Cupra quartet test SEAT Sport UK’s BTCC winning Leon

The top four finishers in the 2006 Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship experienced the series’ top prize yesterday, as each had the chance of a lifetime to spend the day testing the SEAT Leon British Touring Car. But there was much more to the day than a few laps driving the 2006 Manufacturer’s Championship-winning car.

The SEAT Sport UK team approached the day as they would any other test, with a complete pit garage set-up, spare car, engineers and technicians, the complete management team and driver Jason Plato on hand. SEAT UK’s Motorsport Manager, Scott Dennis, explained the objective of the day: "You can tell just by the level of preparation how seriously we take the SEAT Cupra Championship. This is more than just an opportunity to drive our BTCC winning Leon, as we will also be assessing how they react to various situations, their interaction with the team, feedback to the engineers - everything we would look for in a professional driver."

The experience began with the four drivers, 2006 SEAT Cupra Champion Mat Jackson, runner-up Alan Blencowe, third-placed Jonathan Adam and Fulvio Mussi, fourth, visiting the SEAT Sport UK headquarters for a seat-fitting and pre-test briefing with team management and engineers. After a good night’s sleep, all four arrived early at the Rockingham circuit in Northamptonshire, to be greeted with the remains of an overnight frost which soon gave way to glorious sunshine. Each driver underwent the same procedure; a pair of short runs in the morning to familiarise themselves with the car, followed by a technical brief/de-brief with team engineers, before a race- distance simulation run in the afternoon. They were also assessed on presentation, psychological approach and interview techniques, with the results collated into post-test reports for each driver.

Jackson was first up, his second time at such a test, having been runner-up in the 2005 series. "Today has been fantastic," said the 25- year from Henley-in-Arden in the West Midlands. "To get the chance to drive a top touring car is incredible. The car itself felt fantastic; very well balanced and with huge amounts of grip but requiring a completely different driving style to the turbocharged Leon Cupra R I’ve been driving this year. It’s also been very interesting working with the SEAT Sport UK BTCC team. The levels of professionalism are incredible, especially compared with our family-run team. There has been so much to take in but probably the biggest thing I’ve learned is that I want to get into a touring car and if possible, continue the relationship with SEAT that I’ve enjoyed so far. To win the most highly-respected one-make championship in the UK with a manufacturer so involved in motorsport and then having this chance to work with the team; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Alan Blencowe was also impressed with the day; "It’s been brilliant. I loved driving the car and the team has been really helpful," said the 30-year old from Tisbury, near Salisbury. "Working with Jason [Plato] and Piers [Phillips, race engineer] really helped to get on terms with the car and the job in hand. The car itself is very different to what we’ve been used to; it’s normally-aspirated so you have to get used to really revving the engine, as well as using the sequential gearbox. It’s a proper race car through-and-through and it ran faultlessly all day. It was worth doing so well in the SEAT Cupra Championship for this alone - I hope I’ve done a good enough job to make SEAT think about me for the future! Personally, the most important aspect of today was to listen and do what was asked - I feel that’s how you integrate with a team as a driver. I would also like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the team for welcoming us and making us feel part of the operation all day."

Jonathan Adam was glad the weather was better than his previous visit to Rockingham and that all four drivers had a chance to drive the car in dry conditions. "The Leon touring car is a big step up from what we’ve all been used to," said the 22-year old driver from Kirkcaldy in Scotland. "The SEAT team has won a lot of races and the chance to work with them for the day has been amazing. It’s a great opportunity to learn from the experts and understand what they expect from a driver. It’s very important to give good feedback and understand that a driver has to be a complete package; quick on the circuit, comfortable with the media and good for the SEAT brand. I now have a much better idea of what is expected of a driver and what goes on behind the scenes. Of course, the car itself was fantastic to drive - in a lot of ways, it felt easier than the Cupra Rs we’ve been driving this year. You don’t need to fight it at all and I guess that’s part of the reason why the SEATs are so consistent."

Fulvio Mussi earned his place at the day with a hard-fought fourth place at the final round of the 2006 SEAT Cupra Championship. "Today’s been fantastic but it’s gone far too quickly," said the 20-year old from Colchester. "The team has been very welcoming and encouraging and has helped each of us to do the best we can, building our confidence as much as we have done ourselves. I’m delighted to be here and be comparable with three drivers who have all driven a touring car before. I hope that today has helped me to get one step closer to my ambition of becoming a professional touring car driver, and with the only team I want to do it with. For me, the most important aspect of the day is the report which we will receive after the event, detailing and assessing our performance in the various areas, so I can see where I need to develop for the future. Having Jason here today was also fantastic, as if I want to become a professional driver, I need to soak up as much information and experience as I can. I hope that one day, perhaps I’ll be a team-mate of his, event though he’s almost twice my age!"

As the Leon’s engine was shut off for the final time and quiet descended on the Northamptonshire circuit, Scott Dennis explained the benefit of a day such as this. "This is exactly the process we used when we were looking for our second driver for 2006; and we chose Darren Turner, who achieved real success for us this year. We feel this is an essential part of the driver selection process, seeing not only how they drive but how they integrate with a professional touring car team. I feel that it has been a valuable day, not just for the drivers but also the Cupra Championship and for SEAT. All four performed exceptionally well in the car, doing exactly what was asked of them and integrated perfectly into the team. Each impressed with their approach and professionalism and each did a top job. Exactly what we have come to expect of graduates from the SEAT Cupra Championship."