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- JASON_ROCKS1998
- JR98 GAMING
In 2001, with Super Touring gone and reduced costs for the new BTC-T cars, MG entered the British Touring Car Championship. They teamed up with West Surrey Racing to create the MG ZS EX259, which was raced under the MG Sport & Racing name with WSR running their Works program.
The car first appeared at Silverstone, driven by Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes. While it was ineligible to score points, it still finished strongly, including a victory at Brands Hatch, making it the only non-Vauxhall win of 2001.
For 2002 WSR entered 2 MG's, 2 MG Sport cars for Ried & Hughes, while 2 "Team Atomic Kitten" cars were driven by Colin Turkington and Gareth Howell. The car proved competitive in it's first full season, with WSR finishing 2nd in both Teams & Manufacturer's Standings, and Ried was 4th in the Drivers, however they were still 151 Points behind the dominating Triple-8 Astra's.
For 2003 MG went for a Works only effort with Turkington joining the MG Sport lineup. This season proved less successful with Honda demoting MG to 3rd in the Teams & Constructors, despite winning 3 races, and Reid was 6th in the Drivers.
Over the course of it's BTCC career (2001-2008) the MG ZS managed 14 wins, 7 pole positions and 30 fastest laps after 196 races.
Specifications:
Body Style: 4 Door Saloon
Length: 4650 mm
Width: 1700 mm
Height: N/A
Wheelbase: 2620 mm
Engine: MG 2.0 V6
Aspiration: Naturally Aspirated
Drivetrain: Front Engine Front Wheel Drive
Power: 300 BHP
Torque: N/A
Weight: 1,150 KG
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
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