Following a storming qualifying session at Rockingham yesterday in torrential conditions, pole man Halfords Yuasa Racing's Gordon Shedden along with second placed Mat Jackson in the Motorbase Ford and MG Racing RCIB Insurance man, third placed Josh Cook, spoke to btcc.net before they'd even had a chance to dry out...
Reigning champion Gordon Shedden claimed his second Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship pole position of the season after setting the pace during challenging conditions at Rockingham.
Thunder and lightning greeted the 31-cars as the qualifying session got underway, with all drivers keen to clock a benchmark lap in the early stages. Halfords Yuasa Racing's Shedden did exactly that as the Honda Civic Type R man produced a timesheet topping effort.
Motorbase Performance's Mat Jackson and the Silverline Subaru BMR Racing duo of Jason Plato and Colin Turkington slotted in behind the Scotsman, before another deluge of rain halted proceedings. Matt Neal, Rob Collard and Plato were among those to endure off-track excursions during the running, proving that the conditions were a handful for even the most experienced of BTCC drivers.
A ten minute delay allowed for the rain to ease and officials to assess the track conditions, which were deemed driveable once more with 14 minutes still on the clock.
As grip levels improved with every tour Shedden rubber-stamped his authority on proceedings by recording a further improvement in the closing moments.
"It was ok for the first three laps and I was able to set a good time," said Shedden. "It got worse out there very quickly and I nearly collected Jack Goff's BMW who was spinning in front of me. It was definitely the right call to stop the session. Then the circuit improved dramatically late on and I set an even quicker one at the end, showing that the Honda Civic Type R is a great car in all conditions."
Jackson's Ford held on to second ahead of the charging Josh Cook – the young MG Racing RCIB Insurance driver waiting until the final seconds to fire his MG6 into third.
"P2 puts us right into the mix for tomorrow," said Jackson. "It’s great fun in the wet. You hold on tight through turn one and do the seatbelts up. We’re hoping to get a good run off the start tomorrow and shuffle things up. There’s 200 odd points still available so it is very much all to play for."
"It was good fun," agreed Cook. "It was a mixed session and I couldn’t see anything at one point. I left it until right at the end and pushed at just the right time. Credit to the guys for turning the car around after a difficult few meetings."
Plato and Turkington were next in the order although the former's Subaru Levorg limped back to the pits with rear damage after another incident late on. Ashley Sutton made it two MGs in the top six as the rookie continues to impress in his maiden BTCC campaign.
Tom Ingram's Toyota was next up, whilst Neal will be content to have come home in eighth. The triple champion will have been further pleased to see that his main championship rivals – Sam Tordoff and Rob Collard – languishing down the order. All three West Surrey Racing BMWs faced a difficult session with Goff, Collard and Tordoff ending up 26th, 27th and 28th respectively.
There was better news for Adam Morgan and Hunter Abbott, however, as they completed the top ten order. WIX Racing's Morgan still harbours intention of winning the championship, whilst Power Maxed Racing's Abbott continued his upturn in qualifying form since the mid-season break.
Rob Austin will start tomorrow's opening race from the back of the grid after officials today reviewed an incident between him and Morgan from Knockhill. Handy Motorsport's Austin was adjudged to be at fault and now faces the grid penalty due to it being his third strike of the season.
2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Qualifying – Rockingham:
1 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing 1m36.338s (72.49 mph)
2 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance +0.288s
3 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.638s
4 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +0.705s
5 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +0.753s
6 Ash SUTTON (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.882s
7 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +1.237s
8 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +1.242s
9 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +1.302s
10 Hunter ABBOTT (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +1.396s
11 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Eurotech Racing +1.959s
12 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.969s
13 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +2.031s
14 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) Motorbase Performance +2.062s
15 Jeff SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing +2.369s
16 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +2.375s
17 James COLE (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +2.508s
18 Warren SCOTT (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +2.516s
19 Jake HILL (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing +2.539s
20 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD Tuning.com +2.685s
21 Aron SMITH (IRL) BKR +2.979s
22 Alex MARTIN (GBR) Dextra Racing +3.091s
23 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +3.220s
24 Dan WELCH (GBR) Goodestone Racing +3.510s
25 Stewart LINES (GBR) Maximum Motorsport +3.650s
26 Jack GOFF (GBR) Team IHG Rewards Club +4.275s
27 Robert COLLARD (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +4.695s
28 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +5.222s
29 Tony GILHAM (GBR) TLC/RCIB Insurance Racing +5.337s
30 Mark HOWARD (GBR) BKR +2.567s
Following an additional amended statement issued by Silverline Subaru BMR Racing earlier today (27 August), Series Organiser TOCA is disappointed that it finds itself having to further clarify and correct some of the points raised.
