BTCC Test Times

[Super Tourer]

http://www.mst-group.co.uk/toca/2003/31441trg.pdf

Test times from Media Day test are on the above link.

1. Hughes 49.219
2. Neal 49.343
3. Turkington 49.460
4. Pyper 49.519
5. Muller 49.574
6. O Neill 49.608

It seems only 3 Prod class runners went out, Bentwod being fastest on 52.114

[Andy Metcalf]

Good to see MG on top of the times. Warren was very confident when I spoke to him before testing. He nearly lost it at Paddock Hill Bend. Luckily he mananged to power out of trouble. Standing behind the barrier going up to Druids was great too. Looking good for 2003.

[ashley 19]

MG sets fastest time at BTCC official test
The MG ZS EX261 driven by Warren Hughes set the fastest time of the day at Brands Hatch, during the first official test session of the 2003 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season.

"It's a nice way to kick everything off officially and set a precedence for the season" said Warren. "We're still experimenting with the car and learning about the new Dunlop tyres but things are really starting to come together. We've always been quite strong at Brands Hatch but Mondello will be the real test before we return to Brands again in May. I'm quietly optimistic"

MG's new driver Colin Turkington finished in second place behind Warren before being pipped in the closing stages of the session by Matt Neal. Commenting on the session Colin said: "Coming up against the other manufacturers was great and I'm pleased with the initial run. It shows that MG is really at the sharp end. With the development work that's been completed so far the whole package is feeling good."

Team-mate Anthony Reid completed a strong performance in the MG and said; "It was a significant test for us today, particularly the chance to take a good look at all the championship contenders on the same track at the same time. It's good to see MG at the top of the time sheet. We've carried out a considerable amount of testing on the new tyres and things are now looking promising."

The first BTCC rounds take place at Mondello Park, Ireland on 20/21 April.

Afternoon Test Session – 02 April 2003
POS NO DRIVER CAR TIME LAPS GAP MPH
1 6 Warren Hughes MG ZS 49.219 48 89.68
2 3 Matt Neal Honda Civic Type-R 49.343 56 0.124 89.46
3 5 Colin Turkington MG ZS 49.460 28 0.241 89.25
4 44 Gavin Pyper Vauxhall Astra Coupe 49.519 33 0.300 89.14
5 2 Yvan Muller Vauxhall Astra Coupe 49.574 74 0.355 89.04
6 8 Paul O'Niell Vauxhall Astra Coupe 49.608 76 0.389 88.98
7 4 Anthony Reid MG ZS 49.616 72 0.397 88.97
8 1 James Thompson Vauxhall Astra Coupe 49.625 83 0.406 88.95
9 7 Tom Chilton Honda Civic Type-R 49.649 69 0.430 88.91
10 20 Phil Bennett Proton Impian 49.813 50 0.594 88.61
11 15 David Leslie Proton Impian 49.832 59 0.613 88.58
12 21 Robert Collard Vauxhall Astra Coupe 49.894 52 0.675 88.47
13 77 Michael Brentwood BMW 320i 52.114 80 2.895 84.70
14 55 Chris Ryan Alfa Romeo 156 53.378 36 4.159 82.69
15 70 Tom Boardman Peugeot 307 53.490 25 4.271 82.52

[kmchow]

Hmmmm, do you really think MG have caught up to Vauxhall or do you think the latter is just sandbagging? Would that be cruel if Vauxhall blows everyone away come raceday???

[lauz]

obviously there isn't going to be too much of a difference between the performance of the cars but vauxhall could possibly have been intentially setting slower times than the MGs. we will just have to wait until mondello to find out.

[redshoes]

MG normally go well at Brands. It's the first time all the teams have properly run together. I wouldn't necessarily take it of an accurate reflection of the season to come. As lauz says, let's see how Mondello goes before jumping to any conclusions.