Two time BTCC champion Alain Menu caused a stir back in January when it was announced he'd be returning to the series this season. The fan favourite hasn't raced in the series since a one off appearance with VX Racing in 2007 and he hasn't contested a full BTCC season since 2000.
Despite the lengthy absence, as far as he's concerned, it's a return to a familiar environment for the Swiss star, even if one or two things are a little different.
"So far no, nothing has changed. What has changed is there are many many new faces in the paddock who I don't know, quite a few of the drivers could be my kids!" He joked. "But at the same time I've seen many older faces and it's nice to be back."
Like fellow returnee Fabrizio Giovanardi, this year will see Menu race an NGTC specification car for the very first time but despite it being a new car, as far as he's concerned, it's business as usual.
"At the end of the day it's still front wheel drive. Front wheel drive behaves like front wheel drive so you have pretty much the same issues every time you drive a front wheel drive." Menu explained.
He'll be racing for Team BMR, a move that surprised many. Warren Scott's young team, which was purchsed from Tony Gilham last year will be running two Vauxhall Insignias for Jack Goff and Scott as well as the Volkswagen Passatt CCs which Menu and Irishman Aron Smith will be campaigning. The team has worked hard of the the winter to rebuild the cars but the 1997 and 2000 champion still believes there is work to do by both himself and the team although he's confident the team has strong potential.
"We need to build it up, I need to get back up to speed," he said, "the team needs to get where it chould be and where it will be, it will take time."
Whilst many would love to see him a contender on his return, Menu is keeping his cards close to his chest for now, although he admits he would like to win one or two races before the year is out.
Full Alain Menu interview
Dominik Wilde: It's been a long while since you raced in the UK, how has it changed since you were last here?
Alain Menu: To be honest I can't really answer this question because I've not raced or anything. Donington is still the same. Croft, where we were last week is still the same so so far no, nothing has changed. What has changed is there are many many new faces in the paddock who I don't know, quite a few of the drivers could be my kids! But at the same time I've seen many older faces and it's nice to be back.
Dominik Wilde: What about the car, because there have been a good few regulation changes since you were last here?
Alain Menu: The car, okay it's different but I can't compare with Supertouring, it's quite different but at the end of the day it's still front wheel drive. Front wheel drive behaves like front wheel drive so you have pretty much the same issues every time you drive a front wheel drive. But for me I don't look at it this way. it's a new team, new car for me but new team. We need to build it up, I need to get back up to speed, the team needs to get where it chould be and where it will be, it will take time.
Dominik Wilde: How have the new team been like to work with? What's been your impression so far?
Alain Menu: Good, good. But again we haven't done much and the poor guys today it was like last minute for them to finish the car so they have not had much sleep so they are a bit tired, but I'll tell you after the first race.
Dominik Wilde: Despite that, do you have any expectations for the year or are you just taking each round as it comes?
Alain Menu: As far as the championship is concerned I don't have any expectations. If I had expectations, yeah, I'd like to win one or two races for sure, but in the championship itself? No.
Picture credit - Jonathan Tuckwell
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