BRT hopeful of upward trend after breakthrough
James Courtney scored BRT's best finish of season in Perth
Veteran Courtney sixth in Perth opener last weekend
Tim Blanchard looking to Darwin, Townsville familiarity
Tim Blanchard has hailed a positive step forward for his young team in Perth, and is hopeful familiarity at coming events will propel the Ford squad forward.
After a rollercoaster first three rounds as a two-car team, the Blanchard Racing Team enjoyed a strong start in Perth with James Courtney an impressive sixth in the first race.
Courtney qualified 21st for Sunday’s race and recovered to 14th, one position behind rookie teammate and local driver Aaron Love.
The 2010 champion’s run to 14th on Sunday featured a skirmish for 17th with fellow veteran Nick Percat, who praised Courtney’s role in the battle.
After a mixed start to the year in Bathurst, Melbourne and a new track in New Zealand, Blanchard wants BRT to continue its upward trend at familiar circuits in Darwin and Townsville.
“It’s been a tough start to the year but this was a positive weekend. We want more but there is lots of good stuff to take away from Perth,” Blanchard said.
“James Courtney did really good job on Saturday with a solid result, but was on the wrong side in qualifying on Sunday. Even so, not many people raced forward seven positions.
"Aaron Love is still finding his feet but there were lots of positives and he had a solid qualifying and raced well.
“We’re a new team and still getting everything in order, but this weekend we got back to a track where we had knowledge from last year and hopefully Darwin and Townsville will be the same from here.”
Courtney is 17th in the drivers’ standings, but is just 128 points from eighth place. Love, meanwhile is 23rd, ahead of the Darwin round on June 14-16.
