WSR In Race Against Time To Test New BMW BTCC Challenger At Rockingham Speedway
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Mar 07, 2007
On Tuesday 13 March, WSR (Sunbury-on-Thames) will test its brand new BMW 320si as the official Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Media Launch takes place at Rockingham Motor Speedway.
WSR have just 14 days to build and prepare the brace of BMW’s since taking delivery of the chassis’ from BMW Germany. The BMW E90 320si was developed by BMW Motorsport Munich and has achieved much success in the WTCC in the hands of championship driver Andy Priaulx since entering the series in 2006. With title sponsorship from motoring corporation RAC, WSR are now hoping to replicate this success in the UK series with BTCC favourite Colin Turkington (Portadown) and new kid on the block Tom Onlsow-Cole (New Malden).
With Colin and Tom having recently completed two tests with a similar car, WSR’s Team Principal, Dick Bennetts said: “Both drivers have shown huge potential with the BMW so far with some competitive times recently recorded at Pembrey and Brands Hatch. It’s not been easy for them as Colin has never driven a rear-wheel drive car and for Tom it’s an even steeper learning curve stepping up from the Clio Cup, but one that he’s relishing. The team at our Sunbury workshop have worked some incredibly long hours to get the cars ready and we all very much looking forward to seeing them turn a wheel for the first time. We should have a better understanding of our competitiveness once we’ve completed some running at Rockingham. “
The name BMW has been in motorsport for more than 50 years and it is its professionalism and use of innovative technology that attracted WSR to use the German marque in the BTCC. Working closely with BMW Motorsport and BMW Park Lane (London) has been essential to getting the project off the ground. On increasing the awareness of BMW via WSR and the BTCC, Peter Walker - General Manager, Sports Marketing, BMW (UK) commented: “BMW enjoys a long-standing and successful history within the BTCC. We’re delighted that British touring car fans will have the chance to see our world championship winning 320si in action in the hands of WSR this season, whilst we pursue the unprecedented goal of a hat-trick of driver and manufacturer world championships in the FIA WTCC. “
At 24 years of age Colin Turkington could be classed as a BTCC veteran having made his debut with WSR back in 2002. His closest challenge to the title came last year when driving the WSR designed and built MG ZS he narrowly missed out on the runner-up spot by one point behind former BTCC champion Jason Plato. With his cool driving style combined with the new BMW E90 320si 2007 could Colin be in with his best shot at the title so far? He replied: “I’m feeling quite confident but it’s still very early days. I’ve done some minimum running in a similar car but that was more familiarisation than testing.
“We spent a day and a half with a mixture of wet and dry running and the time split between two drivers, so the amount of exposure has been minimal so far. Saying that, the car felt very comfortable right from the beginning despite being the complete opposite from the MG ZS of last year. I’ve gone from right hand drive to left hand drive and from front wheel drive to rear wheel drive.
“Overall, the car feels very balanced and having worked with WSR for a few years now I know what the team are capable of and I think we’ll do quite well this season. â€
Tom Onslow-Cole makes the step up from Clio Cup, where he was crowned champion having won the title from his nearest rival by 113 points. The 19-year-old from New Malden has already established himself as a major force on the circuit and he would like to achieve the same high standards in BTCC. Delighted to have the opportunity to work with WSR and the Dick Bennetts, Tom said: “It’s fantastic to work with someone with such an impressive track record as Dick. Already I feel I’ve gained a huge benefit from his vast experience in many forms of motorsport. He’s so well established throughout his career of helping to bring on young drivers and that was a major factor in deciding to race with WSR and Team RAC season.
“The team at WSR are great and they’re very enthusiastic and dedicated in their determination to succeed. They came very close last season and I know they’re all hungry for success this year.
“We went testing recently; not actually in the car I’ll be driving this season, but in a similar BMW and it was great to get back into a rear wheel drive car, I loved it. It provided us and me in particular with the chance to acclimatise myself with the car and has filled me with a lot of confidence. â€
The first round of the BTCC takes place on 1st April at Brand Hatch.
