Team BMW has presented the colours in which Colin Turkington and Rob Collard will contest the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The pair of BMW 125i M Sports, with which the WSR-run team won both the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ titles in 2017, will appear on-track for the first time today at Brands Hatch as pre-season testing continues.

The revised livery pays tribute to the traditional BMW Motorsport colours that have been carried by countless numbers of championship-winning touring cars since the 1970s.

Dick Bennetts, Team Principal, said: “We’re very pleased to once again carry the BMW Motorsport colours into the new BTCC season on the cars of Colin and Rob and hope they’ll prove as successful as they were in our double title-winning season last year. We have had a productive few tests in 2018 so far and want to continue this as we conclude our preparations for the start of the new campaign at Brands Hatch in April.”

AmDtuning.com with AutoAid/RCIB Insurance Racing has confirmed the signing of Scottish driver Rory Butcher for the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
 
Rory will embark on his first full season in the series with the West Thurrock-based outfit and will partner series returnee Tom Boardman in the team’s second MG6 GT.
 
The 31-year-old joins AmDtuning.com having made his debut in the series last season, when he was called up by the Motorbase team for the final four rounds of the year in place of Luke Davenport after his injury in qualifying at Croft.
 
On his first time in the car, Butcher snared a pair of top ten finishes at Knockhill and showed impressive speed through the remaining rounds, pushing regularly for more points finishes.
 
Having sampled the MG for the first time during a test at Snetterton, Butcher is set for further pre-season running in the coming weeks ahead of the opening rounds of the season at Brands Hatch on the weekend of 7-8 April.
 
Rory will be eligible to compete for the Jack Sears Trophy this season, which is now open to those drivers without a podium finish in the series.
 
“My move into the BTCC last season was all a bit last minute and I was thrown in at the deep end for my debut on home soil at Knockhill," Butcher said. "So I was determined to try and get a place on the grid this year to build on what I learned from the final four rounds of 2017 and to start building a long-term BTCC career.
 
“In January, it looked like it wasn’t going to be possible but then I spoke to Shaun (Hollamby) about the MG and with a lot of effort from the team and from my sponsors – who were eager to join me in the BTCC - we’ve been able to pull together a deal - which I’m absolutely delighted about.
 
“It's is such a strong series, particularly this season, that it hard to make too many predictions about what we can expect to achieve, but the team has shown what it can do in recent seasons and my goal is to regularly fight inside the points and push for some strong results as the season goes on.
 
“Twelve months ago, I didn’t imagine I would be racing in the BTCC but there is no better place for me to be in terms of profile. The series is the very pinnacle of British motorsport and I’m really excited about the prospect of a full season on track with AmD in 2018.”
 
Shaun Hollamby, AmDtuning.com team boss, added: “Rory is a driver who we have been talking to for some time, and we are delighted to have concluded a deal for 2018. His career record speaks for itself, and the way he performed last year when he joined the grid in difficult circumstances was hugely impressive.
 
“Since announcing the MG programme, a huge amount of work has gone into preparing and updating the cars and bringing in the drivers is the final piece of the jigsaw.
 
“We have to give thanks to both RCIB Insurance and AutoAid for their support in putting such a strong driver line-up together and I’m confident that in Rory and Tom, we have a pairing is capable of picking up some really strong results on track. We want to challenge towards the front, and I fully expect Rory to be in the mix towards the top of the Jack Sears Trophy standings.”

We're looking back at 2017’s record 13 different Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race winners, and next up it's Team BMW's Rob Collard.

Hampshireman Collard produced a typically swashbuckling start, ensuring he would be in the top six by the time the race was red flagged early-on. The BMW racer had fired his 125i M Sport beyond four rivals before the impact of Lloyd's MG meant Armco repairs were required and a delay ensued.

No matter though, as Collard produced a similarly spritely getaway at the restart – another quick launch, hoisting his 1 Series into third spot and right onto the back of the factory Hondas ahead. Jack Goff was up there too, in Eurotech Racing's Civic Type R. 

A real set-to into the final chicane after the high-speed blast around the back of Thruxton Circuit saw Collard draw three wide with Goff and Shedden alongside. Notoriously racy come Sunday, Collard came out on top of that particular battle with Neal now in his sights out front.

