December 03, 2004
It was announced today that reigning Constructor?s Champions Mapes-VO Honda have signed former JTM driver Toby Lock as a test driver for their 2005 line-up. Long term friends Matt Maple and Lock came to the agreement early in October, as the future of the JTM outfit looked increasingly unstable.

?We were flying to one of the races, France I think, and we were talking about 2005. I?d agreed to race in GPC for the team, and he offered me this too. I knew already I didn?t want to race here next year, so I accepted. They?re massive, top bunch of guys, great team, and they?ve got the facilities to do anything they want to. And I?ve never driven for them before, even though he?s my best mate?? said Lock, looking evilly over to Maple on the other side of the table, who simply replied by sticking his tongue out! ?So yeah, bunch of unprofessional bastards this Mapes lot!? laughed Lock. This decision to sign Lock comes after three hugely successful seasons in the GPVWC/F1VWC, and the team is amongst strong favourites to continue winning in 2005. ?Their record speaks for itself, in so many different series too. When he asked me, of course I had to accept, I was 30,000 feet in the air and he threatened to chuck me out of the plane,? Lock chuckled, ?but seriously, I didn?t have to think about it. Who wouldn?t want to drive here??

This announcement comes as the first of the Mapes-VO driving squad for 2005. Although deals are thought to be penned, it is unconfirmed as to when the full driver line-up will be announced. With powerful line ups already announced from EiRE and Phoenix F1, 2005 poses to be the toughest test for the yellow squad. Owner Maple was, as ever, confident for the season ahead.

?We are looking very strong, our team internally is set up now and we know what we have to do in 2005, this will be even more challenging than this season, which was hard, but we now feel we have 4 great drivers and are looking forward to starting testing!!?

The team have not confirmed a line-up yet, however it is rumoured that Jakonen, Bratonja, Lock and Hunt will be the 4, with only the test drivers confirmed to the press at the moment.