To suggest that their statement has been issued to ‘avoid confusion’ has unfortunately merely added to it;
Stating that ‘other teams and manufacturers have also made similar proper Homologation Extension applications also in accordance with the Regulations’ is factually incorrect. This comment was made in relation to the BTCC Technical Working Group agreeing to Silverline Subaru BMR Racing’s request for a waiver to change its inlet manifold earlier this season.
For the avoidance of doubt, the waiver given to BMR was a unique occurrence - in fact no BTCC team has ever before been granted a waiver during the course of the championship to change a major component that will substantially improve their performance.
We are pleased to note that BMR, after seeing all engine power data calculations, agree with those calculations and state that they are a 'remarkably accurate judgement of the power output of each engine at the test conditions'.
However it later continues ‘we believe these test conditions do not translate to actual ‘on track’ straight line speed performance and recommend revisions moving forward if we are to achieve the common goal of ‘on track’ speed equalisation’.
This we find incomprehensible. There has never been a common goal of 'on track speed equalisation'.
As BMR acknowledge and agree, each engine’s power is equalised. But how that then converts to on-track performance is entirely up to each team and subject to a great many variables in each car - such as aerodynamics, weight, engine cooling, differential settings, drivetrain format, gearing, corner exit speeds, rolling resistance and many more variances.
In fact, even engines producing the same power can have differing performance characteristics, by altering their ECU mapping, using different camshaft profiles to achieve a different torque curve and such like.
Therefore like all other major motorsport championships, we have never sought to equalise straightline speed performance. It is simply not part of the equation – in fact we do not know of any major championship (particularly one with such a great variety of engine types, drivetrains and body shapes as ours) where this is done.
To think that all cars should be subject to a 'speed equalisation' is nonsensical, in our view. To attempt to match each and every type of car to achieve identical top speeds is a naïve and virtually impossible goal - particularly with the diversity in our championship.
Our proven and acknowledged process simply provides each team with an engine of an equal power factor. How this then relates to on-track performance is entirely down to each team and the way in which they build, develop and race their cars.
The incredibly close lap times produced throughout the BTCC field this year (26 cars covered by less than a second at the most recent event at Knockhill), clearly demonstrates the veracity and success of the BTCC’s rules and regulations.
To now introduce unachievable 'speed equalisation' of top speed times into the equation is one that won't be pursued.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing - amended statement in full
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing is pleased to provide this clarification in relation to recent statements published on behalf of TOCA.
It has always been and is our intention to ensure that the BTCC Regulations as a whole are fully respected by everybody, as we do, for the benefit of all participants.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing made a transparent application for a Homologation Extension to change the design of its inlet manifold based on a reliability issue and performance benefit.
The BTCC Technical Working Group including the TOCA officials agreed the Homologation Extension as permitted by the Championship Regulations for the Oulton Park round onwards albeit subject to an initially conservative base boost setting. Other teams and manufacturers have also made similar proper Homologation Extension applications also in accordance with the Regulations.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing understand and support our drivers’ frustration on power levels and boost adjustments that did, in some circumstances, not seem logical given the objective of equalising engine outputs across the championship. This concern was also expressed by senior personnel and high profile drivers from some other teams throughout the season.
