by Russell Atkins

TO READ ONSLOW-COLE'S ANUSING TAKE ON HIS ROAD DRIVING HABITS, CLICK HERE

Tom Onslow-Cole is aiming to split his former title-winning team-mates in the HiQ British Touring Car Championship this year – though he acknowledges the fact that the series looks set for one of its hardest-fought campaigns in recent memory.

The 20-year-old became the second-youngest factory driver ever when he joined the leading tin-top series with Team RAC last year, impressing many observers as he triumphed at Snetterton en route to tenth spot in the final drivers' standings, taking the fight to more experienced team-mate Colin Turkington on a number of occasions. Second time around, he wants to do even better still.

“I'm really excited about getting started,” he enthused, speaking to Crash.net. “It's obviously been a long winter for us all, and I think everyone is really geed up for the season, especially with it being the BTCC's 50th anniversary. I think it will also be one of the most competitive and I can't wait for it to get underway!

“I learned a lot last year; it was a big step-up to come into touring cars from Clios, and I didn't realise how much of a change it would be going into a rear wheel-drive car. I learned a lot of the protocol of being in the BTCC too.

“I've always loved a good battle, though, from karting all the way up. Whether you are battling for the lead or fighting over 15th place, there's always a race going on in the BTCC.”

The Kingston ace has made the switch back to front wheel-drive machinery for 2008, teaming up with defending champion Fabrizio Giovanardi and 2005 and 2006 back-to-back title-winner Matt Neal at VX Racing. He acknowledges that there is a lot he can still learn from both drivers, and especially from the Italian in terms of getting to grips with what he describes as 'a strange car'.

“I haven't had a huge amount of time in the car,” he admitted, “but I've had enough to settle in. It's definitely a fantastic piece of machinery, and the team have been fantastic so far. I've been able to learn a lot from both Matt and Fabrizio, and I'm just trying to absorb as much as I can while I'm there.

“It's all about picking up little hints and tips here and there – it's hard to say any one thing. Fabrizio has been very good at helping me to get to know the car quickly. The Vectra is a strange car to drive; it's very quick, but to squeeze the last bit out of it requires a certain technique which he has obviously mastered because the car was built around him. He has been great in helping me to get the speed out of the car.