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Thruxton 2004

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11/04/2004

Encouraging Form For Team PSP

BTCC Season Opener Shows Encouraging Form For Team PSP

Team PSP opened its 2004 BTCC season at Thruxton with a fine turn of speed from its new car and drivers, but bad luck and incidents caused by others prevented both drivers from earning much better results.

Fariqe Hairuman:
"My first race weekend in BTCC was both a thrill and frustrating. I qualified safely and then had engine problems. However, I know I have made progress."

Shaun Watson Smith:
"BTCC is a great place to be until somebody drives into you - I'm sure I would have a podium place in the second race otherwise. Our new car is very quick and consistent in high-speed corners and I had a great day's racing with lots of overtaking. I'm very motivated for the season."

Mike Carroll (Chief Engineer):
"It was a positive day for us although the results don't do us justice. Fariqe put up his best performance since arriving in the UK; Shaun survived three racing incidents in Round 2 and still finished strongly with the second fastest lap to his credit. In the last race he was in 5th place and challenging for fourth before the man in front succumbed to pressure and went off, collecting Shaun in the process. We can be encouraged by this weekend."

David Wong (Team Principal):
"This is the most competitive year in BTCC and I am confident we have a very quick new car with more speed to come. Today we were unlucky but we are looking forward to Brands Hatch in two weeks' time. Our PETRONAS engineers have some engine developments under way which will help us challenge more strongly for podium places."