The 60th Anniversary Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is almost upon us and testing, which has been in full-swing for some months now throughout busy winter programmes up and down the pit-lane, is now coming to a head with all cars due on track together for the first time at Season Launch, Donington Park on Tuesday 27 March.

Preparations have been taking place at home and abroad, with teams taking to Spain and Portugal as well as touring circuits around the UK. Season Launch will be the first of two official pre-season tests, with another to follow on 29 March at Brands Hatch.

Tuesday morning at Donington Park will see teams and drivers fulfil a barrage of media duties, with driver line-ups to be introduced, new sponsors and partners to be publicly unveiled, as well as 'covers-off' for 2018's cars in their fresh new liveries – the media will be watching on, there to cover it all.

Prior to the afternoon test session, gates will open to the public at 1230 in the afternoon on Tuesday 27 March with admission free-of-charge. The circuit is running a hospitality taster for the upcoming season, priced at £40 per head. Fans are kindly asked not to queue before 1200 to avoid congestion during a busy morning of media activities.

The paddock will be open to all, as is the case at every BTCC race weekend, giving supporters the chance to meet their heroes and get up-close and personal with this year's batch of cars. From 1300, cars are set to take to the track for a full afternoon of testing which will come to a close at 1700.

Testing on 29 March at Brands Hatch is also set to be free to enter for the public.

For more information head to doningtonpark.msv.com.

Continuing our look back at 2017's record 13 different Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race winners, we switch focus to winner number six – Halfords Yuasa Racing man Matt Neal.

The triple champion's Thruxton drive saw him seal a 60th BTCC victory with a faultless lights-to-flag performance. Neal led team-mate Gordon Shedden home, with Eurotech Racing's Jack Goff rounding out an all-Honda top three.

Neal's weekend started positively, as he romped to a maiden pole position of the season, and, incredibly, a first in five years. He made his advantage count away from the line, pulling clear of Shedden who was hauling the maximum 75kgs of success ballast in his position of then-championship leader. From there, the experienced racer was able to manage the situation and control the gap to the chasing pack.

The closest Shedden would get to making a move stick was a side-by-side through the Complex on the opening tour, but Neal held firm. The victory drew him level with four-time champion Andy Rouse in races won, second only to Jason Plato in the all-time tally.

“I hadn’t given much thought to equalling Andy’s win tally, to be honest,” Neal said post-race. “We all thought Andy’s record was unachievable and even though Jason [Plato] exceeded it, I never thought I would get there – just unbelievable. Yes, there are a lot more races in the season now, but its tough out there.

Matt went on to score another victory – at Silverstone, which saw him pass Rouse's record – and a further six podiums on the way to seventh spot in the overall standings.

Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race-winner and BRDC Rising Star Aiden Moffat has announced award-winning technology company EMACS Bodyshop Management Systems as sponsors for the forthcoming season.

EMACS General Manager Chris Mortimer said: “The opportunity to support Aiden is a fantastic one for us as a business. It will allow us to showcase our growing brand to a wider audience and this deal was the right one for us.

"We wanted to partner with a group of people who hold similar values to our own, and had that true winner's attitude. Both Laser Tools Racing and Aiden Moffat fall firmly into that camp as victorious competitors in top-flight British motorsport and we feel their reputation matches our own very high professional standards.

"We're looking forward to watching Aiden's season with great interest." 

EMACS is no stranger to success of its own, with its systems winning the bodyshop industry's coveted ABP Club Repairers' Choice Awards for the last nine years on the spin. Its assets recognise that time is money, especially true in the workshop environment where keeping vehicle downtime to a minimum is essential and effective time management could well lead to improved turnover.

Moffat spoke of his delight at welcoming the company onboard for 2018.

"To be at the very top of your profession for nine years in a row is an amazing feat in any industry," said the Scot. "As a team, we always aspire to reach the top and stay there, so we can really appreciate the achievements EMACS has under its belt. It shows just what can be done with professionalism, dedication and hard work."

We're reliving the efforts of a record 13 different Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race winners from 2017, and today it's the turn of Team BMW's Colin Turkington.

The Ulsterman's victory at Donington Park made it five winners from the opening six rounds of what was already shaping up to be an ultra-competitive campaign.

Halfords Yuasa Racing's Gordon Shedden had looked to have sewn up a top points score after a strong drive in difficult conditions, passing four cars ahead of him despite losing early ground to Josh Cook's Ford Focus off the line. The Scot made it back past Cook three laps later before latching onto the back of Turkington's 125i M Sport, slipping by the BMW at the end of the same tour.

