New boys JSM aiming for results and fun.

JSM enter the British Touring Car Championship in 2001. Team Principal John Shields said: "Achieving a place in the BTCC's as an independent team has taken a huge amount of hard work and a lot of persistence - and it's great to be here."

"But it goes to show that there is room, and support for, the smaller, highly ambitions teams to get a foothold in this class. It's healthy for motorsport and its sponsors, the fans are behind us and we've been delighted to get some very positive endorsement from Richard West and the BTCC."

"But without a very exceptional team of people we wouldn't have even reached this first stage. So I personally want to thank every member of the JSM team for his or her contribution, particularly Tim Harvey, who is quite an inspirational Team Manager. We're now concentrating on the job in hand. Getting some positive results this season and making sure things gel and along the way we're aiming to have some fun."

Tim Harvey the Team Manager added: "It may only be our first season, but I want to establish and develop a strong competitive outfit throughout our first year of the BTCC. So my main focus now will be to make sure we are as professional as possible, from the first race to last."

"Having led the JSM team this far, I am convinced we have the right materials to make our mark. Not only do we have a terrifically motivated team, whose drive has enabled us to overcome many a delay and letdown during our preparations; we also hope to have two superbly competitive and reliable cars. What's more we've been delighted by the highly positive reactions of both the public and the media. With that kind of support, we're really off to a flying start."

Darren Malkin one of the drivers for JSM continued: "I have a wide range of motorsports experience but touring cars are a new direction for me, so I'm looking forward to testing out the car's capabilities. It's refreshing to be part of a team with such positive morale, and I think that has a lot to do with Tim's experience and his enthusiastic leadership. It means we're all very motivated to deliver a positive performance."

"Combined with all the effort that has gone into perfecting our cars, our personal training regimes, and our driving skills, I think we'll do ourselves considerable credit."

His teammate David Pinkney noted: "The past few weeks have been an incredibly exciting time for us all. I think there will be a lot of eyes on JSM as the new boys. In a way there may be less pressure on us to win as we'll be carving out an entirely new, independent niche - but we'll certainly be making sure the pressure is on the other teams!"

"Tim Harvey and I go back a long way as friends and driving partners, so we already have a close working relationship. Together with Darren I think we'll be a match for any of the other drivers and teams in the Championships. We're fit, we're keen and we intend to make a lasting impression."

Since it was revealed a few weeks ago, JSM's 147 Touring Car has aroused considerable interest in its design and styling. Tony Muckle, Design Director of Dynamo, JSM's marketing communications company, explained the thinking behind the visual image.

He said: "The 147 is a very dramatic car in its own right, with a good overall shape, especially complete with the racing body kit. Spraying the car black immediately made a bold, aggressive statement and we wanted to capitalise on both that and the shape by creating visuals that established an even greater presence. When you first look at the 147 you straight away notice the grill with its superb detailing which is why we developed the 'cat's whisker' burst from it, all the time thinking how that would look best with JSM's corporate colours."

"I think we've managed to enhance the car's innate qualities and create a design that's highly distinctive as well as more than a little bit intimidating. Just imagine what it will look like in a rear view mirror?"