Team BMR on track to run first Levorg by end of week

Team BMR say they’re on target to shake down their new Subaru Levorg by the end of this week and could still have time to test it before the season opener at Brands Hatch.

The first of the striking factory-backed Levorgs was unveiled at the Donington Park media day this morning, but the car isn’t taking part in the official test session this afternoon.

Team manager Alan Cole said the plan was to fire up the car for the first time tomorrow, shake it down on Thursday and Friday and possibly test it on Easter Monday.

Cole said everything is still on track to have four Levorgs ready for Jason Plato, Colin Turkington, Warren Scott and James Cole for the first race of the season.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Cole said: “It was the middle of December we started when we had the green light [for the project]. Mountune have done a fantastic job to do what they have in that time, and our engineers and designers have been working around the clock and have done a cracking job.

“The plan is to run up tomorrow at the factory, then do a shakedown on Thursday and Friday and do some basic testing. Hopefully then there’s a day [of testing] we may have on Bank Holiday Monday, so Easter’s cancelled!

“We’re lucky, we’ve got some very talented people here and some great partners. But it’s a new project and there are lots of technical issues to overcome. Until we’re on track we won’t know the severity of these.”

Speaking about the build of the cars, Cole added: “There are just a few little supply issues, but that is normal. What we’re doing is getting parts through, fitting them and if they’re OK then we’ll make another three straight away.

“We’ve just got to work hard and overcome any problem which arises – hopefully there won’t be too many. We’ve also got two of the very best touring car drivers who can put their finger on what they need.”

Double champion Turkington is returning to rear-wheel drive machinery after a year in the team’s Volkswagen CC, a move he says he’s relishing.

“It’s been a massive job for the team to produce four Levorgs and they have come up trumps, the car looks stunning. From what we’ve seen under the skin it’s a great looking package, and we’re just looking forward to getting behind the wheel now,” said Turkington to TouringCarTimes.

“Brands Hatch is coming up quickly but I think the engineers back at base will give us something really special straight out of the box. We shouldn’t be too far away.

“We hope to get one or two tests in before Brands, but obviously we have a lot to learn with a brand new car and the Boxer engine as well. The focus is to try and get to the finish of the races.”

Looking ahead to testing, the Northern Irishman said he wasn’t sure who would be getting the first run in the car.

“I don’t know yet – it seems there’s a bit of a fight on to get in there first!” joked Turkington. “It will be good to get in there and get a feel of it.

“I think I will really enjoy driving this car. I enjoy driving rear-wheel drive cars so that’s a big bonus for me.

“I don’t think it will be dissimilar [to the BMW] but the game’s moved on a little bit with the new suspension parts for 2016. It’s not going to be day and night.

“But it’s going to feel like a Subaru, and not what I’ve had before. Like every car there will be little tricks to make it go fast and it’s about trying to understand what those are.”