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Vauxhall Magazine; 2009

VICTORIOUS VAUXHALL

GREENER RACING

In a world first, Britain’s premier motor-racing championship will introduce new rules that will push cars’ emissions down to those of their road-going counterparts. And Vauxhall is right behind development of pioneering technology that will be used by the BTCC to test the CO2 emission limits of its competing cars this year

Back in November 2008, Giovanardi’s  Vectra VXR ran on a rolling road while connected to data-logging instrumentation from leading specialist company, Horiba.

This was the first time a current Super 2000 touring car as raced in the BTCC had been monitored using the equipment. BTCC Series Director Alan Gow commented: “This latest test was extremely positive. We have now successfully developed a specific drive cycle for the performance envelope that a BTCC car works in. In other words, the rolling road test we’d put a BTCC car through now gives us a meaningful reading when comparing their CO2 emissions to those of showroom equivalents.

“Until this test we had not been able to use a current S2000 car because of obvious implications on engine mileage. Measuring the CO2 emission level of the BTCC title-winning race car as part of our research programme, plus of course Vauxhall’s participation in endorsing the project, is
highly significant.”

Supporting the BTCC’s emissions project is Government body Energy Efficient Motor Sport  (EEMS) which has been working with the UK motor sport industry to encourage greater use of energy efficiency in
racing cars and championships in Britain.

Marc de Jong, Senior Project Consultant for EEMS, said: “The BTCC has done a fantastic job of bringing social and political pressures to bear on modern-day motor sport and at the highest level. It is hugely important that Britain’s highest-profile championship – with an endorsement from the reigning champion team – has taken this lead.

“At EEMS we’ve had a growing number of enquiries from teams looking to proceed with their own energy efficient initiatives. The BTCC is always of great interest to them because of its pro-active lead. It stimulates people to
think differently.”

 

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VXR’s NEW STAR

At the end of September, James Corte, a 31-year-old accountant  from Winchester, beat almost 10,000 members of the public to become VXR Racing Driver of the Year. His prize was a Vauxhall-supported drive for the 2009 season in a Vauxhall Astra VXR worth

£80,000.

After a series of semi-finals held at karting venues around the country, 15 finalists gathered in Northamptonshire for a written motorsport exam, fitness tests and driving activities. James Corte emerged as the winner after proving he had the talent, passion and determination to become a professional racing driver.     

2007 VXR Racing Driver of the Year, John Allison, set the bar high in 2008 by claiming six podium finishes. “I wish James the best of luck,” he said.  “He is in the best hands possible; Vauxhall has given me so much support and that is reflected in our results.”

 

 

 

BTCC 2009

The 2009 BTCC season kicks off at Brands Hatch on the Indy circuit on 5 April, before heading to Oulton Park on 31 May. The championship visits one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, Snetterton, on 2 August, and concludes with a long-awaited return to the Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch for its final rounds on 4 October.