After initial testing of the new Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC tyre range, the tyre company is forecasting lap time improvements of up to one second a lap at some circuits in 2017.

Dunlop had already predicted a significant increase in grip and traction following the introduction of bigger tyre sizes and new constructions for the 2017 season, and after initial winter testing can reveal the actual performance gains.

Teams have tested the new tyre at Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Donington, Silverstone, and Portimao (Portugal) but the most representative test came from the Spanish ParcMotor circuit where a wide range of teams attended.

The twisty circuit, west of Barcelona, was chosen due to its mix of fast and technical corners. The fastest recorded time in last year’s test was 1m 44.28 and Dunlop can confirm that this was beaten by nearly one second by many of the attending teams.

As a result of this test, Dunlop is predicting lap time improvements of around 0.5 sec per mile at most circuits.

The improvement comes from a combination of factors. Firstly, the tyre size 265/660R18, compared to the previous 245/650R18, represents a width increase of 20mm.

In addition to the increase in size, the performance improvement will come from an enhanced construction to improve steering response and braking stability. The compound will be the same as 2016.

Sport Maxx Prime

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. This tyre will use a bright yellow sidewall logo.

Sport Maxx Option

In one race at each event a ‘Sport Maxx Option’ tyre will be used with a titanium sidewall marking to differentiate it from the Prime. This will be either a softer or harder compound than the Prime.

The choices for each circuit are as follows:

Dry tyre allocation	To be used in two races	To be used in one race
Brands Hatch Indy	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Soft
Donington	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Hard
Thruxton	Sport Maxx Option Hard to be used in all races
Oulton Park	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Soft
Croft	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Hard
Knockhill	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Soft
Snetterton	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Soft
Rockingham	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Hard
Silverstone	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Hard
Brands Hatch	Sport Maxx Prime	Sport Maxx Option Soft

BluResponse Wet

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 season is almost upon us, with teams and drivers hard at work as they prepare for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Season Launch at Donington Park on Thursday, 16 March.

In the midst of packed testing programmes, with pre-season running taking place both at home and abroad, Season Launch offers up the first opportunity of the off-season to see the whole grid come together in one spot.

Thursday morning at Donington is devoted to media duties, while the afternoon's official pre-season test will see new drivers, cars, teams and liveries take to the track before battle commences in two weeks' time at Brands Hatch.

Gates will open to the public at 12:30 on Thursday 16 March with admission and parking free-of-charge with hospitality available from £35. Fans are kindly requested not to queue up before 12:00 to avoid congestion during media activities.

The paddock will be open, just as at every BTCC race weekend, with the chance to meet the stars and their cars. From 13:00 cars will be on track for a full afternoon's testing, concluding at 17:00.

For more information click here.

Handy Motorsport heads to Donington Park next Thursday for the annual Season Launch in justifiably buoyant mood, following a highly encouraging series of pre-season tests over the course of the past three weeks. 

Star driver Rob Austin, who heads into his second season behind the wheel of the Swindon squad’s potent Toyota Avensis and his seventh BTCC campaign in total, has put serious mileage on the car at both Brands Hatch in Kent, the venue for the opening three races, and Cheshire’s Oulton Park.

With multiple visits to both tracks, Handy Motorsport has been working hard to not only fine-tune the development process of its 2017 challenger, but to also learn as much as possible about the new Dunlop tyre compound which has been introduced ahead of the new season.

Evesham-based Austin, who steered Handy to its first ever outright BTCC podiums and Independents Trophy class victories in 2016, says he has never been as well prepared for a touring car season and cannot wait to join the remainder of the grid at Donington Park next week.

“I’m really, really happy with how testing has gone and I’m in a very good place”, he said, “We already know we have fantastic partners on board with Duo and Northgate, as well as our other great sponsors, and I’m absolutely loving working with the Handy Motorsport guys – the Toyota has been running very well indeed.

“I’ve never done so many miles pre-season and we’ve learnt a lot about the new Dunlop tyre, we’ve got a good handle on things for qualifying and in race trim and I’m confident we’re developing a strong all around package. 

“We’ve enjoyed across the board improvements in testing, mainly focusing on fewer circuits like Oulton and Brands so there are less variables, although we have this week had a run at Snetterton too which offered something new for us.”

