26/04/2017
MEDIA RELEASE: Tim Brook has bounced back from a difficult opening two races to the 2017 Toyota 86 Racing Series, ending the final race inside the top ten at Phillip Island.
Having ended last year's Series in fifth place, Brook entered the 2017 campaign among the favourites, and heads home to Sydney with a healthy haul of points.
"To get back into the top ten is good points," said Brook after the final race of the weekend.
"The reality is that the talk leading up to this event that three of the guys that ran top five last year are probably the ones to keep an eye on, and all three of us have had a bit of a shocker.
"Aaron Seton, Cameron Hill, they’ve got some catching up to do just like me," he added.
"We’re not that far separated as far as points go there, we’re just buried a little further down the pack than we’d like."
The weekend begun with Brook qualifying 17th after struggling to find clear track in an interrupted session.
A moment at Turn 1 in the opening race dropped him down the order, before rallying superbly to quickly move back through the pack, passing nine cars in three laps, to finish 12th.
Running with the leaders during the opening stages of Race 2, Brook asked too much of the Ultimate Karting Sydney Toyota 86, running wide at the final corner to fall back through the field.
Strong car pace and excellent race craft saw Brook climb back to 24th at the chequered flag, having passed seven cars in just four laps.
The final race of the weekend was spent largely behind the safety car following a multi-car crash on the second lap.
Brook had already risen five places from his starting spot by the end of a blistering opening lap, ending the race a stunning ninth.
The weekend also proved a positive experience for the team, their first working together and one which stands them in good stead going forward.
"They’ve worked their backsides off and I can’t thank the boys enough for the efforts that they’ve put in," said Brook.
"Everybody’s got a good understanding of how the Toyota 86 Racing Series works now," he added.
"All the little things that might not mean much, but they add up at the end of the day as far as what we need to do.
"Their help has been great, as has all the support we've had from our sponsors, because none of this would have been possible without everyone who supported us to get here.
"It really means a lot and the car looks good; it stands out; people can recognise it."
After the first of five rounds, Brook sits ninth in the Toyota 86 Racing Series points standings with four rounds remaining.
The next of the 2017 Series will see Brook in action around the streets of Townsville (July 7-9).
2017 Toyota 86 Racing Series Calendar:
1. May 26 - 28 Phillip Island SuperSprint, Phillip Island, VIC
2. July 7 - 9 Townsville 400, Townsville, QLD
3. August 18 - 20 Sydney SuperSprint, Sydney, NSW
4. October 5 - 8 Bathurst 1000, Mount Panorama, NSW
5. November 24 - 26 Newcastle 500, Newcastle, NSW