The Championship/car spec

The SEAT Cupra Championship ran for six seasons as part of the incredibly high-profile British Touring Car Championship motor racing package between 2003 and 2008.

Offering a prize fund in 2008 of £250,000, the biggest in UK motorsport, the SEAT series provided a genuine platform from which to progress into the world of touring car racing or sportscar competition.

After just one year in saloon cars in 2007, Andrew graduated to SEATs for his second season of action and finished a highly creditable fifth overall.

Planning a title bid for 2009, his plans saw an enforced change when SEAT Sport UK announced it was withdrawing from British motorsport.

Over the years the category produced some incredibly talented racers with Mat Jackson, Jonathan Adam, James Pickford and Robert Huff all climbing the ladder into the BTCC, Huff actually going on to compete World Touring Cars too.

The turbocharged 2.0-litre, 300bhp SEAT Leon Cupra which Andrew raced in 2008 was an awesome machine and significantly faster than the previous model Leon. In truth, the performance of the car was almost identical to that of a works SEAT Leon BTCC car!

Contested over 20 rounds at 10 race meetings, two races per event, the SEAT series enjoyed the biggest crowd attendances in national motorsport with an average of 25,000 spectators visiting each circuit on the calendar.

The championship also received first class television coverage across terrestrial, digital satellite and cable platforms - with live raceday feed on ITV4.

Exclusive paddock hospitality was also a feature of every race meeting, offering sponsors opportunity to experience the hub of activity from the comfort of a dedicated VIP area.

Engine

Configuration: 2.0-litre, inline 4-cylinder

Induction system: Turbocharged, direct fuel injection

Max. power/revs: 300bhp@6,500rpm (221 KW)

Max. torque/revs: 250lb/ft@2,100rpm (340 Nm)

Transmission

Traction: Front-wheel drive

Gearbox: Paddle shift 6-speed direct shift gearbox

Differential: SEAT Sport limited slip

Driver Equipment

Data logger: AiM display and logger with 8MB memory

Steering: Detachable wheel, hydraulic PAS

Seat: Sparco circuit

Belts: Sparco 6 point

Brakes

Front caliper: 6 pistons AP

Front/rear disc:362mm/255mm

Suspension

Dampers: Two-way adjustable front and rear

Front/rear: McPherson/Multi-link

Tyres/Wheels

Control tyres/Ronal 8”x18”

Aerodynamics

Front splitter: Non-adjustable

Rear wing: Adjustable, 13 positions

Floor: Non-adjustable flat floor and rear diffuser