Pole-sitter Dave Newsham scampered into the distance while those behind battled amongst themselves but, now in clear air, Shedden was able to reel in the BTC Norlin Racing Chevrolet, making a move stick around the outside of Redgate for the lead. Drama ensued after the chequered flag fell, however, when it became clear that the Civic Type R had fallen foul of ride height regulations and had been excluded from the final result.

It all meant that Turkington had actually made the winning move on lap eight, passing Newsham at the final chicane for what became a net 20-point haul.

“That was incredibly tricky,” said Turkington post-race. “We were just on the limit of grip everywhere. The Craner Curves were just the biggest challenge. I enjoyed it, and I was just trying to focus on Gordon and keep the lap times consistent."

Another victory followed at Thruxton as the Ulsterman's title charge gathered momentum. Turkington's Round 29 victory, though, was something really special and ensured the race for the title would go down to the wire.

The double champ flew from 15th on the grid to eventually muscle his way beyond leader Aiden Moffat's Laser Tools Racing Mercedes, clinching what was an emotional win.

There was no time to waste in his chase and the 125i M Sport scythed beyond several seasoned racers, as well as eventual champion and then-direct rival for the crown Ash Sutton in the Adrian Flux Subaru Racing Levorg.

“I’ve still got the fight!” said an impassioned Turkington after Round 29. “What an amazing race. I wasn’t expecting to make that much progress but the strategy was really good. I missed out in race one but with the soft tyre and no weight the 1 Series was blinding.

"I had the fire in my belly, there was too much at stake not to. The grip was there in the warmer part of the day. Once you make a few places up, you get a bit of confidence and we were strong in the right areas, so I could make the cutback and we were strong on the brakes too.

“Aiden (Moffat) was carrying full weight and driving a very defensive race – I came with so much more pace and was able to brake so much deeper.

"The disparity between the two cars at that point was pretty obvious and there was too much at stake to follow him around, so I may have just kissed him."

It wasn't to be in the end for Turkington as a puncture ended any potential championship charge in the finale prematurely.

Speedworks Motorsport has just returned from Portugal's Algarve and Portimao, having spent four days in sunnier climes to evaluate and continue development of its title-winning Toyota as it seeks to go one better with overall honours in 2018.

Last season was by far and away a best-yet for the Independent outfit and longstanding driver Tom Ingram, who secured four victories and a further five podiums on the way to third in the Drivers' standings and a storming run to both Indy titles.

Ingram was delighted to be in amongst it once again and pushing the boundaries of Speedworks' already-menacing Avensis at the Algarve International Circuit.

"It was so good to be back in the car!" said Ingram. "It's been a long winter but I've been keeping fresh on the Speedworks Pro-Sim simulator, so when I jumped in the car I didn't feel rusty at all and was able to get bang on pace straight away.

"Once again, Speedworks have found even more performance in the Toyota and the car feels strong.

"Arguably, 2018 is going to be one of the most competitive in recent years and this test should have given us a bit of an advantage heading into the first round.

"You look down the entry list for this year and there are 10-15 drivers who have won a BTCC race, or are capable of winning one this year, so I am going to have my work cut out but the car is mega and I feel fresh and race ready so bring it on!"

Christian Dick, Speedworks' Team Principal, extolled the virtues of testing on foreign soil: "Portugal has become an annual test for us over the past three years and you can clearly see how much effect that has had on our results, going from BTCC points scorers to Independents' champions.

"People ask what's the point in going abroad, as we don't race abroad but you look at the weather back in the UK whilst we were in Portugal, the only thing that would have seen any running was the kettle in the workshop!

"As ever, we are pushing hard developing the Toyota and it was great to see the time and effort put into the car paying off in terms of lap-times and pace.

"There is only one goal in 2018 and that is the overall title. This test has put us firmly on the front foot heading into Brands Hatch."

Following the confirmation of its 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship line up and new Honda machinery for the forthcoming season, BTC Norlin Racing has announced a sponsorship deal with the hotel group, Hampton by Hilton.

BTC Norlin Racing team owner Stephen Symington said: “We are all thrilled to have a true global giant and trailblazer in the hospitality industry join the team. Hilton have been involved in Formula 1 for over a decade now but this is the Hampton brand’s first venture into the BTCC.

