Power Maxed TAG Racing has joined forces with Technical Partners PCSpecialist, Milltek Innovations and MotorDrive Seats, to give Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship supporters a unique opportunity to test their mettle and win some fantastic prizes.

From this Saturday at Oulton Park, fans will be able to take a turn on the current BTCC pace-setters’ high-specification race simulator, as used by race-winning drivers Josh Cook and Senna Proctor to hone their skills.

The simulator, which features an ultra-high-end hardware package put together specifically by the team at PCSpecialist, is built around Milltek Innovations framework, created solely for the task at hand. Fans who take to the wheel will sit in a BTCC-spec seat, based on a design Power Maxed TAG Racing are developing with British based motorsport seat manufacturer, MotorDrive.

Budding racing drivers will be automatically entered into a competition to win one of three fantastic prizes across the year based on their raw pace!

The third fastest time will win two VIP passes to a round of their choice in 2019 with Power Maxed TAG Racing, with the second fastest taking home their very own high-end simulator setup.

The fastest driver over the course of the season will win a money-can’t-buy prize – a full day of track-based tuition with BTCC race winner and Power Maxed TAG Racing driver Josh Cook, in one of Milltek’s very own high-performance cars.

You’ll be able to have a go on the Power Maxed TAG Racing simulator on the Power Maxed stand at all the remaining rounds this year, starting this weekend at Oulton Park.

This is your chance to win a behind-the-scenes money-can’t-buy day out with Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher at Thruxton this coming Saturday 19^th May, plus tickets for the all-important race day on Sunday 20^th May.

The winner will spend Saturday with the multiple race-winning team and its impressive driver line-up, including lunch and an exclusive garage tour.

You will receive a Shredded Wheat goodie bag, including signed team kit. You will also race against Tom Chilton and James Cole on a Project Cars simulator on the Shredded Wheat truck on Saturday afternoon, which will be filmed by ITV with Paul O’Neill commentating!

Finally, you will receive 2x complimentary race day tickets with Paddock Access to enjoy all the action unfold for Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

To enter you simply have to like this Twitter post and follow the team on Twitter here OR share this Facebook post and follow the team on Facebook

The competition closes at 8pm on Wednesday 16 May. For full terms and conditions see below.

Good luck!

#BTCC #Shredded

 

Terms and conditions:

1x Like and follow of Motorbase on Facebook = 1 entry or 1x RT and follow of Motorbase on Twitter = 1 entry. 1 entry per person. Winners picked at random. The competition will close 8pm on 16 May. The winners will be announced on Facebook and Twitter the following morning. The winners will have 24 hours from the announcement to come forward. If this does not happen another winner will be selected. The winners must be available over the Thruxton race weekend, transport to and from the circuit is not included. The prize is non-transferrable.

Thruxton welcomed the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship to Hampshire yesterday as the majority of the grid took the opportunity to rack up the miles ahead of their competitive return to the UK’s fastest race circuit, 19-20 May.
 
The BTCC celebrates its 60^th, Diamond Jubilee, anniversary this year and the country’s premier motor racing series has already shown signs that it will be another vintage, and fiercely competitive campaign after a storming opening race weekend at Brands Hatch – with nine different drivers making the podium, three different winners and 10 marques represented in the standings’ top ten.
 
Thruxton itself celebrates its 50^thAnniversary, and the beloved circuit, affectionately referred to as the Hampshire Speedbowl, always yields an unparalleled weekend’s action. Its flat-out characteristics are so unique that TOCA runs an annual test-day for the BTCC and its support series – Renault UK Clio Cup, the Ginetta championships and the F4 British Championship – ensuring all involved are up to speed ahead of their return in five weeks’ time.
 
Twenty-five of the BTCC’s finest drivers jumped at the chance to rack up the laps (over 1,100 in all on the day), among those, incumbent champion Ashley Sutton (Adrian Flux Subaru Racing) and his team-mate – BTCC legend Jason Plato, Halfords Yuasa Racing’s triple title-winner Matt Neal and Dan Cammish, plus past champs Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan in the West Surrey Racing BMWs.
 
At the end of the day it was Sutton atop the timesheets, commenting later that evening that his heart rate had finally returned to normal levels after the high-speed Hampshire test!
 
