The team’s luck was set to change the very next morning though with a lowly qualifying position (8th) and a qualifying time of 2:37.370. This was particularly disappointing after such high hopes just the day before, so the team set to investigate what was hindering the lap times. It became apparent that under extreme heat conditions, the manifold was moving in-situ so with some tweaking and fettling, the manifold was secured firmly back in place for the start of Race 1.

Thankfully, the remedial work seemed to have been successful with John Powell managing a respectful 3rd place podium finish with a fastest lap of 2:34.884.

Race 2 started initially well, but as the later laps crept up, the truck again started to blow when the manifold this time cracked quite severely. John showed his race experience by navigating the truck home to another 3rd place podium finish though with a fastest time of 2:35.468.

The mood within the team at this stage was that the truck had run its last race that weekend at Snetterton, but not to go out without a fight, a last minute decision to attempt to weld the manifold whilst fitting additional brackets to prevent the flexing and movement was made. And the repairs held. In Race 1 on Sunday, John managed a 5th place, with a fastest lap time ahead of both his 3rd place podium finishes the day prior (2:34.278).

Race 2 on the Sunday was perhaps the most exciting of the whole weekend with John, and rival Craig Reid battling side by side for most of the race for 2nd place. With Craig having taken the slot from John a couple of laps before the finish, the tears turned to cheers when on the final lap, John regained the runner up position from Craig and achieved his fastest lap time of the weekend (2:33.603).

One more race beckoned, but a warm dry and competitively fought weekend was now starting to take its toll on the truck. Despite a superb start, the truck was unable to keep pace and with John’s brother Steven closing in on his sibling in the latter stages of the race, John just managed to hold on to yet another 3rd place finish and a fastest lap time of 2:36.634.

The weekend proved to be a good test for the truck and the team and before the next rounds, the team will be working closely with Simpson Exhausts to remedy the issues with the manifold. The suspension and geometry will also be tweaked slightly to improve exits from corners but all in all, the team are absolutely delighted with the weekend’s results, which now sees John sitting 3rd in the championship!