“The Hilton brand is renowned for its quality product, friendly customer service and brand loyalty, which is very much aligned with what we are trying to create at BTC Norlin Racing. This is only our second season in the BTCC and further demonstrates how far the team has come in a very short period of time.

“It certainly is an exciting time at Norlin Racing and we can’t wait for the season to start. We have two very talented drivers, a proven championship-winning car and great sponsors, so expectations are high for the forthcoming season. Multiple podium finishes are very much the goal.”

Mike Aspinall and Richard Martin, directors at Norlin Hotels, added: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Hilton with our colleagues at BTC Norlin Racing."

We’re remembering the efforts of each of 2017's record 13 different winners in the lead up to the new campaign, and next under the spotlight is young Scot Aiden Moffat's maiden Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship victory, back at Donington Park last April.

Moffat lined up fourth on the grid ahead of Round 4 and a strong start saw him launch into Redgate right with the lead trio – Handy Motorsport man Rob Austin, Eurotech Racing's Jack Goff, and Tom Ingram in the Speedworks Motorsport Toyota.

After a flying first lap, the Laser Tools Racing Mercedes-Benz had made it into third spot, Moffat slicing his way beyond Goff and homing right onto the back of Austin's Toyota Avensis. On lap two, a smart move into the Old Hairpin saw him propel the A-Class up into second and from there, he went about hounding early leader Tom Ingram.

The Speedworks racer had made the early jump on pole-sitter Austin but once Moffat had cleared the pair ahead of him, he wouldn't let the leader out of his sight and a dramatic to-and-fro ensued.

For three laps, the duo were locked in battle and Moffat's moment would come on lap five – the Mercedes getting the run on Ingram's Toyota down through the Craner Curves and from there, the Scot never looked back. Laser Tools Racing and Moffat enjoyed their highest-place championship finish to date last year, with Aiden going on to notch another victory at the Brands Hatch finale weekend.

After his maiden win, Aiden spoke of his delight: “It was a very special feeling – I won’t be forgetting that moment anytime soon!

“The Laser Tools Racing car was absolutely brilliant. We had a great set-up all weekend, so I was feeling confident and knew we had the pace. It all came together nicely.

“It was a hard race because it was a case of managing the gap and looking after the tyres once I got into the lead but I felt that I had a good chance.

“I knew that Tom (Ingram) was on the harder, option tyre and that he was carrying 66 kilograms of success ballast, so I knew that I could get ahead and I saw that he was a bit unsettled through the Craner Curves.

“I made my move there as soon as I could and got away while he was defending from the pack behind. I’m tempted to stop racing for the day and go to the pub and celebrate!”

Testing ahead of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is in full swing, with teams having already visited Portugal and Spain as well as a host of circuits on home soil as they ramp up preparations for this year's 60th Anniversary campaign.

This week, BMR Racing and Power Maxed Racing are at Snetterton – starting today – with West Surrey Racing and Ciceley Motorsport making the trip to Norfolk tomorrow to enter the fray.

Ciceley will provisionally stay on there into Wednesday, and if indeed they do, the Lancashire squad will be joined by WIX Racing with Eurotech, Team Parker Racing, HMS Racing and Team HARD.

Aiden Moffat and Laser Tools Racing as well as HMS Racing are on track at Brands Hatch on Tuesday, with the week set to be rounded off with Motorbase lapping at Donington Park on Thursday, a PMR visit to Oulton Park on Friday alongside an AmD test at Snetterton before five teams head to Brands Hatch on 21 March for a pre-Season Launch group test. Motorbase, WSR, Halfords Yuasa Racing, Team Parker Racing and DUO Motorsport with HMS will all stretch their legs in Kent in readiness for Donington Park.

Season Launch at the Leicestershire venue, 27 March, incorporates the usual afternoon test session following a busy morning of media duties. This will be the first time in 2018 that every outfit will have the opportunity head out on track together.

Another official test day, new for 2018, arrives two days later at Brands Hatch, providing a similar chance for teams to get up to speed – with every outfit set to attend prior to the season opening rounds at the same venue just over a week later.

With 12 different drivers taking top honours in 2016, who would have predicted that the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship finale at Brands Hatch would yield a record-breaking 13th different race winner?

We’re reliving each of those victors’ efforts and BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan is next up.

The Lichfield racer had made the switch from Motorbase over the off-season, meaning the season opener on the Indy loop would be his first competitive outing in the 125i M Sport – all liveried up in that familiar Pirtek blue.

