David Jones Interview

With the Silverstone debut of the MG Sport and Racing MG ZS EX259 Touring Cars fast approaching, we asked David Jones, the organisation's Commercial Manager, about the project and what it means to MG...

Why have MG chosen to enter the British Touring Car Championship - the most competitive saloon series in the UK?

David Jones: ''That's a difficult question to answer! We wanted to be out there competing with the best, taking on the 'big boys' at whatever we do, and with the model that we wanted to race, the BTCC was the obvious choice.

''We know it won't be easy, the series is the toughest saloon championship in the country and we're going to be taking on some very experienced teams with well-proven cars. But in the end, for MG, the BTCC was the only series we really wanted to be in.''
You are entering the two MG ZS EX259s in the remaining rounds of this year's series, what do you hope to gain from competing in those races?

DJ: ''All of our 2001 programme is really focussed on next year. We've got to learn about the car, the team, and the drivers, and the remaining rounds of the 2001 BTCC season give us the chance to do that in real race conditions. Whatever happens in the remaining three meetings we know we've got a winter's hard graft ahead of us to make sure we start the 2002 BTCC season with the MG ZS EX259 in the best possible shape to compete.''

MG has employed some of the most experienced people in the sport to work on this project, how has testing gone so far and what has been their feedback on the car?

DJ: ''So far it seems as if a big rain cloud has been following us around as we test - each time we put fresh rubber on the car it rains! It feels like we have hardly done a proper dry lap anywhere.

''That means we don't really know just how quick the MG ZS EX259 is! Every time we have run the car we have been making improvements and lap times have been getting quicker, and it's reassuring to know that there are still improvements to be made and plenty of development potential in the car. The first time on the circuit at Silverstone will answer a lot of questions!

''In everything we are doing in motorsport we are trying to enjoy ourselves - but still get the job done in the most professional manner possible. We've brought in some of the best people available to work on the cars, and we're using their expertise to try to get to a truly competitive level in months rather than years. We're trying to put together a winning blend of experience and youth, and put some of the fun back into motorsport.

''The feedback from everybody - the drivers, the designers, the race team, everyone involved I the project - has been very positive - we just can't wait to get out there and go racing!''

How will you feel at Silverstone when the two MG ZS EX259s are on the grid for the first race?

DJ: ''If I gave you an honest answer I'm not sure you could print it! It's going to be so exciting, we've entered the BTCC to go racing, and to have some fun as well. We want to be a team who are very open and accessible, are enjoying themselves, yet still get the job done on the track.

''In some ways our distinctive team clothing sums the whole thing up. The grey colours portray the high-tech approach necessary to compete with the best, while the bright green just means one thing - outrageous fun!''