It’s good to be back!

It’s been a few days since we returned back to Kent from the Rockingham weekend and some may think I’ve been a bit lazy in getting my blog organised, but I’ve had my reasons!

Firstly, being back in the BTCC since missing out on Knockhill was immense. If I’m completely honest, words cannot describe my feelings on the support that the fans have given me. As a team, we were completely gutted that our last race at Snetterton would potentially be the final one during my maiden BTCC season. That, however, was extremely short lived, thanks to key people; including sponsors, colleagues, family, friends and not forgetting the fans!

Phil Lavender of Collins Contractors has been amazing since we first met back in 2009. He has sponsored the team and I since the Porsche Carrera Cup GB days and fully backed our first ever BTCC challenge, which has been a life changing experience all round. Along with Phil; Regal Autosport, Design911, Kevin Doody, Turner Lovell and a few others, have also given their backing over the years, which I am eternally grateful.

It was after the Knockhill weekend – where I had to disappointingly watch on from the comfort of the sofa (no I didn’t resort to wearing my crash helmet!) – when it looked as though I could be making my return at Rockingham.

Thanks to Geoff Steel Racing, along with my current sponsors, plus a few additions, in the shape of Garage Equipment Group and Da Vinci Alloys, I was given the opportunity to come back in the BMW.

As you can imagine the week or so building up to the weekend flashed by and the day of the announcement was a busy one to say the least! My Facebook page and Twitter (@tonygilham) account was inundated with messages and good luck wishes, which I tried to keep on top of, by replying, but if I missed you, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for taking the time to contact us.

Rockingham literally rocked! Thanks to the GSR team, the pink and green #34 was back and she felt good! It was weird to be returning to a rear wheel drive, but I felt at home – something I had missed in the previous Vectra. As soon as I sat behind the wheel of the BMW, it felt solid.

With this being the second outing (with the first during a rain soaked Brands Hatch shakedown the week before) I was comfortable. Our pace was brilliant throughout the weekend and at times up there with the front runners. It was unfortunately just bad luck which caused a few headaches, where other race incidents either pushed me off the track, or back up the grid in order to avoid them! There was no way I was going to be accused of even looking at Plato!

Overall, the weekend was brilliant. We had over 90 guests in the VIP TG34 Hospitality Tent and the number of fans who made the effort to come and see us, followed by the endless messages throughout the social network sites, has made it one to remember.

It’s good to be back. Roll on Brands Hatch!