Following the Season Launch next Thursday, 16th March, which provides the only officially timed collective test before the championship curtain-raiser, the opening three rounds of the new BTCC campaign will take place over the weekend 1st/2nd April at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.

“Going into the new season I’d say I’m quietly confident”, added Austin, “I know how competitive this championship is, this will be my seventh year in the BTCC, and the depth of competition gets deeper and deeper every season. I’m not setting any expectations specifically, but we’re definitely in a good position to put up a damn good fight!”

Team principal Simon Belcher, who will this year combine his duties in the BTCC paddock and the day-to-day running of Handy Motorsport with participation in the British Jet Sport Championship, is equally satisfied with the pre-season touring car preparation.

“Things are progressing nicely”, said Belcher, “I am trying to make sure we are the most prepared ever for this season, and I am delighted how the team has gelled together and embraced the move of our whole operation to Swindon over the winter.

“I can really see we are starting to get the best out of Rob as a driver, and I think we are in for a strong season. He has hardly put a foot wrong throughout our testing program and is looking very comfortable in the car.” 

CBS Sports Network – the BTCC’s North American TV partner – has released its premiere showings schedule for each and every round of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

A one-hour BTCC highlights programme will be screened on CBSSN in a prime time (eastern time) slot on Wednesdays, and will then re-air a number of times thereafter (dates TBC).

Furthermore, the same one-hour BTCC highlights programmes will be available to watch online via www.motortrendondemand.com.

The multi-year agreement between the BTCC and the giant sports broadcaster means the series is now beamed to more than 60 million households across the US and Canada.

2017 BTCC dates on CBSSN: 

AIR DATE                         AIR TIME

Wednesday, 19 April 2016 – 9:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 3 May 2017 – 9:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 24 May 2017 – 8:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 7 June 2017 – 10:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 28 June 2017 – 9:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 16 August 2017 – 9:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 30 August 2017 – 9:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 13 September 2017 – 9:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 4 October 2017 – 9:00 PM ET

Wednesday, 18 October 2017 – 10:00 PM ET

 

Race-winning Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship team Ciceley Motorsport unveiled its new sponsor and livery ahead of the 2017 campaign at Silverstone on Saturday.

The Accrington-based squad has secured a three-year deal with Mac Tools to be the headline sponsor of its Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which will be driven by tin-top star Adam Morgan.

Mac Tools has been a subsidiary sponsor of the Cicely Motorsport Mercedes for the last three seasons, but this marks the start of a new era as the company increases its involvement as title sponsor.

Liam Kettlewell, Mac Tools Sales Director, said: “We are thrilled to step up our involvement in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship with Ciceley Motorsport. We have seen the team go from strength-to-strength during the past three years and now is the time to maximise our relationship with them by becoming title sponsor. Ciceley is a fast growing, family-run, highly skilled and professional team who no doubt will continue to succeed. 

"In many ways this reflects our Mac Tools Franchisees throughout the UK.  The BTCC is a great platform for us: great racing, excellent television coverage, a total geographical spread across the UK and an ideal platform to strengthen end-user awareness of our Mac Tools brand, products and franchisees across the UK. We can’t wait for the season to begin.”

The team's race-winning driver, Adam Morgan, is equally enthusiastic about the news: “We have worked really closely with the guys at Mac Tools over the last three years and are delighted to have them as our new title sponsor. The relationship we've built and this three-year deal illustrates the commitment the company has to the team and the championship. I can’t wait to stand on the top step of the podium in my Mac Tools overalls for the first time and repay the company’s faith in us.”

Ciceley Motorsport’s Commercial Director, Norman Burgess, said: “This is a fantastic deal for us. We started off as a little family team after Adam won the Ginetta Supercup title and have grown from a garage at Adam’s home to purpose-built facilities with a BTCC and Renault Clio team. To have a company of the standing of Mac Tools come on board as our title sponsor really puts us on the map and cements our future. We want to become a manufacturer team and having a sponsor at this level on board for three years gives us that platform from which to work.

“This moves the whole team to another level and along with Mac Tools we have grown together – our mechanics are the ideal people to launch new Mac Tools products and showcase them during the season. We have the best mechanics in the championship, as proven by completing the most racing miles without a mechanical failure in the current regulations, so what better team for Mac Tools to be associated with.

“Our mechanics love using their products, our Mac toolboxes are without doubt the best in the world and they enjoy using the Bruiser Battery Impact Wrench for changing the new 50mm wheels. These have to be tightened to 400 Newton Metres, so it’s a phenomenal piece of kit. It’s over 1400Nm on full power!”

WIX Filters, the team’s long-standing sponsor, will stay on board as a subsidiary sponsor and maintains a relationship with the team that has included race wins at Brands Hatch and Thruxton. 

“I’m very happy that we have been able to maintain WIX Filters as a sponsor," continued Burgess. "The company has played a key part in the growth and success of Ciceley Motorsport in the BTCC and its familiar logo will be proudly displayed in our new colour scheme."

The new-look car was unveiled at Silverstone on Saturday 4 March to an appreciative audience of Mac Tools franchises and guests. It will be on track at the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Season Launch at Donington Park on 16 March with the opening rounds of the championship taking place at Brands Hatch 1-2 April.

A new chapter was written today, on Vauxhall's return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, as the Power Maxed Racing Astra was seen publicly for the first time.

The covers are off and the car has hit the track for an initial shakedown at Donington Park, with further testing planned over the coming weeks.

It has been a monumental effort on Power Maxed Racing's behalf to prepare these cars over the winter, with their build managed by respected Team Manager Martin Broadhurst, and today marks a fulfilling milestone for the outfit and particularly boss Adam Weaver.

“It is a very proud moment for our car to take to the circuit for the first time,” said Weaver. “We started building the Astra just before Christmas and to see it turning a wheel is a special feeling for the team. There has been a lot of hard work put into this programme already and these are still our first steps.

“The initial mileage isn’t really a test for us, it is an extended shakedown and a systems check. We have work to do, but there is no pressure with this first test.”

The announcement of Vauxhall's return to the BTCC back in November proved to be one of the biggest stories in the off-season. News soon followed that series returnee Tom Chilton and rookie Senna Proctor would be leading the charge for PMR in the 2017 campaign, with the latter taking the reins during today's run.

Both drivers are due to garner further mileage in the Astra next week ahead of the full livery unveil, which will take place at the BTCC Season Launch on 16 March. A further outing for the Vauxhall will take place during that afternoon's test session.

Photo © Jakob Ebrey.

Pre-season preparation ahead of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is in full swing, with several teams heading out to warmer climes this week for the first major group test of the year.

Motorbase Performance has migrated to Portugal's Algarve International circuit as it ramps up development and fine-tuning of its newly-liveried Ford Focus ST. New signing Luke Davenport took the reigns yesterday and will continue alongside Mat Jackson and Martin Depper for the remainder.

Joining them for the three-day test at the 2.9-mile FIA-homologated circuit was Speedworks Motorsport and driver Tom Ingram, which showed off its face-lifted Toyota Avensis in interim camouflage colours ahead of a full livery unveiling at Season Launch, 16 March.

A further four outfits made the trip to Spain's Parcmotor Castellolí for a week-long test, with Eurotech Racing among them – both Jeff Smith and Eurotech new-boy Jack Goff are in attendance. The squad completed solid programmes at both Oulton Park and Snetterton last week as it opened its pre-season account, with positive feedback emanating from the camp in the aftermath. 

Also in Catalonia for warm-weather running; Team Dynamics' Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal embarked on their longest run out in the championship-winning Honda Civic Type R so far this pre-season. Both cars were on track on Tuesday morning as the outfit sets about building on what has been an ultra-successful platform in its hands.

Furthermore Team BMW, with its trio of 125i M Sports run by West Surrey Racing, hit the tarmac yesterday in the Spanish sun with Rob Collard and Andrew Jordan at the wheel. Colin Turkington joined Jordan on Tuesday as running continued.

BTC Norlin Racing's Chevrolets are also on-site, with Chris Smiley heading things up on Tuesday morning.

Each outfit is working feverishly through peak pre-season as sights are set on completing their respective programmes with just two weeks to go ahead of the official Season Launch on 16 March.

Next week, the schedule is set to be a busy one again as teams return from group testing and reconvene at various domestic venues to gain more crucial development time on track as the season approaches.

Photo © Matt Sayle.

