This weekend the team made the trip to the home of Welsh motorsport - Pembrey Circuit for the second round of the British Truck Racing Championship. The sun was shining, and the team had spent the weeks prior making major modifications and adjustments to the trucks so we’re ready to get back on the track!
As usual Saturday morning kicked off with a qualifying session which went very well for the team with Stuart getting pole position and Michael a very respectable P5!
First race of the weekend’s grid was set from the results of qualifying so Stuart sat on pole and Michael third row. Stuart had a perfect start to the race and went straight into the lead. The battle for those top positions was extremely tight and he had to undertake some very defensive driving. The good start was unfortunately not to last as his truck suffered mechanical issues which forced him lose his position and eventually retire from the race. Michael behind battled mid pack and kept consistent throughout the race. He crossed the line in a good P5.
The second race was a solo trip to the grid for Michael Oliver as upon inspection Stuart’s number 7 truck has serious engine problems. The grid was set by the second fastest lap from qualifying which put Michael row two. It was a good start for Michael and the battle commenced for those top spots! A good strong race for him and a P4 finish.
Sunday morning, race three was again just Michael on track for this as unfortunately Stuart’s number 7 truck was deemed out of action for the rest of weekend as its engine issues could not be repaired at the track. Stuart took a different role for the race and joined the commentary team in the box! It was the first reverse grid of the weekend which put Michael on the second row. He had a great start to the race, but a spin out with some of the trucks at the first corner led to the first red flag of the weekend. A clean up op ensued and a re-grid for the trucks ready for a 10-minute restart race. Another great start for Michael as he propelled himself straight to the front. He held the position for the majority of the race with some excellent defensive driving as he was put under extreme pressure from the chasing pack. He eventually crossed the line in P2 and got himself a trip to the podium much to the team and fans delight!
Race four saw another reverse grid for Michael Oliver which sat him on row three whist Stuart took his seat back in the commentary box! The trucks began chase and Michael was locked up in a 4-way battle in the mid back as the teams jostled for those positions. Plenty of contact in this race and the number 12 suffered some front damage and a punctured tyre. Despite this Michael still crossed the line in a good P6.
The fifth and final race of the Pembrey Circuit weekend was again a reverse grid start with the results of race three reversed. This meant Michael had work to do from his fourth-row grid position. The lights went out and the chase began with Michael making good progress through the positions. He settled into P4 but unfortunately it was not meant to be as issues with the truck forced him to retire from the race early with just over six minutes remaining.
A testing weekend for Team Oliver but some excellent racing from all the teams of the British Truck Racing Championship which we are sure kept the crowd thoroughly entertained in the Welsh sunshine! We now get both trucks back to the workshop to assess the issues and start preparing for the next round at Thruxton Circuit.
Thank you to all our sponsors for their continued support to the team.
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