Lea Wood says he’s far from fazed to be returning to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car in the oldest car on the grid.
The popular Hereford racer will make his first appearance of the 2011 season at Oulton Park’s round in just over a week’s time (4-5 June) in the 2006 BTC-spec Honda Integra with which he competed last year.
It will be the last car of the ‘BTC era' (2001-06) to appear in the BTCC and championship organiser TOCA has also ordered that it be fitted with an extra 50kgs of success ballast. But Wood believes the car, which won the BTCC title in 2005 and 2006 with Matt Neal and Team Dynamics, and his own Central Group Racing team can still put on a show for the crowds which could reap longer-term rewards.
The 26-year-old told btcc.net: “I’ve no pressure. OK, it’s an older car with the added weight and I’m not expecting miracles, but if we can stick with the pack and be competitive in our own way then I’ll be very satisfied. I just want us to come away knowing we got the best results possible from the car.
“We’re not underestimating how much the pace has hotted up this year but for us, as a very small team, this was the only feasible way to still be on the grid in 2011. We just want to turn out a good car and look the part – just so the fans know the car will have gold wheels all round! – push on, get a bit of a following going and try to build our sponsor base with the hope of moving into more modern machinery so we can stay in the BTCC.”
Wood, a former BRSCC super silhouette champion, got his first run this year in the Integra in mixed conditions yesterday at Donington Park (pictured), although he managed just ten laps before stopping when its engine lapsed on to three cylinders.
Despite the setback, he remained upbeat, adding: “That was the old engine and due to be replaced with a newer Neil Brown-tuned unit before Oulton anyway. It’s just a shame we didn’t get more running.
“But even in the wet and with the extra 50kgs the car immediately still felt its good old self. Matt Neal was also about and gave me a few tips and hints – stuff a small single-car team wouldn’t necessarily know which is very helpful. If it’s wet at Oulton then anything could happen.”
