5) Aron Smith
The smiling Irishman entered the season on cloud nine with a new chapter to look forward to opening: A deal with the improving BMR Racing Volkswagen CC, a double BTCC title-winning team-mate in Alain Menu and no pressure on his shoulders.
It became apparent that the move over the winter was one he has already looked back on fondly, the car immediately showing its top-five pace in a rough-and-tumble Brands Hatch opener, that saw a developing rivalry begin between himself and former team-mate, Mat Jackson.
Smith knew he had a car capable of race victories, but played it calm before the moment arrived at Oulton Park in June.
A reverse-grid pole handed that opportunity, and he duly drove his most professional BTCC performance in treacherous conditions from the front after an afternoon deluge, Jackson having thrown his Ford off the road before the Volkswagen CC of Smith controlled the race without mistake for BMR and Volkswagen’s first triumph.
This was to be repeated later in the season at Snetterton, once again in the reverse-grid encounter as he fended off the feisty Motorbase Ford of Jackson during a pressure-cooker classic.
16 top-10 finishes and ninth overall in the championship was Smith’s reward, beating experienced team-mate Menu in the process.
Qualifying and outright pace is still to be improved however if Smith and BMR as a team are to fight for the title now, but the Irishman is confident that their next steps this winter are crucial.
“It’s still developing, but I think it’s coming on leaps and bounds at every meeting we go to”, Smith told TCF. “I know the testing plan that we have in place for the winter is going to see us cover some serious miles and I’m sure we’ll be one to beat next year.”
