Halfords not put off by theft

Reigning Dunlop MSA British Touring champion outfit Team Halfords insists that normal service has been resumed in time for Snetterton this weekend (28-29 July) despite a set-back after burglars stole thousands of pounds of equipment from its race transporter.

The team has set up as normal in Snetterton’s pit garages (see picture) and both Matt Neal’s and Gordon Shedden’s Honda Civics are being prepared as usual ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday) first BTCC practice session which gets under way at 9.45am.

Team manager Oly Collins told BTCC.net: “Our sponsor Halfords has been fantastic and replaced a lot of tools that were stolen. We’ve also had very generous offers from WSR (Team RAC) and our customer teams Eurotech, TH Motorsport and Sibsport.

“It just goes to show that, even though we’re all here to compete against one another, a really good family atmosphere prevails within the BTCC paddock. Thanks to everyone who’s helped out.”

Equipment including air bottles, hand tools, corner weight scales and timing monitors were taken from the transport belonging to Team Dynamics (the company that runs Halfords’ BTCC programme) in Pershore last Thursday night (19 July).

Collins added: “We were effectively left with just four days to replenish everything so it made it quite hard to get ready for this meeting on time and still complete our shakedown with the cars on Wednesday.

“But everything is fine, it’s business as usual and we’ll be trying just as hard as ever to win this weekend.”