Creation Autosportif Lister ‘Shakedown’
Bobby Verdon-Roe did describe it as a shakedown, but from the pace he set from very early on this morning at Donington Park, it seemed more like a full-blooded TEST.

Cold, bright weather was both perfect for the big V12’s breathing and perfect to show off the lines of this wonderfully coloured Lister Storm. We’ve seen one in green and yellow, and in white, but this scheme is a stunning contrast to the typically black machines.

For BV-R’s partner Peter Snowdon, this was only his second experience of a Lister Storm, the former Historics / Group C driver having tested one at Jarama four months ago. “It was fabulous out there this morning,” beamed Snowdon. Bobby’s happy, because I’m within two seconds of his time (see below). It’s stunning, isn’t it? It’s such a good car to drive.”

From an interested observer’s comments, it was clear that Peter Snowdon was getting on with it straight away, and attacking the short Donington track with gusto.

Targets for the year, Peter Snowdon? “We’re aiming for three outright wins, and a top five place in the Championship by the end of the season.”

Snowdon is looking to bring that two second margin down very quickly, so that “we can go forward as one force, together, on equal terms. But Bobby is much better placed than me to understand how the car works at the moment.” Clearly these two are going to play a significant part in the 2003 FIA GT Championship.

Peter Snowdon achieved the above despite a painful right ankle – a squash injury from yesterday. Motor sport is much safer, Peter!

We caught up with BV-R straight out of the car this afternoon. “I’d hoped to do a 1:05 this afternoon, but we didn’t quite make it. The 1:06.0 this morning was in perfect conditions (for February). The cold air is good for the engine, the car felt superb straight away, and the result was a 6.0.”

This chassis is one of the Spa cars, and therefore one of only two from last year with a lower engine position. BV-R’s regular 2002 chassis didn’t have this development.

“The car felt really sharp, definitely different from my last year’s car. The front end was excellent, which is why I was so sure to get down into the fives. Really, we only came here for a systems check!”

The systems did check, and apart from a quickly-cured misfire, that was the total of Creation Autosportif’s problems today. Well done team owner Michael Jankowski. Three Listers in the 2003 FIA GT Championship, and the factory cars have got a serious rival in prospect with this one.