“That was unexpected, I’ll be honest,” said Sutton. “It’s been a fast day in general and everyone’s been quick. We’ve come here looking for track time and I think we’ve found a few key things. It’s been a general test, not just a Thruxton test.
 
“We hadn’t done mileage prior to Season Launch at Donington Park, then Brands Hatch later that week but that was rained off. We’ve come to make up time on the others and we’ve achieved some key things and we hope some of those will carry over to Donington.”
 
Between the two sessions, eight drivers ran inside 2017’s BTCC qualifying lap record time set by the Honda Civic Type R of Matt Neal, so all signs are pointing to a fastest-ever race weekend come May.
 
Parts of Thruxton’s stunning new £2 million state-of-the-art hospitality facility, The Thruxton Centre, will be open for business by the time the BTCC makes its entry ahead of an official opening at 12:00 midday on Sunday 3 June amid a weekend of 50^thAnniversary celebrations. Highlights there include 15 special races as well as high-speed demonstrations from Williams’ 1983 FW08C and other iconic racing cars and bikes. There will be appearances, too, from a number of high-profile guests including Murray Walker and Nigel Mansell.
 
“It’s always a delight to welcome Britain’s biggest championship on four wheels back to Thruxton,” said Thruxton Group Managing Director, Bill Coombs. “It's a series that continually produces a fantastic weekend’s racing, with 32 cars and some of the best tin-top protagonists around throwing up a real treat. The test yesterday gave us a little glimpse of what’s to come – it’s going to be a quick one this year, that’s for sure. 
 
“Having had a keen eye on its opening race weekend a fortnight ago, it looks like it’ll be an even more fascinating prospect around the quick stuff here come May. I wouldn’t dare try and pick a winner!
 
“The track itself is a favourite of many of the drivers, it’s a fast and flowing test of balance, bravery and poise plus a healthy dollop of slipstreaming!
 
“For 2018, in our 50^thAnniversary year, we’re extremely proud to be able to open The Thruxton Centre – our brand-new, top-of-the-line facility comprises a restaurant and bar, exhibition spaces, function rooms, hosting and hospitality suites and a spectacular viewing terrace. 
 
“Parts of the centre will be open for use at the BTCC race weekend but its official opening takes place over the weekend of 2/3 June – as part of a special meeting commemorating our golden anniversary.”

Advance tickets for the BTCC’s visit, 19-20 May, are available from £12, with weekend passes with paddock access running to just £40. Saturday grandstand seats are an additional £5. Accompanied children aged 15 and under will be admitted free of charge. 
 
For further information or to buy tickets, see https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc or call 01264 882200 and select Option 1. For details on ticketing for Thruxton’s 50^th Anniversary meeting, head to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/50th-anniversary.
 
For more information on Thruxton’s race meetings and driving experiences, visit: www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/
 
For season or individual race meeting accreditation, please e-mail: press@barc.net

Power Maxed Racing and Arenacross (AX) have launched a sponsorship agreement which complements both the racing and car care product brand, and the FMX entertainment brand and their audiences.
 
AX is an amalgamation of motocross and entertainment which can be likened to a petrol-fuelled Prodigy or Foo Fighters concert with a sprinkling of dare-devil Freestyle MX bike action. Taking place at several arenas around the UK throughout January and February 2018, it’s great fun for all the family. And Power Maxed is the brand new title sponsor of these events, creating a two-way relationship to bring AX to fans of the BTCC and vice-versa.
 
The initial, and most obvious symbol of this new partnership is the almost reptilian look on the bonnets of both Astras for the final BTCC race weekend at Brands Hatch. This is for the final rounds only; AX will be sponsoring other areas of the cars for the 2018 season, leaving the prime space on the bonnets up for grabs by other sponsors.

Secondly, AX will have a crowd-pulling, quite unconventional version of a photobooth near to Power Maxed’s trade stand, “Optimus”, where race attendees will not only be able to stock up on all their favourite Power Maxed products, but enter competitions to win tickets to AX events in 2018, and have their photograph taken in rather a mid-action pose on the FMX bike. 

Thirdly, there will be freestyle performances at some of the race weekends of the BTCC 2018 season, increasing the value-for-money even further than that usually offered by BTCC tickets. Tracks interested in hosting this Power Maxed AX spectacle, get in touch now and form an orderly queue.
 
