Andrew Jordan will move to the works Vauxhall team for the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season, with a deal being inked at the
Autosport International show to see the youngster join up with
Fabrizio Giovanardi and
Matt Neal.
Crash.net took the chance to meet up with Andrew to discuss the move…
Crash.net:
Andrew, you're moving into the works team with Fabrizio and Matt. How did the deal come about?
Andrew Jordan:
To be honest, we have been talking about it for a while now and we had a really good test out in Spain. Then we started to press on and get the deal done and I am over the moon; I can't stop smiling.
Crash.net:
How big is this opportunity for someone who is still in his teens and only going into his second season in the
BTCC?
Andrew Jordan:
It's a huge opportunity. Last year was a good year and we did what we needed to do and proved we had good pace. This year I am hoping for big things to be fair. I have shown I have the pace and I need to learn as well.
Being with Fabrizio and Matt gives me a great chance to learn as much as possible and get as much coverage as we can for our sponsors as they are very important. With times as they are, they are very loyal sponsors as well. Pirtek have stepped up to be the primary sponsor so they have seen the opportunity and are hoping for big things as well.
Crash.net:
You learned a lot from your dad last year, but what can you learn this year alongside two double
BTCC champions?
Andrew Jordan:
You can learn different things from everyone and will never stop learning. What I have learned from dad, I can take to Vauxhall and Fabrizio and Matt have won the title for the last four years.
Fabrizio is good at knowing when to push and go for a race win and when to just go for points, but to be honest, I'm not looking at the title, I'm looking at being fast and getting as many wins and podiums as I can so I get as many points for VX Racing as possible. I'd be disappointed if we didn't win a race.
Crash.net:
But if you find yourself in the mix, there is chance to show the older guys how to do it.
Andrew Jordan:
Yeah there is, but like I say I'm not looking at the championship. I'm going to drive the car as fast as I can and the lads will do a great job preparing it. If, half way through the season, I am right there then I'm not going to turn down the chance to go for it am I, but I'm not looking at that at the moment.
Crash.net:
How did the Vectra compare to the Integra during your test in Spain?
Andrew Jordan:
It's a little bit better in every area. The traction is very good and the drop-off of the tyres is very impressive. We did a long run so we can see how good the tyres will be at the end of the race. Obviously, circuits will vary and somewhere like
Thruxton is hard on tyres although the Vauxhall suits the fast and flowing circuits.
I'm excited about Brands and
Thruxton as I love that circuit and
Tom Onslow-Cole did a great job there last year. I'm very excited about the year ahead and am buzzing at the moment.
Crash.net:
Is there a lot more testing planned?
