Team Aon Aim To Build On Potential
The new ‘Global’ Touring Car debuted in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch last week at the hands of Team Aon and saw it’s first podium finish with Tom Chilton taking third place in race one. That would be the highlight of the weekend which saw a lot of promise for what is a new car for the team.
The Ford Focus isn’t new territory for the team, who used the older shape model last season, but Chilton admits that they’re still getting used to the car.
“We did some running at Donington in pre-season testing which I think will help us this weekend, but its still such a new car that we’re still learning more about it with every session,” said Chilton. “We have much more experience and knowledge of the car now though, so I think we should be on the pace from the start next weekend.”
Team Aon know what it’s like to be successful at Donington Park after they took two podiums including a race win when the teams travelled to the Derbyshire circuit last season and new driver to the team, Andy Neate, will be looking to continue that form next weekend.
“We should be aiming for no less than a 1 – 2 finish in at least one of the three races on Sunday,” said Andy. “We know a lot more about the car now and I think we’ll be in much better shape from the outset at Donington next week.”
Mike Earle, Team Principal of Team Aon, also spoke out about the new car and his expectations at the 1.9 mile circuit. “We were definitely caught out by a few new car problems at Brands Hatch, which was due to a lack of testing.
We’ve identified what those problems were now and considering that, both drivers did a sensational job to get the results they did last weekend. With the knowledge we have now, we’re expecting much more at Donington next weekend.”
Team Aon currently lie 6th in the Teams Championship after Tom Chilton’s 6 points scored with his 3rd place finish.
Photo Credit: Pete Mainey (www.psmmotorsportimages.co.uk)
James Mappin