In turn, Power Maxed vehicle maintenance products will be used on the performing FMX bikes and available to buy not only at the BTCC 2018, but also the AX Tour 2018 too.
 
“I’m really proud of this partnership, as it is benefiting both the BTCC and the world of Motocross by introducing each other’s fans to each other’s sports. The demographics are so similar; a family audience attracted by adrenalin-fuelled action and better-than-great value!" said Adam Weaver, Managing Director of Automotive Brands and Team Principal of Power Maxed Racing.

The 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship campaign kick-started today as driver and car unveilings took centre-stage on the Dunlop BTCC stand at the NEC’s Autosport International.

A busy schedule of key announcements was finalised in the lead up to the event and duly, from doors-open on Thursday morning, a string of cars and drivers were revealed as teams laid out their 2017 plans. On top of the announcements, Series Director Alan Gow took to the main stage as well as the BTCC stand alongside Dunlop's James Bailey to speak on the season ahead, as did a clutch of drivers – eager to outline their prospects for 2017.

Halfords Yuasa Racing took the wraps off its challenger with triple title-winners Gordon Shedden and team-mate Matt Neal on-hand to do the honours, with a striking and stealthy black livery the direction the Team Dynamics-backed outfit will take for 2017. Simpson Racing, switching to the Team Dynamics stable this season after debuting under Speedworks Motorsport's banner last year, also showed its Honda Civic Type R adorned in new colours.

Rob Austin confirmed his continued deal with Handy Motorsport on Wednesday and took the opportunity on Thursday at ASI to introduce a major new sponsor, Northgate plc. alongside a sharp re-imagining of Handy Motorsport's green-and-white.

AmDTuning.com revealed the man that would be taking the wheel in its second car this coming campaign with reigning Renault UK Clio Cup champion Ant Whorton-Eales also on hand to help pull back the covers on the stunning-looking AmD Audi S3.

“As a rookie driver, the main target has to be the Jack Sears Trophy and it would be nice if we could be pushing towards the top ten in the championship by the end of the year," Whorton-Eales said. 

“Of course that won’t be easy and I’m aware that I have a lot to learn, but I also want to aim high and make the most of the opportunity I now have.”

Motorbase Performance, too, took the opportunity to show just who would be sitting in the other two of its Shredded Wheat Ford Focus', with Mat Jackson already confirmed. Martin Depper joined the line-up with a wealth of experience, having made his BTCC debut in 2010. After a short absence, the Midlands-based driver returned to the series in 2014 with Eurotech and has become a regular points-scorer in the past three seasons.

Another new name on the grid for 2017, following Whorton-Eales announcement, 23-year-old Luke Davenport comes to the series from a successful sportscar background. Having worked his way through the Ginetta ranks, the Cambridge-based driver competed in the British GT last season, piloting the factory-team’s G55 GT3 and will be challenging for the Jack Sears Trophy during his maiden BTCC season.  

Finally, West Surrey Racing-supported Pirtek Racing revealed what the latter's colours would look like wrapped around a BMW 125i M Sport. The now-trademark blue and orange scheme is always a favourite among BTCC fans – particularly followers of long-time Pirtek and new-to-WSR man Andrew Jordan – who were suitably impressed with the results.

Much more is to come over the next three days from the NEC. There will be further interviews with a host of BTCC personalities – drivers, key team personnel, partners and leading figures from the championship including Series Director Alan Gow, Dunlop’s James Bailey as well as ITV Motorsport’s team.

When doors open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, there will be autograph and selfie sessions where fans will get a chance to meet their heroes. On the subject of selfies, we’ll be running a competition throughout the show where fans, using #BTCCSelfie, can send in their best BTCC-related shots from all over the show floor to be in with a chance of winning a money-can’t-buy experience.

The best #BTCCSelfie will receive two tickets, a grid walk, a garage tour plus a photo with your favourite driver at the Donington Park race weekend in April.

Donington Park will also be offering fans an exclusive ticket offer over the course of the event via the Dunlop BTCC stand (Stand 6440 in Hall 6).

Rob Austin and Handy Motorsport Team Principal Simon Belcher unveiled the squad’s stunning new livery for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Autosport International this morning, 12 January, confirming new commercial partner Northgate plc.

