Thruxton round-up: Neal replacement on horizon

Peugeot motorsport boss Mick Linford says there is a fifty-fifty chance that he will have signed up a driver to occupy his third 406 Coupe in time for the next BTCC rounds at Oulton Park on May 20. Linford says he is in serious negotiations, but would not be drawn on the identity of his potential driver.



Four expected BTCP runners failed to show at Thruxton. GA Janspeed Racing's third Alfa 156 was there, but named driver Antonio Russo was not - "contractual problems," explained team boss Gary Ayles, who expects nevertheless to run the car for another driver soon.

Bintcliffe Sport Racing's Nissan Primera for Matt Kelly also missed the event. "It's in the workshop, just wait till you see what we're doing to it," was John Bintcliffe's cryptic comment.

Ford Focus driver Rick Kraemer and Mitsubishi man Andy Neate were also missing because of business commitments and sponsorship problems respectively.



Tom Ferrier made his BTC Touring debut at Thruxton in the second JS Motorsport Alfa 147. The 19-year-old went well in qualifying, running quicker than the team's other 147 driven by Dave Pinkney, but only lasted two racing laps before the Alfa engine blew.

Tim Harvey will take over the car for most of the rest of the season, though Ferrier is expected to take over again at Knockhill in July (when Harvey has a clash with the British GT Championship as he did last weekend.) "I can't wait to get back in it," said the enthusiastic teenager.