2003 British Touring Car Championship

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Template:Short description <templatestyles src="Motorsport season/styles.css" />

The 2003 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 46th British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.

Changes for 2003

File:Yvan Muller 2003.jpg
The Drivers' Championship was won by Yvan Muller.

Team and driver changes - Touring

For 2003 all three main manufacturers in the premier Touring class ran three cars. Reigning champions Vauxhall cut down to three Astra Coupes by axing its Egg Sport squad and entering three VX Racing-liveried cars, run once again by Triple 8. 2002 champion James Thompson and runner-up Yvan Muller remained, and Paul O'Neill moved across from Egg Sport to take the third seat.

MG expanded to three West Surrey Racing-run ZSs, with Colin Turkington joining 2002 drivers Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes after impressing in his debut season with the Team Atomic Kitten MG squad, which had also been run by WSR.

File:BTCC 2003 Yvan Muller.jpg
Mandatory pit stops became a feature for all races in the 'Touring' class

Arena Motorsport ran three Civic Type Rs for Honda, with only Irishman Alan Morrison remaining from the 2002 line-up. Matt Neal replaced Andy Priaulx (who left to contest the European Touring Car Championship with BMW) after moving from Vauxhall, and teenager Tom Chilton filled the third seat after an impressive debut year in the Barwell Motorsport-run Astra. Proton again returned as a fourth manufacturer, retaining both David Leslie and Phil Bennett in its two Impians.

Vic Lee Racing switched from the ex-works Peugeot 406 Coupe's to a pair of brand new Peugeot 307 designed by Sergio Rinland, former chief designer at the Sauber Formula 1 team.[1] Reigning independents cup champion Dan Eaves was retained alongside Carl Breeze who raced for the team for most of 2002. Meanwhile, Tim Harvey swapped his crash helmet for a microphone, joining ITV's commentary team. Breeze would leave the team after the Rockingham races, moving to GA Motorsport in the seat vacated by Gavin Pyper.[2] Daniel Buxton would in turn take Breeze's seat at VLR, graduating from the Clio Cup which he had been dominating at the time.

Gavin Pyper had started the season strongly in the GA Motorsport Vauxhall Astra Coupe, winning the independents class five times in the ten races he contested and leading the class when he was forced to withdraw due to a lack of funding.[2] With Breeze now in Pyper's car Paul Wallace switched from GA's production Alfa Romeo to a second Astra which the team had entered for Gareth Howell at Silverstone after a failed attempt to hire 2001 Champion Jason Plato.[3]

Howell himself later reappeared in another ex-Triple 8 Astra for Team Dynamics from the Snetterton rounds onwards.

Production class champions Synchro Motorsport graduated to the touring class with champion driver James Kaye running an ex-works Honda Civic Type R.[4]

Also stepping up was Rob Collard with his self-run team, entering an ex-works Vauxhall Astra Coupe that had been driven by Aaron Slight in 2002.[5]

Team and driver changes - Production

Barwell Motorsport headed the Production class field after stepping back down from the Touring class and acquiring Synchro Motorsport's title winning Honda Civic Type Rs, which were driven by young debutante Luke Hines, and Alan Blencowe, moving from GA Motorsports. Edenbridge Racing cut down to a single BMW 320i for single seater convert Michael Bentwood, with Tom Boardman switching to John Batchelor's team (now known as Team Varta) in a new Peugeot 307. Jim Edwards Jnr returned in a Honda Accord as the team's second driver. A Peugeot 306 GTi and a second 307 joined the Varta line-up midway through the season together with Jay Wheals and Richard Marsh, and each of the four drivers raced more than one of these chassis across the remainder of the year.

GA Motorsport campaigned Alfa Romeo 156s for a fourth year, with Chris Ryan and Paul Wallace driving. However, Ryan withdrew after an expensive crash in the second round at Brands Hatch, and Wallace was called up to the team's Touring class assault mid-season. Mark Fullalove joined the grid mid-season with his own team, driving the Peugeot 306 he had raced for Tech-Speed Motorsport in 2002, while Jason Hughes was another late entry in a Nissan Primera run by his own Kartworld Racing team.

