Free Practice & Qualifying

Rob Collard, driving WSR's MG ZS, set the second fastest time in both free practice sessions held in dry conditions on Saturday. On his first qualifying run, Rob experienced a gear selection problem and he could only manage 11th fastest time.

Rob Collard: "The car responded really well to any changes we made in practice. In session two, we were fastest until Jason Plato pipped us.

"Qualifying was a bitter disappointment. On my first run, I couldn't select fifth gear when changing down and had to make do with it throughout the session. Pole position was 54.1 seconds and, if we'd not had the problem, I knew we could have matched that or been second."

Race 1

Weather / Track Cloudy / Heavy Rain

Car no.21 Rob Collard Start: 11th / Finish: 9th

Rob was in the thick of the action until the chequered flag as part of a group of six drivers battling for fourth position. At the final bend, he almost passed Gavin Smith around the outside, but their cars touched and Rob lost ground.

Rob Collard: "I quickly made up a few places and then got involved in an incredible battle. At one point I was up to seventh but there was so much chopping and changing. Visibility was a problem with so much spray."

Race 2

Weather / Track Cloudy / Light Rain

Car no.21 Rob Collard Start: 9th / Finish: 9th

Rob climbed to as high as fifth position but in the closing stages, following communication with the team on the pit wall, cut his pace. Strategically finishing 9th he thus secured 2nd on the grid for race 3.

Rob Collard: "It felt unnatural to back off, but it turned out to be a very wise decision by the team. It was a difficult game to play because five or six other drivers had the same idea. The conditions were made even more difficult by Smith's car laying oil on the circuit. It was like driving on ice."

Race 3 Reverse Grid Top 10

Weather / Track Cloudy / Heavy Rain

Car no.21 Rob Collard Start: 2nd / Finish: 1st

Rob quickly took the lead and, after a safety car period, held off Yvan Muller's Vauxhall which then retired. This left Rob with a comfortable lead and he cruised home for WSR's first win of 2005 and his first ever victory in the BTCC. It also marked the WSR team's second victory this year in the Independents Trophy.

Rob Collard: "Yvan put some pressure on after the safety car, but I was comfortable with it - I could see where he was weak and strong so drove accordingly.

"Then he retired and the team told me my lead was about eighth seconds so I cut my pace to look after the car. Matt Neal was closing but I knew he couldn't catch me in time. I just enjoyed what I was doing and what I was about to achieve for the team. It was a fantastic feeling crossing the line. I'm so happy for WSR because this win is long overdue."

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, WSR: "It's a great feeling to be back on top of the BTCC podium again. The MG was extremely strong all weekend and it was a shame that the car had a few niggles in qualifying as this compromised us during the first two races. As Rob says though, this win is overdue and also thoroughly deserved by the team, particularly when one considers that the MG, a three-year-old car, has beaten much newer machinery run by better funded teams. We look forward to more podiums in the final few rounds."