The drama wasn't done there, however, as Neal's Honda appeared to be in trouble – coasting down the pit-lane and handing the race lead to Collard. Shedden in the sister Halfords Yuasa Racing machine dispatched Goff for second spot,  and looked to be hot on the heels of the leader. 

With the race building to a climax, things were unfortunately cut short after Martin Depper's Motorbase Ford ran out of road at Goodwood and scattered debris over the track. Another red flag, and this time that would be that – leaving Collard to notch a first-ever victory on home turf. Shedden came home second with Tom Ingram rounding out the podium.

“That was an explosive few laps!” beamed Collard post-race. “The BMW felt absolutely stunning and I’m so pleased for the team. We did a lot at the first start, and then the re-start was similarly textbook. I had a really good opening lap and then I’m not sure what happened to Matt – I could see sparks coming off – so it was obviously a shame for him but I will take this one and with pride."

Rob scored an additional six podiums and would go onto finish fifth in the overall standings, despite sitting out the whole finale weekend and two of the three rounds at Silverstone following the after-effects of an accident in Round 25.

The 60th Anniversary Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is almost upon us and testing, which has been in full-swing for some months now throughout busy winter programmes up and down the pit-lane, is now coming to a head with all cars due on track together for the first time at Season Launch, Donington Park on Tuesday 27 March.

Preparations have been taking place at home and abroad, with teams taking to Spain and Portugal as well as touring circuits around the UK. Season Launch will be the first of two official pre-season tests, with another to follow on 29 March at Brands Hatch.

Tuesday morning at Donington Park will see teams and drivers fulfil a barrage of media duties, with driver line-ups to be introduced, new sponsors and partners to be publicly unveiled, as well as 'covers-off' for 2018's cars in their fresh new liveries – the media will be watching on, there to cover it all.

Prior to the afternoon test session, gates will open to the public at 1230 in the afternoon on Tuesday 27 March with admission free-of-charge. The circuit is running a hospitality taster for the upcoming season, priced at £40 per head. Fans are kindly asked not to queue before 1200 to avoid congestion during a busy morning of media activities.

The paddock will be open to all, as is the case at every BTCC race weekend, giving supporters the chance to meet their heroes and get up-close and personal with this year's batch of cars. From 1300, cars are set to take to the track for a full afternoon of testing which will come to a close at 1700.

Testing on 29 March at Brands Hatch is also set to be free to enter for the public.

For more information head to doningtonpark.msv.com.

Continuing our look back at 2017's record 13 different Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race winners, we switch focus to winner number six – Halfords Yuasa Racing man Matt Neal.

The triple champion's Thruxton drive saw him seal a 60th BTCC victory with a faultless lights-to-flag performance. Neal led team-mate Gordon Shedden home, with Eurotech Racing's Jack Goff rounding out an all-Honda top three.

Neal's weekend started positively, as he romped to a maiden pole position of the season, and, incredibly, a first in five years. He made his advantage count away from the line, pulling clear of Shedden who was hauling the maximum 75kgs of success ballast in his position of then-championship leader. From there, the experienced racer was able to manage the situation and control the gap to the chasing pack.

The closest Shedden would get to making a move stick was a side-by-side through the Complex on the opening tour, but Neal held firm. The victory drew him level with four-time champion Andy Rouse in races won, second only to Jason Plato in the all-time tally.

“I hadn’t given much thought to equalling Andy’s win tally, to be honest,” Neal said post-race. “We all thought Andy’s record was unachievable and even though Jason [Plato] exceeded it, I never thought I would get there – just unbelievable. Yes, there are a lot more races in the season now, but its tough out there.

Matt went on to score another victory – at Silverstone, which saw him pass Rouse's record – and a further six podiums on the way to seventh spot in the overall standings.

Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race-winner and BRDC Rising Star Aiden Moffat has announced award-winning technology company EMACS Bodyshop Management Systems as sponsors for the forthcoming season.

EMACS General Manager Chris Mortimer said: “The opportunity to support Aiden is a fantastic one for us as a business. It will allow us to showcase our growing brand to a wider audience and this deal was the right one for us.

