Team Halfords

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Team Halfords will run two of the ex-Peugeot Works 406 Coupes in this years British Touring Car Championship, managed by Coventry based race team VLR, a veteran company of the motor racing scene.

The Midlands squad have re-engineered the cars for 2002 with a comprehensive winter development programme and Vic Lee, Managing Director and Team Principal of VLR, believes he has now made significant progress with the engine, aerodynamics, rear suspension and weight. The team has been working non-stop in an effort to transform the skeleton of the Italian imported Pininfarina body shell into the newly improved 406 Coupe that we see today. Team Halfords will certainly be looking for an improvement on the Coupe's 2001 performance, and Lee is confident the drivers in correlation with the extensive developments will give the team a greater start this year.

Vic Lee has over 30 years experience in the Motorsport industry. Having first entered the BTCC in 1990 Lee discovered he had a talent for Touring cars, as his privateer entrant finished in an unexpected 3rd position, ahead of many other manufacturer backed opponents. Lee then continued with the British Touring Car Championship and gained the winning title in '91 with Will Hoy and then '92 with Tim Harvey.

Lee commented; 'It is great to have Halfords on board, the BTCC has a good line up, and promises to be nothing short of spectacular. The Team Halfords recruits for this season will bring an abundance of experience and youth to fulfil the undisputed command that the 406 will require, we have worked hard on the Coupe over the winter months, and our last years experience will help us achieve what we deserve this year."

Tim Harvey, now rejoining Vic Lee 10 years on from his Championship win, will be flying under the same number that he started his '92 season with, Number 8, and will be looking for a similar result this year! Harvey is also the only re-defending Champion on the grid, so his expertise and vast experience will go along way in helping to re-establish his winning character.

Harvey commented; 'I'm thrilled to be working with such a well-known high street name. Team Halfords has ambitious goals and objectives, along with the determination that is needed for the BTCC. The whole team share the belief that if we work hard we can achieve boundless goals together.'

Rising star Dan Eaves stated; 'I am really looking forward to the start of this years Championship season; the BTCC is bigger and better and I'm sure it will be tougher. I will be concentrating on winning races and the Championship title. My experience last year has given me the confidence to really push the car and myself to the limit.

The new look 406 Coupe will have its first turn of the wheel at Brands Hatch on the 19th of March for the second official Toca test, having been absent from Silverstone the previous week. The Team will be showing off only one coupe, but supporters are assured both cars will be out in force for the first race, on the 1st April at Brands Hatch.'