SPEAKER_01 0:00

Well Gordon, here we are, 2026. Back for another bite of the BTCC cherry. Looking forward to this one.

SPEAKER_00 0:07

Yeah, absolutely. So um yeah, 2026, where time got started in 2006. Been here for a long time now.

SPEAKER_01 0:15

Two decades under your belt. How has it changed in two decades, Gordon?

SPEAKER_00 0:21

In some ways lots has changed, and in other ways nothing's changed. I think the um you know the the the you know the racing is just as fast and frantic as ever. Uh obviously some of the faces have changed. There's a lot of people who you know who raced when I when I started that have uh you know aren't aren't here any longer. There's still a few about, even you know, there's still still a few of us with uh you know designs and aspirations of getting a gold watch from Alangow for long service. But yeah, it's uh I think every year never fails to disappoint. I can't uh you know, I can't think in all the years I've done it, and all the years that I watched and was a fan before I raced in it, I don't recall a year that didn't have something really magical and really special about it. So I'm sure this year will be the same, it'll be the same.

SPEAKER_01 1:05

Yeah, it's funny you should mention that because a number of the drivers are just sort of saying with the changes to the grid, changes to the uh qualifying format, which which we'll no doubt talk about in a moment. It just feels like it's building up to be possibly one of the best seasons for a long time.

SPEAKER_00 1:19

Yeah, and I it's hard to say that that the championship needed change, but I'm really happy that they've they've been on the front foot and made this change to qualifying and uh and uh in the qualifying race. And I think it just adds something a bit unexpected, a bit different. It it is like throwing a grenade in the mix and and see what happens. But clearly the the concept works with with Formula One, with Moto GP and these short, sharp sprint races, and uh, and I'm really you know really positive that Toka have been on the front foot to uh you know to let us join that party.

SPEAKER_01 1:52

Is it gonna be a a a whole new strategy conversation uh on a Friday going into Saturday now?

SPEAKER_00 1:58

Yeah, and it's uh it just adds so many different things to it. I think there's you know we have the same amount of tires as we had last year. Yeah uh so we've got to be able to look after them as the you know as the weekend goes on. And I think quite clearly there's gonna be times over the weekend when you're not gonna be on your preferred uh the preferred four four pieces of uh of Goodyear rubber on each corner. Uh, but we've got to, you know, it that'll be the same for everybody. So, you know, there'll be a lot of strategy, there's a you know, the the boost uh is very powerful this year, uh, and that's gonna add quite a lot into the in into the mix as well. And of course, we we end up with this with this scenario where it's your you know you could do a great job in qualifying, qualifying on the front row and have a drama and qualifying race on Saturday, and you know, you've got your work out for you on all day Sunday.

SPEAKER_01 2:42

And there's there's more points to be had there than isn't in the qualifying race, which is going to mean everybody's going for it, pretty much right foot downhill for the leather, aren't they?

SPEAKER_00 2:50

It is, you know, every point's a prisoner, and we've you know, these uh although the points are smaller for the qualifying race on the Saturday, these points uh you know, as we've seen in other formula, uh are so so important uh come the end of the year. So it'll be interesting to see how people approach it, whether they they want to just you know keep the car you know cleaning in one piece for the Sunday or whether they see an opportunity. Uh but you know, certainly as far as I you know, as far as I see it, you know, we're here to race, the crowd are here to to watch us race, not practice. So uh yeah, let's uh you know roll up our sleeves and get on with it.

SPEAKER_01 3:22

How has your seat time in the uh the Corolla been uh in testing so far this year?

SPEAKER_00 3:28

Uh so we've we've done a few days. Uh obviously it's uh it's great that the you know I have a little bit of continuity um over the course of the winter with the car. Uh so uh a different a different presentation, a different outlook. Uh this will be the first time actually since like 2006 or something where I've actually competed for the independence championship as well. So that adds something a little bit a little bit different for me. Uh you know, the uh you know the laser tools with MB Motorsport is an independent entry, um and that will you know no doubt have uh you know have the attention as uh uh as the year goes on as we try and you know compete in uh you know for both for both championships for independence and for the main championship.

SPEAKER_01 4:16

It's strange, isn't it? Because a touring car champion and now going for the independence, you normally sort of see them as as the other way around in a way, don't you? That's uh yeah. So yeah, it'll be interesting. It will be interesting. Um with all the experience that you have, I'm I know that the desire to win is still there. I can tell just by looking at you, if you look in your eyes, you can see it. What have you set yourself uh as an expectation for the first sort of four rounds? Because then we go into the summer breaks, four weekends and then summer break. So I know you want to be at the top, I know you want to be on the podium. That's a given. I'll accept that. But have you given yourself an expectation of the minimum that you want from those first four rounds?

