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Q&A: Tom Onslow-Cole – EXCLUSIVE

One big change is from rear-wheel drive back to front-wheel drive. After a year making progress with the BMW, how easy will it be to make the switch back?

Tom Onslow-Cole:
I think it will be ok. Front-wheel drive is what I know and from my years in Clios, it is what I learnt with. The transition to rear-wheel drive was a big change but it didn't take me that long to get used to it and I don't think it will be hard to go back. I've never driven a front-wheel drive touring car before which is a whole different kettle of fish, but I have those days of testing and I'm sure I can get the hang of it pretty quick.

Crash.net Radio:
What do you anticipate being the biggest difference between a front-wheel drive touring car and a rear-wheel drive one?

Tom Onslow-Cole:
I think that front-wheel car will use its tyres more aggressively than the BMW did so you have to pace yourself. I think it's just a case of learning the qualifying and race procedures as driving and car control will come naturally. For qualifying there is a lot of heating tyres up and cooling others down before you go for a fast time so I need to get my head round that.

Crash.net Radio:
And that isn't maybe something you want when you've admitted that qualifying was your Achilles heel in 2007….

Tom Onslow-Cole:
I think it will make it better for me to be honest. Qualifying was hard last year as we didn't have that procedure and didn't have that technique to keep the tyres hot all round the car. This is a bit of an answer to the problems I had last year and improving my qualifying is something I am going to focus on.

Crash.net Radio:
When we spoke to you before Christmas, you said a realistic aim was to go for wins and the title if you got the right drive. Now it's done and out in the open, is that still the focus?

Tom Onslow-Cole:
Definitely. My first focus at the moment is testing and getting to know the car so that I can hit Brands Hatch running. I want to be up there right away and my aim is to go for the title. At the moment, I feel that it is realistic, but we'll see how it goes.

Crash.net Radio:
So you want it to three champions in the Vauxhall line-up come 2009?

Tom Onslow-Cole:
That would be a fantastic line-up and is something I would be so proud to do. It's already a dream to be in the BTCC and I realised that dream last year. Joining Vauxhall is another dream and everything is happening at the moment, so hopefully the championship won't be far away.

Crash.net Radio:
Are you more determined to succeed because this is the 50th anniversary of the BTCC and to be champion would be a more special achievement?

Tom Onslow-Cole:
It would be, but it isn't something I have really thought about. If you sit down after winning it then it would be a big thing and it is something you would be remembered for, but as drivers we are always focused on winning and I'll be pushing to do the best I can this year.
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Tom Onslow Cole/Vauxhall Vectra BTCC
Crash.net editor Russell Atkins takes BTCC ace Andrew Jordan for a ride around Silverstone as the VX Racing star tries (in vain!) to teach him some driving skills...
Crash.net editor Russell Atkins takes BTCC ace Andrew Jordan for a ride around Silverstone as the VX Racing star tries (in vain!) to teach him some driving skills...
Crash.net editor Russell Atkins takes BTCC ace Andrew Jordan for a ride around Silverstone as the VX Racing star tries (in vain!) to teach him some driving skills...
Crash.net editor Russell Atkins takes BTCC ace Andrew Jordan for a ride around Silverstone as the VX Racing star tries (in vain!) to teach him some driving skills...
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Martin Johnson`s Boulevard Team Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe breathes fire at Silverstone in 2009 [pic credit: Bob Bull]
Martin Johnson`s Boulevard Team Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe breathes fire at Silverstone in 2009 [pic credit: Bob Bull]
Double BTCC Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi in action for VX Racing and Vauxhall at Silverstone in 2009 [pic credit: VX Racing]
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