Speedworks Motorsport has taken the wraps off its 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) challenger, with high hopes that the facelifted Toyota Avensis will help to propel the Northwich, Cheshire-based outfit to Independents’ glory in what is widely regarded as the world’s premier and most fiercely-disputed tin-top series.
 
Speedworks enjoyed its most successful BTCC campaign to-date in 2016, as three-time Ginetta Champion and former British Karting Champion Tom Ingram stunned with both his and the team’s maiden pole position and race victory in the Brands Hatch curtain-raiser. He added to that with a second triumph at Silverstone and was a consistent podium threat at every circuit on the calendar.
 
Not only that, but the talented young Bucks ace proved to be the fastest average qualifier in the field – no mean feat in a series uniting some of the very best touring car protagonists on the planet. His results earned him fourth place amongst the 24 high-calibre contenders in the final Independents’ Trophy standings, with Speedworks snaring a best-yet third spot in the Independent Teams’ Trophy classification.
 
With even loftier ambitions in its sights for 2017, the plucky giant-killing squad has substantially updated its #80 entry, with a primary focus on aerodynamics, cooling and damping, revised bodywork from bumper to boot lid and a distinctive new front grille in a concerted bid to enhance efficiency.
 
It will be the only facelifted Avensis on the 32-strong grid, and Team Principal Christian Dick can scarcely contain his anticipation as Speedworks revs up towards its seventh season in the immensely popular, ITV4 live-televised, all-action BTCC.
 
“This is the biggest single overhaul the Avensis has ever had, and we are confident that we have taken significant strides in every respect,” he affirmed. “We decided towards the end of 2016 which direction we wanted to pursue and that gave us a head start on a lot of the groundwork. The boys have put in an immense effort over the winter, and what they have produced is a real testament to the strength-in-depth and design expertise inside this team. The car looks quite different from every angle, and we’re all extremely excited to see how it performs when it hits the track.
 
“The Avensis still has plenty of untapped potential, and our objective was to keep it fresh by bringing it right up-to-date. We carefully evaluated every aspect and identified quite a few areas in which we could make gains. The BTCC is so tight and intensely competitive that you have to carry on continuously developing because if you stand still, you will go backwards very quickly.
 
“2016 was by far our best season to-date in the championship, but we are certainly not going to rest on our laurels and we are all eager to take another step forward in 2017. By the time we get to Brands Hatch for the first round, we intend to be every bit as strong if not stronger than we were 12 months ago. As a team, it is imperative that we are absolutely on top of our game throughout. We have to be gunning for the Independents’ crown this year – and if we can do that, there is no reason why we can’t also be in with a shot at the overall title going into the final weekend...”
 
Ingram will put the redesigned Avensis through its paces for the first time at Portimão in southern Portugal this week as Speedworks aims to make the most of some milder weather. The 23-year-old KX Akademy graduate and MSA Academy member echoes Dick’s palpable enthusiasm about the team’s prospects for the forthcoming campaign.
 
“I’ve spent a lot of time up at the Speedworks factory over the winter, closely following the changes to the Avensis, and I cannot tell you how much of a buzz there is about the package we now have underneath us,” he revealed. “On paper, we have improved the car pretty much across the board and if it goes even half as quick as it looks, we will be in good shape. I can’t wait to get out there!”

Image Credits: Matt Sayle Photography

• Returning as a Manufacturer Team after 21 years
• Marking ten years relationship with West Surrey Racing
• Welcoming back 2014 BTCC Champion, Colin Turkington
• Celebrating signing of multiple BTCC Independent Drivers Champion, Andrew Jordan
• Renewing seven year WSR signing with Series favourite, Rob Collard

A further chapter in BMW’s illustrious history in touring car racing unfolds today as BMW UK, in partnership with West Surrey Racing (WSR), announced a three-car team that will again bid for victory in the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The announcement of TEAM BMW was a landmark occasion, marking BMW’s return to the country’s best-watched motor race series as a Manufacturer Team. It’s 21 years since the marque last contested the series in this manner, when BMW Team Schnitzer fielded a trio of BMW 320i cars.

Graeme Grieve, Managing Director of BMW UK, commented: “The BTCC is undeniably the most significant race series in the UK with a huge and enthusiastic following. With a legendary record behind us in the Series’ history books, and partnering continuously with WSR for a decade, we are delighted to step up as a Manufacturer Team again after 21 years. BMW UK’s significant financial investment includes the funding of technical developments on all fronts, focused on the very latest BMW engine derivative.”

