Vauxhall unveils works team livery.

Vauxhall Motorsport began its official countdown to the start of the 2001 British Touring Car Championship with the presentation of its works team livery and drivers, Yvan Muller and Jason Plato at the first official TOCA test day for BTCC teams.

With Silverstone Circuit under snow, the team was unfortunately prevented from unleashing its all-new Vauxhall Astra Coupe touring car on the circuit for testing. However, spirits remained high with the knowledge that the team already has several unofficial test sessions under its belt.

"Today marks the start of the season for Vauxhall Motorsport and although we have not been able to run, we are steadily building up momentum to the first race of the season," commented Vauxhall Motorsport Manager, Mike Nicholson.

"The team has been working hard over the past months and is totally focussed on producing a championship winning car in the Astra Coupe. We expect a good fight though. This year's grid may not be the biggest in the BTCC's history but it will certainly provide quality action."

As the official Vauxhall nominated development partner, the team will be run for the fifth consecutive year by former Formula One driver and Team Manager, Derek Warwick's Brackley-based outfit, Triple Eight Race Engineering.

The British Touring Car Championship has undergone several major changes over the winter period with new championship organisers, British Motorsport Promoters Limited (BMP) looking to rekindle the excitement and huge spectator following of the early 1990's. Technical changes include, for example, compulsory standard parts such as brakes and gearboxes in order to lower costs and bring the major teams and privateers in line with each other.

"This is the first year that the championship is using the new regulations and I think the technical side is spot-on," commented Mike Nicholson. "It will be an interim year but that doesn't mean the championship will be any less exciting. We need now to put on a good show in order to keep attracting more manufacturer and privateer teams."

Oxford driver, Jason Plato finished fifth in last year's BTCC with the Vauxhall Motorsport team driving the race-winning Vectra. He is relishing the thought of fighting for the title again this year.

"The new championship as it stands should produce excellent racing," said Plato. "The cars aren't quite as clever as the old Super Tourers and won't mask any mistakes that the drivers, as human beings, will occasionally make. The cars will definitely be more exciting to watch and they sound fantastic - I can guarantee there will be lots of action. We have been out testing on a number of occasions now and I am really impressed with the Astra Coupe. It's going to be quite a mean machine!"

This year's 26-race British Touring Car Championship will be fought on the circuits of every major racetrack in the United Kingdom as well as Mondello Park in Ireland, and each round will be preceded by a championship road show in a nearby major shopping centre.