Q&A: Simon Harrison.

Simon Harrison - one of a growing band of Crash supported racers - claimed the 2001 British Touring Car Championship Production Class crown in his HTML Peugeot 306. Last weekend the 32-year-old competed in the Guia saloon race at Macau for GR Motorsport in a Ford Focus. One of the most experienced saloon stars around, Simon spoke exclusively to Crash about his season, and that Macau trip...

Simon, 2001 was obviously a good season for you...

Simon Harrison: "I was very happy with my year. It's the third time I've taken a title in this class of car, and it's always nice to complete a hat-trick.

"I wanted to do as well as I could to give myself the best possible chance of a Touring Car drive for next year. It isn't going to be easy as there are an awful lot of drivers on the market, and you're competing against names such as Steve Soper for seats!"

What were the highlights of your season?"

SH: "I had a couple of really good races near the end of the season at Silverstone. We'd had problems and I had to start from the back of the grid, but got through to second in both races - and almost won one of them.

"Thruxton was another good weekend for us. Going there is always a bit of a highlight and the car was strong, while Knockhill is another circuit I enjoyed visiting this year. I don't even want to talk about Mondello Park - it wasn't a good meeting for us!"

It's never easy to win any title, you obviously had a good team behind you and a strong car.

SH: "HTML were a great unit to work with, and it having a team-mate as quick as Roger Moen had to have helped. We were spurring each other on and that gave the whole team a real will to win. We were very determined to do well.

"While the team was a pleasure to be with, they also gave me a strong car. The 306 has a good turn of speed and is very stable, and those were its strengths through the season. At somewhere like Thruxton the car was pretty near unbeatable, and it was strong at Silverstone and Oulton Park.

"Interestingly, the Honda Accord - our rival across the season - had almost the opposite strengths, and at somewhere like Mondello had the beating of us.

Do drivers regard the Production Class of the BTCC as a good stage to show Touring Class teams what they can do?

SH: "The Production Class is the perfect platform, I just wish their were more Touring Class teams to impress!

"Every Production Class driver out there is aiming at a works Touring Car drive, but at the moment there are not many seats available. Everyone's hoping that more teams will come in over the winter, but nobody really knows how many there could be.

"With the Vauxhall Astras having been so dominant, that could scare a few people off, but MG certainly look strong, and West Surrey Racing are a really good team and will do what it takes to make the MG quick. I'm hoping there are going to be more cars out there next year - and that I have a decent drive in one of them."

You've just returned from competing in the Guia saloon race at Macau, was that an enjoyable experience?

SH: "I went there last year with GR Motorsport and took third place, and that led to us getting sponsorship to go out there together again this year.

"It's the best event we do all year, there is nothing else like it. The circuit has these long straights - you get onto them and can't see the far end - and then some sweeping sections of really narrow track. You get a real sensation of speed, and Macau has real big-event feel when the racing is going on, there are people everywhere, the hotels are full with the race teams, and everyone is really enthusiastic about the whole meeting.

"It was interesting to drive the Ford Focus again after a season in the Peugeot. I think the Focus is not quite as quick as the 306, but it is more nimble and the superior handling makes it a good car round Macau.

"The Focus is usually a reliable car as well - but I had a front hub break in the first race, which slowed me. With just 15 minutes between races the team just ran out of time to change it and I had to start from the pit lane for the second race.

"For all that it was still a really enjoyable experience, and with the circuit experience I have now, if I do it again next year I'm aiming firmly at the podium!"

Finally - Simon, what are your goals for 2002?

SH: "A competitive Touring Car drive. There is no 'plan B', I'm aiming 100% at Touring Cars - plus I'd love to go to Macau again!"