Vertu Volvo Technician Gains Insight Into BTCC Success

03/10/2024 10:04 Share

A long-serving member of the Vertu Volvo Taunton team played his role in on-track success for Team Bristol Street Motors after joining forces with the front-running outfit for the penultimate meeting of the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.

Lucas Redwood was the latest technician from within the wider Vertu Motors group – of which Bristol Street Motors is a member – to be given the opportunity to join the race team for a weekend, and headed for the Home of British Motorsport for a crucial event in the race for the 2024 title.

Lucas, who celebrated his 20^th anniversary with the business earlier this year, joined up with the team on the Thursday prior to the event to assist with set-up, before taking on a variety of different roles on the four Hyundai i30 Fastback N cars across the weekend.

Saturday’s on-track action ended in mixed emotions after championship contender Tom Ingram inherited pole position, but team-mate Dan Zelos lost out on a personal best result when a suspension problem saw his car fail the post-session ride height test.

Come race day however, Ingram battled against treacherous wet conditions to score two race win and earn a share of the championship lead, whilst Zelos grabbed victory in the Jack Sears Trophy; the award handed out each weekend to the highest-scoring driver amongst those without an overall BTCC podium finish to their name.

Lucas Redwood said: “It’s been a brilliant experience from the moment I arrived at the circuit on Thursday morning. From helping to set up the garage to working on the car in the pits, and then celebrating victory on race day, it’s been absolutely fantastic and the whole team has made me feel so welcome.

“It’s a weekend where the highs and lows of motorsport have been clear to see, as we had the disappointment of Dan losing his times in qualifying after a suspension issue but he came back from it to win the Jack Sears Trophy, and Tom Ingram has won twice – which means he is right in the title fight with a round to go.

“Seeing how the team operates has been really fascinating for me, as everyone has their own role and everyone has an important part to play in running the car. The attention to detail was astonishing, and I was surprised at just how adjustable the Hyundai was, especially when you compare it to the cars I usually work on back in the dealership!

“There are a number of things I feel I can take away from this experience that are going to be of benefit to me back in the dealership, and as someone who does a little bit of racing myself, I’m sure this experience will also help me with my own weekend fun.”

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