Since these comments were made the calculus used in determining the resultant boost pressure and any adjustments has been presented to us and all other engine manufacturers. It is clear to us that the methodology used is based on raw data taken from each and every vehicle in the championship. The maths and processes are in fact a remarkably accurate judgement of the power output of each engine at the test conditions. However, we believe these test conditions do not translate to actual ‘on track’ straight line speed performance and recommend revisions moving forward if we are to achieve the common goal of ‘on track’ speed equalisation. We are looking forward to working with TOCA, the engine builders and all other teams to achieve this common goal.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing support TOCA and the foundation of the processes in place. We are also, along with many others, assisting where possible to ensure we have a transparent formula in place that results in a robust and accurate method to achieve the parity on circuit which will result in what all the drivers then experience in car.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing are looking forward to the successful climax of the 2016 BTCC season and hope that all involved are as well.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing's Colin Turkington topped the final Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship free practice session at Rockingham, with Tom Ingram, second in the running once again.
Halfords Yuasa Racing duo Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden following in third and fourth respectively, while championship leader Sam Tordoff found himself 21st – aiming to make up for valuable lost installation and setup time after a trip through the gravel in FP1.
Turkington's benchmark came early on, and Ingram's initial efforts saw him in second spot throughout the early throes. The Speedworks Toyota's berth wasn't to last, however, as Neal and Shedden set about their qualifying simulation.
Initally, Neal flew into P2, though still three-tenths shy of the Subaru at the top of the time-sheets. His second run brought the gap down to a couple of tenths while team-mate Shedden demoted Ingram another spot to P3.
The Speedworks racer's final run yielded his best time of the day, though, as he took back what was his from the Hondas, rounding off practice two as he'd finished practice one – second quickest.
This morning's pace-setter, Motorbase Performance's Andrew Jordan found himself sixth, just behind a racy-looking Rob Austin, who'd placed his Handy Motorsport Toyota fifth.
WIX Racing's Adam Morgan and BKR man Aron Smith followed the Pirtek Racing machine in seventh and eighth respectively while Power Maxed Racing's Hunter Abbott held a strong ninth.
Rounding out the top ten was Rob Collard in the Team JCT600 with GardX BMW 125i M Sport. Collard, by his own admission, is not as strong as he would like over a single lap but his practice showing will undoubtedly be a source of encouragement of what may be possible, even with weight on board, come qualifying.
Aside from Turkington's running, Silverline Subaru BMR Racing's FP2 did not go as they would have liked. Warren Scott suffered a spin and James Cole a lack of power prompting further investigation. Jason Plato found himself on the receiving end of an oil leak as he clouted kerbs a little too hard, causing his Subaru's sump to crack on its way back down to earth.
"I made a little mistake at T9," Plato said. "I caught the kerb on the left. The car jumped towards the exit kerb and landed on the sump, which we’ve broken.
"We’re making good progress though. In FP1 we had lots of understeer which is not unusal given its our first time here. All my understeer is gone now and we’re looking okay. Colin (Turkington) is in the groove and it’s a bit of a shame for me but it was my mistake."
Tordoff did his best to make hay after missing the majority of the morning's practice session. He now feels he could well be in for a difficult weekend as a result of beaching his BMW early in the day.
"The car was full of gravel," Tordoff said. "We set the brake bias up wrong, causing the spin. We had a lot to get into in FP2, lots to do. We'll sit down and work out what was good or bad at the end of it. We didn’t put fresh tyres on so we’re maybe a little further down than we should be but I think we’re in for a tough one this weekend by the looks of it."
2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 2 – Rockingham:
1 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing 1m22.914s (84.23 mph)
2 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.148s
3 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.215s
4 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.349s
5 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +0.501s
6 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) Motorbase Performance +0.520s
7 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +0.579s
8 Aron SMITH (IRL) BKR +0.590s
9 Hunter ABBOTT (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.601s
10 Robert COLLARD (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +0.611s
11 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.697s
12 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance +0.722s
13 Ash SUTTON (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.749s
14 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.809s
15 Jack GOFF (GBR) Team IHG Rewards Club +0.811s
16 Michael EPPS (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing +0.930s
17 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD Tuning.com +1.058s
18 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +1.136s
19 Alex MARTIN (GBR) Dextra Racing +1.170s
20 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +1.181s
21 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +1.302s
22 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Eurotech Racing +1.339s
23 Warren SCOTT (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +1.654s
24 Dan WELCH (GBR) Goodestone Racing +1.739s
25 Jeff SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing +2.005s
26 Jake HILL (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing +2.155s
27 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +2.294s
28 Stewart LINES (GBR) Maximum Motorsport +2.565s
29 Mark HOWARD (GBR) BKR +2.567s
30 Tony GILHAM (GBR) TLC/RCIB Insurance Racing +3.532s
31 James COLE (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing NO TIME
Pirtek Racing’s Andrew Jordan topped the timesheets in Saturday morning’s opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship practice session from Rockingham with Speedworks man Tom Ingram in close company, just 0.059s back in second.
