Mid-Term BTCC Report: Nick Halstead

Mid-Term BTCC Report: Nick Halstead

After a learning year in 2023, Nick Halstead’s return to the British Touring Car Championship as part of Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS came with a focus on trying to maintain the progress seen in the latter part of last season.

Although the grid numbers are lower than they were twelve months ago, Halstead’s status as the only true ‘gentleman driver’ on the grid – allied to the depth in the talent on the grid – meant the season kicked off at Donington Park with points finishes being a target rather than an expectation.

Unable to set a time in qualifying due to a mechanical issue, wet conditions on race day would play to Halstead’s strengths and he would come close to the points in two of the three races – picking up a brace of 16^th place finishes and a solid haul of points in the Jack Sears Trophy for those drivers without an overall podium finish.

Starting from P20 on the grid for race one at Brands Hatch, Halstead started the second meeting of the season with a trouble-free run to 17^th but then maximised the amount of hybrid available in race two with one of his most encouraging performances to date.

Taking the flag in 13^th spot – less than a tenth of a second away from P12 – saw Halstead score a first points finish of the campaign, before he wrapped up the weekend with 17^th in race three.

From the high of Brands Hatch came the low of Snetterton, with Halstead going into the meeting under the weather due to the after-effects of a bout of food poisoning. Although he bravely contested the opening race of the weekend, he would be unable to take part in the final two races having felt too unwell to compete.

Thruxton – his least favourite circuit on the calendar – yielded a best result of 19^th place, but an unfortunate accident in the final race that saw his car make heavy contact with the barriers ended race three early and would also hamper Halstead in the final meeting before the summer break at Oulton Park.

Nursing back pain throughout, Halstead would battle to three finishes on the fringes of the points and will bid to come out fighting fit when the season resumes at Croft after the summer break with trips to a number of circuits where he performed well last season.

Mid-Season Facts & Figures:

• Races: 13
• Wins: 0
• Pole Positions: 0
• Qualifying Average: 19.80
• Podiums: 0
• Points Finishes: 1
• Points: 3
• Championship Position: 21st
• Race Laps: 242/268
• Laps Led:
• Fastest Laps: 0