United Autosports Hopeful Of Upturn In Btcc Fortunes

  • Cole & Geddie optimistic better qualifying positions are achievable
  • Grid positions in race one key to successful weekend

The latest three races in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship are staged at Snetterton in Norfolk on Sunday (3 Aug) with United Autosports hoping that they “qualify” to race well.

Having predictably endured a character-building first half to their maiden BTCC season, often falling foul in the opening 15 races due to the starting positions of their Toyota Avensis cars, United Autosports are looking for an upturn in qualifying form.

James Cole and Glynn Geddie head to the 12-corner, 2.99-mile Snetterton “300” circuit aiming to show the fruits of the team’s hard endeavours over the past five weeks since the last races by posting top-12 times in Saturday’s single 30-minute qualifying session.

Just two top-15 qualifying spots from the opening 15 races laid the United Autosports duo open to problematic, often fender-bender – or worse – races due to the frenetic action. James and Glynn are determined to open a new chapter starting at Snetterton . . .

#20 Drivecool – Toyota Avensis

James Cole (GB)

Age: 25. Born: Southport, England. Lives: Liverpool, England.

“Snetterton has changed a lot since I last raced on it back in 2010 when I was racing in Formula Three. The ‘short’ lap has now changed into a massive technical challenge but I’m looking forward to racing on the new layout that looks to have a lot more overtaking opportunities.

“Recent testing went well. The NGTC BTCC cars have a very small window for set-up changes. I feel we are becoming ever closer to achieving the sweet spot for top-10 pace. I proved again at Croft that our race pace is good and feel the work that has been done during the summer break will help our cause still further. Qualifying is key to this championship now so a lot more focus has been spent on this area.”

#21 – Toyota Avensis

Glynn Geddie (GB)

Age: 24. Born & Lives: Aberdeen, Scotland.

“I like Snetterton and have enjoyed good races and results there previously and so I’m hopeful that will continue over the BTCC weekend.

“We have had so much bad luck in races but on the positive side have also shown good pace. I’m really looking forward to racing the Toyota again after the break and fingers crossed James and I can finally score some good race results.”

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:

“We head to Snetterton with the two Toyotas after the five-week break ready to put an end to our run of bad luck in qualifying. A top-15 qualifying position is crucial to whether we can then achieve success in the three races as we’ve learnt in the first half of the year.

“We enjoyed a successful test at Anglesey recently and we are feeling positive going into the Snetterton weekend. James, Glynn and the whole team know what we have to do to get a good result so hopefully this weekend should see us moving forward.”