Mikey Doble savours best-ever BTCC weekend at Snetterton
Mikey Doble enjoyed his strongest weekend to-date in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton as he claimed a career-best finish of fourth, two Independent wins and outright honours in the Jack Sears Trophy.
On what was an incredible weekend of weather and racing, the Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing driver managed to maintain his 100% scoring record and close to within one point of the Independent Drivers’ Championship summit; he also extended lead in the Jack Sears Trophy.
Doble arrived at the Norfolk venue brimming with optimism following strong performances at Donington Park and Brands Hatch, and the Vauxhall Astra driver wasted no time in beginning his pursuit of silverware by showing encouraging pace in free practice.
Featuring inside the top ten across both sessions in damp conditions, the 25-year-old had hoped to challenge for a lofty grid position in qualifying however that was ultimately not to be, leaving him to settle for 16th on the grid for race one.
Race day began with the front-wheel-drive ace making steady progress in the opening contest as he worked together with team-mate Aron Taylor-Smith to climb up the order and take the chequered flag in 13th.
Heavy rain battered the circuit prior to race two, which delayed proceedings, but by the time the grid left the pit lane to head to the grid, the sun was shining and a dry line was starting to appear - leaving everyone with a decision to make on what tyres they would run.
Doble opted to play it safe on the wet compound and that ultimately proved to be the right call as at mid-distance, the heavens opened once again. By this point Doble had already masterfully fought his way into the top ten and his charge only continued as the laps ticked by.
A thrilling duel with Tom Chilton would follow and although he would finish fifth on the road, contention around Chilton’s move past Doble saw the Hyundai driver penalised, which in-turn promoted the latter to a career-best fourth - while he also scooped Independent plaudits.
Starting the reverse grid finale from fifth, Doble completed what was a weekend to remember at Snetterton with more success in the Independents’ Class as he battled back from a wild moment at turn one to finish tenth.
Leaving the third meeting of the season, Doble now sits just one point behind Taylor-Smith in the Independent Drivers’ Championship. In the Jack Sears Trophy, the Surrey-based racer has opened up a 43-point advantage at the top of the standings.
Mikey Doble, Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing: “It’s been another unpredictable and action-packed weekend in the BTCC so I’m over the moon to be coming away with a best finish of fourth, two Independent wins and extending my lead in the Jack Sears Trophy.
“On reflection, our only bad session all weekend was qualifying and that came down to us just not getting the car in the window. In race one we had some good battles to make up a few spots and then obviously the heavens opened before (and during) race two.
“We made the right call on tyres and the car felt incredible; I just got my head down and worked my way up the order. Race three I was almost in the wall but we managed to recover and again score a brilliant result. I’m really happy with how it has all gone!
“In the past Snetterton has always been a bit of a hit and miss circuit for us as a team so its great to have achieved these results. We’re now going to a circuit in Thruxton which has been a happy hunting ground for us down the years and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve there.”
The 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship continues in less than two weeks’ time at Thruxton on the 8-9 June.