It was a quick blast off the line for fast-starting Jordan, with the benefits of a move to rear-wheel drive machinery making themselves immediately apparent – the 2013 champ needing little time to adjust as he flew into the lead by the time the pack rounded Paddock Hill Bend.

Pressure was immediately alleviated on the leader former team-mate Mat Jackson's Ford Focus was forced into an excursion across the gravel as he looked to pass Tom Chilton's Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra around the outside – the latter able to hold on to second spot. 

Meanwhile, Jordan's new stablemate, Colin Turkington, in the sister Team BMW 125i M Sport, had leapt up the order from tenth on the grid to place third by little over mid-distance in the race. He wasted no time in reeling in Chilton's Astra, and duly the Ulsterman was able to nip by on lap 17 to set about hounding BMW newcomer Jordan.

Jordan was forced into fending off the advances of Turkington in the closing stages, with the double champ right on his tail. He wouldn't give way though and despite every trick in the book from Colin, including a friendly nudge through Clearways, the 2013 champ held firm to lead home what was a landmark one-two on BMW's return to the BTCC as a manufacturer.

“That was quite a start wasn’t it with rear-wheel drive and a new team?" said Jordan, post-race. "I was getting a bit twitchy with Colin (Turkington) looking really, really strong on the soft tyres behind – the rear-wheel drive expert!

"We had a little rub at the end there but it was a good way to end. I knew he wasn’t going to do anything silly. It wasn’t the calmest moment of my career when he did get past Tom (Chilton). I was hoping he’d be behind him a bit longer but I knew he was coming.

"I just kept driving to my markers, tried not to look in my mirrors any more than usual and tried to be kind on the left rear tyre. It was special really, to get the win on my first event with BMW Pirtek Racing and West Surrey Racing. It was all down to the team – credit to the guys for all the work they’ve put in, especially with the addition of the new engine.”

Jordan added a couple more top step appearances in 2017 –one at Oulton Park and another at Rockingham – on his way to ninth in the overall standings.

 

With 12 different drivers taking top honours in 2016, who would have predicted that the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship finale at Brands Hatch would yield a record-breaking 13th different race winner?

Over the course of the next couple of weeks we're reliving each of those victors’ efforts and next up it's ex-Halfords Yuasa Racing man, departing three-time champ Gordon Shedden – Round Two's winner.

After a restart, owing to Jason Plato's stricken Subaru Levorg which was turned into the pit-wall off the line, Tom Ingram led the pack away and around the first tour following an impressively quick getaway. With his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis heavy on ballast as a consequence that victory in the opener, Shedden's Honda looked the more potent package and duly swept by on lap two at Paddock Hill Bend.

In behind the lead pair, a battle between Rob Austin, Andrew Jordan, Rob Collard and Adam Morgan began to evolve, with the foursome line astern around the 1.27-mile Indy loop. Contact left Ant Whorton-Eales' AmD Audi S3 beached at Clearways, meaning a brief period under the Safety Car, squeezing things up with just under ten laps left to run.

At the restart, it was all to play for. Shedden had looked as if he'd got it all wrapped up but Rob Collard in the Team BMW 125i M Sport was now the cat amongst the pigeons – or seemingly so, with Shedden's car much the heavier, laden with 66kgs of ballast. He made light work of Ingram on lap 20 with a nudge at Paddock before making the move stick up the hill into Druids.

It looked as if he'd have it in him to challenge the Honda out front, but he failed to make further progress with time rapidly running out. The Scot ultimately had enough in hand and the lead trio remained as-you-were until the chequered flag fell.

Post race, the Honda man said:  “That was a very bizarre race, with the restart and everything. To win with 66kg in the car is really special. Weirdly, the car probably felt better there than it did in the first race without any weight, so we’re clearly going in the right direction. 

"Rob [Collard] was coming on strong at the end, with a fair chunk less weight than I had – I’m glad it was over when it was over really. That was long enough!”

At the time, the indicators were there that the then-reigning champ would be a real force to be reckoned with once again in 2017 but ultimately, he closed the campaign – with his chase for three titles on the spin a fruitless one – just over 60 points shy of eventual winner Ashley Sutton.

That said, Flash had led the way in the standings as far into the season as the lead up to the Knockhill race weekend and tallied a further two top-step appearances. Strong competition at the top, however, was enough to see even Shedden falter as the season came to a head.