Handy Motorsport will retain the services of Rob Austin for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season, as the podium-finishing partnership targets race wins and a sustained front-running challenge.

Austin’s confirmation behind the wheel of the squad’s Toyota Avensis for a second consecutive campaign in the UK’s biggest and best motor racing championship brings continuity for the team, off the back of its best-ever season in the BTCC last year.

The Evesham driver took Handy Motorsport to its maiden podium finish last year, adding two more rostrum results and a brace of Independents' Trophy wins during the second half of the season.

Furthermore, the Wiltshire squad has moved its entire operation under one roof, to its main headquarters in Swindon. For the past three years, Handy has worked in partnership with Speedworks Motorsport but for 2017 it will be a true standalone entity.

“Firstly, I’m obviously very happy to be part of Handy Motorsport again for the new season”, said Austin, “We always knew there would be a learning curve relating to all aspects in 2016, driving, engineering, management and personnel. The BTCC is so competitive, all of these aspects have to be perfect to get to the front and I will admit it took longer than I expected.

“Our continuous improvement each time out through the second half of last season, though, capped off with a front row qualifying and a great podium at one of my weakest tracks to round the year off, shows that we just about got there in the end. There is no reason that form won’t continue, so it’s exciting to be going into the 2017 season with a car that can win and is so well supported.”

He added: “We have some exciting new partnerships in place and have retained the fantastic support from our existing partners, I can’t wait to show them off together with our exciting new livery at Autosport International.”

Hot on the heels of the fantastic news of Austin’s continuation in Handy colours, the fan-favourite will be appearing with team principal Simon Belcher at this week’s annual Autosport International Show at Birmingham's NEC.

Regarded as the true start of the motor racing year, on the opening morning of the show on Thursday, 12th January, a stunning new livery for the squad’s Toyota will be revealed on the Dunlop BTCC stand (6440, Hall 6). Additionally, a brand new high-profile commercial partner will be announced on the first day, with confirmation of the team’s full portfolio of key backers.

Austin will appear across all four days of Autosport International and will take part in autograph sessions for fans fans as well as ‘Meet and Greet’ opportunities on the Legends Cars stand, which will be adjacent to the Dunlop BTCC stage.

“Autosport International is always the true start of the motor racing year and it’s a hugely important date on the calendar for Handy Motorsport”, commented Belcher, “We’re obviously delighted to be a key part of the Dunlop BTCC stand once again, and we’re looking forward to giving everyone the first glimpse of our stunning new livery – we think it’ll be pretty popular!

“It goes without saying, we’re absolutely elated Rob is staying with the team for a second season and we’re all aiming to build on the foundations we laid last year. The team got stronger and more competitive as the season progressed, Rob proved the car was quick and helped make history with our first podiums and Independents wins. We’re aiming higher still for 2017.”

Speedworks Motorsport has re-signed Tom Ingram for a fourth consecutive Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship campaign in 2017, with the plucky Independent outfit and its highly-rated young charge both bullish about their prospects in the world’s premier and most fiercely-disputed tin-top series.
 
Having broken through with their maiden podium finishes in 2015, Ingram and Speedworks took another step forward last year by coming out-of-the-blocks in dazzling form to win the first race of the season as the talented Bucks ace converted pole position into both his and the Northwich, Cheshire-based squad’s maiden BTCC victory.
 
That was bolstered by a second success at Silverstone later on in the campaign, in addition to ten further top six finishes – four of them on the rostrum. Those results secured KX Akademy graduate and MSA Academy member Ingram tenth spot amongst the 35 high-calibre protagonists in the final Drivers’ standings and fourth in the Independents’ Trophy, with Speedworks snaring seventh in the Teams’ table and third-best Independent entry, marking an improvement in every area at the end of a season that was widely regarded as one of the toughest in living memory.
 
Indeed, only head gasket failure in the penultimate outing at Silverstone ruled Ingram out of overall title contention entering the Brands Hatch GP finale, and in evidence of his outstanding raw speed, the 23-year-old British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) Rising Star wound up as the fastest average qualifier in the field in 2016, annexing a brace of pole positions and two further front row starts behind the wheel of the #80 Toyota Avensis as he missed the top ten just once.
 
