Vauxhall

VX Racing, VXR Junior, Vauxhall Astra Coupe, Manufacturers Championship Entrant

1. Yvan Muller (F), 2. James Thompson (GB) & 57. Luke Hines (GB), 14. Michael Bentwood (GB)

New Astra, Cups, Ultimate BTCC Game Setup & New Vauxhall Monaro

Vauxhall were of course the team to beat again in 2004, perhaps even more so than before. The new rules let some other manufacturers make a splash, principly Seat, but the Championship was always coming here to Vauxhall.

But to who? The question was only answered in the last seconds of the last race, as Muller and Thompson battled it out with Jason Plato at Donnington. Yvan was gracious in defeat, but you could tell he was totally gutted to lose it at the very last and was looking empty in the paddock afterwards. That's racing though, if the lows don't mean anything the highs don't either of course.

Sadly that's the last we'll see of Champion James in the BTCC for now, he's joining Alfa Romeo (and our own Andy Priaulx of course) in the WTCC (the former European Touring Car Championship), who he has moonlighted for in the past. So who for the championship now, Yvan or new boy Colin Turkington?

Also in 2005 we will see the new Astra (two photos of the road going one are above), the one above is out of production of course, so lots of interest for '05. Though it'd be a brave person who'd count out the new Astra at all.

Just a couple of Vauxhalls trophies are there too, as well as the ultimate BTCC game setup and the new Vauxhall Monaro (for a bit of Aussie charm).

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