03/04/2002

Following preliminary investigations into the cause of two engine failures at the opening rounds of the British Touring Car Championship on Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, it has been decided that neither the Vauxhall Motorsport nor the Egg Sport Team Astra Coupés will be present at tomorrow's third, official TOCA test at Thruxton, Hampshire.

The precautionary decision not to attend the Thruxton test was made today by Triple Eight Race Engineering, who build and run both the Vauxhall Motorsport and Egg Sport Team Astra Coupés, following consultation with its senior engineers and mechanics.

Commented Ian Harrison, Vauxhall Motorsport Team Manager and Director, Triple Eight Race Engineering, "Each driver is permitted a total of four engines throughout the whole season, prior to penalties being imposed, and we simply don't want to risk unnecessarily losing any more of our quota whilst the cause of the problem is still under investigation."

The Vauxhall Motorsport and Egg Sport Team Astra Coupés are expected to be back up to full strength by the next rounds of the championship, which take place at Oulton Park, Cheshire on April 20-21. Vauxhall currently leads the Manufacturers' standings with 60 points ahead of MG's 26, whilst Vauxhall Motorsport's Yvan Muller holds a joint Drivers' championship lead with Egg Sport's Matt Neal.