Taking the covers off the team’s Toyota Avensis on the official Dunlop BTCC stand during the first morning of the annual motorsport extravaganza at Birmingham’s NEC, the reveal highlighted the exciting multi-year partnership Northgate is embarking on with the Evesham racer.

“I’ve been really looking forward to revealing the car and showing the world the results of all the hard work we have put in since the 2016 season ended”, commented Austin, “The car is, as usual, immaculately prepared and ahead of schedule. The striking new livery looks fantastic I think and, most importantly, it is fantastically supported!

“New for this year, we are very proud to announce a major sponsorship deal with Northgate plc. The BTCC serves as the perfect platform for a national marketing campaign for the growing van hire company. We also have continued support from Close Brothers, Kerax, Rocwood, Webb, Cobra Seats, Alsa and many others.”

Northgate plc is the leading light commercial vehicle (LCV) rental business by fleet size in the UK, providing a complete LCV rental service with predictable weekly costs, saving customers money on the total cost of ownership. Northgate’s UK national branch network hosts 73 locations, 50 wholly-owned workshops and local dedicated account teams, all committed to delivering the full range of services to keep customers on the road.

Northgate’s Managing Director, Eddie Aston, said: “We are looking forward to 2017 and the Northgate plc sponsorship of Rob Austin and the Handy Motorsport team. This is an important partnership for Northgate that enables us to share the excitement of motorsport with our customers and employees, many of whom are already enthusiasts. The close proximity of the races to our branch network is helpful for our local customers as is the ability to experience vehicle performance and safety management of the highest standards.”

With everything in place for Austin’s second BTCC campaign with Swindon-based Handy Motorsport, driver and team are looking forward to mounting a consistent front-running challenge this year having climbed the outright podium on three occasions in 2016.

“It’s been a very long time since I have been so excited for a season’s racing and I’m determined to get back on the top step of the podium this year”, said Austin, “I’ve been doing this for a while now, this will be my seventh season in the BTCC – but until now there’s always been a compromise or something has been missing from the package.

“I have never been anywhere near this confident that I have the right package to do the job! I’ve won races before and I’m very well placed to do some more of it this season – that’s the target we’re all setting ourselves.”

“I’ve got to say a huge thank you to Simon [Belcher], not only for keeping faith in us but for giving me all the tools and support we need – not just to run a front-running BTCC car but to also ensure our partners see maximum return on their investment and our VIP guests receive the absolute best ‘money-can’t-buy’ experience in the team’s pristine Hospitality suite.”

The 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship campaign is all set to kick into action in earnest this week as driver and car unveilings take centre-stage at the NEC's Autosport International (12-15 January).

In recent years, the Dunlop BTCC stand has proved to be one of the most popular attractions at the show, drawing industry professionals as well as media and fans alike over the four days. The new-for-2017 stand will play host to West Surrey Racing, Motorbase Performance, Handy Motorsport and AmDTuning.com as they unveil their new machines.

Andrew Jordan will pull the covers off the new Pirtek-liveried WSR BMW 125i M Sport; AmD are too set to make their arrangements for the coming campaign clear with a livery unveiling and driver announcement. Motorbase will be revealing its completed line-up in front of the new striking Shredded Wheat-backed Ford Focus. Handy Motorsport will also show off its new look Toyota Avensis, as the stars and cars of the BTCC set the scene for what is sure to be another fantastic season ahead.

Furthermore, interviews with a host of BTCC personalities – drivers, key team personnel, partners and leading figures from the championship including Series Director Alan Gow, Dunlop's James Bailey as well as ITV Motorsport's team.

On Saturday and Sunday there will be autograph and selfie sessions where fans will get a chance to meet their heroes. On the subject of selfies, we'll be running a competition throughout the show where fans, using #BTCCSelfie, can send in their best BTCC-related shots from all over the show floor to be in with a chance of winning a money-can't-buy experience.

The best #BTCCSelfie will receive two tickets, a grid walk, a garage tour plus a photo with your favourite driver at the Donington Park race weekend in April.

Donington Park will also be offering fans an exclusive ticket offer over the course of the event via the Dunlop BTCC stand (Stand 6440 in Hall 6).

