Q&A: GR Motorsport's Paul Ridgeway.

GR Motorsport claimed the BF Goodrich BTC Production Teams' Championship in 2001, with young chargers Mat Jackson and Gareth Howell in the team's two Ford Focus cars. Team Principal Paul Ridgeway gives us the low-down on the team's season and a hint of what they will be doing in 2002...

Paul, how do you feel about GR Motorsport's season?

Paul Ridgeway: "I'm really pleased with how it turned out. You always look back and think you could have done more, but we secured the Production teams' Championship, and gave Mat [Jackson] and Gareth [Howell] their first wins in the series.

"One thing that we really enjoy is bringing on young drivers, and this year with the two guys that's what we were able to do. After all, if no-one is willing to give them a try at this level, how are they ever going to break through!"

Was the Ford Focus the right car to have in the series, which was dominated by the Peugeot 306?

PR: "From the start of the season we knew the Ford Focus was never going to fit nicely into the Production Class regulations. Originally we had talked to the BRDC as the National Saloon Championship engine rules were due to change for 2001 anyway, but when the series became part of the BTCC that didn't happen.

"The rules basically stayed the same as in 2000, and if we had known that was going to happen then we would not have run the cars. The problems centred on things like valve lift and compression ratio, and as I said, we knew it would be changed in National Saloons. Oddly, the FIA rules much better suited the cars! The FIA regs actually evolved from what the National Saloons were running, but the UK rules didn't move with them."

How was your end of season trip to the Far East?

PR: "We rounded the season off with a trip to Macau - which is always a fantastic event, and one I think every team should try and do. It was our second year and there is just such a great atmosphere there - everyone really wants to help, and it's really well organised.

"The event is still at the stage where if you have a problem everyone tries to help, something you don't seem to see here any more! The Focus fits really well with their regulations, and we even able to sell one of the cars when we out there. I just wish there were more events like it."

What does next season hold for GR Motorsport?

PR: "We'll be running a new car in 2002. I can't really say exactly what it is yet, but it will be from the same manufacturer!

"We'll have a new engine and transmission for it, which should give us an 8 - 10% boost in horsepower - a significant increase in this series. We're aiming to do a two-car assault on the Production Class, though we're also looking at any other opportunities that might exist for us.

"Our area of expertise is Touring Cars and saloons, so we're looking for what options exist there, though I have to say that endurance racing has always been tempting."

What are your goals for 2002?

PR: "We're determined to mount a title challenge next season in the BTC Production Class. The cars that have been dominating the series will have less horsepower - and we will gain power so that will work in our favour. There is the new Honda coming into the series to shake up the status quo, but hopefully the changes should work in our favour. I don't want to dominate the championship - that is never healthy for the series as a whole - three different makes battling for race wins would be ideal."