Team KWR put finishing touches to MG

Team KWR are currently putting their finishing touches to the MG ZS, which the team will run in the BTCC for the sixth consecutive season in 2009. The MG ZS is currently being rebuilt and re-sprayed at the team’s headquarters in Burscough, while team owner and driver Jason Hughes recovers from knee surgery he underwent at the beginning of February.

With new suspension and a new engine, once again running on bio-ethanol fuel, from Judd that has reportedly delivered an extra 15bhp in private testing, Hughes is confident heading into the new season.

“Last year we started the season 60kgs heavier than the S2000 cars, and this year we start the season only 5kgs heavier. Added to that an extra 15bhp from the engine and a host of new parts on the car and I think we may surprise a few people in the paddock and grandstands alike.

“The MG is one of the oldest cars on the grid, but because of that, it gives us the opportunity to develop the car that much more, compared to a car that is fresh out the box. We have worked with the same car for five years – and we showed last year that it is still capable of reaching the top five in the speed traps.

“We’ve got some great competition in 2009 but I still think that we can give them all a good fight. It’s all about consistency, and we had a fantastic finishing record last year, which we aim to better this year.”

Talking about the likelihood of Team KWR’s second MG appearing in the BTCC in 2009, Hughes said:

“We have also had continued interest in the second seat from a number of drivers – some new to the championship, some returning and some with previous MG experience.

Unfortunately the current financial market is proving impossible for a lot of drivers to find backing, which is a shame as there is some great talent out there.”