Darron Lewis: “It’s great to be back in the driving seat especially against such a competitive field. Firstly, a big thank you to Peter and the team who provided me with a fantastic car this weekend that allowed me to compete at the sharp end of the field and race against some of the quicker TCR UK cars.
“As for the racing, I have to leave satisfied. To get a podium in my first race with the NGTC Mercedes A-class is a great result and I’m delighted for the team, who like I said worked tirelessly to provide me with a fast and reliable car.
“This weekend was my first on the Silverstone International circuit in a touring car and what an experience. You spend most of the lap with your foot flat to the floor which really gets the adrenaline pumping especially when you are running side by side with one of your rivals.
“Overall, I’m pleased with the weekend, a podium (P3) and a P5 finish can’t be sniffed at on a track that probably favoured the TCR entries more than us. Next up is the super-fast and treacherous Castle Combe, I can’t wait.”
Toby Bearne: “Overall it was a good weekend for me considering I’ve not sat in a race car for nearly three years. Friday’s test day didn’t go to plan with a blown turbo which limited me to only a handful of laps throughout the day, hardly ideal after such a long time away.
“I wasn’t dispirited though, and I absolutely loved Sundays day of racing. My race pace was more or less there with my team-mate Darron however me missed out in qualifying which put us further back on the grid.
“It’s always difficult in touring cars to make up ground in the race due to the cars being so evenly matched which was highlighted in the races. Like I said, the pace was there but track position wasn’t in my favour and losing time whilst overtaking is very hard to recover when you get in clean air.
“Castle Combe next and I’m looking forward to getting more running in the Mercedes A-class under my belt as I aim to reach the podium for the first time this season. For now, I’m satisfied with a pair of P8 finishes. Onto the next one!”
Peter Farrow, Team Manager: “A good opening weekend for Darron and Toby and congratulations to Darron on clinching a podium finish on a track that really didn’t favour the less aerodynamic NGTC Mercedes.
“It’s been an intense winter for Team HARD. with the new BTCC car builds but I can assure everyone that we have entered the TCR UK / TCT Trophy with one aim, and that’s to win. It’s going to be an interesting season as we head to some very unique tracks never before visited by the UK’s premier tin top machinery.
“A solid opening weekend and thank you to my team for putting in a great effort to come away with some decent results.”
