British Touring Car Championship squad Airwaves Racing were impressed with the performances of Dan Cammish, Harrison Scott and Josh Files during their maiden test of BTCC machinery at Snettetton on Tuesday.
Formula Ford champion Cammish – unbeaten in the 24 races he contested during the 2013 season – and runner-up Scott both enjoyed their debut experience in a saloon car at the 300 circuit in Norfolk, sinking their teeth into a front-wheel-drive racer for the first time in their career.
They were joined by recently-crowned Renault UK Clio Cup champion Files at the test, all three drivers impressing Airwaves Racing team boss David Bartrum who observed their outings, the trio guided through their experience by current BTCC driver Tom Onslow-Cole.
Bartrum said: “We expected a high level of ability based on where the drivers had come from; but to be thrown straight in at the deep end and to show the speed and ability they did, away from their areas of expertise, just shows where their talents lie.
“All the drivers did very well and impressed the whole team. The day was great testament to Dunlop tyres and the firm’s support and commitment to the BTCC and racing as a whole. Airwaves Racing is very proud to have been a part of it.”
While 17-year-old Scott seeks to continue his still-early single-seater career, Cammish and Files remained focused on chasing a BTCC drive for 2014. Airwaves Racing Team Manager Oly Collins praised the performance of drivers, saying: “We weren’t interested in comparing pace because the conditions were so varied.”
Collins spoke highly of Files following the Clio Cup UK champion’s outing in the Focus, commenting: “Josh performed brilliantly, listened well and took the correct approach throughout the day. To be honest, we weren’t concerned about Josh because he was best-suited to an NGTC touring car, coming from a front-wheel-drive Clio.
“We didn’t want him to over-extend himself – ultimately it was a reward for his fantastic achievments in the UK Clio Cup and we wanted him to enjoy it. However, he showed great speed and knowledge, going through and reacting to the data well.”
