The Thurlby Motors Boston Bowl Racing Astra driven by Fiona Leggate will not take part in the Knockhill, Scotland, rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 3 September.
 
“We decided to withdraw to keep some money in the budget for the last two race meetings at Brands Hatch and Silverstone,” said Malcolm Leggate of Boston Bowl Racing. “We've had some extra expenses for our small budget, and sitting out this round means we can really concentrate on the last two race meetings. We were lucky to run two half seasons on one engine - it shows that the bio-ethanol fuel does not affect the reliability!”
 
Steve Bunkhall, EEMS Project Leader, agreed with the decision: “It's a great shame but we understand the reasons. Fiona has shown herself this year to be a gutsy competitor, learning in front of the crowds is not easy with her level of experience against these guys, it's a tough championship. We'll be there to support her again at the last two race meetings and we are still collecting data for our fuel flow meter project, looking at how different fuels can compete together.”
 
“We're disappointed not to do the races, the car's ready to go and we were looking forward to a good result - the car works well on these tight circuits,” said Marvin Humphries of Tech-Speed who prepare and run the Astra Coupe.
 
Thurlby Motors, which owns the Astra Coupe racing car, is promoting its Thurlby 888 Astra CDTi at the British Touring Car race meetings, a limited edition 200BHP diesel with sports suspension, dynamic body kit, 335mm disc brakes and upgraded interior. The lucky winner of the season-long competition will be presented with one of the cars at the final race meeting at Silverstone on 15 October.
-ends-

For more information contact Janice Minton, tel 01787 880820,
mobile 07803 050266  Email janice.minton@eemsonline.co.uk
See more information on www.eemsonline.co.uk

Download high resolution photographs from Jakobebrey.com/fionaleggate
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EDITOR'S NOTES

See our facts about bio-fuels in motorsport on the EEMS website.

Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) is one of five programmes sponsored by Motorsport Development UK to sustain and develop the UK's world-leading motorsport sector. Programme funding comes directly from the DTI and four regional development agencies.

EEMS seeks to encourage the development of alternative fuels and powertrain technologies and put energy efficiency at the heart of modern motorsport - without comprising the sporting spectacle. There is a widely held belief that energy efficiency and green technology are not compatible with exciting motorsport. This is simply not the case - in fact the UK motorsport industry stands to benefit by adopting EEMS concepts and taking a leading global role.

See also www.fionaleggate.co.uk, www.btcc.net, www.tech-speed.co.uk and www.thurlbymotors.net

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