CMS Motorsport registered an entry with support from Macmillan Cancer for Nick Leason in a Ford Focus previously run by GR Motorsport in the 2001 Season but they were forced to delay their debut and ultimately never raced.[6]

Other changes

  • Dunlop were confirmed as the sole tyre supplier, replacing BF Goodrich
  • The series included a race meeting at Rockingham for the first time, replacing Knockhill
  • Qualifying sessions at each race meeting lasted 20 minutes (compared to the 43 minutes of 2002) and only determined the starting grid for the first race
  • The finishing positions of race 1 determined the grid for race 2
  • Mandatory pit-stops were introduced for all Touring class cars in both races
  • Alan Gow returned as series administrator midway through the season, replacing Richard West who became the championship's commercial manager.[7]
  • In addition to the ITV coverage MotorsTV broadcast all races live.[8]

Teams and drivers

Team Car No. Drivers Rounds
Works Entries
Template:Flagicon VX Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupé 1 Template:Flagicon James Thompson All
2 Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller All
8 Template:Flagicon Paul O'Neill All
Template:Flagicon Honda Racing Honda Civic Type-R 3 Template:Flagicon Matt Neal All
7 Template:Flagicon Tom Chilton All
9 Template:Flagicon Alan Morrison All
Template:Flagicon MG Sport & Racing MG ZS 4 Template:Flagicon Anthony Reid All
5 Template:Flagicon Colin Turkington All
6 Template:Flagicon Warren Hughes All
Template:Flagicon Petronas Syntium Proton Proton Impian 15 Template:Flagicon David Leslie All
20 Template:Flagicon Phil Bennett All
Independent Entries
Template:Flagicon Team Halfords Peugeot 307 0 Template:Flagicon Dan Eaves All
10 Template:Flagicon Carl Breeze 1–5
30 Template:Flagicon Danny Buxton 6–10
Template:Flagicon GA Motorsports Vauxhall Astra Coupé 10 Template:Flagicon Carl Breeze 6–10
44 Template:Flagicon Gavin Pyper 1–5
45 Template:Flagicon Gareth Howell 4
46 Template:Flagicon Paul Wallace 6–10
Template:Flagicon Synchro Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R 11 Template:Flagicon James Kaye All
Template:Flagicon Collard Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupé 21 Template:Flagicon Rob Collard All
Template:Flagicon Team Dynamics Vauxhall Astra Coupé 45 Template:Flagicon Gareth Howell 7–10
Production Entries
Template:Flagicon Barwell Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R 52 Template:Flagicon Luke Hines All
53 Template:Flagicon Alan Blencowe All
Template:Flagicon GA Motorsports Alfa Romeo 156 54 Template:Flagicon Paul Wallace 1–5
55 Template:Flagicon Chris Ryan 1–2
Template:Flagicon Mark Fullalove Racing Peugeot 306 GTi 60 Template:Flagicon Mark Fullalove 7–10
Template:Flagicon Team Varta Honda Accord 69 Template:Flagicon Jim Edwards Jr. 1–6
71 Template:Flagicon Richard Marsh 7–10
Peugeot 307 69 Template:Flagicon Jim Edwards Jr. 7–10
70 Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman All
Peugeot 306 GTI 71 Template:Flagicon Richard Marsh 6
72 Template:Flagicon Jay Wheals 7–10
Template:Flagicon Edenbridge Racing BMW 320i 77 Template:Flagicon Michael Bentwood All
Template:Flagicon Kartworld Racing Nissan Primera 99 Template:Flagicon Jason Hughes 6–10

