So its been a relatively quiet week for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and news and updates coming out for the 2014 season...
But there has been some news...
On Tuesday last week, several BTCC Teams headed to Thruxton to gether some testing data in somewhat wet conditions. Aiden Moffat suffered a big accident whilst avoiding a rabbit, causing damage to his NGTC Chevrolet Cruze. However he has since reported that the Cruze will be ready for more testing and will be at Media Day.
Also at the test were Sam Tordoff and Marc Hynes for MG, Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden for Honda, Andrew Jordan and Martin Depper for Pirtek Honda, Glynn Geddie and James Cole for United Autosport, Colin Turkington, Rob Collard and Nick Foster for WSR and Rob Austin for RAR/Exocet Racing.
Honda tested their Civic Tourer and Civic Hatchback again with Shedden suffering a small fire in the pits during the day. Meanwhile the RWD Teams of RAR/Exocet Racing reported good progress from last years data.
Tim Harvey confirmed that he has signed up to stay in the BTCC commentary box with David Addison until the end of the 2016 season on ITV4. Harvey joined Ben Edwards in the BTCC Commentary box in 2003 and last year was a big hit when teamed with David Addison.
Airwaves Racing were out testing at Brands Hatch last week with the new 2014 NGTC Ford Focus. There is a noticeable change on the front end of the car with a new aerodynamics package on the car. Airwaves have confirmed that Fabrizio Giovanardi will drive one of the new cars however the other two drivers are not confirmed yet.
Team Boss Dave Bartrum has confirmed that two cars will run under the Airwaves banner whilst the third Focus will be a satellite team. Rumours currently put Jack Clark, Stepson of former F1 & BTCC driver Julian Bailey in the third Focus.
United Autosports have shaken down their second and newly built NGTC Toyota Avensis for their planned two car assault on the BTCC this season. With pictures shown on social media, the 2nd Avensis was shook down by Glynn Geddie. The team had already purchased the assets and Toyota Avensis from the Dynojet outfit that took part for the past three seasons. Both drivers took part in the test at Thruxton.
Finally 1989 & 1995 BTCC Champion has given his endorsement and support of the quality of the drivers, driver talent and NGTC Cars that have been announced for the 2014. Cleland explained that the quality of the driving talent, including 7 former BTCC Champions competing, shows that the championship has improved and doesnt need the "10-12 Manufacturer Teams" that took part in the SuperTouring days. Cleland himself has confirmed he will be racing his 1997 Vauxhall Vectra in the Historic Super Touring Cup at the BTCC Oulton Park meeting.
So, more testing is taking place and we still have four seats to be filled before the official list is announced on 18th March at the BTCC Media Day being held at Donington Park. There are two seats at Airwaves, One seat at Rob Austin Racing/Exocet Racing and one at Speedworks Motorsport. There are still big names missing such as Mat Jackson, Lea Wood and Tom Onslow-Cole with no plans announced. TOC was testing an Aston Martin GT3 car at Portimao last week with former BTCC Drivers Jonny Adam, Alex MacDowall and current champion Andrew Jordan.
But all will be revealed at Media Day at what I am certain is going to be a very popular and crowded Media Day event with such a highly talented crop of drivers announced.
All the best,
Phil.
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