Tuesday 28 March 2005 - VX Racing hit the track at Donington Park today with a new car, fresh driver line-up and bold 2005 livery, including the logos of new sponsors RS and Origin b2. The test was the last chance for the team to hone the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch in preparation for its assault on the 2005 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The team achieved its main aim for the test, gathering vital information and data and continuing the development of the car. New recruit Gavin Smith recorded the fifth fastest time of the day on only his second outing in the VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch, while fellow team newcomer Colin Turkington finished third quickest. Frenchman Yvan Muller recorded the sixth fastest time.

VX Racing's outstanding run of success in recent years has attracted new partnerships and this season the team has joined forces with electrical, electronic and mechanical component supplier, RS, and driver safety and information system, Origin b2. The three VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch cars now display their respective logos in their striking liveries.

Muller, remaining with the team for 2005, is looking to go one better than 2004 and take the drivers' crown, which he missed by just one point last year. But his job will not be easy this year with strong competition from other teams and two young charger team-mates eager to make their mark at the pinnacle of the BTCC. Colin Turkington, from Northern Ireland, joins VX Racing keen to add to his current tally of two BTCC race wins, while BTCC newcomer Gavin Smith graduates from the 2004 Seat Cupra Championship.

The team and drivers have worked hard during the winter to ensure the team is on the pace from the first round of the season at Donington Park on 9-10 April. If VX Racing win the title races this year, Vauxhall will become the first manufacturer in the history of the BTCC to secure the team, manufacturers' and drivers' championships for five consecutive years, and will beat its own record of four back-to-back titles.

Yvan Muller
"Today was good for us, we are still learning about the car, and we need time, but we found a few things that will help us during the season. We are not looking for performance at the moment, we are looking for solutions, and that's what we found today. We're taking our time, but we're making progress step by step. The lap times today are not important, it's in two weeks time that it counts."

Colin Turkington
"It was a positive test, we tried a few more things on the car and found some improvements that took us in the right direction for the first race. We sorted out the set-up we want to run at Donington. It's hard to know how we compare as I don't think everyone shows their hand at the official test, but the car is feeling good and we'll come back with more speed next time."

Gavin Smith
"The test was pretty productive. Time-wise I wasn't far off and the car felt good. I went out on a new set of tyres and made a mistake and spun on one of my best laps, so I had to start again. I didn't get the best out of my second set, but overall I'm learning more and more about the car. It's well-balanced, and I'm just trying to find the limits and be comfortable. Not only that, I'm learning how the team works too. Going on today's performance, I'd say there's more time in both me and the car."

Test results: