Chris James ready for ‘underdog’ season

Championship debutant Chris James is looking to promote himself as the ‘Great British underdog’ in this season’s BTCC. The former Mini Challenge racer was at the wheel of his Chevrolet Lacetti at Silverstone and says he has experienced “an exciting rollercoaster” since announcing his plans in Feburary.

“It’s a fact! I’ve got the budget of a great British underdog and it’s something that we thought up. The British do love it when you’ve got David and Goliath, and I’m a baby David!”

The Luton racer enjoyed an eventful media day, spinning during the morning’s track photography session and then bringing about the sole red flag during the afternoon’s test session after spinning on his own oil at Brooklands.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, James confirmed he had a limited but sufficient budget to complete the season, and this was a further reason why his media day had been kept to a minimum.

“Physically in the car it has been great, wonderful,” says James. “I’m getting more and more used to the car and finding where the limits are.

“I found the limits at Copse this morning when I was flat out in fifth and unless it is flat in fifth and my set up is all to cock then it’s not flat in fifth, more flat spotted in fifth!”

The Silverstone test session marked just his second period of running in the Lacetti he purchased from Chevrolet Team Sweden, but already he was impressed by the amount of interest he had had in the team from fans.

“It’s been amazing. I’m honoured by the support that I’ve already started to accumulate,” said James. “I’m just a normal everyday bloke.”

“The big step up isn’t just the driving, which of course is, but it’s all the kit, the logistics that have been a massive headache. At the moment I’m team manager and driver so that’s something I really want to get away from. I want to keep the driving bit and get somebody else to be team manager.

“As I’ve said in every interview, I think it’s just an achievement getting onto the grid, but we don’t want to be running at the back by five seconds. We know we’re not going to be up there with Plato and Neal either, but if I can score some points then I’ll be over the moon. Score some points, make some friends, gain some followers and get some sponsors.”