MG win hints at future success.

MG win hints at future success.

The MG Sport and Racing team gave notice of their British Touring Car Championship intentions by taking their first race win at the final meeting of the 2001 BTCC season. Anthony Reid kept his MG ZS EX259 lapping rapidly on a soaked track on slick tyres to take the team's maiden win in the series - and remind their rivals that they will be a force to reckon with in the series next season.

Sprint Race - Weather / track: Changeable

MG ZS EX259 Car no 2 Anthony Reid Position 1st
MG ZS EX259 Car no 20 Warren Hughes Position Retired

Anthony Reid gave MG Sport and Racing their British Touring Car Championship race win with a superb tactical drive in yesterday's Sprint Race at Brands Hatch. Experience played an important part as Reid decided to remain on slick tyres when every other car opted to pit for wets. This outstanding result has been achieved on what was only the third outing in the series for the new team..
Anthony Reid, driver of MG ZS EX259, car 2.
"I'm very happy, things just get better and we have Warren on pole position for the next race. It's a short lap here and I knew if I came in that I would come out a lap down. It wasn't raining too hard and I knew the time difference was sufficient to win the race. We knew we could do it and that's how it turned out. It makes sense in a team for one driver to run wets. Two laps from home the rain tempo upped and I had trouble keeping the car straight but I have experience in these conditions and hopefully that helped. It proves it's a great chassis and a credit to MG. MG are serious and we're not here to make up the numbers"

Warren Hughes, driver of MG ZS EX259, car 20.
" I had a difficult start after being badly hit on the first corner. I then had a huge moment trying not to spin the car and managed to keep it together - I dropped a lot of places though. The car appeared to have little damage as it was still working. I made a late decision to pit. The team noticed an oil leak and called me back in as we wanted to save the car for the feature race. "

Dick Bennetts, managing director, WSR (West Surrey Racing).
"Incredible. Unbelievable. I couldn't have written a script any better. For Anthony to start from eighth and take a calculated gamble which paid off - incredible."

Frank Dernie, chief engineer, Lola Cars International.
"It's wonderful isn't it. A very good decision to stay out resulting in an unexpected win. We are obviously more competitive than ever at Brands Hatch and the hard work of Lola and WSR is beginning to pay off."

Rob Oldaker, managing director, MG Sport & Racing Limited.
"I've been rehearsing this as I knew that one day this could happen. We expected to get a podium position before the end of the year and in fact we promised it but to do it this way absolutely fantastic. To get a win in the wet on this race - unbelievable."

Feature Race - Weather / track: Wet

MG ZS EX259 Car no 20 Warren Hughes Position D.N.F
MG ZS EX259 Car no 2 Anthony Reid Position D.N.F

Torrential rain and strong winds made driving conditions treacherous for the final round of the 2001 BTCC. Spurred on by the earlier victory, both MG ZS EX259s made promising starts, but, disappointingly, both were forced to retire with suspected electrical problems.
Anthony Reid, driver of MG ZS EX259, car 2.
"I was a little cautious at the start as there was so much water on the circuit and I'm used to Super Touring where aquaplaning is a frequent hazard. Once I felt my way into the race, the car felt really good. It was in fact excellent. The electrics failed and the engine cut. I am really frustrated that it broke down early as I could see a second win."

Warren Hughes, driver of MG ZS EX259, car 20.
"I made a very good start, initially leading the field. I hit running water a few times and ran wide. It allowed Muller to get alongside. All the electrical ancillaries failed and the engine cut very suddenly. But you can't take away the fact that we've had an amazing weekend."
Dick Bennetts, managing director, WSR (West Surrey Racing).
"We're not sure what happened yet, but for both cars to go out within one lap of each other, we can only assume that it was the same fault in the electrical system. It's the first time the cars have run with every conceivable electrical item running, so the load may have been too much. We won't know until we carry out a detailed inspection."

Frank Dernie, chief engineer, Lola Cars International.
"A bit disappointing that we stopped today and we'll be investigating why."
Rob Oldaker, managing director, MG Sport & Racing Limited.
"Disappointed that neither car finished in the second race but under these conditions for any car to finish the race is pretty good going. At least the cars are coming back without damages to be repaired. We got our pole and our win this weekend and I think it would be greedy to expect any more than that."