Steve Soper Q&A

"It's something I just want to do. It's interesting because they've changed the regulations and the new rules will promote overtaking. The old BTCC got a bit boring, with most passing either done in the pits or with major contact. I also believe one of my strengths is being able to sort cars quickly and get the benefit from the word go. I like the fact there's a ban on testing, which means there's more pressure to get things right. It's important that we go in the right direction, because the person with the best package will come out in front."


"There's a bit of that I suppose. I've not done a full season since 1993, when I was team-mate to Jo Winkelhock, and before that it was 1983 when we won but lost it six months later [due to a homologation wrangle over his Rover's engine]. I did six races in '94 and it really made up my mind I didn't like it. There were better championships to do elsewhere in the world. If you've raced in England for a large part of your career, then places like Germany, Italy, Japan and America have a more desirable appeal. Those offers were available to me and I took them. But, eight years later, I'm now tired of getting on an aeroplane and racing in the States. Now I'm excited about racing again in England. You could say, in a horrible way, that I started my career in England and can end it in England."


"Yes, because if I go to America, and do the ALMS, I leave on the Wednesday and I'm not in office until the following Wednesday. That's a week gone and, in my current situation, that's too much time. You also hang around for three or four days waiting for the race to happen, which was very enjoyable a few years ago, but now I just want the races to happen."


"It was a tough decision because I've enjoyed 11 fantastic years with them. It has been a nice partnership but they're only doing the ALMS with the M3. I didn't want to race in a category where I'm just looking in my rear-view mirror because I'm in a baby class car and, secondly, it wasn't being offered to me anyway. Still, it's hard to end the relationship."


"He's a very focused and dedicated person. He's so determined to win, and that played a major part. Peugeot started talking to me about August-time and, I suppose, they talked me into it. The more I heard about the championship and how it was going to be run, the decision to do it was that much easier."


"Although it's the BTCC, it's a new championship which, I believe, will produce close and exciting racing. I think it will be a growing year, but how can you judge it? We'll have to see what happens. Obviously Vauxhall and Peugeot think it'll work, I think it'll work, so let's get on with it."


"It's a long time since I've raced one of those! That doesn't phase or worry me. If the car's right, and you're a racing driver, you can drive anything. It doesn't matter which end is driving it."


"I don't know Dan at all, to be honest, but Mick Linford [Peugeot UK's sporting director] holds him in very high regard. I've known Matt for long time and, over the last few years, he's come on incredibly strongly. I have to say I'll have to watch him, because he's not the driver I used to know eight years ago. Having seen some of the races recently, there's a different Matt Neal out there. That's good, because the best competition is always from your team-mates."


"Well, I know Muller. I've raced against him and I know what his capabilities are. As for Plato, I know about him but I've never raced against him. I rate Muller highly, he's an extremely multi-talented driver who is able to race all kinds of cars. He's not to be underestimated. I think it'll be a tough battle next year."


"That's a good question, I don't know...when it's ready I guess! I've seen a bodyshell and a lot of parts but, on paper, it looks great."