Race calendar and winners

Round Circuit Date Pole Position Fastest Lap Winning Driver Winning Team Production Class winner
1 R1 Mondello Park 21 April Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon James Thompson VX Racing Template:Flagicon Chris Ryan
R2 Template:Flagicon Warren Hughes Template:Flagicon James Thompson VX Racing Template:Flagicon Michael Bentwood
2 R3 Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent 5 May Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Honda Racing Template:Flagicon Michael Bentwood
R4 Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller VX Racing Template:Flagicon Michael Bentwood
3 R5 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire 26 May Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller VX Racing Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman
R6 Template:Flagicon Warren Hughes Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller VX Racing Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman
4 R7 Silverstone Circuit
(International), Northamptonshire
8 June Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon James Thompson VX Racing Template:Flagicon Luke Hines
R8 Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller VX Racing Template:Flagicon Luke Hines
5 R9 Rockingham Motor Speedway
(International Super Sports Car Long), Northamptonshire
22 June Template:Flagicon Alan Morrison Template:Flagicon Alan Morrison Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Honda Racing Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman
R10 Template:Flagicon Warren Hughes Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller VX Racing Template:Flagicon Luke Hines
6 R11 Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire 13 July Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Honda Racing Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman
R12 Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller Template:Flagicon Anthony Reid MG Sport & Racing Template:Flagicon Luke Hines
7 R13 Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk 9 August Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon Alan Morrison Template:Flagicon Paul O'Neill VX Racing Template:Flagicon Luke Hines
R14 Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Honda Racing Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman
8 R15 Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent 25 August Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller Template:Flagicon Warren Hughes Template:Flagicon Warren Hughes MG Sport & Racing Template:Flagicon Michael Bentwood
R16 Template:Flagicon Colin Turkington Template:Flagicon Colin Turkington MG Sport & Racing Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman
9 R17 Donington Park (National), Leicestershire 7 September Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Honda Racing Template:Flagicon Luke Hines
R18 Template:Flagicon Colin Turkington Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller VX Racing Template:Flagicon Luke Hines
10 R19 Oulton Park (Island), Cheshire 21 September Template:Flagicon James Thompson Template:Flagicon Anthony Reid Template:Flagicon James Thompson VX Racing Template:Flagicon Alan Blencowe
R20 Template:Flagicon Anthony Reid Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Honda Racing Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman

Championship results

Points system
