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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">BTCC</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">12/01/2001</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Sope</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">And The Peugeot 406 Coupe</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><img border="1" src="Storage/SopeoupeBTC.jpg"></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2"> That should say 'Sope' and the Peugeot 406 Coupe, but we cannot add even slightly unusual punctuation to headings.<BR> <BR> The new car was unveiled at the Autosport Show this morning, and it's certainly a very attractive machine. Perhaps of equal significance is the return to the BTCC of Steve Soper, who has been very happy to stay away from the 'old' series for a number of years.<BR> <BR> "It doesn't matter what you drive, it's the racing isn't it?" explained Steve this morning. "The competitiveness, the weekend, getting the most out of the car and the team, that's why I'm back in the BTCC."<BR> <BR> Won't you miss the power though (of the BMW V12 LMR)? "Whatever power you've got, you always want more. Piquet wanted more even when he had 1100 bhp in the Brabham BMW. Two laps and you always want more."<BR> <BR> "I'm in a unique and very lucky position. I'm offered lots of drives. I was offered four drives last night! But thanks to Mick Linford and Vic Lee, and the new BTCC, this is what I want to do. I can pick and choose, and I've chosen this."<BR> <BR> There could be more though, in 2001. "Gabriele Rafanelli approached me about driving one of his Ferrari 550s in the FIA GT Championship. But my priority is Peugeot, and I wouldn't consider taking up another drive without Peugeot's permission." Rafanelli and 'Sope' are old friends and neighbours, Steve having driven for the Italian on many occasions.<BR> <BR> A Ferrari drive could happen then, but it wouldn't be a whole season because of clashes. Now there's an interesting word to conclude a piece about the man with more touring car experience than anyone currently racing. It's going to be a fascinating year watching this man, plus Matthew Neal and Dan Eaves of course. <BR> <BR> NB. Kerry Morse is to blame for Steve Soper's nickname. Sorry, Steve, but you know what he's like.<BR> <BR> Other Autosport Show news in due course.<BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>