"We wanted to partner with a group of people who hold similar values to our own, and had that true winner's attitude. Both Laser Tools Racing and Aiden Moffat fall firmly into that camp as victorious competitors in top-flight British motorsport and we feel their reputation matches our own very high professional standards.

"We're looking forward to watching Aiden's season with great interest." 

EMACS is no stranger to success of its own, with its systems winning the bodyshop industry's coveted ABP Club Repairers' Choice Awards for the last nine years on the spin. Its assets recognise that time is money, especially true in the workshop environment where keeping vehicle downtime to a minimum is essential and effective time management could well lead to improved turnover.

Moffat spoke of his delight at welcoming the company onboard for 2018.

"To be at the very top of your profession for nine years in a row is an amazing feat in any industry," said the Scot. "As a team, we always aspire to reach the top and stay there, so we can really appreciate the achievements EMACS has under its belt. It shows just what can be done with professionalism, dedication and hard work."

We're reliving the efforts of a record 13 different Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race winners from 2017, and today it's the turn of Team BMW's Colin Turkington.

The Ulsterman's victory at Donington Park made it five winners from the opening six rounds of what was already shaping up to be an ultra-competitive campaign.

Halfords Yuasa Racing's Gordon Shedden had looked to have sewn up a top points score after a strong drive in difficult conditions, passing four cars ahead of him despite losing early ground to Josh Cook's Ford Focus off the line. The Scot made it back past Cook three laps later before latching onto the back of Turkington's 125i M Sport, slipping by the BMW at the end of the same tour.

Pole-sitter Dave Newsham scampered into the distance while those behind battled amongst themselves but, now in clear air, Shedden was able to reel in the BTC Norlin Racing Chevrolet, making a move stick around the outside of Redgate for the lead. Drama ensued after the chequered flag fell, however, when it became clear that the Civic Type R had fallen foul of ride height regulations and had been excluded from the final result.

It all meant that Turkington had actually made the winning move on lap eight, passing Newsham at the final chicane for what became a net 20-point haul.

“That was incredibly tricky,” said Turkington post-race. “We were just on the limit of grip everywhere. The Craner Curves were just the biggest challenge. I enjoyed it, and I was just trying to focus on Gordon and keep the lap times consistent."

Another victory followed at Thruxton as the Ulsterman's title charge gathered momentum. Turkington's Round 29 victory, though, was something really special and ensured the race for the title would go down to the wire.

The double champ flew from 15th on the grid to eventually muscle his way beyond leader Aiden Moffat's Laser Tools Racing Mercedes, clinching what was an emotional win.

There was no time to waste in his chase and the 125i M Sport scythed beyond several seasoned racers, as well as eventual champion and then-direct rival for the crown Ash Sutton in the Adrian Flux Subaru Racing Levorg.

“I’ve still got the fight!” said an impassioned Turkington after Round 29. “What an amazing race. I wasn’t expecting to make that much progress but the strategy was really good. I missed out in race one but with the soft tyre and no weight the 1 Series was blinding.

"I had the fire in my belly, there was too much at stake not to. The grip was there in the warmer part of the day. Once you make a few places up, you get a bit of confidence and we were strong in the right areas, so I could make the cutback and we were strong on the brakes too.

“Aiden (Moffat) was carrying full weight and driving a very defensive race – I came with so much more pace and was able to brake so much deeper.

"The disparity between the two cars at that point was pretty obvious and there was too much at stake to follow him around, so I may have just kissed him."

It wasn't to be in the end for Turkington as a puncture ended any potential championship charge in the finale prematurely.

Speedworks Motorsport has just returned from Portugal's Algarve and Portimao, having spent four days in sunnier climes to evaluate and continue development of its title-winning Toyota as it seeks to go one better with overall honours in 2018.

Last season was by far and away a best-yet for the Independent outfit and longstanding driver Tom Ingram, who secured four victories and a further five podiums on the way to third in the Drivers' standings and a storming run to both Indy titles.

Ingram was delighted to be in amongst it once again and pushing the boundaries of Speedworks' already-menacing Avensis at the Algarve International Circuit.

"It was so good to be back in the car!" said Ingram. "It's been a long winter but I've been keeping fresh on the Speedworks Pro-Sim simulator, so when I jumped in the car I didn't feel rusty at all and was able to get bang on pace straight away.