Following the mantra that if it ain’t broke, there is no reason to fix it, Speedworks Team Principal Christian Dick is in optimistic mood as he outlines his objectives for the forthcoming campaign.
 
“Last year was beyond doubt our best yet in the BTCC by a country mile,” he reflected. “Winning our first race was a massively significant milestone, and to then back that promise up by fighting towards the sharp end season-long represented a huge step forward. That said, it was far from perfect and there are many aspects that we have focussed on refining over the winter to enhance our performance for 2017 because the championship never stands still.
 
“Keeping Tom on-board is a major coup. He was unquestionably one of the BTCC’s standout stars last year and with a competitive car underneath him, he consummately proved his potential with both his pace and racecraft, all underpinned by a mature and intelligent approach that belies his age. He is at the forefront of the series’ next generation and a champion of the future, I am sure.
 
“There are clearly areas in which both we as a team and he as a driver still need to improve, but we have been working tirelessly on all fronts since last season ended and I think the benefits of that effort and remaining together for a fourth year will shine through when we hit the track. There has been a raft of updates to the Avensis that we are all very excited about, and we believe we can be genuine contenders for the Independents’ crown in 2017. Brands Hatch cannot come round soon enough!”
 
“It was a very easy decision to stay with Speedworks,” concurred three-time Ginetta Champion and former British Karting Champion Ingram. “In a championship as ultra-competitive and unpredictable as the BTCC, the importance of continuity can never be overstated.
 
“We made tremendous progress last season, and to win our first race together in the very first round was an incredible achievement. Our qualifying pace was superb and our race pace was equally strong. Quite frankly, I don’t see anybody else in our position and with our level of resources doing a better job out there.
 
“Last year was both mine and Speedworks’ first experience of competing regularly up at the front in the BTCC; yes, I’ve won races and championships in lower categories and Christian has done likewise in other series as a team owner, but the BTCC is a whole different ballgame and that meant there was a lot of learning to be done in the full glare of 20 million people!
 
“It’s vital in the BTCC to make hay on the good days and make the most of the bad days – but last year, our bad days were very, very bad. In races two and three at Brands Hatch Indy, Donington Park and Thruxton early in the season, we scored a grand total of two points and then Rockingham was quite literally a pointless weekend.
 
“In nine of the 30 races, we didn’t score at all and in two more we picked up just a single point. If we’d been more consistent and averaged just eighth place in each of those races, we’d have won the championship – I think that’s a measure of how much potential there is inside this team, which is hugely exciting heading into 2017.
 
“The benefit of all the experience we have gained will galvanise us and we now have a much stronger package all-round and a completely different mindset and approach. Having broken our duck, that box has been ticked and we can focus on the bigger picture. We have proved we deserve to be here and will go into the new season with a lot more confidence – whereas last year we were simply hoping to be in the mix, this year we will be aiming to win.
 
“The key will be to finish races, stay out of trouble and keep scoring points – and ultimately, I want to be going to Brands Hatch in October in with a shot at the overall title.”

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

Eurotech Racing has confirmed that Jeff Smith will return to drive a Honda Civic Type R in the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Team Principal Smith will contest his sixth full season in BTCC, having reached the podium twice in his career so far. His best result last year was a fourth place finish at Thruxton.

“We had great race pace last year and the true qualifying pace of the car was clearly proven by Daniel Lloyd when he put it on the front row in two out of three rounds he competed in,” said Smith.

“You can’t stand still in this championship, back at base in our new 8,000 square foot state of the art workshop the team have been flat out since we finished the last round at Brands Hatch. We have a full testing programme in place which includes a week long test in Spain at the end of February, so I believe we will be in a strong position to move forwards in 2017.”

The team is currently in negotiations with a number of drivers for the second seat to complete their two-car 2017 line-up.

Halfords Yuasa Racing is pleased to announce a newly-formed sponsorship agreement with Steel Seal for the coming 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season.

This agreement will see the Steel Seal brand getting even more fantastic coverage in the BTCC on the newly-liveried Honda Civic Type R – launching at the Autosport International show next week.

Steve Harrison – Global Brand Director of Steel Seal said: “I am really pleased to have a presence on one of the most televised and photographed teams in the BTCC paddock, you know if either Matt or Gordon are at the back, in the middle or leading the race, you can guarantee they will be getting maximum exposure for our brand.”

