This weekend (20/21 May), the third meeting of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will get underway at the Snetterton 300 circuit in Norfolk, presenting the One Motorsport with Starline Racing drivers with one of their toughest challenges of the season.

The 2.96-mile track, which was significantly reworked in 2011, is one of the most demanding on the 2023 meeting schedule. It packs in long straights, heavy braking zones and 12 corners into the two-minute lap. It is also one of only two events this season where the BTCC races will use all three types of Goodyear tyre: the soft option, the medium and the harder rubber.

One Motorsport with Starline Racing drivers Josh Cook, Aiden Moffat and Will Powell are looking forward to taming the challenge in their revamped two-litre turbocharged Honda Civic Type R machines.

Reigning BTCC Independents’ Trophy holder Cook heads into the Snetterton races inside the top ten in the standings. He believes that the team can make further steps towards the front and open his win account for the season.

“Snetterton is one of the most demanding circuits on the schedule because it offers every kind of corner – both high and low speed – and it also has some flat-out sections,” said Cook, “That means it is always a compromise on the set-up, and this is where the homework that the One Motorsport with Starline Racing crew has put in can reap rewards.

“As well as having strong power, the key to a good lap time at Snetterton is a strong chassis, and that is where our Honda Civic FK8 really scores. We have an updated car this year and I am confident that we can apply our brainpower to extract the absolute maximum from it.”

Moffat was a double points scorer at the previous meeting at Brands Hatch, and says he is becoming more confident on his return to a front-wheel-drive BTCC car.

“We are taking steps forward each time we get in the car. Each weekend has been interrupted by the good old British weather, which has made them meetings which are difficult to judge,” said Moffat.

“I’d like a clean run at it this weekend at Snetterton with a chance to apply all the lessons we have learned so far. I have gelled well with the One Motorsport with Starline Racing team and have been impressed with the work ethic among the staff and I would love to repay that with some big performances this weekend.

“We need to get the car to the front and the staff back at base have been working long hours to give us the best machine possible, and I owe them a huge thank you.

“We are using all three specifications tyres this weekend for the first time, and I am looking forward to that throwing some interesting strategical options into play. Nothing stands still in the BTCC…”

Will Powell made his BTCC meeting debut at the venue late last year, and he is keen to build on his experience this weekend with points firmly in his sights. The Birmingham racer said that potential he had shown at Brands Hatch was ready to be turned into profitable results.

“We have been knocking on the door,” explains Powell, “and I am delighted to be going to Snetterton, which is a track I really enjoy.

“We had some small problems with the turbo boost last time out, and the team has worked hard to give me the best chance at Snetterton. My aim is to put together a solid weekend performance – through qualifying and into the three races on Sunday – and the pace I have had so far shows that we are capable of breaking into the points-paying positions,” added Powell.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is broadcast live on ITV4 from 1045 on Sunday (21 May). The qualifying session, which will take place at 1540 on Saturday, will be streamed live on the ITV Sport YouTube channel.