Forza2 British GT Championship

Interview with jenson09, T.H.R race driver
by Rikki Revlimit

RR: So Jense, can I call you Jense? Lookig forward to the new season?

J09: Yeah, its a new challnge for us. We have experience in GT but this should be quite an open series with the variety of cars that will be seen.

RR: What made T.H.R go for the Ferrari then?

J09: Well, we used it last time out in the FM2LMS and we had some good results in testing though we never got to race in anger sadly.

RR: And number 45?

J09: Ahh, thats just my lucky number! Been using it all through my racing career. I always use it or a variation. Bit superstitious like that.

RR: Fair enough. So...umm, what are your hope for the season?

J09: Well to see some more competitiors for a start!! I think if the people come out on race day we should have a great season. Its an open championship. There so many cars to choose from, its all on the same tyres. Theres alot of driver skill going to be involved. The magic is going to be setting the car up right and so the extensive testing periods before the season proper will be useful.

RR: And what are you hoping to race aganst the most?

J09: Ha ha ha! Well anyone really, as long as it has four wheels I'll race it. I'd quite like to see some TVR's out there, you know, cars we aren't seeing on the track very often. Its a shame theres no Ascari or Mosler out there but there's enough choice.

RR: Will you be indulging in any panel bashing this year?

J09: LOL of course not mate! Well, some contact is inevitable really, but I'm not treating it like some of the old touring car races I have done in the past. These cars deserve respect and so do the drivers. If theres contact so be it, so long as it isnt major and oron purpose eh?

RR: When can we expect to see your car on tracK next?

J09: Our testing schedule should begin within a week. Our team is central to the equalisation tests but hopefully a few other people will come out and help there. I just can't wait to get this season under way. It should be fun!!

RR: Thanks for that jense. And best of luck with the new season. Now I bet you're off fo a hair cut?

J09: That obvious eh? Yeah its not fitting in my helmet vry well now so Its gotta go!

RR: And on that note we will end it there. Thanks jense.

News Update!!!!

THR goes American

In a suprise move Team Hunter Racing has moved away from its long term partnership with Ferrari and will use the new Shelby GT500 in this years British GT Championship.
The teams new corporate liason and part-time test driver, Steph Karlsson explains the move.
"After careful consideration it was decided that the Shelby offered us more track presence and a new opportunity to show how good this team can be with a new car. We thought it was time for a challange and the GT500 means we've got to start from scratch."
While we have moved away from Ferrari for this series, we remain committed to our relationship with them so expect to see a THR Ferrari somewhere soon."

When asked how testing was progressing she had this to say:
"Um, the car was unpredictable to begin with and pretty bloody scary on braking but I think we have it in a place where we can get good times almost anywhere though there's still some kinks to iron out."

As is normal with THR we should expect to see a few random and interesing liveries throughout the year but the main focus has been on the team bagging world banking firm HSBC and streetwear company VANS and main sponsors.
Cars will be run competitvely by jenson09 (Matt Hunter) #45 and in testing only by Steph Karlsson #008

I think Dave might have to come and do a few interviews Jenson...

lol well if he fancies a wee break away from the touring car world then by all means.....

THR secures two podiums in its GT series debut.
jenson09 brought the Shelby GT500 home to a third place and a closely fought second in the feature race.

Jenson09
"The first race should really have been ours but for a silly mistake that allowed PR3D and TVR Fan through. Bit frustrated but we are still on the podium so thats good. We got a great haul of points and the speed is definitely in the car."
"The second race was amazingly close and PR3D deserves that win. He's a feisty driver but it was all clean and fair and thats the main thing."

While jenson0 intains a slim 2 pont lead in the drivers championship, THR looks to the next season of the British GT Championship.

Team test driver LilMissNephnie (Steph) has been putting in the hours on a number of new cars to assess the team's options for season two and to get extra practice for her race debut expected during that season.

Currently there are four contenders none of which will be revealed until a later date, but if you are lucky you may just see the favourite cars entered in some races away from the BGT to guage potential.

Additionally THR has gained a major world class new sponsor which will adorn thecar in the second season of the British GT Championship, details to follow

Following a recent test and confirmation of sponsorship THR would like to announce its car and driver line up ahead of season 2 of the BGT.
While it seems early days yet, team principal jenson09 felt it was a necessary step to look forward and get a head start on the accomplished opposition. He had this to say:
" Ths season so far has proven that we bit off more than we could chew. The Shelby is a proven quick car but hasn't gained the results we had hoped for. The championship has seen the arrival of a number of highly competitive cars and drivers and we need to be among them. It was a mutual decision reached between ourselves and Shelby to terminate our contract at the end of this season.
As a result our test driver LilMissNephnie has been looking over a number of replacements aswell as a few new vehicles that will be homolgated for racing in the coming weeks. However we felt as a team that such cars are unproven and we need a competiive package for next season. Therefore we took the decision to team up with Lamborghini and race a Gallardo in Season 2 which will be shared between myself and LilMissNephnie who will be taking on increasing race duties next time out."

THR also revealed their high profile new sponsor was to be mobile giant Vodafone. The cars will be branded mainly with their logos and the teams title will become Vodafone Team Hunter Racing (Vodafone THR).

In preparation for S2 THR confirmed the rumour that development had ceased on their brace of Shelbys. While driver jenson09 refused to specify the words used to describe this years car he had this to say:

"This years car has been... a handful to be honest. I think most of the team is looking forward to next season. The Gallardo is a strong contender. It was evaluated early in S1 and was an instant hit. Only the regs prevented an earlier switch.
I thank Shelby for their continued support but now THR must get serious about the series. We are here to win and to do that we must move to Lamborghini."

THR is not one for switching lightly. It had a long standing relationship with both Honda and Ferrari in various catagories but both ended after a string of poor results.
The switch to Lamborghini marks a new chapter for the team. The new sponsosrs and loss of the now ubiquitous Red Black and While cars will be strange for may used to the THR livey but the need for a new look seems paramount to the team.
THR also moves with the times and brings in a new driver in TVR Fan. This shows a willing at lest to take the series with a newfound seriousness that perhaps, some say, had lapsed prior to S1.

All eyes ill be ot round of S2 at Silverstone International in late May.