May 19, 2004
Yet another raced passed in Barcelona, with neither JTM car finishing in the top 8 points scoring positions. Based on machinery, reliability, and the level of the drivers, the lack of points is boggling to the mind. We waited for Toby Lock, the second of the JTM drivers, in his hotel reception area, as he prepared to take us out for dinner. Arriving a little while later, Lock appeared to be upbeat, but as conversation flowed, he revealed his issues about the 2004 season ahead.

"So far,? said Toby, after another good, but not good enough, result in Spain, "we're basing all of our success on the points Matt got in Australia. For Ferrari and the team in general, it isn't good enough. Both cars were punished in San Marino, which lost us points, but we shouldn't be in this situation." Both Lock and Maple were punished for irregularities in their cars in the race at Imola two weeks ago, which lost them 8th and 9th respectively. But since Maple's points-scoring performance in Melbourne, race pace seems to have been an issue for the team. After finishing 5th in the championship, and 3rd in the wheel standings, in last year?s iGP3 Championship, Toby has enjoyed success of late, which gave him the taste for glory. ?Maybe that is why I?m so pissed about my results. I think I?ve gotten used to scoring points, and it has definitely driven me on.?

We were taken to a small Spanish restaurant just outside Barcelona, which, based up in the hills, gave a good view of the city. "We come here when we test. The paella is awesome". Lock cordially signed autographs and posed for photos with fans, most clad in their #12 black/red JTM caps. "Its funny how many fans we have here. I know we had an impromptu launch here for the fans that came to see the testing, but I didn't think we had this much of an effect!? Even restaurant manager Miguel Valdes seemed to be a JTM fan, with many pictures of the car, drivers and management on his "Wall of Fame". "He's always such a nice boy" said Valdes, "and he always tips well!"

Lock heads towards Campsa in the Spanish GP where he finished 10th.

As the night wore on, and more Corona bottles filled the table, Toby began to discuss the season so far. "Matt has had issues with keeping the car on the road, and in one piece, but we haven't had any reliability issues. We've been alright in qualifying too, but I just can't work out why we're not getting anywhere in the race. I dunno, maybe the level of competition is simply too much, I just don't know what to do. I did a lot of thinking before Imola, wondering why I was even bothering; the car just feels so much different in the race from in qualifying. But the provisional result made me happier, thinking I was in the top 8 and finally scoring. Afterwards though, all thoughts of quitting went, because I knew I had it in me to do it, to get some points eventually!"

Maple's seeming issue with car control took another turn to for the worse, as he crashed again in Barcelona, just 2 laps from the end. With a costly repair on the car, the team are seemingly spending more money than they are receiving. Although team merchandise is selling extremely well, expected really with two popular and outspoken drivers in the ranks, the prize money associated with finishing out of the points cannot be satisfying manager Juan Tortella. With extra spots available on the team's chassis, potential sponsors are in talks with the team, which will bring an added injection of cash to the team. "Maybe we could spend it on turbo-boosters!" Lock laughed.

Lock was considered as the controversial trouble-starter last year in the IGP3C series, where he became unpopular with many drivers, mainly the Sezen brothers. "They're just full of shit, I laugh at them now, because they haven't moved on, and they're still full of shit!? When asked about his more volatile past, Lock doesn?t seem to think he?s changed all that much. ?It?s not like I?m gonna be quiet if someone pisses me off. But I can see in this league, exactly who it?s gonna be, and there are a few of us who think the same about this guy.? The next logical step from here would have been to ask him who this person was, but we all knew that if Toby wanted to name him, he would have done by now. ?It?s not that I?ve changed, it?s more like the guy doesn?t piss me off quite as much as he could do for me to name him! There may come a time when I do, but until then, you?ll have to guess.?

It was here in Barcelona back in February where Lock first revealed his insecurities with his race seat. Tester Manu Gaczella is infamous on the racing scene for being one of the fastest around. "Yea it made me worried, man. How would you react to having a better reporter standing over you waiting for you to trip up? I know Manu won't be thinking it like that, he's a top guy. But as we keep with these mediocre results, I worry more, because as number 2, it'll be my seat that he takes, even for a few races, which he will undoubtedly score points in."

As the sun set in the sky, we began to leave the restaurant. Toby thanked Miguel, and the chef's before leaving, and wandered out slowly to his car. "I think I'll live here when it?s all over" he said, "I don't like England all that much; there isn't anything to be proud of there. At least here they have a decent national football team!"

With Monaco next on the race list, Lock expects much of the same. "I've never really liked Monaco, so I don't expect much different from what we've done all year really". Maybe a points finish could make Lock's Monaco experience more enjoyable, but it was clear as his JTM paint-style Hummer H2 flew off into the night, even over the heavy bass-lines of the local hip-hop radio station playing, that Lock will leave Spain just as disappointed as the other races this year.