At the launch at BMW Park Lane, London, Graeme Grieve joined WSR boss, Dick Bennetts, to remove the wraps from one of the three BMW 125i M Sport team cars that will contest the 2017 BTCC. With the cars freshly-developed, prepared and run again by WSR, BMW’s return to the Series as a Manufacturer coincides with a further landmark, marking a decade since WSR first contested the BTCC with BMW, which has endured to this day.

The BMW relationship with Dick Bennetts’ Sunbury-based operation in the BTCC has been stellar, with the pair enjoying a memorable honeymoon year in 2007, claiming both the Independent Drivers and Teams Championships. Proving it was far from a short-term affair, they repeated the feat in 2008 and, in 2009 and 2014, took Overall BTCC Driver and Team Championships.

Dick Bennetts remarked: “I reckon that working together successfully as motorsport partners for ten years is the equivalent of a lifelong marriage. It’s a tribute to BMW’s product and commitment, and we are delighted to once again represent the marque as they return with increased commitment as a Manufacturer in the BTCC.”

Significantly, the driver roll of honour for each of the three BTCC Independent, Overall and Teams Championship victories fell to Northern Ireland’s Colin Turkington.

Turkington has spent nine of his 12 BTCC seasons with the WSR-BMW team, during which he scored 26 wins over five seasons. Now, two years after claiming the outright Drivers Championship at the wheel of a previous-generation BMW 125i M Sport, he returns to the rear-wheel drive TEAM BMW with renewed vigour.

And driver talent runs deep in BMW’s 2017 BTCC campaign. Joining Turkington is Andrew Jordan, 2013 BTCC Overall Drivers Champion and three times Independent Drivers Champion - who brings with him long- term personal sponsor, Pirtek. And completing the trio is Rob Collard, a BTCC followers’ favourite and the Series’ legendary overtaker who, after his most competitive season to date in 2016, marks the tenth consecutive year he has driven a BMW in the BTCC, the last seven with WSR.

Last year, the trio of WSR-prepared BMW 125i M Sport cars contributed to a nail-biting finale that went down to the wire at the final round. Team driver Sam Tordoff was pipped at the post for the overall drivers' title, just two points shy of victory. Nevertheless, the WSR BMW team claimed a double title success at the conclusion of the series, taking the BTCC Constructors' crown and the Teams’ Championship once again.

Entering the 2017 season of the super-competitive BTCC, TEAM BMW has heavyweight success behind it, increased financial and technical investment from BMW UK, the skills, consistency and superb track record of West Surrey Racing, and a driver trio that collectively represents the most powerful line-up in this year’s BTCC series.

The Series commences at the opening rounds at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on April 1^st and 2^nd .

Oulton Park and Snetterton were the venues for the start of Jack Goff's 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship testing programme – his first meaningful foray on track for Eurotech Racing.

Goff sampled the Honda Civic Type R for the first time – after making the switch from West Surrey Racing's BMW 125i M Sport – with two days in Cheshire and Norfolk and tallied more than 750 kilometres of run-time.

"It was great to get back into a BTCC car again," Goff said. "I felt instantly at home switching back to the front-wheel drive layout of the Type R.

"After the two days we completed last week, I am looking forward to really starting to fine tune myself and the car in Spain next week.

"The Eurotech squad have been working flat out over recent months to make sure we start the season in the strongest possible way and they have produced a brilliant car. Its clear to see why the Civic Type R has been so successful over recent campaigns.”

The team headed to Snetterton for the second day of its test last week where Goff was joined by team-mate Jeff Smith.

“It was my first chance to get back into the car since the end of the 2016 season," said Smith. "The day went really well with around 300 kilometres being completed and gave me a good chance to get dialled back into the car.

"Our new signing Jack Goff continues to impress and the team are all really confident of a strong 2017 season.”

Spain is the next destination for the pair as several outfits migrate to warmer climes to rack up the testing miles with development on cars ahead of the season-opener at Brands Hatch in April.

Goff will be announcing a new partner later today and will also be producing a series of behind-the-scenes videos from testing to give fans the inside line on his preparations.