THE Blanchard Racing Team’s progress can now be viewed as genuine.
That’s the vibe from the Ford squad’s boss Tim Blanchard after its ultimate bogey track did not haunt them last weekend.
BRT blitzed qualifying in Sydney and Melbourne, but Taupō was always going to be the truest test of its 2026 mettle given how last year the #3 and #7 Mustangs struggled to even get within cooee of the next slowest car.
Sure, BRT did not challenge for the front row, but it was in the mix this time around with James Golding qualifying 10th and fifth, and Aaron Cameron 12th and 14th. By the end of the event, it had done enough to jump Matt Stone Racing in the live pitlane order.
And boy was that a relief to Blanchard.
Tim Blanchard (left). Pic: Mark Walker
“We were quite nervous coming to Taupō because it’s been a tough round for us in the past,” he said.
“So to have both cars in the front half of the field, and Jimmy Golding in the top 10, is very pleasing.
“It’s so much better than last year. We’ve had a really good start to the season.
“You always want more, but… it proves that we have made a serious move forward.”
Golding and Cameron are 10th and 18th respectively in the championship.
