BTC Racing has revealed that it will run the new model Honda Civic Type-R FK8 in the 2019 British Touring Car Championship after purchasing two brand new cars from Team Dynamics.
The Brackley-based team ran two of the FK2 Civics in 2018, its first year in Honda machinery, and it is now upgrading to the latest spec cars.
At the same time, BTC Racing will also move to Neil Brown Engineering-prepared Honda engines, having previously run the Swindon Racing Engines unit in its cars last year.
In its first year with Honda machinery BTC broke its race winners duck, with both Dan Lloyd and Chris Smiley stepping onto the top step of the winner’s rostrum at Croft and Rockingham respectively.
Team owner Steve Dudman is looking forward to working with Team Dynamics during the 2019 season, even though he will be competing against them on the track.
“The team at Team Dynamics Motorsport are consummate professionals in everything they do,” said Dudman. “They handle the fine line between us as a customer and being their competitor with complete balance, fairness and transparency and we look forward to reaping the rewards in 2019 for both teams in equal measure.
“Having the Honda engine makes the car and team feel we have a complete package. We look forward to working with all of the team at NBE in what we’re sure will be a great year in the BTCC.”
Team Principal Bert Taylor says that the announcement means his team have stepped up another gear in what is now its seventh season in the BTCC.
“Our relationship with TDM just moved up a gear,” added Taylor. “By allowing us into the stable, we’ve been granted privileged access to more than 20 years of hard work, data and championship-winning experience.
“It is difficult to describe just how committed Barry [Plowman, Technical Director] and the guys at TDM are until you see what they build. It’s a real masterclass in engineering for the Honda brand.
“After two years with Swindon Engineering [engines], we’re sad to leave them. Especially after all the hard work and support they have provided us with the TOCA engines used in both our Chevrolet Cruzes and FK2-gen Honda Civic Type Rs.
“I’ve been a NBE customer previously, so for me and the team it was like going home. Fiona and Neil [Brown] made such a good first impression. It wasn’t a difficult decision in the end to make the jump and be sure that the new cars would have the Honda powerplant in their engine bays.
“We feel we’ve got the best partners providing what is recognised as one of the best engines in the championship. This yields the best opportunity yet for us to challenge right at the sharp end for race wins and podium finishes.”
BTC Racing will be backed by Team Dynamics Motorsport throughout the 2019 campaign, with the long-time Honda partner keen to see BTC Racing enjoy success in the cars.
“Team Dynamics Motorsport is delighted to be supporting BTC Racing in the 2019 BTCC,” said Team Dynamics Team Manager James Rodgers. “The team has shown itself to be a force to be reckoned with in the championship and with its new cars for the season we hope to see great things. We look forward to working with BTC Racing this year.”