Cook claims maiden BTCC win as Power Maxed Racing continue strong start
BIDFORD-on-Avon team Power Maxed Racing continued their strong start to the 2018 British Touring Car Championship with victory in the opening race at Donington Park last weekend.
Josh Cook claimed his first success in the championship, taking his Vauxhall Astra to a relatively untroubled win from pole position.
The triumph ensured Power Maxed Racing continued the team's excellent form following the first meeting at Brands Hatch, where Senna Proctor claimed his and the team's debut victory in the championship.
Proctor also put in a battling performance at Donington and his eighth-placed finish bagged further points for the team.
For the second race, Cook was again on pole and Proctor was bringing up the rear.
Cook's win meant success ballast was added and it led to a frustrating race, finishing seventh. Proctor made up ten places to come home in 22nd.
Race three saw Cook start from fourth off the grid and after dropping to fifth place on the first lap he started to climb back up the order and hit second place at half distance.
He tried every trick in the book to take first place, but couldn’t quite make it stick, finishing a brilliant second to back up his race one win.
Proctor had a disaster, not completing a lap and registering a DNF.
Cook's breathtaking performances have rocketed him into third in the championship and Proctor is in a solid 12th spot. PMR also head up the teams' and the manufacturers' championships.
“It’s a little bit easier starting from the front, that’s for sure!” said a delighted Cook after his opening race win.
"I’m over the moon for the guys and everyone who’s put all the hard work in.
"Senna (Proctor) got his last weekend and I needed mine. We were quick and I had to battle for the lead. The car was a little loose to start with and a slow start left me a little vulnerable. Chris (Smiley) gave me enough room and I managed to get the place back after losing out at the start.
“I’m really glad to have brought it home. As soon as the car settled and the rear calmed down, it was just a case of managing the tyres and managing the gap.
"It was nice to get a backmarker between us and Dan (Cammish) towards the end of the race. Hopefully it’s the first of many!
"We’ve worked so hard over the winter to make sure we’ve nailed our qualifying setup and the PMR Astra is an amazing drive now – the best car I’ve driven out of the box and every thanks to my engineers for it!”
The next round takes place at Thruxton on Sunday, 20th May.
