Team sponsor Autosport.com sat down with boss of THR Group, Matt Hunter to chat about THR's progress, his expectations for 2010 and why he likes carbon fibre so much!

Autosport.com joined THR's boss in his new office based in Weston-super-Mare. This new buildig has been designed by THR's own designers and has alot of the racing edge involved in its largely metalic and glass structure. There are hints of McLaren's MTC here, but also of Hunter's own personality. His desk is a solid slice of carbon fibre split down the middle by a beautifully crafted swathe of brushed aluminium. The one solid wall has displays consisting all of THR's cars both good and bad. Most notable is the miniture wind tunnel model of the aborted F1 car design. Hunter jokes he's keeping as a 'just in case'.

Autosport.com: Matt, it's been a roller coaster ride for THR this last few years. How do you feel the team has gelled, particularly in 2009?

MH: To be honest I have never doubted the skill and talent behind the scenes and on the track in any of THRG's activities. We have some of the best people working to move us forward up the grid and in 2009 we came close to achieving that aim.

A.com: Well technically you did with Dan2605 claiming the GT crown.

MH: Exactly. I maintain buying into Austins Motorsport and bringing them on board and down to Weston was the best thing we did. I guess what I'm getting at is that while the Austins side of things performd so well, through various means my side of the garage was less fortunate and that is what I am getting at. I will be VERY happy when both of my teams are sitting at the top of the table. I wouldn't be a very good boss if I settled with a 50% result.

A.com: So is there more to come in terms of bringing your side of things up to scratch maybe?

MH: Oh yes! We have a new car, a fantastic deal with Aston Martin and Richard Branson which has brough us stability. We've a good technical partnersip with a number of key manufacturers in our core areas of activity and I hope that these things will develop into wins and better performaces from all concerned.

A.com: Some have questioned the choice of releasing TVRFan and retaining Chucky1982 despite the lack of results....

MH: I have utmost faith in my drivers. I've known Chucky for over two years now and driven with him in GT's either in the same team or as opposition since the championship began. I have faith tha he has more ability to discover and I can only really see him improving. Same can be said of me really. I don't feel, in GT's at least, I have found my level yet. I still think I have alot to learn to get on terms with th big boys but I don't see why I can't.

A.com: Is it good to have the THR name back over your garages after a year 'away'?

MH: (laughs) Yes it is nice to have that back but then again, what's in a name? We were all THR people at the tracks and the factories. The cars came from the same build bays they always have. The SMRC title was a good way to encourage diversity in the championship for 2009 but we all feel the solution for 2010 is much better and allows the Austins side of the group more promotional flexibility than was afforded to them last year.

A.com: But essentially your two teams are the same organisation? Much like Red Bull?

MH: Exactly.

A.com: So looking to 2010, THR is involved in alot this time. How has this come about?

MH: Through our new partnership with Virgin Racing we have been able to join series on our own merit rather than as part of a technical collaboration with a pre-existing team. This worked fairly well with PK Carsport in last years LMS but it doesn't feel very THR, even though it is our guys in the cars more often as not.
This time it will be THR as a physical entity on the track and that measn alot. So for the LMS this year we will be running the amazing Aston Martin Lolas. We have purchased two of them from Prodrive and we are running a full technical development programme with them as they gear up for 2011 with their new car. Hopefully some of our data will come in usefull!

A.com: So what other areas can we expect to see THR in 2010?

MH: Well, I will be working closely with Scuderia Martini for the TCM. THR will be providing some technical assitance there plus I'm driving one of the Audis. It isn't something we were looking at going into as our own concern so it's good to still be a part of it with AJ's team. We will be returning to the TCC, hopefully with the same team as before but I have a few things on standby just in case!
THR will however be entering the V8C in its own right and I am very excited about that prospect. I've been a massive fan of Aussie V8's for a number of years and to get the chance to mess around with a new Holden is just unbelievable! The next best thig would be if we can actually get to go Down Under and hit one of their tracks!

A.com: Would it be safe to say you're excited about the new season?

MH: Without a doubt! We have so much going on it's unbelieveable. I'm just itching to get the cars on track and see how we stack up on genuine pace. I think we have a good chance of holding up well in the GT3 Championship. The LMS will be tough because of the diesel advantage but I'll be happy to be best of the petrol class.

A.com: Away from the track, what else do you get up to in your spare time?

MH: (laughs) What spare time?!? No, I am enjoying doing alot of other design stuff for various projects. Alot of this office is my work. I'm really pleased with how it's worked out and it's really allowed me to get creative. I've got a great design team that come sup with some absolutely incredible work and I couldn't have done any of this without them on side. I'm particularly pleased with the desk. It's something I'd wanted to do for quite a while and so to have it for real is astounding.