Bassett cautiously optimistic as he kicks off third consecutive Tin Tops Season

Chris Bassett previews 2016 racing season

Chris Bassett will make the short trip to local track Brands Hatch later this month to begin his third consecutive BARC SE Tin Top Championship on 27^th March and is cautiously optimistic, despite having completed next to no pre-season testing miles with his Peugeot 205 GTI Fusion Media team.
The first round of the 2016 championship, which sees the race series as one of the support races for the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC), kicks off this Easter on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.
A natural amphitheatre offering unrivalled views of the action from various vantage points, Brands Hatch is known as Britain’s best loved and one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues.
As always, Chris is eager to get the new Tin Top Championship season underway, having experienced a good end to the 2015 season – winning five out of the last seven races in class.
However, the former karting champion from Kent is reluctant to set any specific targets for himself, as his Peugeot Fusion Media team has been unable to reference its own performance against any competition, only testing the new suspension and oil cooler set-up.
“It’s difficult to ignore the lack of testing,” commented Chris. “However, we can be certain about some new things on the Peugeot for the 2016 season. “The car was winning races at the end of the 2015 season so we know it’s quick. The updates we have for 2016 will hopefully push us on a little further and with some reliability, we are hopeful of finishing the season strongly.
“We also have a new sponsor for 2016 – Etesia UK and I’d like to welcome them onboard with us for this season. Tom Motorsport who prepares the car has done a great job. With the modifications we’ve carried out over the winter, it should stand us in good stead. Because we have completed limited pre-season testing miles, we don’t quite understand what the car will be capable of and how to optimise the set-up, so the first race weekend will give us a good reference point on how far we’ve come – it’s going to be an exciting and eventful year that’s for sure!”
As well as competing in the BARC SE Tin Top Championship, Chris will also be competing in a selection of other races around the country and further afield in Europe.
Chris’ 2016 race sponsors are Complete Weed Control, Complete Ice Control, Etesia UK and Fusion Media.
For more information on Chris’ racing activities ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @Chris_Bassett on Twitter