Silverstone Testing

redshoes · 14 Mar 2002, 18:45 (Ref:235202)

I’ve got a good idea, lets find the most desolate, windswept circuit in the country and spend a cold and windy Thursday there testing Touring Cars. Silverstone today certainly fitted the bill. By lunchtime frostbite had started to take effect so I called it a day. Don’t have any times so no idea who was quick and who wasn’t.

Ok, first the no-shows. No sign of the Arena Honda, I’m ashamed to admit that I’d even realise that until I got home. In fact no Civics at all as Synchro didn’t show either. No surprise there, they are all part-timers and attending mid-week tests means fitting in with holiday arrangements (I know the problem). Interestingly no sign of the Vic Lee Peugeots either. I’m told there was only one car ready in time and they will be at Brands for the media day next week. The other semi-no-show was B&Q who brought a car, mainly to show the sponsors and finalise a few livery details, but are still waiting for some engine parts and were unable to run.

For the completists, nothing from GR, TMSR, Mardi Gras, JLM or BRT, but then I never expected there to be. Just to squash any rumours before they start, last year’s JSM and ABG team trucks were there but the teams weren’t. In both cases the new owners haven’t had chance to repaint yet. Taking of livery, most of the Production teams ran without significant sponsors signage. Either a case of waiting for the official launch next week or still finalising deals.

In no particular order:
Vauxhall : still running in the familiar red/white livery and looking as quick as ever.

Egg : All new ‘West Ham’ livery, see other thread

Barwell : Silver/Blue Bluesure/Kaliber livery as seen in the Aaron Slight picture last week, which looks great BTW. Interestingly Slight was running with number 111 rather than Barwell’s original number 18.

MG : Similar grey/green livery but with a new twist. If you saw the rally car from MG’s launch a couple of weeks back the base colour starts as black at the front of the car and fades to the grey at the back. On the launch rally car the fade was very very subtle, on the Tourers it was very very obvious.

Proton : One car in the base colours only, the other in full Pretonas livery – as seen in London yesterday. Didn’t get chance to say this in the other thread but it looks fantastic with it’s full livery. Neither car ran for that many laps in the morning.

Techspeed (Peugeot) : plain ‘Linford Green’ (aka yellow)
Gary Ayles (Alfa) : plain red
Edenbrigde (BMW) : second car was being driven by Jamie Davis. Cars were in traditional ‘BMW’ livery – all white with red/blue checkers on the rear panels
Beacon (Honda) : Sponsorship from Anadin Ultra - mainly yellow with red stripe. Remember the Anadin sponsored Lotus Elise last year – similar to that.
Collard (Renault) : same black/yellow as last year
B&Q : Mostly the familiar B&Q orange with yellow front/rear and green bumpers. Looks much better than it sounds.

Photos to follow soon

Reido Rules · 14 Mar 2002, 19:09 (Ref:235212)

I can also add that Chilton was quick, he beat Slight, O'neil and both Protons by over half a second, although Slight has had a lot less testing. Tom was only 5 tenths of the evtual timesheet topper Matt Neal in his 0 numbered car. Chilton seemed to be very controlled and at with one with the car, but testing rarely tells the full story, but if it does Proton do not look very promising and O'neil may not have an easy year. I can also add that Thomo was second overall and Anthony Reid Emerged to set a stunning first hot lap, then went in the pits and came out to do a further 40 odd laps I think.

In production the day was dominated by two men Jamie Davis and Mark Fullalove, who were split by about a single tenth, both look settled in their new cars. I regret to say this but Graham Saunders was way of the pace, but I think his car was suffering from Tech problems as he only completed 13 laps in the morning and never emerged after lunch. The two beacon Honds had a good day and look good.

**touringlegend** · 14 Mar 2002, 19:20 (Ref:235217)

Quote:

Originally posted by redshoes
Edenbrigde (BMW) : second car was being driven by Jamie Davis. Cars were in traditional ‘BMW’ livery – all white with red/blue checkers on the rear panels

That I find interesting with the checkers...