"Once again, Speedworks have found even more performance in the Toyota and the car feels strong.

"Arguably, 2018 is going to be one of the most competitive in recent years and this test should have given us a bit of an advantage heading into the first round.

"You look down the entry list for this year and there are 10-15 drivers who have won a BTCC race, or are capable of winning one this year, so I am going to have my work cut out but the car is mega and I feel fresh and race ready so bring it on!"

Christian Dick, Speedworks' Team Principal, extolled the virtues of testing on foreign soil: "Portugal has become an annual test for us over the past three years and you can clearly see how much effect that has had on our results, going from BTCC points scorers to Independents' champions.

"People ask what's the point in going abroad, as we don't race abroad but you look at the weather back in the UK whilst we were in Portugal, the only thing that would have seen any running was the kettle in the workshop!

"As ever, we are pushing hard developing the Toyota and it was great to see the time and effort put into the car paying off in terms of lap-times and pace.

"There is only one goal in 2018 and that is the overall title. This test has put us firmly on the front foot heading into Brands Hatch."

Following the confirmation of its 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship line up and new Honda machinery for the forthcoming season, BTC Norlin Racing has announced a sponsorship deal with the hotel group, Hampton by Hilton.

BTC Norlin Racing team owner Stephen Symington said: “We are all thrilled to have a true global giant and trailblazer in the hospitality industry join the team. Hilton have been involved in Formula 1 for over a decade now but this is the Hampton brand’s first venture into the BTCC.

“The Hilton brand is renowned for its quality product, friendly customer service and brand loyalty, which is very much aligned with what we are trying to create at BTC Norlin Racing. This is only our second season in the BTCC and further demonstrates how far the team has come in a very short period of time.

“It certainly is an exciting time at Norlin Racing and we can’t wait for the season to start. We have two very talented drivers, a proven championship-winning car and great sponsors, so expectations are high for the forthcoming season. Multiple podium finishes are very much the goal.”

Mike Aspinall and Richard Martin, directors at Norlin Hotels, added: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Hilton with our colleagues at BTC Norlin Racing."

We’re remembering the efforts of each of 2017's record 13 different winners in the lead up to the new campaign, and next under the spotlight is young Scot Aiden Moffat's maiden Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship victory, back at Donington Park last April.

Moffat lined up fourth on the grid ahead of Round 4 and a strong start saw him launch into Redgate right with the lead trio – Handy Motorsport man Rob Austin, Eurotech Racing's Jack Goff, and Tom Ingram in the Speedworks Motorsport Toyota.

After a flying first lap, the Laser Tools Racing Mercedes-Benz had made it into third spot, Moffat slicing his way beyond Goff and homing right onto the back of Austin's Toyota Avensis. On lap two, a smart move into the Old Hairpin saw him propel the A-Class up into second and from there, he went about hounding early leader Tom Ingram.

The Speedworks racer had made the early jump on pole-sitter Austin but once Moffat had cleared the pair ahead of him, he wouldn't let the leader out of his sight and a dramatic to-and-fro ensued.

For three laps, the duo were locked in battle and Moffat's moment would come on lap five – the Mercedes getting the run on Ingram's Toyota down through the Craner Curves and from there, the Scot never looked back. Laser Tools Racing and Moffat enjoyed their highest-place championship finish to date last year, with Aiden going on to notch another victory at the Brands Hatch finale weekend.

After his maiden win, Aiden spoke of his delight: “It was a very special feeling – I won’t be forgetting that moment anytime soon!

“The Laser Tools Racing car was absolutely brilliant. We had a great set-up all weekend, so I was feeling confident and knew we had the pace. It all came together nicely.

“It was a hard race because it was a case of managing the gap and looking after the tyres once I got into the lead but I felt that I had a good chance.

“I knew that Tom (Ingram) was on the harder, option tyre and that he was carrying 66 kilograms of success ballast, so I knew that I could get ahead and I saw that he was a bit unsettled through the Craner Curves.

“I made my move there as soon as I could and got away while he was defending from the pack behind. I’m tempted to stop racing for the day and go to the pub and celebrate!”