Tim Harvey Interview

colours this year as he adopts his new role as advisor to Matt Nealsassault on the Michelin Cup for Independents. Autosport caught up with Tim
at Thruxton to find out more about his new role and his views on the
Independent drivers chances.

A - After a long and successful career in the BTCC, how different are you
finding your new management role?.

TH: I've found it very interesting, and quite natural actually, being a
driver for so long you do know what you need and what the sort of things
you ought to be thinking about and when to be thinking about them. I think
its very hard for people who haven't driven to instinctivley think those
thoughts. Experience obviously helps but as an Ex-driver its very easy to
do that, so I've always got an eye of what we should be doing and what the
options and possibilities are and thats what I really bring to the team I
suppose, as well as being another driver to help Matt wih his driving and
his motivation.

Its very satisfying, not as satisfying as driving a winning car yourself
but its more satisfying than driving as car thats not got a chance. I guess
its because you have got the chance to make a difference here, whereas when
you are driving a car thats no good not matter how hard you try you can't
make that kind of difference and thats very frustrating so I'm actually
quite enjoying the role.

A - Matt and the Nissan have really hit the ground running this season,
particularly in light of his win at Donington. How much assistance do you
receive from the manufacturers?.

TH: Well obviously we couldn't do it without Nissan both in terms of the
availability of the car and the parts. The fact that the Nissan was
probably the best car at the end of last year meant that yes, we did hit
the ground running. Its not paticularly good when we beat the factory cars,
but on the other hand its better to have a third strong Nissan than not at
all. saying that the factory car this year is running a different spec with
the beam axle rear suspension so there isn't the direct carry over of
information anyway.

So we are doing our own thing damper wise, differential wise to get the
most out of the car and I think we are doing a pretty good job of it

A - As the season progresses the factory teams are likely to see the
fruits of ongoin development, are you going to find it a struggle to remain
as competitive throughout the year?.

TH: Yes and no. We are concentrating on certain areas, I think one of the
advantages with being a small team is that you can focus on things very
tightly. Certainly we couldn't take on with out current set-up the
development of a completely new car, we just wouldn't have the manpower or
the money to develop it fast enough. By having a good base set-up on the
car we can develop it in small areas and I'm pleased to say we have
actually been quicker than the car was last year at certain circuits. I
think that is testimony to doing a good job because this year we are on
exactly the same tyres as last year, and that is the first time that has
happened. Normally the cars get quicker each year, but you are not sure
whether it is the car, the tyres, or what.

A - The independents seem to be struggling a bit at Thruxton, why do you
think that might be?.

TH: I think certainly experience plays a big part round here because there
is so little testing at Thruxton, we only get a couple of hours before we
get stuck into it. The works teams have a lot more background to go on so
they probably get it closer quicker than the independents. its very hard to
come here if the car doesn't work and improve it, you don't get enough
track time so the bad cars tend to stay bad here and the good cars are
lucky.

A - Where do you see yourself going from here?.

TH: I don't want to give up my driving career at the moment and people have
been very nice and have offered me things to drive all of the time, but I
won't drive something unless its something I am going to be really
competitive in and thats the right formula. Whether its Touring Cars again
or something else we will wait and see, although I'm not going to give up
this role at the moment just for the sake of driving. I'm getting a lot of
pleasure out of this and who knows where Dynamics may go and what path I
may take.

A - Thoughts on the upcoming night race at Snetterton?

TH: Now that is one I would like to be involved in, because that is
obviously something new and I have raced at night at Le Mans and done some
long distance races. I actually enjoy night racing so I would quite like to
be out in that one, I think its a good idea and should be a great weekend.
Who knows what you can get away with in the dark.

A - Tim, thanks for your time

TH: No problem