SPEAKER_00 5:00

Uh no, because that all went out the window quickfire last year. Um but what I do know is that we finished the season in a much better place than we started. That's that's the facts. I think we're in a better place now than we ended the end of last year. We've got the continuity that continues. So I think the the the the fact there is only one free practice straight into qualifying, straight into a race. You know, we've got to we've got to be on the front foot at the start of this, you know, with a known package, known quantity, uh, and and make hay while the sunshines. So um that's the that that that's the only realistic goal.

SPEAKER_01 5:33

Last season uh we talked about tyres and also track limits, which came up time after time after time. And irrespective of where you you sit on the on that side of the argument, is that gonna be the same again this year? Do you think track limits are gonna be a talking point?

SPEAKER_00 5:49

Yeah, um inevitably it is, but the you know, the reality is you know, and as much as we all fall on the wrong side of it is sometime, the reality is to that it's there to create you know the level playing field for everybody. Uh you know, to keep keep drivers safe, to keep Marshalls safe, and inevitably as racing drivers will push the limits to see what we can get away with, and you know, then you'll go over the mark and you know have a kind of slap on the wrist and back down you come. So, you know, I everybody will have their tail of woo where they thought, oh you know, you know, this about the track limits, that, but you know, generally you know, you know you've done it or or you have to accept the uh you know the punishment that comes with it if you if you're willing to you know to push that line and that boundary. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:34

Um there's a test day here at Brands Hatch tomorrow, uh, which is sort of pretty much the last opportunity, isn't it, before the the season starts. Have you got a a set uh roster of things that you need to achieve with the car um tomorrow before you pack it away and make your way up to Leicestershire?

SPEAKER_00 6:48

Yeah, I mean it's uh I mean it's the last opportunity to you know to tweak it and see exactly what you've got. And I think it's uh you know the weather forecast looks great. Uh when we tested at Croft only two weeks ago, uh it was about five degrees, and it looks like we're going to be you know a good 15 degrees warmer than that tomorrow. So it's uh it's a great opportunity, you know, this early in the year to to see what the car you know will be like with slightly warmer temperatures. And that's uh you know, that'll be for everybody the first real opportunity. So uh yeah, everyone's everyone will have their last plan to run through. No doubt uh you know the test session finishes at 10 to 5 tomorrow night, and uh at 10 to 5 everybody will still be finding those last uh that that last opportunity to leave Pit Lane and make sure that they're that they're utilising all the tracking. And the data crunching starts, doesn't it, after that? And uh just finally how are things up at Nock Hill? No Hill is good. Uh it's uh incredibly busy. I often say at this time of year, it's busy with the not exciting stuff, uh things that cost money and spending money, but uh you know, it's some good improvements over the winter in new race control, uh, you know, a lot of safety stuff with the track. Um and we're excited to get going. You know, we started already with track days and uh and our driver experiences, but uh you know, clearly uh the the kind of halo, if you will, is uh is the British touring car event uh in August, and uh you know, we're already looking forward to to welcoming the the circus north and uh for some more spectacular racing. I'm looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_01 8:15

I always enjoy my trip to uh Nock Hill. Incredibly friendly people and a really good racing weekend. Oh, that's how I would sum up Noxhill and to see you, of course. Of course. Um good to uh to see you, Gordon. Have a good season. I I know you will do. I wish you the very best for it. Um as usual, uh, we like to finish off with something not BTCC related. Uh it's all to do with highway code this year. You didn't blink then. Hmm. Maybe you get these right. Pick a number one, two, three. Pick a number one, two, three. Let's uh let's start with three. Right. So you've had to pull over into an emergency refuge area on the highway. Before you rejoin the carriageway, yeah, what must you do according to rule two seven eight of the highway code? Put on your hazard lights, put on your headlights, use the emergency phone, or slowly wave your arm out of the window. Oh, is that the option? Yes. Uh hazard lights. No. Actually, you have to pick up the emergency phone and talk to the operator so that they can assess your situation and decide whether you need assistance to rejoin the highway safely. Oh, there you go. You learn something new, let's do one more. One or two. Uh let's go with split a definition, go with one. Forty miles per hour. The highway code suggests a stopping distance. Is it uh you can have it in metres, feet, or car lengths? You can give me it in kangaroos, I don't have a clue. Well, that's fair enough. I'm sorry to I'm sorry to say, Mr. Shen, you've failed. It it's 36 metres, 118 feet, or nine car lengths.

SPEAKER_00 9:52

Oh, see, I was going to say nine car lengths. I I could tell you Will. I was that wasn't too quick, you didn't I'm not sure. And then I thought about 36 metres, and you thought, you know what, it must be 118 feet.

SPEAKER_01 10:03

You can always tell a pilot, can't you, or go to that level of detail.

SPEAKER_00 10:07

Brilliant. Well done, Gordon. Good to see you.

SPEAKER_01 10:09

Cheers. Many thank you.