BTCC
Independent driver, Richard Marsh is expecting to be back on track at Knockhill
Courtesy of Team Farecla
Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship ace Richard Marsh has received a timely boost ahead of the next round of the series at Knockhill, after his Team Farécla squad identified the cause of the engine problems that prevented him from starting any of the races at Snetterton recently.
The 38-year-old has endured a tough time since he returned to BTCC action at Donington Park, with engine difficulties stunting his progress. The issue came to a head at Snetterton three weeks ago when the motor in his Peugeot 307 suffered a big end bearing failure during qualifying.
But engineers at Coventry-based Team Farécla have now found the cause of the problem after undertaking a rigorous post-Snetterton investigation.
“We’re really quite proud of ourselves because we think we’ve identified a problem that has been on the car since it was built in 2003,” Marsh explained.
“When we analysed the design of the oil catchment tank, we didn’t think it was quite right. Rather than oil returning to the sump, it was storing itself in the head. This is why we think we’ve had a problem with lubrication and suffered the bearing failure at Snetterton.
As a result of this discovery, Team Farécla’s distinctive Peugeot 307 will feature a brand-new catchment tank in Scotland this weekend, and Marsh believes the combination of this, a brand-new engine, and the configuration of the Knockhill circuit will stand him in good stead.
He added: “We’re desperate to show the championship what we’re really capable of and with the confidence that we’ve now solved the catchment tank problem, I think all the ingredients are now in place for a decent weekend.
“The twisty nature of the track should suit our new engine and I won’t be happy unless I’m in the thick of the midfield action and able to hold my own.”