Pre season testing for Vauxhall

Jarama, Spain, was the scene for VX Racing´s second test with its new MSA British Touring Car Championship contender, the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. The current BTCC champions had two brand new cars out on track for the first time this year and made good progress with the development of both cars in the three-day test that took place last week.

Yvan Müller and VX Racing´s new driver, Colin Turkington, both attended the test to put some mileage on the new cars before the season opener at Donington Park in a little over five weeks. Turkington was given his first real chance to drive the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, having only briefly shaken down the car at a previous test in Jarama in January. “It was great to spend some time in the new car.” Turkington said. “The results are positive and we made some constructive steps forward, especially with the damping, geometry and set-up. We understand the behaviour of the car a lot better now.”

Despite un-seasonal weather conditions and sub-zero temperatures hampering progress on the first day, the team completed a full programme of tests. “The weather was terrible on Monday,” explained Müller. “We were unable to do the running and get the results we wanted. But the second and third days were a lot better. The track at Jarama is wide, which helped us with the braking and stability of the car that is crucial for a good lap. We are pleased with the progress we have made.”

VX Racing will be at Magny Cours, France, later this month for its final European pre-season test. The Astra Sport Hatch will make its race debut at the first round of the BTCC at Donington Park in April, where VX Racing will be aiming to repeat the triple title-winning success of the last four years.