 1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   10th  Fastest Lap Lead a lap
15 12 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 1
  • No driver may collect more than one "Lead a Lap" point per race no matter how many laps they lead.
  • Race 1 polesitter receives 1 point.

Drivers' Championships

Pos Driver MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts
Touring Class (BTC-T)
1 Template:Flagicon Yvan Muller 2* 2* 2 1* 1* 1* 2* 1* 3 1* Ret 3 3 Ret 2* 5* 3 1* 3 2* 233
2 Template:Flagicon James Thompson 1* 1* 5 2 4 5 1* 2 5 4 2 2 2* Ret 5 10 2* 3 1* Ret* 199
3 Template:Flagicon Matt Neal Ret* Ret 1* 7 2* 11* Ret* Ret 1* Ret 1* 5* 4* 1* 4 Ret 1* 10 12 1* 148
4 Template:Flagicon Paul O'Neill Ret 4 3* 3 3 3* 7 5* 10 6* 3 6* 1* 10* 6 2 6 4 Ret 5 138
5 Template:Flagicon Alan Morrison 3 5 7 8* 5 2 4 Ret 2* Ret* Ret* 4 Ret* 2 14 3 5 5* 2* Ret 125
6 Template:Flagicon Anthony Reid Ret Ret 4 4 Ret 4* 10 4* 6 2* 5 1* 5 3 7 4 Ret 9 5 4 121
7 Template:Flagicon Warren Hughes 4 Ret Ret* 5* Ret 6 Ret 3 8* 3 Ret 10 Ret 8 1* 6* 4 7 4 8 98
8 Template:Flagicon Colin Turkington DNS Ret 6 Ret 8 Ret 3 8 Ret Ret 4 7 Ret 4 3* 1* 19 2 6 3 97
9 Template:Flagicon Tom Chilton Ret 3 DNS DNS 7 10 5 6 4 7 7 12 6 5 8* 7 7 6 Ret DNS 70
10 Template:Flagicon Rob Collard 6 7 13 Ret Ret DNS Ret 9 7 5 Ret 8 8 6 Ret Ret 9* 16 8 7 42
11 Template:Flagicon David Leslie 5 9 9 6 17 8 Ret 10 11 Ret 9 19 Ret 9 9 8 Ret Ret Ret DNS 28
12 Template:Flagicon Gavin Pyper Ret 6 8 Ret 6 Ret 6 7 9 Ret 24
13 Template:Flagicon Carl Breeze Ret 10 Ret 10 10 Ret Ret DNS Ret 9 8 9 Ret 7 10 15* 8 8 15 11 22
14 Template:Flagicon James Kaye Ret Ret 12 9 11 7 8 Ret Ret DNS 13 11 7* 11 11 Ret 10 11 10 12 16
15 Template:Flagicon Dan Eaves Ret 8 11* Ret 9 Ret Ret Ret Ret 10 6* Ret Ret 12 12 11 11 14 11 9 15
16 Template:Flagicon Gareth Howell 9* Ret 13 Ret 13 12 Ret 13 7* 6 14
17 Template:Flagicon Phil Bennett Ret Ret 10 Ret 14 9 Ret Ret 12 8 10 15 9 Ret Ret 9 Ret 12 9 10 14
18 Template:Flagicon Danny Buxton 12 Ret Ret Ret 15 14* 13 15 14 Ret 1
19 Template:Flagicon Paul Wallace 11 Ret DNS Ret 17 13 12 Ret 13 Ret 0
Production Class (BTC-P)
1 Template:Flagicon Luke Hines Ret DNS 15 12 13 13 11 11 18 11 16 13 10 14 18 18 14 17 17 14 243
2 Template:Flagicon Alan Blencowe 8 Ret 17 15 15 15 13 12 14 12 15 16 12 15 19 20 16 18 16 17 193
3 Template:Flagicon Michael Bentwood 10 11 14 11 16 14 12 14 16 Ret 17 14 Ret DNS 16 17 17 19 18 16 186
4 Template:Flagicon Jim Edwards Jr. 9 12 18 14 Ret 16 14 16 15 14 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 15 Ret DNS 15 96
5 Template:Flagicon Tom Boardman Ret Ret Ret DNS 12 12 Ret 15 13 DSQ 14 Ret Ret 13 Ret 16 Ret DSQ Ret 13 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />57Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Template:Flagicon Paul Wallace Ret Ret 16 13 Ret Ret Ret 13 17 13 46
7 Template:Flagicon Richard Marsh 18 17 Ret Ret 22 22 20 21 19 19 46
8 Template:Flagicon Mark Fullalove 11 Ret 20 19 18 Ret Ret 18 39
9 Template:Flagicon Jay Wheals Ret 16 21 21 Ret 20 Ret Ret 27
10 Template:Flagicon Chris Ryan 7 Ret Ret Ret 15
11 Template:Flagicon Jason Hughes Ret 18 Ret Ret Ret DNS WD WD DNS DNS 6
Pos Driver MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts
  • Note: bold signifies pole position in class (1 point awarded in first race only), italics signifies fastest lap in class (1 point awarded all races) and * signifies at least one lap in the lead (1 point given all races).

