Thursday, 3rd July 2008

Team RAC boss Dick Bennetts makes a very bold claim ahead of the latest HiQ MSA British Touring Car round at Snetterton.

Dick Bennetts claims that his Team RAC BMW 320sis will have no chance against the SEAT Leon TDIs in the upcoming HiQ MSA British Touring Car round at Snetterton.

Bennetts made the declaration after the Spanish marque dominated testing around the Norfolk circuit last week, with both Jason Plato and Darren Turner finishing a comfortable margin ahead of their nearest rivals.

With the competition led by Colin Turkington in the RAC BMW, Bennetts admits he was pleased to emerge as the best of the petrol engine contingent, but has already conceded defeat against the Leons around a high-speed track that is likely to suit their potent diesel power.

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“We were happy with the performance of the drivers and the BMW 320si in testing,” he told the official BTCC website. “It was great to be the fastest petrol engine. However the SEAT turbo diesel was in a league of its own and we have no chance against them.”

Team RAC come to Snetterton on the back of a double victory last time out at Croft, a weekend that Turkington claims he'll never forget. The Northern Irishman is now eyeing a similar performance in order to overhaul the five-point buffer between himself and Adam Jones in the Independents' Trophy.

“It was a very productive couple of days for Team RAC. It is unusual to get two full days of testing and it's a great opportunity to try things you wouldn't normally get the time to do on a race weekend

“The last round at Croft was fantastic day, for myself and for Team RAC. It was the first time in my BTCC career that I've won two races and is a day I won't forget. After a six-week break I can't wait to get back in the car and try to repeat my success.”

Stephen Jelley, meanwhile, used the Snetterton test as a chance to get more mileage behind the wheel of a touring car in what has been a tough transition for him from single-seaters.

“Testing at Snetterton was great preparation for the next round. We learnt a lot more about the BMW made some real progress. I was pleased with my performance at Croft and am hoping to bring success for Team RAC at the next round.”

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