Luke Hines: the Production champ steps up a gear

By Dave Brockman:

19 March 2004

After wrapping up the now-defunct Production championship in 2003 Luke Hines was determined to become a works driver. His wish has come true in the best possible way with a chance to drive for triple champions Vauxhall.

Congratulations on the drive with VX. How did that come about?

Thank you. We were talking last year and it went really well; I ended up getting chosen out of however many drivers there were - I was the lucky one. After that the testing was encouraging, today hasn't been so good because I've had clutch problems but that's easily solved.

How've you been coping with Jimmy and Yvan having more experience of the team than you?

It'd be nice to get a win, we'll just have to take each race as it comes
Luke Hines

I've been trying! I've been learning from them big time. I'm getting there. They've been good so far and I've learned a lot from them. We've still got another test in France before the season starts which will be useful.

How much difference is there between these cars and the production class ones you were used to?

Three and a half seconds per lap, that's nice! A lot faster down the straight and the gears are a bit easier. It's actually a bit easier to driver which is good.

And you've got your old adversary Michael Bentwood as part of the team now!

Ah yes! I'm sure there'll be a bit of rivalry there, we saw that last year. But you get that with any good drivers and I'm sure we'll be at it hammer and tongs.

You'll be hoping for your first overall race win then?

It won't be long. Well, if everything goes right. I'm looking at James and Yvan and thinking that they're on the border - they can't go any faster than they already do so I've got to learn off of them now.

It'd be nice to get a win, we'll just have to take each race as it comes. You never know, it might all happen for me and I might take more.