Michael Epps feels he’s on track to start challenging for podium finishes soon in the Milltek Sport Volkswagen Racing Cup after posting a hat-trick of top ten finishes at Rockingham.
The former single-seater racer, who is embarking on his maiden season of tin-top racing, headed to the second meeting of the season keen to bounce back after electrical issues in his Team HARD Mk.6 Golf hampered his Oulton Park debut last month.
Hard work by the team saw those problems resolved ahead of the trip to Corby and following some positive running in Friday testing, Epps was able to post a pair of seventh place grid starts in qualifying as one of only three Golf drivers in a top twelve dominated by Sciroccos.
The opening race proved to be a bruising encounter for the Hemel Hempstead-based racer as he was twice robustly pushed down the order before bringing his battle scarred Golf home in tenth.
“It’s a bit rough out there,” said Epps. “Perhaps more so than necessary, but I’ll just have to fight back a bit harder next time I suppose. I’m still getting used to being able to bounce off other cars. In single seaters a small hit or tap could often cost thousands and end your race just like that.”
The 23 year old bounced back in style though with a strong performance in race two, acquitting himself well in the thick of the top ten action to take his best result of the season so far with eighth.
A slow getaway in race three saw Epps some ground early on, but he settled into the top ten and was in a close multi-car fight for seventh on the final lap, though it didn’t go his way and he slotted into tenth at the finish.
“It’s kind of bitter-sweet weekend really,” he added. “I’m so glad we sorted the issues from Oulton, as that was just awful to race with, but I was hoping for more of an improvement in terms of finishing positions.
“I guess it is how it is, we needed a little bit more pace from somewhere and given that I’m still new to this series I’m sure I’ll find it. Thanks to Team Hard and everyone else for their support over the weekend, bring on the next rounds Silverstone!”
