Leason flits, Kizilirmak feels “fantastic”

Nick Leason was an 11th hour addition to privateer Lexus squad BTC Racing as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship unveiled its 2007 entry list at Rockingham yesterday, while Turkish driver Erkut Kizilirmak professed himself to “feeling fantastic” after testing his team Arkas Racing’s Vauxhall Astra.

Leason made the late decision to partner Christ Stockton in BTC’s line-up after weighing up his options – originally he had planned to enter in a Daniels Motorsport-run Astra that he raced in last year’s final two meetings.

BTC team boss Bert Taylor said: “We’ve been chasing Nick for our second seat for the past three months, as we feel his input into the team and developing the Lexus alongside Chris will be invaluable. Last week we finally completed a deal to give Nick some support and the opportunity which he deserves. We now have a good, strong package with two very keen and competitive driver.”

Northampton-based Leason said: “It’s just been manic. In the last few weeks there have been highs and lows. Thanks to Chris, Bert and the team I’ve been given the opportunity to race an S2000-spec Lexus for the 2007 season. The team is putting 100 per cent development into this year and have on board some very experienced people to make sure it happens. Chris and I have high hopes of some good finishes and points as improvements are made.”

Meanwhile, 2005 Turkish touring car champion Kizilirmak was in buoyant mood after giving his Arkas Astra its public debut, the car being fettled by Marvin Humphries’ experienced Tech-Speed outfit.

Kizilirmak, who set a best lap time of 1m27.540, said: “I feel absolutely fantastic. Like almost all of the British circuits, Rockingham is new to me but we learnt a lot today. We can’t expect too much in our first season, but the progress we made today was very good.

“Between our first run on the circuit today and the end of the test I managed to be faster by one and a half seconds so I’m happy with that. We need to continue to improve like this and then I think our aim of fighting in the midfield this year will be very possible.”

He added: “We’re all very excited about the year ahead. The team is great, the car is good and so we now need to work on our set-up to make sure we are strong for the first races at Brands Hatch. I really can’t wait, everything feels perfect.”

Arkas is scheduled to next test at Donington Park tomorrow (Thursday), with talks on-going with drivers to fill its two other Astras.

Source: www.btcc.net