MAX COATES HOPES TO ADD TO OULTON PARK SUCCESS

Max Coates says he hopes to add to his previous success at Oulton Park when the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE returns to the Cheshire circuit this weekend for the third round of the season.

Coates took his first win of the campaign last time out at Brands Hatch to jump up the championship standings after a difficult opening round at Donington Park saw him playing catch-up in the points.

Coates’ win at Brands Hatch maintained a solid start to the campaign for the expanded Graves Motorsport team, which has also taken Alex Denning to two overall podium finishes and five Rookie Cup wins in six starts.

Lewis Brown grabbed the first pole of the campaign on his debut with the team at Donington Park, whilst second year racer Bradley Gravett meanwhile has shown a notable upturn in pace and has broken into the top ten for the first time already this season.

“For the second year in a row, we picked up a win and a podium at Brands Hatch and that gives me the confidence boost I needed after Donington Park,” Coates said.

“Now we head on to Oulton Park, which is a circuit where I have won before in the Clio Cup and one that I enjoy, looking to try and build on the results we have scored already this season to keep our title bid on track.

“As a team, we’ve shown how strong we are this season. Alex has picked up two podium finishes already and Lewis has been right up there in terms of his pace but has just had bad luck in the races.

“Bradley also deserves a lot of credit because he has been fantastic this year and his results have been incredible when you compare them to last season; he’s taken huge steps forwards.”

Harry Nunn, Dominic Wheatley and Ross Marshall all scored their best results of the campaign last time out at Brands Hatch.