Byford breaks Brand Hatch lap record in Cupra testing

 - Clio Champion sets the pace in pre-season testing
 - Fiesta front runner David Nye joins the series
 - SEAT Cupra get more TV coverage in 2008

Martin Byford broke the SEAT Cupra Championship race lap record around the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in his first outing in his newly liveried Leon Cupra – but as it was achieved during a private test session, the time will remain unofficial.

The official SEAT record is held by Gareth Nixon, who lapped the 1.1986 mile track in 50.745secs (85.03mph) on Sunday 19 August, 2007. 

Martin’s unofficial best lap time was 50.380secs (85.64mph).

The reigning Clio Champion is pleased how quickly he is adapting to his 300PS turbocharged Leon, which appeared at Brands Hatch in its new red, white and blue colour scheme for the first time, with sponsorship from A&B Glass, Saracen Security, UK Fasteners and G Signs.

The 35-year old driver from Colchester in Essex has more pre- season testing planned in the Z Speed Racing prepared car, and is delighted with his pace so far.

“We worked through a lot of our test programme at Brands Hatch and we were quick,” said Martin. “I think we’re about where we should be, although we’ve still got to find the ultimate pace.  To be honest, that’s got more to do with me having more time in the car than the car itself. We have plenty of test mileage remaining between now and the start of the season, so we are very happy.”

Fiesta front runner enters SEAT Cupra Championship David Nye, who finished 5th in the Ford Fiesta Championship last year, will contest the 2008 SEAT Cupra Championship in a Leon Cupra run by the experienced Daniels Motorsport team.

“I'm very happy to continue racing with the Canterbury-based Daniels Motorsport team for another season, competing in both the SEAT Cupra and the Ford Fiesta Championships, clashes permitting – just don't tell the wife,” said David. “After watching both the Clios and SEAT Cupras race at Thruxton last year, I decided to enter the SEAT Cupra Championship because of the damage limitation controls, an impressive car and the professionalism of SEAT Sport UK.”

More TV time for Cupras in 2008 SEAT Cupra Championship races will enjoy an extensive TV package in 2008, with some races broadcast live on ITV4, courtesy of the new HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship TV deal. 

The SEAT Cupra Championship will also be broadcast on the Motorsport UK series, to be shown on ITV4, with repeats on its sister satellite channel, Men & Motors – giving competitors and sponsors on the Leon Cupra grid maximum exposure.

ITV4’s Motorsport UK will be broadcasting a series of shows dedicated to the BTCC support races, starting on April 29th.  The show will be aired twice a week over a 34 week run, with the first broadcast in a new Tuesday tea-time slot, with a repeat showing later that same evening.

Men & Motors will then broadcast the show the following week, meaning the SEAT Cupra Championship will benefit from the 64 hour BTCC TV package across the two channels – but that’s not the end of this extensive coverage.

The SEAT Cupra Championship, as a major support series to the BTCC, will also benefit from the new three year TV deal, which will see every BTCC meeting televised live on ITV4.  This adds up to a staggering 46 hours of live broadcast time, allowing ITV4 to show some support races live on ITV for the first time – including the SEAT Cupra Championship.

With a new and improved TV package and increasing numbers of spectators attending race meetings, the SEAT Cupra Championship has the potential to reach a far greater audience in 2008.

ITV4 Live Broadcast Schedule
Brands Hatch, 30 March, 12.30pm-5.30pm
Rockingham, 13 April, 12.30pm-5.30pm
Donington Park, 4 May, 12.30pm-5.30pm
Thruxton, 18 May, 12.30pm-5.30pm
Croft, 1 June, 12.30pm-5.30pm
Snetterton, 13 July, 12.30pm-2.30pm & 5pm-6pm
Oulton Park, 27 July, 12.30pm-2.30pm & 5pm-6pm
Knockhill, 17 August, 12.30pm-5.30pm
Silverstone, 31 August, 12.30pm-5.30pm
Brands Hatch, 21 September, 12.30pm-5.30pm

ITV4 broadcasts to around 90% of the UK’s households via freeview digital, cable, and satellite signals – and is now home to many of ITV’s top sporting events including UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, boxing and the Tour de France. Other high-profile sports, in addition to the BTCC and its support series, will also be joining ITV4’s 2008 line- up.