- Team accomplish total rebuild of James Coles’ Toyota in record time
- Cole & Luke Hines optimistic of ending season on high note at Brands
United Autosports arrives at Brands Hatch later this week for the final three final rounds of its inaugural Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season staged on Sunday (12 Oct) having already achieved the seemingly impossible.
Against the odds, the Anglo-American team has won a race against time to rebuild the badly damaged Toyota Avensis of James Cole. An opening lap collision just eight days ago at Silverstone required repairs in short to the roll cage, seat mounts, B post, sills, rear quarter panel and both right hand doors.
The opening rounds of the BTCC were staged on Brands’ “Indy” circuit while next weekend’s event are held on the 11-corner, 2.3-mile “Grand Prix” track.
#20 Drivecool / Autoglym / HELLA – Toyota Avensis
James Cole (GB)
Age: 26. Born: Southport, England. Lives: Liverpool, England.
“It was touch and go whether my car would be repaired in time for the final races of the season but the team have done a phenomenal job in getting it turned around so quickly. It was a massive hit that my Toyota took in the final Silverstone race.
“Apart from the accident, there were so many positives to take from Silverstone into Brands. The ‘Grand Prix’ track is a classic. Fast, flowing and very challenging with no room for error. Add in some possible unpredictable October weather into the mix and there is a great recipe for some end of year upsets!”
#23 Grand Prix Racewear / Autoglym / HELLA – Toyota Avensis
Luke Hines (GB)
Age: 32. Born: Hoddesdon, Herts. Lives: Silverstone, N’thants.
“I’ve had some good results at Brands and won my first touring car race there. It’s one of my favourite circuits.
“After a productive weekend at Silverstone, I think we can make a step forward with the Toyota at Brands. There’s a lot of potential in the Avensis and I’m pretty confident that we could collect some points which would be good reward for the team who have put a lot of hard work in to the new project this year.”
Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports:
“We have had a tough start to our BTCC campaign. It hasn’t been an easy year, but we have battled on and learnt more about the cars and the championship as the year went on. Even though there have been negative points this season, there have also been positive ones we can take away and work on for 2015. Obviously, James’ crash at Silverstone has meant a lot of work has gone into getting the car ready for Brands Hatch but we are looking forward to the weekend. We don’t have anything to lose so Luke, James and the whole team are going to give it our all to finish the year on a good note.”