Thoughts from the Boardroom

thoughts from the

boardroom

Do you remember the first time turbochargers were commonly used in production cars, often as a cost effective way of extracting significant performance gains from something otherwise humdrum? When the technology was in its infancy it was relatively rudimentary and led to some interesting power delivery characteristics. Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it – boom, all the performance you could wish for, and sometimes a little bit more.

And in a way this feels a little bit like this season’s motorsport… nothing, nothing, nothing – boom, races coming so thick and fast that it’s hard to keep up. Those of you who regularly read my thoughts in these pages will know that I’m a huge supporter of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and I must say I’m delighted that it is back with us and that despite all the uncertainty associated with Covid-19 it’s still the world’s premier tin-top series.

As I type I can still hear the echo of the pack streaming around Paddock Hill bend at Brands Hatch, but by the time you read this the BTCC will already have visited Oulton Park and Knockhill – yes, the races are certainly coming thick and fast! Traditionally the season kicks off at Brands but this year the opening races were at Donington Park and I have to say that seeing the field flowing through the Craner Curves for the first time was a sight for sore eyes. The first qualifying session of the year gives a clear picture of each car’s speed as it’s the only time in the season when no one is carrying any success ballast so it was great to see Colin Turkington emerge as pole sitter for race one, testament to the team’s hard work, Colin’s skill and the intrinsic balance in the 330i M Sport.

I can only comment on what’s happened in the two weekends that we’ve had so far, but I’m immensely proud of what Team BMW, West Surrey Racing and our drivers Colin Turkington and Tom Oliphant have managed so far. Six races, three wins, two additional podium finishes and as we head for Oulton Colin leads the drivers’ standings, BMW leads the manufacturers’ championship and Team BMW heads the teams’ category.

Colin has been with us for some time now and his ability and consistency is legendary, but I was delighted for Tom Graeme Grieve, CEO BMW (UK) Ltd.

to take his maiden BTCC race win at the third race at Brands Hatch. From sixth on the grid a blistering start took him to third place for the first lap and at the start of the second tour a ballsy move around the outside of Paddock saw him take the lead where he was hounded for the entire race by Sutton in his Infiniti, with the gap between them rarely exceeding half a second. Tom ran a perfect race though and emerged victorious after a hard fought 15 laps. It was a thoroughly deserved win and coincided with West Surrey Racing’s 300th BTCC podium – good going everyone!

As the dust was still settling after an excellent weekend of racing I couldn’t help but reflect on what an excellent package the 3 Series represents. This year sees the

45th anniversary of the model’s debut as well as 35 years since the iconic M3 made its motor show debut. Since its arrival the 3 Series has constantly been rejuvenated and has been the class leader though its seven generations.

As this weekend proved it’s still a brilliant race winner on track yet in the same week the 330e has also won the What Car? ‘Hybrid Executive Car of the Year’ at its electric car awards, while the 3 Series won the ‘Most Loved’ award in AutoTrader’s New Car Awards. The 3 Series might have been in its infancy when the turbocharger first saw the light of day but over the years it’s been honed and refined to create the wonderful machine we know today – it’s a superb car on both road and track.