Q&A: Warren Hughes - Pt.2.

Warren Hughes is one of MG Sport and Racing's race-winning British Touring Car Championship drivers - the Geordie completing his first full year of the series in the MG ZS EX260. In the second part of our extended Q&A with Warren, we ask him about his season, Le Mans , and his first win at Brands Hatch.

Warren, in what ways did the MG ZS change over the year?

Warren Hughes: "It's always difficult to make a comparison as a race car will feel different on consecutive days at the same track. We were constantly evolving the car, even changing it over the course of a race weekend, as you learn how it responds and how to fine tune the set-up."

Do you enjoy the technical side of the sport?

WH: "I love it. One of the keys to our success is that Anthony, WSR and myself all come from a single-seater background - where car set-up is everything.

"It's all about attention to detail, and no stone is left unturned to find an advantage. If I think of something or want to discuss some small point, I can ring Dick Bennetts or my engineer Peter Vennik at any time. We all want to have the best possible understanding of the car, and that comes from all of us working together."

At Brands Hatch in August the MG ZS was obviously the class car of the Touring Car field - it is a driver's dream to be in the best car?

WH: "We always had high hopes for Brands Hatch as the MG ZS handled so well and that was always going to pay off on the tight Indy layout. We had been good there in 2001, so we were confident, but to tie up the front row of the grid was great. We were clear of the filed from Free Practice onwards - it was a fantastic feeling and what you live and breathe for as a driver.

"In the first race I had an agreement with Anthony that whoever led into the first corner would lead and the other wouldn't do anything stupid. I had been starting well so was pretty confident, but Anthony pulled out a good one himself and it was frustrating to stay on his tail for the entire race. I could have gone past if Anthony had a problem or made a mistake, but as it was, we had an agreement and I had to stick to it...

"I was on pole for the second race, but suddenly had a much heavier car after the weight for finishing second was added. After the first race I really thought my best chance of a win had gone, but I can only give all the credit to WSR, their timing of my pit stop was superb. We had talked at length about strategy before the race, and how would react to the different situations which could occur, and that paid off.

"I was under pressure from two lighter cars in the second half of the race, but didn't make a mistake and it was a good clean fight. It was a good race, made good TV for MG, and that's what it's all about."

So was that the highlight of your year?

WH: "Brands Hatch was very special - not only because it was WSR's first ever 1-2 in the BTCC in that first race, but also for myself. It was great to share that weekend with the team, and I couldn't have really asked for more from it.

"It was a highlight - it was my first win, we beat the others in the dry for the first time, and I won from pole. We were the class of the field.

"For a driver, Touring Cars is currently the place to be. It's where the manufacturers are involved and they are racing the cars that they want to sell, and as a driver that's the place to be. MG are a perfect manufacturer to be involved with."

What was it like stepping out of the BTCC mid-season to drive the MG Lola Le Mans car?

WH: "Le Mans provided nice variety - which as a driver keeps you sharp. Driving different cars means you don't get stuck in one mode of driving, and means you can bring an open mind and different perspective to what you are doing.

"This year at Le Mans the MG Lola was the best race car I have ever driven. If you were committed to the car and to what you were doing on the track then it rewarded you - and was very quick. The car was balanced, had good down force, and was great on the brakes. Into the corners we could just eat up the LMP900 class cars.

"We were running third or fourth and overtaking or lapping cars that were expected to be front runners - it was race driver heaven. We could really show what the car could do and managed to split the Audis, the eventual winners. Id love to do Le Mans again - it is unfinished business."

So what does a race driver do in the winter?

WH: "Apart from getting married you mean!

"After the end of the season I had a couple of quiet weeks, and since then we've done a test at Croft. I've done a couple of PR days with MG and WSR, and now I'm working on my fitness for nest year. I find it's better to stay in shape and keep my fitness at a sensible level - it gives you a base to work from.

"I'm focussing on making sure I am refreshed and fired up for the job ahead."