Twenty-nine cars were separated by just 2.6 seconds, especially close given the usual spread seen in practice as teams and drivers get to grips with conditions, installation and look to dial in their setups.
Three red-flag stoppages threw the running off-kilter as Team HARD drivers Mike Epps and Jake Hill found themselves stranded out on track – the latter in gravel. Sam Tordoff, Drivers’ standings leader also found himself in the wars as he was surprised by a rear brake bias discrepancy which saw him beached. A touch of Gymkhana was how the Yorkshireman described it.
Jordan’s running was limited too, with Motorbase searching for the source of a minor vibration in the Ford Focus. Despite this, two quick runs were enough to best the rest with a time set midway through the session, while stablemate Mat Jackson set the fifth fastest time of the session.
“We only did two flying laps and there’s a vibration on the car so we’re trying to get to the bottom of it,” said Jordan. “We limited running and just stuck to the two so we could solve the issue but the car felt good out there. It’s early days – you don’t know what others are doing with tyres so it doesn’t mean too much overall really, as ever.”
Ingram was on the pace from the off, as he has been more often than not through 2016. He found himself just 0.059s shy of Jordan after a quicker run late in the session.
“Most people up and down the grid will be saying things aren’t feeling fantastic just yet,” said Ingram. “The circuit’s going to evolve over the next few hours. We’re towards the sharp end anyway so that’s a positive.
The WIX Racing Mercedes of Adam Morgan was pipped to P2 late on by Ingram though he still holds an encouraging third, while MG duo Ash Sutton and Josh Cook were back on form after a slightly disappointing Knockhill weekend – P4 and P7 respectively for the young-guns.
Gordon Shedden was the best placed Honda with sixth – a solid start. Halfords Yuasa Racing team-mate Matt Neal will be looking to kick on from a best of P10 as the day progresses with his Civic Type R contending with near-maximum success ballast.
After a storming weekend in Fife, the best placed Silverline Subaru BMR Racing machine was that of eight-placed Colin Turkington.
Tony Gilham’s return to the driver’s seat suffered a false start as gearing issues put pay to his FP1, preventing his TLC/RCIB Insurance Racing Toyota Avensis leaving its garage and adding to the Team HARD stable's woes.
Free Practice 2 is set to get underway at 12pm with qualifying to follow at 15:15 LIVE on itv.com/btcc.
2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Free Practice 1 – Rockingham:
1 Andrew JORDAN (GBR) Motorbase Performance 1m23.045s (84.09 mph)
2 Tom INGRAM (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +0.059s
3 Adam MORGAN (GBR) WIX Racing +0.128s
4 Josh COOK (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.184s
5 Mat JACKSON (GBR) Motorbase Performance +0.415s
6 Gordon SHEDDEN (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.484s
7 Ash SUTTON (GBR) MG Racing RCIB Insurance +0.487s
8 Colin TURKINGTON (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +0.677s
9 Aron SMITH (IRL) BKR +0.817s
10 Matt NEAL (GBR) Halfords Yuasa Racing +0.820s
11 Jason PLATO (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +0.893s
12 Dave NEWSHAM (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +0.925s
13 James COLE (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +1.018s
14 Jeff SMITH (GBR) Eurotech Racing +1.229s
15 Aiden MOFFAT (GBR) Laser Tools Racing +1.249s
16 Jack GOFF (GBR) Team IHG Rewards Club +1.259s
17 Hunter ABBOTT (GBR) Power Maxed Racing +1.262s
18 Matt SIMPSON (GBR) Speedworks Motorsport +1.268s
19 Robert COLLARD (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +1.344s
20 Warren SCOTT (GBR) Silverline Subaru BMR Racing +1.441s
21 Martin DEPPER (GBR) Eurotech Racing +1.445s
22 Ollie JACKSON (GBR) AmD Tuning.com +1.504s
23 Rob AUSTIN (GBR) Handy Motorsport +1.567s
24 Jake HILL (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing +1.644s
25 Dan WELCH (GBR) Goodestone Racing +1.671s
26 Michael EPPS (GBR) RCIB Insurance Racing +1.878s
27 Alex MARTIN (GBR) Dextra Racing +1.928s
28 Stewart LINES (GBR) Maximum Motorsport +2.525s
29 Mark HOWARD (GBR) BKR +2.637s
30 Sam TORDOFF (GBR) Team JCT600 Racing with GardX +8.890s
31 Tony GILHAM (GBR) TLC/RCIB Insurance Racing NO TIME
Team JCT600 with GardX man Sam Tordoff is contesting his fourth full season in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and the multiple race-winner is mounting his biggest title challenge yet.
