WSR and Reid take MG to Germany.

After clinching the BTCC Independent title at Donington Park, Anthony Reid and the West Surrey Racing team will face a new challenge this weekend when they head to Germany to compete in the German Production Car Championship (DPM).

Reid, who was also crowed as the BTCC Masters champion at Donington, will race his MG ZS in the final rounds of the DPM at Oschersleben, as WSR help the Swiss Maurer Motorsport team evaluate the possibility of using the MG in the series in 2005. The Scottish driver will be joined by Swiss youngster Matthias Schl?ppi, who currently competes in the German Renault Clio Cup.

Although he hasn't raced at the circuit before, Reid is hopeful that he can carry the speed shown by the MG during the BTCC season into this weekend.

"I'm really looking forward to this event," he said. "I've never raced at Oscherleben previously but it looks a very good circuit. We've been competitive at most British tracks this year, so hopefully we can carry on this form in Germany."

With SEAT proving that an ETCC car can succeed in the BTCC, WSR team principal Dick Bennetts is looking forward to seeing how the MG ZS will perform alongside a grid full of Super 2000 spec machines.

"An ETCC car has been competitive in the BTCC this year," he said, "so it'll be interesting to compare the performance of the BTC spec MG to the German Super 2000 spec cars. Although we'll be carrying extra ballast, we're confident of putting on a competitive showing and flying the flag for MG."

It will also be the first time in 14 years that WSR have raced in Germany, although things were a bit different back in 1990.

"The last time WSR raced in Germany was with Mika Hakkinen in 1990!" Bennetts said. "We contested the last round of the German F3 championship at Hockenheim and Mika took pole, the race win and fastest lap. The guy who came second and won the German Championship that year was somebody called Michael Schumacher."

Support for WSR and Maurer Motorsport will come from MG Rover Germany, MG Rover Switzerland and courier company GO!