Porsche star Nick Tandy turned many heads in the paddock during his experience in a BTCC car with Motorbase at the official Dunlop test at Snetterton, and admits he would “love to race” in the series should the opportunity arise later this year.
The Trackspeed Porsche British GT driver stepped into a Ford Focus for the Kent squad on Tuesday for the first of two days of testing for most of the BTCC teams and drivers at the Norfolk circuit, and it did not take time for him to get up to speed, setting the sixth quickest time in the morning’s session before ending the day a superb fourth place following his first day behind the wheel.
After lying just 1.182s off the pace of Sam Tordoff‘s quickest Tuesday time, Tandy continued his strong form the following day at the 300 circuit by finishing ninth overall, the 28-year-old not counting out the chances of jumping back into an BTCC car later during the season should the opportunity around his GT commitments arise.
Tandy told btcc.net: “I am a racing driver and I love racing so I am always delighted to get the opportunity to jump into a car. It’s obviously very different from what I am used to but in many ways that might be a good thing, as I can hopefully help the team with a fresh pair of eyes. I have just been chipping away little by little and we’ve definitely made progress.
“If my sportscar commitments don’t clash and the opportunity arises then I’d love to race in the BTCC at some point this season.”
Overall, the two-day test was a successful experience for the Motorbase squad, regular drivers Aron Smith and Mat Jackson finish fifth and eighth following a very productive Wednesday test, Smith clocking a time good enough for third place in the afternoon to please team boss David Bartrum with their progress. “The boys have all worked tirelessly over the last two days and everyone has pulled together as a team to get the most out of our time here” he said.
On the performance of Tandy, Bartrum added: “Nick Tandy is a great test driver and top GT driver with good grass roots knowledge so his input has been invaluable. We both have strong connections with Porsche and Ford, and Nick has been involved with Motorbase Performance before in the Porsche Carrera Cup and British GT so it’s only fitting for him to work with us again to assist the BTCC squad.”
