22.9.2003
Vauxhall completes the "Triple-Triple" in the BTCC

VX Racing has clinched the manufacturers', team and driver titles in the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship for an unprecedented third year in a row. The 'triple-triple' sets a new record for the series under the current BTTC regulations.

While the manufacturers' and team titles were both secured at the penultimate race weekend at Donington, VX Racing's Yvan Muller took the driver's title this weekend with an assured performance at Outlon Park in Cheshire.
After six years of competing in British touring cars and having been runner-up to the title for the last two years, the charismatic Frenchman finally eclipsed the opposition with strong performances all season.

With a significant points advantage over his nearest rival, last year's champ James Thompson, going into the final weekend, Muller needed only a fifth place in the first of the two races to secure the crown. As it turned it out, he qualified in fifth position and then drove a solid race to finish in third place – helped by some slick work on the VX Racing garage at his pit stop.

Thompson did all he could by qualifying on pole position and the led the race from start to the chequered flag but it was not enough to retain the title.

Yvan Muller, elated at winning his first BTCC Championship said: "I have been so close before, I came second the last two seasons but now I have done it. I have wanted this for a long time and I was really determined that I wouldn't let it slip away from me. James is a strong rival, so I knew that it would be tight all the way. I must thank everyone at VX Racing for helping me to my first BTCC drivers' title".

Drivers Championship
1. Yvan Muller, Vauxhall Racing 233 points
2. James Thompson, Vauxhall Racing 199 points
3. Matt Neal, Honda Racing 148 points
4. Paul O'Neill, Vauxhall Racing 138 points

Manufacturers Championship
1. Vauxhall 528 points
2. Honda 318 points
3. MG 243 points
4. Proton 75 points

Teams Championship
1. Vauxhall Racing 438 points
2. Honda Racing 299 points
3. MG Sport & Racing 216 points