30/05/2003

Former Team Atomic Kitten driver Gareth Howell will make his first BTCC start of 2003 when the series visits Silverstone for rounds five and six. He will take to the track in the second GA Motorsports Vauxhall Astra Coupe – a drive which seemed destined for 2001 BTCC champion Jason Plato at the start of the season. The car will be run by Team Dynamics Comma and will be supported by a full compliment of promotional activities at the circuit, including the Comma Pitstop challenge.

Howell’s management had orginally hoped to secure a drive for the whole of the 2003 BTCC season, however sponsorship plans were adversely affected by global events at the start of the year. In what is initially a one-off deal, Howell hopes to reproduce the form which saw him finish in third position in the Independents Cup last year, despite the team missing the opening meeting of the season, and being dogged by bad luck throughout the year.

Over the course of the opening BTCC meetings of 2003, Howell has been trying his hand behind the microphone, commentating on the live Tocatour coverage on satellite channel Motors TV, however he is pleased to be back behind the wheel of a touring car once again: “It’s great to have the opportunity to get back out on the track again this year. I’ve enjoyed doing the commentary but racing is what I really want to be doing. I’d like to thank Steve Neal for all his hard work and I hope I can repay him by doing really well at Silverstone. Unfortunately, I will have no time in the car before free practice at Silverstone and I've never driven a Left-hand drive car before!”

Howell’s entry brings the number of touring class competitors to 17 and he becomes the sixth driver competing for honours in the Hilton Independents Cup.

Useful links:
Gareth-Howell.com