Thompson Sets the Pace at Donington BTCC
Launch Day
17
March 2004
Defending champions Vauxhall headed the first
official test and media opening day of the 2004 Green Flag MSA British
Touring Car Championship. James
Thompson
set the pace ahead of team-mate and reigning champion Yvan Muller at Donington
Park yesterday. BTCC newcomer
SEAT, meanwhile, enjoyed a trouble-free 150 mile run with its Toledo
Cupras with drivers
Jason Plato and Robert Huff both setting respectable lap times.
On a new track surface that provided extra grip, Thompson headed the timesheets
with a best lap of 1:13.793, not only ahead of the rest of the field, but considerably
faster than any previous official lap record since new BTCC car rules were
introduced
in
2001.
Behind Muller, in third, was the highest-placed HarrierZeuros Independents
Trophy runner Matt Neal, in his Team Dynamics Computeach Racing-run Honda Civic
Type-R.
Next up was 18-year-old Tom Chilton, in official Honda team Arena’s Type-R,
who believed he could have beaten Thompson’s time had his final, late
run not been thwarted by the chequered flag.
Privateer Jason Hughes in his Kartworld
Racing MG ZS was credited with an excellent
fifth fastest time after sharing the car with official MG team West Surrey
Racing driver Colin Turkington as the pair worked through a development
programme. Defending
Independent champion Rob Collard, in his Collard Racing Vauxhall Astra
Coupe, completed the top six.
The SEAT Toledo Cupras of Plato and Huff ended the day 14th and 16th fastest
overall – around
1.5 seconds off Thompson’s fastest time. Plato said: "This
test was to find out about the cars and the first signs are extremely encouraging.
We worked
on various set-ups and have found quite a few exciting things. If I’d
gone out and pushed as hard as I would on a qualifying lap then you’d
have seen another half second at least come off that time."
Also making its debut was the first ever gas-powered
car to run in the BTCC. Mardi Gras Motorsport’s
Honda Civic Type-R driven by John George, was 18th fastest in the test.
See series calendar for British
Touring Car Championship 2004
Related Story 17.03.2004 - Encouraging
150 Mile Test for SEATs BTCC Toledo Cupras