Does that mean BMW support I wonder??

redshoes · 14 Mar 2002, 19:27 (Ref:235223)

I believe they have some backing from BMW GB, or at least they had when they were going to enter the ETCC

WoodyTJ · 14 Mar 2002, 19:42 (Ref:235237)

Excellent a wonderful insight - not long to wait now

SPOONERBORO · 14 Mar 2002, 19:49 (Ref:235247)

im actually quite excited

**touringlegend** · 14 Mar 2002, 19:54 (Ref:235251)

Quote:

Originally posted by redshoes
I believe they have some backing from BMW GB, or at least they had when they were going to enter the ETCC

Of course, forgot about that one. Peter Briggs also has intentions to move to BTC Touring next year, according to Autosport...

**Craig** · 14 Mar 2002, 20:19 (Ref:235261)

Vauxhall Motorsport Press Release:

Quote:

Vauxhall Motorsport British Touring Car Championship Team
TOCA Test - Silverstone - March 14

VAUXHALL ASTRA COUPES SET THE PACE FOR 2002

The battle for supremacy in the 2002 British Touring Car Championship began today at Silverstone with Vauxhall Astra Coupés topping the time sheets at the first of the season's official TOCA test sessions. Vauxhall Motorsport's James Thompson and Egg Sport Astra Coupé driver, Matt Neal set the pace in the morning and afternoon sessions respectively with the latter's afternoon time of 1m28.028 just pipping Thompson to overall first place by 0.179 seconds. With just two weeks and one TOCA test remaining before the season gets under way on March 30/31-April 1, the heat is on.

Vauxhall Motorsport's Yvan Muller had a productive day learning more about the 2002 Astra Coupé and by the end of play, had improved his morning time by 0.363 seconds to finish fourth overall behind the MG of Anthony Reid. In fact, only the MG's of Reid and Warren Hughes were able to break the stranglehold of the Astra Coupés today, giving Vauxhall Motorsport's Team Manager, Ian Harrison an encouraging start to the season.

"Today was all about continuing our winter test programme and getting a better idea of where we are in comparison to the other teams," said Harrison. "I'm reasonably happy with the day's progress but certainly not complacent. We had transmission problems on two of the four cars which we need to sort out but apart from that, we had no major problems which is a good sign. Things are obviously a lot closer this year and we'll have to be at our best this season that's for sure. "

Despite only completing 13 laps in the second session, Vauxhall Motorsport's James Thompson was also pleased, commenting: "Obviously I had a couple of problems which meant I only completed a few laps this afternoon, but overall, I'm actually very happy with the day's testing. We just have to continue the progress we made today at next Tuesday's test at Brands Hatch."

Vauxhall Motorsport continues its 2002 BTCC testing programme at Brands Hatch next Tuesday, 19 March at the second of the official TOCA Test Days.

MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)
TOCA Test - Silverstone - March 14 2002

(AM & PM Sessions Combined)
1 Matt Neal Vauxhall Astra Coupé 1m 28.028 (52+49 laps)
2 James Thompson Vauxhall Astra Coupé 1:28.207 (51+13)
3 Anthony Reid MG ZS 1:28.401 (0+52)
4 Yvan Muller (F) Vauxhall Astra Coupé 1:28.405 (43+44)
5 Warren Hughes MG ZS 1:28.501 (48+0)
6 Tom Chilton Vauxhall Astra Coupé 1:28.566 (54+42)

Weather: Cloudy/Dry

March 14, 2002
Ref:Vx433

Paul Rayner · 14 Mar 2002, 21:15 (Ref:235302)

I will probably be supporting Jamie Davies at the opening round, nice car and for some reason I've always liked the guy's name. Glad to see MG closer to Vauxhall.

redshoes · 14 Mar 2002, 22:48 (Ref:235335)

As promised...

Team B&Q

redshoes · 14 Mar 2002, 22:49 (Ref:235336)

Edenbridge BMW

redshoes · 14 Mar 2002, 22:50 (Ref:235338)

Beacon Racing Honda Accord

**touringlegend** · 14 Mar 2002, 22:54 (Ref:235343)

Is yellow the colour of Touring Cars this year. Like red and white was in 2000? Or more to the point is everyone going mad with weird designs??

OVERSTEER · 15 Mar 2002, 01:18 (Ref:235402)

I got this photo from Redshoes site in case you were wondering, It's my favorite of all the Astra liveries this season.

