Hughes may miss Brands Hatch season opener

Wed 1st April 2009 This weekend will see the lights go out at Brands Hatch for the return of the highly anticipated HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship.

30 races over ten events, with the season returning to Brands Hatch for finals day in six months time, will make for an epic series once again.

However it is still unknown whether KWR Sport’s Jason Hughes will be racing at Brands Hatch this weekend, as he continues to battle with recovery from an operation he had in February to his knee.

"I have an appointment with the doctor and physio on Wednesday, and should know then, whether I’ll be able to race this weekend", said Hughes.

The operation was originally scheduled for December last year, but was put back until the beginning of February. "I knew when I had the operation that it may be a lengthy recovery process. When it was delayed until February, I took the chance and had hoped that it would be ready in time for the first rounds.

"Although the car and I were not present at Media Day at Rockingham almost two weeks ago, there were a selection of companies who wanted to see the benefits of advertising in the BTCC with KWR Sport, and I think the level of interest may result in a promising outcome.

"We have seen recently, how rule changes have affected the outcome in Formula One, with the changes made to the older BTC-spec cars it should allow us to be much more competitive in 2009."

The MG has always gone well at Brands Hatch ever since touring car ace Anthony Reid drove the car to victory in the pouring rain back in 2001 to break the season-long winning streak by Vauxhall. Since then Jason Hughes and the KWR Sport team have had a number of top-10 finishes at the Kent circuit and will be hoping to continue that form this year.

"It will be such a disappointment if I am told that I cannot race this weekend. I have looked forward to making my return to the series at a track where we are usually very strong in the MG."

With just a few days until the sun rises up over the season opener Hughes said, "If I am told I am unable to race at Brands Hatch this weekend, then I am aiming to still be present there."