28/05/2003

MG’s Warren Hughes spoke out after a disappointing performance for the West Surrey Racing team at Thruxton during the recent BTCC rounds. Both Hughes and his team mate Anthony Reid retired in the first race after becoming victims of a first lap collision involving independent drivers, Rob Collard and GA Motorsports’ Gavin Pyper. However, the MG team had better luck in the second race when Reid and Hughes went on to finish in fourth and sixth places respectively with Hughes taking the fastest lap.

Commenting after the second race, Hughes said, “It was a difficult weekend but the second race was encouraging. It has not been the start to the season that we had hoped for and I’d like to think that from here on in we can get the season back on track and start winning a few races.”

MG struggled to find the right set up for the car to compliment the special compound Dunlop rubber used at the fast Thruxton circuit which is notoriously hard on tyres. Hughes commented, “Our misfortune was due to the new tyre that has been introduced which for some reason our car doesn’t suit. We struggled to find the right set-up.”

Hughes’ team mate, Anthony Reid missed a tyre test session at Thruxton recently which may have contributed to the team’s misfortunes over the weekend. Hughes added, “We paid the penalty whereas every other car here seemed to be already suited to the tyres characteristics. That’s the result of the weekend. It’s just a set of circumstances.”

After only picking up eighteen points from rounds five and six at the weekend, MG now look forward to Silverstone where they are hoping for a change in fortune. Hughes said, “Silverstone onwards we’re back to the standard tyre that the Championship runs all the time and we’re confident that we have the pace to challenge for the lead. It would be nice if we can get the first race victory for MG.”

Rounds seven and eight of the British Touring Car Championship will take place at Silverstone on June 7th and 8th.