Tom Boardman and the Special Tuning Racing team left Donington Park disappointed after engine problems wrecked what had looked to be a promising weekend.
Boardman went into qualifying in an optimistic mood after he had finished the two free practice sessions in third and second respectively. However, a collision with the Chevrolet of Chris James during the qualifying session ended his hopes of a good slot on the grid.
After starting the first race of the day in 12th, Boardman made up several positions to finish the first encounter in eighth on the road, before gaining an extra position after the race following the exclusion of Gordon Shedden for a technical infringement.
Boardman had spent much of the race trying to get past Rob Collard. “I had a bit more power than Collard,” he said after the race, “but I couldn't get on the throttle early enough to get the drive and pass him. All I could hope for was him to make a mistake. He was good on his brakes though, so it was a good, clean fight all the way to the end.”
A misfiring engine during the warm-up lap for Race 2 saw Boardman return to the pits in his SEAT, but he was able to start from the pit lane at the back of the field. With the engine still being a problem, Boardman was forced to pit again later in the race. He returned to the track on lap 12, albeit two laps down. He was able to post the fastest lap of the race, but was then forced to retire.
A series of incidents at the beginning of Race 3 allowed Boardman to move up to 12th position as the safety car was deployed. After the restart he continued to make up places, getting up to fifth position. However, with just two laps remaining the car came to a halt at Coppice. Boardman was able to return to the pits to retire.
“We've run into one or two problems this weekend, which is unfortunate,” said Boardman. “We were running really well in the last race, equalling the times of race-winner Mat Jackson. We know we've got the pace now, so it's a step in the right direction. We'll get these issues sorted, and hopefully put in an even stronger showing at Thruxton.”
