on, and with BTCC team-mate Dan Rowbottom keeping a watchful eye from the paddock during a weekend coaching in the MINI CHALLENGE, Sam took his place on track for qualifying where a hugely encouraging performance saw him secure second in Division 2, less than a second off pole man John Powell.
RACES 1, 2 AND 3
The first of five races saw Sam pushing hard to try and pressure Powell in the early stages before settling into second spot behind his rival. Sam took the flag second in class and seventh overall, but two separate time penalties for exceeding track limits in the MAN THX dropped him back to third in class and ninth overall.
When a mechanical issue then ruled Powell out of race two, Sam took full advantage as he raced away from his class rivals to secure Division 2 honours in eighth place – setting the fastest lap in his class in the process.
With Powell back in action for race three on Sunday morning, Division 2 was back to full strength but Sam maintained his impressive weekend with a third place finish and would then take his place at the head of the field on overall pole for race four.
RACES 4 AND 5
Despite being up against more powerful Division 1 machines, Sam fought hard through the opening corners to hold on to his advantage before being shuffled back down the overall order but still secured a dominant class victory with a winning mating of more than 16 seconds and a third success fastest lap.
A hugely encouraging performance from Sam saw him more than live up to his supersub tag as he chased Powell home to the flag in the final race of the weekend to complete a clean sweep of podium finishes from the weekend.
NEXT STOP
With Paul set to return to action for the next round of the season at Thruxton in July, Sam can now turn his focus back towards his BTCC programme, which continues this weekend at Snetterton.
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