JHR prepares three car SEAT Cupra Championship team

JHR Developments, one of the most successful independent one-make marque racing teams in the UK, is preparing to enter a three car team in the 2008 SEAT Cupra Championship. The Derbyshire-based team, which has become well known for winning races in various Renault and MG championships, have already entered a pair of brand new Leon Cupras for Robert Lawson and Andrew Herron, who finished 3rd and 9th respectively in last year's Clio Cup, and who follow the 2007 Clio Cup Champion Martin Byford into the SEAT series. JHR is currently talking to drivers who wish to drive its remaining SEAT Leon.

JHR Team Principal Steven Hunter has calculated that there is very little financial difference between running a Clio and a SEAT Leon, while the later is technically far more interesting to run. 'If you put the purchase price of the car to one side, there is very little difference financially between running a Clio and a Leon,' said Steven. 'The entry fee for the SEAT Cupra Championship is cheaper, so you immediately have an extra three and a half grand to play with, and the nature of Clio racing meant that we regularly had a lot of damage bills. If you are an experienced and clever driver who can keep out of trouble most of the time, the running costs between the Clios and SEAT Leon would equal themselves out. There is a lot more you can adjust with the Leon, like spring and damper settings, and for us and our drivers that is far more appealing.'

Robert entered the Clio Cup in 2006 and finished 7th at his first attempt. Last year the 30-year old driver from Richmond in North Yorkshire was never lower than 3rd in the Clio series and won the race meeting at Snetterton outright. Robert was one of three drivers still fighting for the title as the Clio Cup entered the final race meeting at Thruxton, and looked in a strong position to lift the titleafter qualifying on pole - only to destroy his car in a controversial incident which claimed the top five runners in Saturday's race. His car was re-shelled overnight and he finished on the podium in the final race, but the points dropped the day before meant that he finished 3rd in the Clio Cup behind former SEAT Cupra Championship driver Stefan Hodgetts and the 2007 Clio Champion Martin Byford - who will also race in the 2008 SEAT Cupra Championship. In 2008, Robert's Leon Cupra will be sponsored by Aggregate Industries Ltd.

Robert said: 'Having raced in the Clio Cup for the past two years, moving up to the SEAT Cupra Championship is a logical progression. I've had some good results in the Clios, but my ultimate aim is to race in the British Touring Car Championship and moving up into the SEAT series will take me that one step closer. The Leon Cupra is certainly a faster car and more on par with the BTCC cars. Having two Cupra races on a Sunday, when you can benefit from the television coverage and the big crowds that come to watch on race day, will double up our exposure and be very good for our sponsors too. Winning the SEAT Cupra Championship at our first attempt will be very difficult, but we've put the package together early and we'll be testing soon and really well prepared in time for the opening round. I'll do the very best I can, the team will do the best it can, and at the first race meeting we'll see where we fit in.'

Andrew made his Clio Cup debut last year, finishing an outstanding 9th overall in the series. The 19-year old driver from Dromore in Co. Down then went on to end the four round Winter Series as Vice-Champion, achieving his maiden race victory at Croft with a dominant lights-to-flag performance. With just three years of karting experience behind him prior to his saloon car debut last year, Andrew is regarded by many as one of the most exciting tin-top racers to emerge in Britain in recent years and the Brian Herron Contracts backed driver aims to continue his rapid progress by establishing himself as a force in the SEAT series.

Andrew said: 'I'm very happy we're staying with JHR this year for our step-up to SEAT and I'm confident we'll be strong and have a good season. The whole SEAT operation seems to be very professional and I'm really looking forward to the year now. I've been introduced to all the SEAT Sport UK guys, including Jason Plato and Darren Turner, and I'm delighted to be part of the championship. I talked with Martin Byford and he's adapted to the car quite well, he just said it's much faster than the Clio. I've got a good test programme organised so I'm aiming to start the year strong and get better as the year goes on. Obviously it's a new car to me and I haven't driven it yet but I don't see why I shouldn't be as quick as anybody else out there.'

Steven Hunter, added: 'Having achieved everything we can in the Clio Cup, the SEAT Cupra Championship is the sensible next step up for us. The way the SEAT Cupra Championship is run, the prize fund and the Leon Cupra race cars are all very appealing. It's certainly a step up from the Clios, but it's the next sensible step for us and we go there with a lot of experience as a team and with two very good drivers. We ran Robert and Andrew in the Clios last year. Robert was leading the series at one stage and finished third, while it was Andrew's first season out of karting and his rate of improvement was exceptionally rapid. It all bodes well for 2008 and I'm sure both our drivers will be fighting for podium results during the season.'