Halfords Yuasa Racing has today (16 March) revealed the 2020 version of its Honda Civic Type R that will race in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
The newly-liveried Civic Type R (FK8) was unveiled at a special event held at Halfords Yuasa Racing's Droitwich headquarters, as the team took a brief break from an intensive pre-season test and development programme.
Honda drivers Dan Cammish and Matt Neal are determined to build upon a highly competitive 2019 campaign, in which Cammish took two race wins and came within a lap of lifting the BTCC drivers' title in the very last race.
“The car looks great and we've enjoyed some excellent development over the winter, while my new two-year contract with the team gave me a huge boost,” said the Yorkshireman, a four-time race-winner in the series. “I'm going into 2020 with the same attitude as 2019 – I want to do the best job I possibly can. I very nearly won the championship last year, so I know I have what it takes.”
Halfords Yuasa Racing's pre-season preparations were briefly disrupted by an unfortunate accident suffered by Neal in January while mountain-bike training, putting the veteran BTCC driver in hospital for a few days.
While Matt recovered, the team was able to call upon a very able substitute to carry out his testing duties – Gordon 'Flash' Shedden, who in eight seasons with the factory Honda outfit, secured three BTCC crowns. The Scot put in essential development mileage before his fellow triple champion was able to resume running in March.
“My season hasn’t started off in the best of sorts with my shunt earlier in the year, but I’ve been progressing well – I jumped in this season's Honda Civic Type R last week for the first time and managed to put a significant amount of laps under my belt,” revealed Neal.
“2020 is a special year for me as I reach my 30th season in the championship – I know I still have the pace and with Dan, I feel we have a pretty awesome team of old heads and young talent. Personally, I’ll be gunning for my fourth title, but first we need to get the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ championships wrapped up for our sponsors!"
Chief amongst those sponsors is Yuasa – the team's longest-standing partner – who will mark its tenth anniversary in the championship this year. Honda UK Managing Director Dave Hodgetts is hopeful that there will be plenty for all sides to celebrate come season’s end.
“I know that the team has worked very hard over the winter to ensure the latest evolution of the Honda Civic Type R goes as well as it looks,” he said. “With our talented duo of Matt Neal and Dan Cammish at the wheel, and Dan having come so close to the title last season, we are optimistic of another excellent season in the BTCC.”
