Mat Jackson enters BTCC in ex-Priaulx BMW

[ZBOYD]

2006 SEAT Cupra Champion announces BTCC entry for 2007

Reigning SEAT Cupra Champion Mat Jackson will graduate to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in 2007 with the very same BMW 320si E90 that Andy Priaulx used to win last year's World Touring Car Championship title.

Read more at SEATCupra.net...

 

[Ant FR]

probbaly won't be the only beemer, these new 4dr only rules are making the 3-series quite a good car for use in this seasons BTCC.

Although SEAT will have the jump on most teams this year.

 

[ZBOYD]

WSR RAC are already fielding two 320si. Only thing is the BMW hasn't historically done that well in the BTCC without it usually being a full BMW works outfit.

Non of the privateer BMW's entered in the last 3 years or so, have been that good. But if i expect anyone to succeed with making the package work its WSR.

 

[WeeJase]

good luck to the fella.
must ring whale for some "parts"

 

[ZBOYD]

Mat shows off BTCC BMW

Bit more info been released:

Leading men’s magazine Maxim will be supporting Mat Jackson’s debut season in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in 2007.

Today outside his sponsor Whale Tankers’s headquarters in Solihull, a very proud Mat showed off the BMW 320si E90 he will race in this year’s BTCC with the car carrying Maxim’s logos. The Henley in Arden driver will receive coverage from Maxim whose magazine attracts around 650,000 readers per month and nearly 900,000 online visitors to its website.

The BMW is the same car driven to 2006’s World Touring Car title by Briton Andy Priaulx and is expected to show strongly in 25-year-old Mat’s hands in the BTCC.

Maxim editor Derek Harbinson said: ““Maxim is thrilled to support Mat Jackson and Jacksons Motorsport in the 2007 BTCC. We're looking forward to seeing our man at the front of the pack – like Maxim, one step ahead of the competition.”

 

[m0rk]

Still wondering if the trick bits have been left off it or not

It'll be interesting to see how he goes.... He might sometimes see the front, but unless he's seriously well funded I can't see it being as quick as factory teams

 

[IainW]

As far as I know, if you're prepared to pay the price, you can have the trick bits. Might be a fairly hefty price mind you!

 

[WeeJase]

i some how think he will do well. as a semi neutral,i hope he is up there.deep down you have to back the underdog and wish them well.
i'd just love to see him stick daddies little soldier in the gravel,just once or twice

 

[andyb]

biggest thing will be getting heat into the rear tyres. He has a good driver tutor/engineer in Chris Hodgetts, so thats pretty good. He should be up there with the WSR cars I would have thought....funny, everyone seems to think WSR have lots of money

 

[ZBOYD]

Not money, experience. If you don't have the money you can sometimes make it up with the experience.

But as you say, its getting heat into the rear tyres. Its just not looked very good for many BMW's in the past few years. I'd rather see Mat succeed than fail. He's a top talent, and i've enjoyed seeing him race in the Cupra's. Deserves to do well in the BTCC too.

Far too few get the oppotunity.

 

[IainW]

funny, everyone seems to think WSR have lots of money

The RAC do. They're pumping a lot of money into the programme.

Good to see Mat get his chance, even if it has taken far too long.