The Yorkshireman scored victories in each of his first two years with the manufacturer-backed MG squad, before his switch to BMW machinery in 2015. Further successes followed in his maiden campaign with West Surrey Racing, but his speed and consistency during the 2016 season so far sees the talented Yorkshireman hold a nine-point lead in the current standings.
A stellar afternoon at Oulton Park in June cemented Tordoff’s championship credentials, with a win and two-second place finishes moving him to the summit.
Tordoff has remained in the top two ever since, with a strong outing at Knockhill last time out handing him an extended advantage over Matt Neal and his WSR stablemate Rob Collard.
“We’ve had a good run but I’m sure Rockingham will be an extremely tough challenge,” said Tordoff. “It was important that we took points at the circuits which really suited the BMW, which we did, and next weekend will be no different in terms of our approach.
“We need to just keep scoring points consistently as that’s what winning championships is all about. We’re fast, the car’s good and we’re good on weight. I’m feeling strong but there’s a long way to go.”
If Tordoff is to win a first BTCC title then he will have to hold off Collard's challenge from within his own team, whilst Halfords Yuasa Racing remains ever-strong through Neal and Gordon Shedden.
The Motorbase Performance Fords of Mat Jackson and Andrew Jordan are also among the contenders, as are Subaru's super duo of Colin Turkington and Jason Plato, plus a host of others.
Topping the Drivers' standings at this stage of the season, with the light at the end of the tunnel beginning to appear, is tantalising. It's also a sign of how well all the components vital to a title charge have been married together by WSR and Tordoff over an ultra-competitive season so far.
“To be leading the championship with three rounds to go is more than I could have expected and is a real credit to everyone at Team JCT600 with GardX," said Tordoff.
"The WSR-prepared BMW has performed fabulously, carried ballast well and given me the opportunity to take good points everywhere – even when it seemed like that might not be possible.
"I’d rather be nine points ahead than behind, but it’s a slender gap and I know that one slip-up could have a big consequence.
"Maximising every points opportunity is key and we'll see where we are come Sunday night. It sounds like the oldest cliché in the book, but we really do have to take things race by race.”
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing has issued the following statement…
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing is pleased to provide this clarification in relation to recent statements published on behalf of TOCA.
It has always been and is our intention to ensure that the BTCC Regulations as a whole are fully respected by everybody, as we do, for the benefit of all participants.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing made a transparent application for a Homologation Extension to change the design of its inlet manifold, which TOCA and the BTCC Technical Working Group agreed could be introduced for the Oulton Park round onwards - albeit subject to an initially conservative base boost setting.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing understand our drivers’ frustration on power levels and boost adjustments that did, in some circumstances, not seem logical given the objective of equalising engine outputs across the championship. This concern was also expressed at times by some senior personnel and high profile drivers from some other teams throughout the season.
