After a round of golf in Scottish links conditions, very wet and cold, Darryl warmed the team’s spirits the following day in a test session to allow the drivers to get used to the first street circuit of the WTCC season. He posted the sixth quickest time overall, and was the second quickest independent driver. Tom on the other hand knew he would be struggling for the weekend ahead. Still driving with the TDi engine, the car was 35kg over weight and 30hp down on the new SEAT 1.6T WTCC. The circuit at Marrakesh is basically two long straights, so this disadvantage would be further magnified as those with greater bhp and less weight would obviously be traveling much faster.
With much improved weather by the weekend, the team prepared the cars for the Saturday free practices and qualification sessions. Darryl had qualified well at Valencia and was looking for a similar performance to make the second session. In the free practices Darryl was consistent, posting times of 1:47:102 and 1:47:049. In session one he was 7th and session two 6th in the independents. Tom posted 1:47:752 and 1:47:157 to be 10th and 8th respectively, again in the independents.
Qualification saw an improved performance time-wise, but both drivers could not make that count enough to make the second round of qualification. Darryl would start both races from 16th position, qualifying in 1:45:834 and Tom from 19th, posting a time of 1:46:562.
Race 1 on Sunday morning got off to an action packed start. Darryl made good ground and did well to avoid serious damage in an incident ahead of him with Bennani and Nash. Capitalising on this, and despite the loss of his front left bumper, he made his way up the field. Tom also got off to a good start and by lap 8 was fighting for 12th spot. However, the lack of power showed, and as the cars spread out in the race he was unable to defend his position on the long straights. Darryl finished in 5th in the independents and Tom a very credible 8th.
Race 2 in the afternoon saw only Darryl taking to the race track. Technical issues with Tom’s car forced him to withdraw, a shame after his relative success in the first race. Darryl again started well and despite the damage he sustained in the first race he made up positions. The race saw the Chevrolets move through the field to the front. Darryl again drove a solid race and making up 6 places overall he finished in a very credible 4th in the Independents.
After this weekend Darryl is now 6th in the Yokohama trophy. Tom scored his first point, which considering the conditions, is an achievement. The team now prepare for Slovakia in two weeks time.