 

Autosport International - Dunlop BTCC timetable (All times are subject to change)

Thursday

09:30               AmD: Car Unveiling/Driver Announcement

10:00               Halfords Yuasa Racing: Car Unveiling (on Rimstock Stand)

10:20               Handy Motorsport: Car Unveiling

10:40               Simpson Racing: Car Unveiling (on Simpson Racing Stand)

11:00               Motorbase Performance: Car Unveiling/Driver Announcements

12:00               Pirtek Racing: Car Unveiling

13:00               Tom Ingram, Jeff Smith & James Cole interview

14:00               Alan Gow (TOCA)/James Bailey (Dunlop) interview

15:00               Paul Tunnicliffe (Subaru)/Warren Scott (BMR Racing) interview

16:00              ITV Team - David Addison & Co. interview

TBC                 Jason Plato

 

Friday

10:00               Aron Taylor-Smith, Dan Welch & Mark Howard interview

11:00               Adam Morgan, Jake Hill & Will Burns interview

12:00               PMR Vauxhall: Adam Weaver & Senna Proctor interview

13:00               Colin Turkington & Rob Austin interview

14:00               Tom Ingram, Martin Depper & David Addison interview

15:00               Halfords Yuasa Racing: Gordon Shedden & Matt Neal interview

16:00               Dave Newsham, Jeff Smith & Chris Smiley interview

 

Saturday

10:00              Halfords Yuasa Racing: Gordon Shedden & Matt Neal interview

11:00               Tom Ingram, Senna Proctor & Matt Simpson interview

12:00               Adam Morgan, Ashley Sutton & Ollie Jackson interview

13:00               Dunlop Discussion: New Year, New Tyres!

14:00               Autograph signing with selected drivers

15:00               Selfie session with selected drivers

16:00               Team Hard: Tony Gilham, Michael Epps & Will Burns interview

 

Sunday

10:00               Ashley Sutton, Matt Simpson & Mark Howard interview

11:00               Dunlop Discussion: New Year, New Tyres!

12:00               Rob Austin, Senna Proctor & Michael Epps interview

13:45               Andrew Jordan interview

14:30               Autograph signing with selected drivers

15:00               Selfie session with selected drivers

16:00               Aron Taylor-Smith, Adam Morgan & Martin Depper interview

Please follow BTCC's social media feeds for latest information or check Dunlop BTCC stand on arrival for latest schedules

COMPETITION: Win the new AlcoSense Excel breathalyser – Auto Express Best Buy 2016!

AlcoSense Breathalysers – official BTCC partners – is launching its new Excel breathalyser and we’re giving one signed by BTCC driver Hunter Abbott away to celebrate!

The new AlcoSense Excel is the first breathalyser under £100 to use a smaller version of exactly the same sensor that's in several UK Police-approved breathalysers, bringing a new level of accuracy and reliability for drivers.  

In addition to giving detailed readings to two decimal places in either blood or breath alcohol concentrations, the new AlcoSense Excel will alert you when you are close to or over your set limit. It will work with any limit worldwide and can be changed simply and easily - ideal if you drive abroad on holiday or between Scotland and England, where different limits apply.

It is also the first breathalyser at this price to feature a full colour screen and intuitive graphic user interface giving on-screen prompts and tips, making it exceptionally easy to use. The Excel is also fresh from winning the Auto Express Magazine Breathalyser Group Test where they summarised: “AlcoSense has the edge here... it proved accurate at all levels. A great combination of price and performance."

The new AlcoSense Excel is priced £99.99 online at alcosense.co.uk and in-store at Halfords. For more info visit alcosense.co.uk.

To be in with a chance of winning, just like this post, the AlcoSense Breathalysers – UK page, and share this post. If entering by Twitter it's the same process – like and retweet the competition post and follow @AlcoSense. You can enter on both!

*Terms and conditions:
1x Like of both this post and AlcoSense's own+Comment+Share = 1 entry. 1x Retweet+Like on Twitter, follow @AlcoSense = 1 entry. 1 entry per platform per person. One winner will be picked at random from all the entries. The competition will close 5pm on Tuesday 13 December 2016. The winner will be announced by Facebook post and Tweet shortly after. The winner will have 24 hours from the announcement to come forward – it is the responsibility of entrants to check the winner’s announcement. If this does not happen another winner will be selected. The prize is non-transferrable.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is delighted to announce their continued media partnership with Haymarket Consumer Media for a further two years.