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Vectra to propel Vauxhaul into 2007 |
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Monday, 18 December 2006 |
Vauxhall has announced it will be introducing a brand new car for its 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship campaign – the Vauxhall Vectra Hatchback.
The decision will mean extensive development, but the introduction of Super 2000 rules for the new season made that inevitable. In response, the team has been working around the clock building the new model from scratch. Preliminary reviews are cautiously optimistic.
“For the last four months we’ve slept and worked and that’s it!” said
VX Racing’s Technical Director, John Morton. “The new regulations have
given us a real headache. Now we have to design around standard
road-car parts, which means designing a lot of things from scratch.
“Because
of that, we can’t predict how some parts are going to behave as we
haven’t had any race experience with them, but the Vectra definitely
has advantages over the Astra – mainly aerodynamics.”
The Luton-based manufacturer’s decision to use the Vectra was made after extensive trials using the new S2000 rules.
“We’ve
tested the various potential models - the Astra, Vectra and even the
Corsa,” said VX Racing Brand Manager, Stuart Harris. “Technically, and
from an aerodynamic point of view, we decided the Vectra gave us the
best possibility.
“2007 is going to be a tough year with another
new car to develop and get on stream. The only team who won’t be at a
disadvantage is SEAT. Their car is the same as last year and they will
benefit from the World Touring Car development, whereas we have to do
it all ourselves. We’ve got an incredibly professional and hard-working
team, though, and I know they are throwing everything at this project.”
Last
month Banbury-based VX Racing confirmed the continuation of Tom
Chilton, of Reigate, and Italy’s Fabrizio Giovanardi as the two works
drivers.
The new car is set to be unveiled at the Autosport International Show on January 11th.
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