Independents' Cup

Pos Driver MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts
1 Template:Flagicon Rob Collard 6 7 13 Ret Ret DNS Ret 9 7 5 Ret 8 8 6 Ret Ret 9 16 8 7 160
2 Template:Flagicon James Kaye Ret Ret 12 9 11 7 8 Ret Ret DNS 13 11 7 11 11 Ret 10 11 10 12 151
3 Template:Flagicon Carl Breeze Ret 10 Ret 10 10 Ret Ret DNS Ret 9 8 9 Ret 7 10 15 8 8 15 11 141
4 Template:Flagicon Dan Eaves Ret 8 11 Ret 9 Ret Ret Ret Ret 10 6 Ret Ret 12 12 11 11 14 11 9 126
5 Template:Flagicon Gavin Pyper Ret 6 8 Ret 6 Ret 6 7 9 Ret <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />80Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Template:Flagicon Gareth Howell 9 Ret 13 Ret 13 12 Ret 13 7 6 80
7 Template:Flagicon Danny Buxton 12 Ret Ret Ret 15 14 13 15 14 Ret 38
8 Template:Flagicon Paul Wallace 11 Ret DNS Ret 17 13 12 Ret 13 Ret 37
Pos Driver MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts

Manufacturers Championship

Pos Manufacturer MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts
1 Vauxhall / VX Racing 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 2 2 1 10 2 2 2 1 1 2 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />528Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 5 4 3 3 2 Ret 5 5 3 3 3 5
Ret 4 5 3 4 5 7 5 10 6 Ret 6 3 Ret 6 10 6 4 Ret Ret
2 Honda / Honda Racing 3 3 1 7 2 2 4 6 1 7 1 4 4 1 4 3 1 5 2 1 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />318Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ret 5 7 8 5 10 5 Ret 2 Ret 7 5 6 2 8 7 5 6 12 Ret
Ret Ret DNS DNS 7 11 Ret Ret 4 Ret Ret 12 Ret 5 14 Ret 7 10 Ret DNS
3 MG / MG Sport & Racing 4 Ret 4 4 8 4 3 3 6 2 4 1 5 3 1 1 4 2 4 3 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />243Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ret Ret 6 5 Ret 6 10 4 8 3 5 7 Ret 4 3 4 19 7 5 4
DNS Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 8 Ret Ret Ret 10 Ret 8 7 6 Ret 9 6 8
4 Proton / Petronas Syntium Proton 5 9 9 6 14 8 Ret 10 11 8 9 15 9 9 9 8 Ret 12 9 10 75
Ret Ret 10 Ret 17 9 Ret Ret 12 Ret 10 19 Ret Ret Ret 9 Ret Ret Ret DNS
Pos Manufacturer MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts

Touring Teams Championship

Pos Team MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts
1 VX Racing 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 2 2 1 10 2 2 2 1 1 2 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />438Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 5 4 3 3 2 Ret 5 5 3 3 3 5
2 Honda Racing 3 3 1 7 2 2 4 6 1 7 1 4 4 1 4 3 1 5 2 1 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />299Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ret 5 7 8 5 10 5 Ret 2 Ret 7 5 6 2 8 7 5 6 12 Ret
3 MG Sport & Racing 4 Ret 4 4 8 4 3 3 6 2 4 1 5 3 1 1 4 2 4 3 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />216Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ret Ret 6 5 Ret 6 10 4 8 3 5 7 Ret 4 3 4 19 7 5 4
4 Petronas Syntium Proton 5 9 9 6 14 8 Ret 10 11 8 9 15 9 9 9 8 Ret 12 9 10 70
Ret Ret 10 Ret 17 9 Ret Ret 12 Ret 10 19 Ret Ret Ret 9 Ret Ret Ret DNS
5 Collard Racing 6 7 13 Ret Ret DNS Ret 9 7 5 Ret 8 8 6 Ret Ret 9 16 8 7 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />45Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Team Halfords Ret 8 11 10 9 Ret Ret Ret Ret 9 6 Ret Ret 12 12 11 11 14 11 9 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />26Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ret 10 Ret Ret 10 Ret Ret DNS Ret 10 12 Ret Ret Ret 15 14 13 15 14 Ret
7 GA Motorsports Ret 6 8 Ret 6 Ret 6 7 9 Ret 8 9 Ret 7 10 13 8 8 13 11 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />18Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Ret 11 Ret DNS Ret 17 15 12 Ret 15 Ret
8 Synchro Motorsport Ret Ret 12 9 11 7 8 Ret Ret DNS 13 11 7 11 11 Ret 10 11 10 12 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Team Dynamics 13 Ret 13 12 Ret 13 7 6 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />9Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Pos Team MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts

Production Teams Championship

Pos Team MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts
1 Barwell Motorsport 8 Ret 15 12 13 13 11 11 14 11 15 13 10 14 18 18 14 17 16 14 417
Ret DNS 17 15 15 15 13 12 18 12 16 16 12 15 19 20 16 18 17 17
2 Team Varta 9 12 18 14 12 12 14 15 13 14 14 17 Ret 13 21 16 15 20 19 13 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />196Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ret Ret Ret DNS Ret 16 Ret 16 15 DSQ 18 Ret Ret 16 22 21 20 21 Ret 15
3 Edenbridge Racing 10 11 14 11 16 14 12 14 16 Ret 17 14 Ret DNS 16 17 17 19 18 16 182
4 GA Motorsports 7 Ret 16 13 Ret Ret Ret 13 17 13 <templatestyles src="Template:Tooltip/styles.css" />56Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ret Ret Ret Ret
5 Mark Fullalove Racing 11 Ret 20 19 18 Ret Ret 18 39
6 Kartworld Racing Ret 18 Ret Ret Ret DNS DNS DNS Ret DNS 6
Pos Team MON BRH THR SIL ROC CRO SNE BRH DON OUL Pts

References

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  3. https://www.crash.net/btcc/news/7632/1/wallace-moves-up-to-touring-class
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  6. http://cameronleason.co.uk/Nick_gallery.htm
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External links

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