BTC-T MG ZS EX259
MG's BTCC contender, later an independent champion.
The BTC-T MG ZS EX259 was a touring car developed by West Surrey Racing for MG’s factory effort in the British Touring Car Championship. It first appeared partway through the 2001 season at Silverstone, driven by Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes, under the MG Sport & Racing banner. Though initially ineligible for championship points, the car showed promise and became the only non-Vauxhall winner that year, taking victory at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in the penultimate round.
In 2002, West Surrey Racing expanded to four cars: two works entries for Reid and Hughes, and two satellite cars under the Team Atomic Kitten name for Gareth Howell and Colin Turkington. The ZS proved reasonably competitive in its first full season, with the team finishing second in both the Teams and Manufacturers standings, and Reid placing fourth in the Drivers’ championship. However, the dominant Triple Eight-run Astra Coupes left them 151 points behind in the Manufacturers’ table.
For 2003, the team ran three works cars for Reid, Turkington, and Hughes. The season was less successful, as Honda Racing pushed MG to third in both the Constructors and Teams championships. MG still won three races, but Reid slipped to sixth in the Drivers’ standings.
MG withdrew its works backing after 2003, but West Surrey Racing continued to field two ZS cars in 2004 for Reid and Turkington, while Jason Hughes entered an older ZS with his own Kartworld Racing team. Using three years of development knowledge, the team won the Independents championship and finished third in the Teams standings. Reid took fourth in the Drivers’ championship and was crowned Independent champion.
For 2005, with Turkington moving to VX Racing and Reid involved in an abortive MG DTM entry, West Surrey Racing entered a single car driven by Rob Collard. Jason Hughes continued to run his ZS at selected events. Despite a low budget, Collard secured two wins and finished seventh overall.
In 2006, Turkington returned to partner Collard. The team switched to the facelifted ZS model and secured a sponsorship deal with the RAC, entering cars under the Team RAC name. Turkington finished runner-up in the Independents and third overall. Team RAC switched to the BMW 320si for 2007, ending a six-year partnership between MG and West Surrey Racing.
Quick Facts
- Car Name
- BTCC MG ZS EX259
- Category
- BTCC
- Constructor
- West Surrey Racing / Lola
- Team
- WSR / Kartworld Racing
- Drivers
- Colin Turkington / Anthony Reid / Warren Hughes / Rob Collard / Gareth Howell / Jason Hughes / Fiona Leggate
- Chassis
- MG ZS
- Length
- 4650 mm
- Wheelbase
- 2620 mm
- Track
- 1860 mm
- Engine Name
- AER KV6
- Capacity
- 1997 cc
- Configuration
- 270 hp V6
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
West Surrey Racing began entering the BTC-T MG ZS EX259 partway through the 2001 BTCC season, under the MG Sport & Racing banner. Driven by Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes, the car was initially ineligible to score points but showed promise, winning at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in the penultimate round—the only non-Vauxhall victory that year. For 2002, WSR expanded to four cars: two works entries for Reid and Hughes, and a satellite team, Team Atomic Kitten, with Gareth Howell and Colin Turkington. The car finished second in both the Teams and Manufacturers standings, with Reid fourth in the Drivers championship, though 151 points behind the dominant Triple 8 Astra Coupes. In 2003, three works cars were entered for Reid, Turkington, and Hughes, but Honda Racing pushed MG to third in both Constructors and Teams standings, despite three race wins and Reid finishing sixth.
Reader's Guide
After MG withdrew works support for 2004, West Surrey Racing continued with two MG ZS entries for Reid and Turkington, while Jason Hughes ran an older ZS under Kartworld Racing. Using three years of development knowledge, the team won the Independents championship and placed third in the Team standings; Reid became Independent champion and finished fourth overall. Turkington left for VX Racing in 2005, and WSR entered a single car for Rob Collard, who secured two wins and finished seventh overall despite a low budget. Turkington returned in 2006 to partner Collard, and the team switched to the facelifted ZS model under a new sponsorship with the RAC, racing as Team RAC. Turkington finished runner-up in the Independents and third overall. WSR ended its six-year partnership with MG after 2006, switching to BMW for 2007. Kartworld Racing continued with two bio-ethanol cars in 2007 (driven by Hughes and Fiona Leggate), reducing to one for 2008, the car's final BTCC season. The MG ZS EX259 demonstrated that a manufacturer-backed car could transition to a successful independent campaign, achieving championship honors and competitive results long after its factory support ended.
Did You Know?
- The MG ZS EX259 was the only non-Vauxhall entry to win a BTCC race in 2001.
- In 2002, a satellite team ran under the name 'Team Atomic Kitten' with drivers Gareth Howell and Colin Turkington.
- After MG withdrew works support, West Surrey Racing won the 2004 Independents championship with the car.
- Kartworld Racing entered MG ZS cars running on bio-ethanol in the 2007 BTCC season.
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