Swindon Touring Car Win National Title 

Swindon's Synchro Motorsport were crowned champions of the Production Class of the British Touring Car Championship at the season's final race at Donington Park on Sunday, 22nd September 2002.

 
The Honda factory based team went into the final championship race not only leading the manufacturers class, with a 12 point lead over the Edenbridge Racing BMW team, but also dominating the individual standings with lead driver, James Kaye, 33 points ahead of second-place, Norman Simon, again in the BMW. And after a thrilling weekend of qualifying and racing, the team secured the points required to start the celebrations!

In a hugely successful season for the Swindon outfit, such has been Kaye's winning margin at times, his Honda Civic Type R was given a 30kg ballast handicap by the championship organisors to try and make a race of it! It was only at penultimate race at Brands Hatch that the ballast was removed.

 

Kaye's Honda leading the BMW

 What makes their success even more remarkable is that the Synchro team is the only privateer entry in this season's championship, with second driver, Dave Allan, and all the mechanics and team members working for the team part-time. All presently hold down full-time jobs at the Swindon Honda factory and work for the team purely on a voluntary basis with no 'official' Honda financial backing.

 
The factory supply the team with a Honda Civic Type R for racing as well as their workshop premises on-site, but the team are solely responsible for raising the sponsorship they need to continue racing.

 

Team Manager, Andy Scott (left) with team driver, Dave Allan

In the week before the race, the team had been continuing their season-long ritual of 'burning the midnight oil' in preparation for the final weekend, with many members working on the car straight after a 12 hour shift on the production line. But judging by the enthusiasm shown, it has made the team even more hungry for success, says Team Manager, Andy Scott.

 
"The team spirit here at Synchro is second to none, and definately worth an extra second a lap!" he said.

 
"All the hard-work is worth it when you win races and Sunday was the reward for all our hard-work. It was definately the biggest day yet for the team!" he added.

 
The teams second driver, Dave Allan, who finished 9th overall in the championship is equally thrilled with how successfull the team has been this year and is delighted that his team-mate, James Kaye, has been showing the other drivers the way home.

 
"Being a driver for this team is absolutely brilliant," he said.

 
"Everyone works so hard to make the car as good as it is, and it's pure pleasure to represent Synchro on the track. The whole weekend was a great ending to the season, and everyone involved deserves all the praise they recieve. It has been a complete team effort," he proclaimed.

 
A number of local Swindon companies have chipped in to help Synchro this year, with Wootton Bassett based, ASF Signs, kindly helping out with the cars decals.

 
ASF Director, Grant Larkin, who will be present at the title decider, was delighted to be involved with such a success story.

 
"My contribution to the team doesn't make the car go any faster, but it's pleasure to associated with one of the best teams in motorsport." he said.

 

  ASF Signs - website

 

  Honda in Swindon - more information