15/02/02

Independent BTC-Production team, Brooklands Race Technology, tested for the first time at the Silverstone Circuit, Northants, today. Using the Ford Focus driven by Gareth Howell in the 2001 series, the team tested on the National circuit. The day began with Simon Harrison, who drove a Focus in the National Saloon Championship in 2000, and more recently at the Macau event towards the end of last year, lapping in the car, with the intention of assisting in the set-up process. Shortly afterwards, former Formula Renault driver, Alex Kapadia, took his turn in the driving seat.

Kapadia, who had not previously driven a front wheel drive racing car, such as the Focus, soon made himself at home, and before long was lapping quicker then Harrison had managed. He had one small off during the course of the day, but no real damage was caused.

Whilst GR Motorsport were present at the test, the Brooklands team aims to be as independent and ‘self-sufficient’ as possible, however GR Motorsport do of course have significant set-up knowledge regarding the Focus, having been responsible for running it in 2001. The team left the circuit in a very optimistic mood, and will now report back to sponsors before entering in to a full testing programme.