04/03/2003

One of the British Touring Car Championship's most colourful characters John Batchelor will again field a team in the series' Production class in 2003, most likely under the new guise of Team Varta.

Batchelor's team will run a Vic Lee-prepared Peugeot 307 for Tom Boardman (the same car driven by Tim Harvey in last November's far east Macau meeting), plus one of their trusty Honda Accords for Jim Edwards Jnr. A third car could also appear later in the season for the team's appointed test and development driver Hyla Breese, said Batchelor, although he could not say if this will be in a Peugeot or Honda.

He also said that new team sponsor, battery manufacturer Varta's American parent company Rayovac could be seen aboard a Touring class team's cars in 2003.

Batchelor, whose squad has run under the B&Q banner the past two seasons, said: "At the minute the team is known as Team Varta although that could change. I think we have an excellent chance of winning the Production title this year, particularly with Tom whose car control is superb.

"He got himself into a few incidents in his first two season but he's still young and in that time he's learned that to win titles you have to bring the car home.

"Jim is also just a terrific driver for the team to have. Last year he pulled rabbits out of hats with the car and helped the team take giant steps forward.

"We also have quite a few new people coming in to help with engineering and set-up. The Honda has been totally re-engineered for 2003 and will again use Neil Brown engines. The Peugeot will be Vic Lee-prepared and Vic's reputation for building cars is second to none. I think the ingredients are there for a lot of success in 2003."

Meanwhile, driver Edwards said that although his Accord was "getting a bit long in the tooth", it could yet spring a surprise against Boardman's Peugeot and the race-winning BMWs, Alfa Romeos and Honda Civic Type-Rs.

"You get recognised by either winning races or crashing and I intend to do quite a bit of crashing this year and get a reputation!" said Edwards.

"Last year, I drove to get the thing home in the points - a bit like the second of the season when I won the Clio title - and that's why at one stage I was second in the championship. This year, though, I intend on giving the thing death.

"All right, the Accord isn't going to win any titles, but it has its strengths. It's very robust and doesn't mind a bit of kerb.

"I know that if I don't get past people in the first few laps then I'm going to struggle to keep up with the quick names, so that's when people need to look out for me. But I certainly think there are a few others out there, despite being in quicker machinery, who I will be able to beat over a race distance."

Edwards has also taken up a rigorous fitness regime to ensure he is in tip-top shape come the BTCC's opening two rounds at Mondello Park, Ireland, on Easter Monday, 21st April.

He added: "I'm down the gym four times a week and by the first round will be in much better condition. I'm never going to be a super lightweight, but if I can shed a few pounds then it all helps."