BTCC

BTCC 2010 Preview: Team AON – Ford Focus ST

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#21 Tom Onslow-Cole – #23 Tom Chilton

The Team AON line up of 'Tom-Tom' will continue into a second season after Onslow-Cole joined the returning Chilton in the Arena Motorsport prepared Team AON Ford Focus ST race cars.

Chilton, who helped develop the car from scratch after rejoining the team from Team Dynamics, ended the 2009 season with 3 podiums in the final 4 races with the car improving as the season went on. Chilton also took the first Ford pole position at the Brands GP finale.

The 2010 season sees Team AON Change to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), the first team to make the switch to LPG. The switch has brought on sponsorship from high street brand Calor Gas.

The team's decision to switch to the LPG fuel helps to promote the BTCC's 'green credentials' and is something that proves the BTCC is ahead of other major race series worldwide.

With Onslow-Cole and Chilton in the team, Mike Earle and everyone connected with team, AON must be confident in a title challenge. Both drivers are young but have plenty of experience between them and race wins.

2010 will be the first complete BTCC Campaign for 21 year old Onslow-Cole since he left VX Racing at the end of the 2008 season, and said about the Team AON deal: “I can't wait to take the new car out and see what it can do in a competitive environment. We already know that LPG is a more environmentally friendly fuel than petrol, so if it also proves to be a race winner then I'm sure I'll be driving a car powered by the fuel for the future for British motor sport.”

The team are confident, the drivers are confident – will the confidence pay off?

Season Prediction:

The Focus ST's were looking threatening towards the end of the 2009 season, and that was with the petrol engine. Even with the team's confidence, will the switch to LPG pay off?

The cars could well be a major threat – if the team carry on their Brands GP form, there isn't any reason why the team can't add to the Ford wins tally in 2010. Both drivers will be pretty evenly matched.

TCF Driver Predictions:

Chilton: Will take some wins, could challenge for the title with luck. 6th overall.

Onslow-Cole: Will continue to enhance his reputation as a promising youngster. Should take a win, podiums will happen. 7th.

Photo credit: Vince Pettit Photography

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