However since these comments were made the calculus TOCA have used in determining the resultant boost pressure and any adjustments has been presented to us and all other engine manufacturers. It is clear to us that the methodology used is based on raw data taken from each and every vehicle in the championship. The maths and processes are in fact a remarkably accurate judgement of the power output of each engine at the test conditions.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing support TOCA and the foundation of the processes in place. We, along with many others, will continue to assist TOCA at all times to ensure we continue to have a transparent formula in place that results in a robust and accurate method to help achieve parity on circuit which will result in what all the drivers then experience in car.
Silverline Subaru BMR Racing are looking forward to the successful climax of the 2016 BTCC season and hope that all involved are as well.
Power Maxed Racing has confirmed that Dave Newsham will return in place of Kelvin Fletcher at Rockingham this weekend (27/28 August) as Fletcher is expecting the birth of his first child.
Newsham will compete in rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at the Midlands circuit, driving Fletcher’s PMR Chevrolet Cruze.
At Knockhill, the Inverness-based racer notched a trio of points finishes after qualifying P10 on his return. A race one finish of seventh was a real highlight – Power Maxed Racing's highest-placed finish of the season and a first top ten this year.
"The response before I got to the track was overwhelming on social media, and after I arrived, well it went to another level," said Newsham, speaking after his return to the BTCC on home soil at Knockhill. "I didn't think anyone would really miss me, but I couldn't have been more wrong, thankfully. I can't wait to get back in the car at Rockingham."
"Longer term, I want to do everything I can to get back to the BTCC. The chance to have another weekend in the championship I love is perfect though we will all be thinking of Kelvin and his partner, awaiting some happy news."
Adam Weaver, Power Maxed Racing Team Principal said: "We will miss Kelvin at Rockingham, but it is great to work with Dave again. Seeing him perform at Knockhill was a delight and it has helped with yet more development of the car that will benefit Kelvin for the final two rounds."
Team HARD boss Tony Gilham will step into the Toyota Avensis of Michael Caine this weekend at Rockingham (27/28 August) following the withdrawal of the Newmarket racer from the event due to a back injury.
The 37-year-old Team Principal competed at the final two events last season, with a best of 15th spot at Silverstone, and is looking forward to stepping back into Dunlop British Touring Car Championship machinery, while ruing his driver's misfortune.
"Michael's had a flare up of an old back injury," said Gilham. "It had previously been operated on and corrected, but he felt pain in race one back at Knockhill.
"It's a shame for Michael and ourselves but it's a long-term project with him and his sponsors as we look to 2017 and beyond."
"I'll be stepping into the breech for this weekend – you could definitely say I've been thrown in at the deep end!"
"These guys have been racing and testing all season and I haven't been out in a racing car for the best part of 12 months.
"I raced the last two events of last season at Silverstone and Brands Hatch but since then I've done nothing.
"It'll definitely be tricky but I'm looking forward to it – I always look forward to getting back into a racing car, especially a British Touring Car, and going racing again."
Competing in a car born of his own stable, Gilham is hoping to do the outfit proud. In Jake Hill and Michael Epps, he has a couple of quick young talents in the fold to point the way.
"Driving a touring car in my colours is just going to be fantastic and I hope I can do myself, the car and the team some sort of justice.
"It'll certainly be a weekend that's a bit of a learning process for me. I'll be working closely with our guys – Mike (Epps) and Jake (Hill) – to try and glean as much as I can before going out competitively in quali. They've been on it this season so they'll be a real help.
"It would be nice to notch a point maybe, I'll see what I can do. We'll find out if there's still a bit of life in the old dog yet!"
I love Knockhill! It’s my favourite circuit in the UK next to Thruxton, and although it favours the cars driven by the rear wheels, off the back of our podium result at Snetterton I was excited to see what we could do.
With so many rear-wheel drive cars on the grid this year we thought that anything in the top ten would be a really good effort but after qualifying P9, my best qualifying position of the year so far and a best ever for Handy Motorsport, I still wasn’t happy. I didn’t feel like I had done my best, there was more in it and that takes away some satisfaction. It’s a funny thing. For me personally, I can give it everything and extract the maximum out of the car but if the car’s only good enough for 15th I will be happy with my work. Equally, if you win a race through pure luck its nowhere near as satisfying as knowing you really earned it.
Read all of Rob's Knockhill blog over at hiqonline.co.uk.