Tom Chilton knows he’s facing a difficult season as he returns to the British Touring Car Championship, but is looking forward to the challenge.
Limited testing and unfamiliar cars and regulations mean Chilton won’t be able to jump back in where he left off. He knows this year will be a learning year, but believes he could be challenging for the title soon.
“The cars have changed and the regulations have changed so, as much as I feel like I know all of the people, drivers, and circuits there, the cars have changed,” Chilton told TouringCars.Net.
“Commercially, going back to Vauxhall was perfect for me. I see this as something which is going to get bigger and bigger each year. Yes, it’s going to be a bit of a learning year in the first year, with a new car and not much testing before the start of the year, but I really see this growing into something a lot bigger. That, for me, is very exciting.
“The BTCC programme should hopefully develop over the next year or two into something a lot better, and I’ve got a chance of being British champion as well.”
Chilton has spent the past five years racing in the World Touring Car Championship, drawn away from the BTCC by rule changes, but he’s satisfied the teething problems he anticipated have been sorted out. Now, sponsorship opportunities encouraged him to return to the championship where he’s taken more than 10 race wins.
“I personally rung up most team bosses on the grid and had a meeting with quite a few of them, as I was really trying to get together a plan for the British, because I had some sponsorship I could use in Britain,” he said.
“When I left the BTCC, I left because the rules were changing and I knew there was going to be teething problems, and I was right. There were lots of things in the rules which were changing and it was also the perfect time for me to go and dip my toe in another swimming pool.
“I now feel that the BTCC has come together so well that it’s seriously good. I’m laughing when I’m talking because I’m really excited about coming back.”
Chilton will be able to begin testing the new Vauxhalls in mid-February, but his WTCC commitments mean he may not get much track time with them. The 31-year-old will be racing in both series this year, as there are no race clashes, but testing is another matter.
“The problem is, I’ve got three separate race tracks booked for WTCC testing in the Citroen with Sebastien Loeb Racing, so I’ve got to somehow squeeze in testing with the Vauxhall and the WTCC! I haven’t got many days free until the start of the year.
“It will be very, very different to go from two days at Monza in a World Touring Car to Donington Park in a British Touring Car. It will be a good chance for me to learn, testing back-to-back the next day, and I’ll instantly know the difference between the two.”
Chilton expects only a few days testing the Vauxhall before the first round at Brands Hatch in April, and think he’ll struggle at the season opener, but is still optimistic for his return to the BTCC.
Feature image credit: Wikimedia / Morio