Dan Friel · 15 Mar 2002, 13:19 (Ref:235676)

Overall

POS NO CL DRIVER NAT CAR TIME AM LAPS TIME PM LAPS GAP
1 0 Matt NEAL GBR Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:28.675 52 1:28.028 49
2 3 James THOMPSON GBR Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:28.207 51 1:28.452 13 0.179
3 11 Anthony REID GBR MG ZS 1:28.401 52 0.373
4 2 Yvan MULLER FRA Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:28.768 43 1:28.405 44 0.377
5 12 Warren HUGHES GBR MG ZS 1:28.501 48 0 0.473
6 17 Tom CHILTON GBR Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:28.916 54 1:28.566 42 0.538
7 29 Paul O'NEILL GBR Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:29.549 58 1:28.706 47 0.678
8 111 Aaron SLIGHT NZL Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1:29.887 65 1:29.277 51 1.249
9 15 David LESLIE GBR Proton Impian 1:32.191 6 1:29.717 37 1.689
10 20 Phil BENNETT GBR Proton Impian 1:33.258 9 5.230
11 60 P Mark FULLALOVE GBR Peugeot 306 1:34.682 25 1:34.212 23 6.184
12 78 P Jamie DAVIES GBR BMW 320i 1:35.004 34 1:34.301 46 6.273
13 63 P Mark THOMAS GBR Honda Accord 1:36.119 29 1:34.929 23 6.901
14 62 P Spencer MARSH GBR Honda Accord 1:35.383 26 1:35.125 16 7.097
15 77 P Tom BOARDMAN GBR BMW 320i 1:35.719 35 1:35.531 41 7.503
16 56 P Alan BLENCOWE GBR Alfa 156 1:36.338 36 2:00.904 2 8.310
17 59 P Annie TEMPLETON GBR Peugeot 306 1:37.103 25 1:36.844 35 8.816
18 51 P Robert COLLARD GBR Renault Clio 1:25:17.405 2 1:36.952 8 8.924
19 55 P Graham SAUNDERS GBR Alfa 156 1:38.049 13 0 10.021

Where is everybody else??

Reido Rules · 15 Mar 2002, 21:35 (Ref:235968)

Any Testing Tomorrow, or Sunday???

Jimeth · 15 Mar 2002, 22:01 (Ref:235981)

Man i wish i could go to the pre season tests. Fair do's you freeze your nuts off but it would be really cool....and also get me out of psychology

Maisie · 16 Mar 2002, 12:27 (Ref:236384)

Hope the therapy's going well, Jimeth

blackflag · 16 Mar 2002, 17:46 (Ref:236567)

How come you can show these pics. I read on another forum that teams didnt want the pics published.

**Craig** · 16 Mar 2002, 17:54 (Ref:236576)

?! Sounds like another of those forum rumours with no basis to it whatever... all the teams and drivers I've spoken to were happy to see the pictures published. Was this on the TOCA site because I didn't see it ?

redshoes · 16 Mar 2002, 18:08 (Ref:236588)

Welcome blackflag, clear proof that you shouldn't believe everything you read. I did see that comment but I think you'll find it has more to do with the site in question not even bothering to go to the test session. I know at least one team manger who personaly contacted the site asking them to be there to take pictures.

BTW, you may want to ask Autosport the same question as they've got pictures on line as well.

StuiE · 16 Mar 2002, 18:09 (Ref:236589)

like the barwell livery

**touringlegend** · 16 Mar 2002, 18:20 (Ref:236595)

Some good pictures over at TOCA, they seem to like Slight a lot!

STU CLARKE · 16 Mar 2002, 20:55 (Ref:236749)

Last years Team ABG were there where they the new owners had`nt changed the name!
ABG under Peter Higgnet have not changed! TSM ran the Lexus after the split with ABG. ABG are still alive and well, the details you do not want to know! However, Peter as a first class team is still looking to enter a top team either BTCC or GT. Remember, they won the 1998 GT Championship and have the ability and technology to be a front running team.For ABG do not read Totalmotorsport so do not judge transportors as being a team.

hunttheshunt · 16 Mar 2002, 22:21 (Ref:236884)

Good point-it may be a longshot but i really hope we see the Lexus' on the gird this year.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Silverstone Testing	Lee Purnell	Formula One	6	22 Feb 2005 23:26
Silverstone F1 Testing	Sparky	Trackside	58	20 Apr 2001 09:56