Howell wants quick Dynamics deal

Double Silverstone winner Gareth Howell says it is important for him to have a full-time drive in 2007’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with Team Halfords agreed this side of Christmas.

Just as in 2005, Howell was drafted into Halfords’ line-up in the second of this season to boost its chances of retaining the Teams’ title. He helped the team secure the crown by blitzing the opposition and winning two of the season’s final rounds at Silverstone.

But Howell says playing the role of ‘secret weapon’ is not for him in 2007 and he is desperate to secure a full-time drive with Steve and Matt Neal’s outfit instead. That, he says, would lead to the team getting the best out of him.

“I personally don’t want it to drag on again,” Howell told BTCC.net. “I don’t think physically or mentally I could hack that again. It’s very difficult to prepare if you’re forever not knowing… it becomes difficult to motivate yourself. I want everything wrapped up by Christmas, knowing what is going on.

“I’ve got into a few scrapes these last two years, but when you’re in it for just the final few rounds then you do drive differently – you’ve got less time to prove yourself and you do take more risks.

”But if I was driving for a championship with a full season ahead of me then I know I’m capable of adjusting my style, keeping out of trouble and getting the points. I’d keep the same aggression, but use it a bit more strategically.”

Team Halfords will have to ditch its ultra-successful, double title-winning Integra for FIA Super 2000-specification machinery in 2007 when the BTCC switches to the S2000 formula. Howell says he is free to look elsewhere, but sticking with Team Dynamics – the outfit behind Halfords’ BTCC programme – is his number priority.

He added: “I need to sit down with Steve and Matt and look at what car they are going to go for and how many of them they intend running. My big hope is that they run three cars and include me in their plans and I know Steve would do everything he could to have me out there.

“Dynamics are my number one priority. I’ve built up an extremely good relationship and feel part of the family. Steve’s shown great faith in me and I want to repay that. Of course, a manufacturer deal is every driver’s dream, but even if one came up I still wouldn’t rush in – I’d rush to my first love.”

Source: www.btcc.net