Muller Praises New Astra After First Test
Yvan Muller has given Vauxhall’s new Astra Sport Hatch
– the car the Luton marque will use to defend its MSA
British Touring Car Championship crowns in 2005 – a
big thumbs up after testing it in Spain.
Muller, fresh from winning a ninth consecutive Trophee Andros
ice racing title, was in action at the Jarama circuit and
said the Sport Hatch impressed him straight out of the box.
The Sport Hatch succeeds Vauxhall’s Astra Coupe that,
run by preparation expert Triple Eight Engineering, won the
last four BTCC titles under the VX Racing banner.
Muller, who will be attempting to win the second BTCC title
of his career – starting at the opening round at Donington
Park, Leicestershire on 10 April – said: “I am
pleased with the new Astra. Even at this very early stage
it is handling well, especially under braking, and is stable
at high speed. Here at Jarama there is a very long straight
and so we were able to really push the car.
“It is a good start and proves that the team has done
a great job in building the car. Obviously, we still have
more work to do, but I think there is a lot more to come from
the car.”
Colin Turkington, Muller’s new team-mate at Vauxhall,
also drove the Sport Hatch, albeit briefly for ten laps before
Muller took over development duties. Turkington continued
to run in the 2004-spec Astra Coupe.
North Irishman Turkington, aged 22, said: “The two
cars do feel quite similar, even though the suspension is
different. The VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch has good characteristics
and handling. I can’t wait to get back in it and do
some serious testing. The team is really pleased with the
car.”
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