Steve Thomas – Marketing Manager for Team Dynamics added: “It’s great to have another recognised name in Steel Seal join us for 2017.  I think many people are familiar with the brand and we are looking to exploit that even further for them this year. We go into the season looking to replicate what we have achieved over the past two years and hopefully crown one of our drivers a four-time BTCC Champion.”

A flurry of announcements, unveilings and driver appearances will ensure the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is the talk of the town next week, as the NEC’s Autosport International (12-15 January) kick-starts the 2017 motor sport campaign.

The Dunlop BTCC stand has firmly established itself in recent years as one of the most popular at the show, drawing industry professionals, media and fans alike over the four-day duration. A new, stand for 2017 underscores the championship’s burgeoning success, with cars from West Surrey Racing, Motorbase Performance, Handy Motorsport and AmDTuning.com set to take pride of place.

Thursday morning will witness livery unveilings by Andrew Jordan – who will remove the wraps from his new Pirtek-branded BMW 125i M Sport – and AmD, while Motorbase is set to reveal the identity of the driver who will pilot the second of its three striking Shredded Wheat-backed Ford Focuses.

These will be complemented by interviews with a whole host of BTCC drivers, key team personnel and leading figures from the championship and its partners – including series boss Alan Gow, Dunlop’s James Bailey and ITV stars – as well as regular autograph and selfie sessions, all hosted by our own incomparable compere Alan Hyde.

Defending title-holder Gordon Shedden will be performing various duties around the show across all four days, including interviews on the main stage and Dunlop BTCC stand in company with fellow champions Colin Turkington, Matt Neal and Andrew Jordan.

A full timetable of activities on the Dunlop BTCC stand will be published in due course, while there will be further car unveilings by Halfords Yuasa Racing on the Rimstock stand and Simpson Racing on the Simpson Exhausts stand on Thursday morning.

The Dunlop BTCC stand can be found in Hall 6, so be sure to drop by to say hello if you’re attending the show!

LATEST AUDIO: With the return of the Vauxhall Astra to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship confirmed, another #BTCC returnee, Power Maxed Racing’s Tom Chilton, and Team Principal Adam Weaver look forward to the 2017 campaign and an exciting project ahead.

 

Dunlop, the Official Tyre Partner to the MSA British Touring Car Championship, is predicting a significant increase in grip and traction following the introduction of bigger tyre sizes and new constructions for the 2017 season.

The new Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC range will be a larger size -  265/660R18, compared to the previous 245/650R18, a width increase of 20mm.

In addition to the increase in size, the performance improvement will come from the use of advanced compounds to provide consistent, enduring performance. Dunlop are also introducing an enhanced construction to improve steering response and braking stability.

A new naming convention will help spectators to follow who is using which tyre. At all races (apart from Thruxton) the Sport Maxx Prime tyre will be used. This was formerly known as the Sport Maxx Medium and, as before, will be used by drivers in two of the three races at each event.

In one race at each event a ‘Sport Maxx Option’ tyre will be used.  This will be either a softer or harder compound than the Prime. Dunlop will announce which Option tyre will be used at each circuit before the start of the season. These will use a dark grey sidewall marking to help spectators differentiate them from the bright yellow sidewalls of the Sport Maxx Prime tyre.

At Thruxton, the Sport Maxx Hard Option tyre will be the compulsory dry tyre for all three races, as this uses a compound and construction that has been successfully proven on the abrasive Hampshire circuit.

In addition, Dunlop have upgraded the ‘BluResponse Wet’ tyre to improve aquaplaning resistance with a revised tread pattern and the same 20mm width increase as the Sport Maxx Prime and Option dry tyres.

The new BTCC tyres have been developed from Dunlop’s long experience in other championships as James Bailey, PR and Communications Director, Dunlop Motorsport EMEA explained: "On the gruelling Nurburgring Nordschleife, the Dunlop 265/660R18 tyre was the choice of the 2016 VLN Endurance Champions. These endurance races on the World’s toughest circuit are the perfect testing ground for tyres. The new Dunlop Sport Maxx and BluResponse BTCC tyres combine these endurance racing learnings with our existing BTCC circuit experience to create a tyre range that will provide greater traction and grip in 2017.  We are confident that the new range will bring greater performance to an already spectacular championship."