Warren Hughes Interview

Warren Hughes drives the No. 20 MG ZS EX259 Touring Car, and he took time out from preparing for the race debut of the new car to answer some of our questions:

Warren, for a racing driver, what does it mean to get involved with the racing projects of an important name in motoring like MG?

Warren Hughes: ''It's just mega for me to be involved with a manufacturer such as MG. You always want to be working with an organisation that's ambitious and knows want it wants to achieve with its motorsport program. The racing is an integral part of their marketing and business strategies and as a driver it's great to have that level of support behind you.

''I have links with MG going back a little way. I won the MGF Cup in 1999 and during that season met a lot of people from MG, many of whom are still involved with the company. I think when the racing campaign started, for them, I was a known quantity - it's all slotted together from there.

''For me, it's a great situation to be with a manufacturer who is involved in the sport in a number of ways. With the BTCC campaign and the Le Mans car, it's going to keep me busy!''

MG have brought together some of the big names in motorsport to build and develop the MG ZS EX259. How has that process been from the driver's perspective?

WH: ''The partners that MG have put together to work on the MG ZS EX259 have to be the best in the business. Lola have a reputation that is second to none, and even though this is their first Touring Car, the result is superb. It's a very nicely put together car and I can't wait to get out there and race it.

''West Surrey Racing have been very impressive. Everything has happened so quickly with the project and testing has been limited but you wouldn't know it from how they have got on and done the job. The whole team has been so slick in everything they have done and even the normal teething troubles you get with a car have all been smoothly sorted out - they're so experienced that they simply get on with the job.

''All I can say is that there must be some wise an at MG who has put all of these elements together - it's a great combination.''

How has the testing programme with the new car gone so far?

WH: ''We're really only just scratching the surface of the programme and what the car can do. We've tested at several circuits - though the weather has never been kind to us wherever we have gone. A lot of the time the track has been damp - just what you don't want as you really need it fully wet or fully dry to learn anything. Some days it seems that the car comes out of the transporter and it starts raining. But, even from the little running we have had, the MG XZ EX259 has shown great protection, which has been encouraging for us all.

''Anthony Reid has done the majority of the testing - he has far more experience in Touring Cars than I do - but from now on people have to remember that we are doing our testing in public. We'll learn so much just by actually racing the car, we'll be able to gauge where we are against the opposition, and gain information for next year, when we should be serious contenders.''

You've raced in a variety of championships for many different teams, what is it like being part of the MG Sport and Racing operation?

WH: ''The whole team has got a real buzz about it, which is the way MG want to go racing. Even in the lead up to Le Mans, when the pressure was on, there was still a determination to enjoy the whole experience - never to be down-hearted or negative about anything. That attitude comes from MG themselves, they want to be doing things differently and have some fun - and as a driver, if you're in a relaxed environment, you can really focus on giving your best.''