NEAL SETS THE PACE AT BTCC SILVERSTONE TEST

Egg Sport’s Matt Neal set the pace and series momentum today as title hopefuls went head to head at the first official test for the 2002 MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Silverstone circuit.

The Hanbury based driver clocked the fastest time of 1:28.028 in his Vauxhall Astra Coupe¢ in the afternoon test session, pushing Vauxhall Motorsport’s James Thompson into second place after he had led the field in the morning session.

Touring car stalwart, Neal, said: “I am so pleased that today has gone so well for me and for all the Egg Sport team. It has been nice to come back after a year and be on top. We hoped we’d be in the front line but the result today is even better! The car ran really well. We have a good base to work with from last year – with a few modifications to the set-up. I have big hopes for the Championship but I won’t count my chickens yet.”

MG Sport and Racing’s Anthony Reid claimed the third fastest time of the day with Vauxhall Motorsport’s Yvan Muller, close behind. As the 2001 Runner-up, Muller invested the majority of his time in changing the set-up of his car to maximise its potential before the opening rounds at the end of the month. Muller was not the only driver to make full use of the test session. Newcomers to the Touring category, Barwell Motorsport’s Tom Chilton and Egg Sport’s Paul O’Neill, proved they could keep up with the series sophomores with Chilton being only 0.065 of a second slower than fifth placed Warren Hughes in his MG ZS.

Mark Fullalove, another graduate to the Championship, laid down the gauntlet for the Production title chasing pack in both sessions, setting the fastest time of 1:34.212 in his Tech-speed Motorsport prepared Peugeot 306.

The 2001 Lotus Elise Champion said: “We didn’t have to make too many changes to the set-up of the car today as we found a really good balance early on, even though it was my first time in a front wheel drive car. Today is very encouraging for us. I know the car is capable of winning. I just have to make the most of the opportunity that has been given to me.”

Beacon Motorsport’s Mark Thomas and Spencer Marsh were hot in pursuit of Fullalove’s fastest time in their Honda Accords but were eventually forced to take second and third place respectively.

Today’s performances suggest that both the new graduates and the veterans of the BTCC are sure to produce some electrifying action on the track this year. The first rounds of the 2002 BTCC will kick off with style with a ‘Super Sundays…Manic Mondays’ three day package at Brands Hatch on 30/31 March and 1 April.