Racing ace Lea Wood has promised a more aggressive approach to qualifying as the British Touring Car Championship heads to Snetterton this weekend.
Hereford-based Wood, who competes for the Houseman Racing team, has his eyes fixed on a top 10 finish before the season is out – and he knows that a strong performance in Saturday qualifying will prove crucial to achieving his target.
Wood, who is sponsored by leading British independent oil blender Morris Lubricants, said: “We’re going to try a bit of a different approach in qualifying – we are going to be a bit more aggressive.
“We haven’t really done that so far because it’s a new car for us and we’ve been finding our pace. We need to try and get that one-lap wonder to get as high up the grid as we can.”
Wood, 29, currently has six points in the BTCC. At his last outing at Croft he managed a 14th place finish in his Toyota Avensis on the third and final race of a bruising meeting.
Wood has been studying the Snetterton circuit ahead of this weekend’s action in Norfolk.
“I’ve been watching lots of videos and swotting up on the course to make sure I’m as prepared as possible,” he said. “It’s 12 months since I was last at Snetterton so you do forget a bit, but it’s a circuit which has been kind to us over the years.
“It’s got fast flowing bends rather than short ones, which tends to suit our longer wheelbase.
“I’m feeling prepared and ready to challenge the top end of the field.”
Wood’s Avensis has been in the garage for its mid-season service. The engine was completely stripped and checked over, the springs were changed and the differentials were rebuilt.
Wood said: “I’m getting more and more used to the car all the time and feeling very positive. There are five races left this season – and plenty more opportunities to get points on the board.”
Morris Lubricants is based in Shrewsbury and supply Wood with a high performance range of gear and transmission oils, brake fluids, greases and maintenance sprays to keep the car fully operational in the heat of British Touring Car Championship battle.