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!”

Testing ahead of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is in full swing, with teams having already visited Portugal and Spain as well as a host of circuits on home soil as they ramp up preparations for this year's 60th Anniversary campaign.

This week, BMR Racing and Power Maxed Racing are at Snetterton – starting today – with West Surrey Racing and Ciceley Motorsport making the trip to Norfolk tomorrow to enter the fray.

Ciceley will provisionally stay on there into Wednesday, and if indeed they do, the Lancashire squad will be joined by WIX Racing with Eurotech, Team Parker Racing, HMS Racing and Team HARD.

Aiden Moffat and Laser Tools Racing as well as HMS Racing are on track at Brands Hatch on Tuesday, with the week set to be rounded off with Motorbase lapping at Donington Park on Thursday, a PMR visit to Oulton Park on Friday alongside an AmD test at Snetterton before five teams head to Brands Hatch on 21 March for a pre-Season Launch group test. Motorbase, WSR, Halfords Yuasa Racing, Team Parker Racing and DUO Motorsport with HMS will all stretch their legs in Kent in readiness for Donington Park.

Season Launch at the Leicestershire venue, 27 March, incorporates the usual afternoon test session following a busy morning of media duties. This will be the first time in 2018 that every outfit will have the opportunity head out on track together.

Another official test day, new for 2018, arrives two days later at Brands Hatch, providing a similar chance for teams to get up to speed – with every outfit set to attend prior to the season opening rounds at the same venue just over a week later.

With 12 different drivers taking top honours in 2016, who would have predicted that the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship finale at Brands Hatch would yield a record-breaking 13th different race winner?

We’re reliving each of those victors’ efforts and BMW Pirtek Racing's Andrew Jordan is next up.

The Lichfield racer had made the switch from Motorbase over the off-season, meaning the season opener on the Indy loop would be his first competitive outing in the 125i M Sport – all liveried up in that familiar Pirtek blue.

It was a quick blast off the line for fast-starting Jordan, with the benefits of a move to rear-wheel drive machinery making themselves immediately apparent – the 2013 champ needing little time to adjust as he flew into the lead by the time the pack rounded Paddock Hill Bend.

Pressure was immediately alleviated on the leader former team-mate Mat Jackson's Ford Focus was forced into an excursion across the gravel as he looked to pass Tom Chilton's Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra around the outside – the latter able to hold on to second spot. 

Meanwhile, Jordan's new stablemate, Colin Turkington, in the sister Team BMW 125i M Sport, had leapt up the order from tenth on the grid to place third by little over mid-distance in the race. He wasted no time in reeling in Chilton's Astra, and duly the Ulsterman was able to nip by on lap 17 to set about hounding BMW newcomer Jordan.

Jordan was forced into fending off the advances of Turkington in the closing stages, with the double champ right on his tail. He wouldn't give way though and despite every trick in the book from Colin, including a friendly nudge through Clearways, the 2013 champ held firm to lead home what was a landmark one-two on BMW's return to the BTCC as a manufacturer.

“That was quite a start wasn’t it with rear-wheel drive and a new team?" said Jordan, post-race. "I was getting a bit twitchy with Colin (Turkington) looking really, really strong on the soft tyres behind – the rear-wheel drive expert!

"We had a little rub at the end there but it was a good way to end. I knew he wasn’t going to do anything silly. It wasn’t the calmest moment of my career when he did get past Tom (Chilton). I was hoping he’d be behind him a bit longer but I knew he was coming.

"I just kept driving to my markers, tried not to look in my mirrors any more than usual and tried to be kind on the left rear tyre. It was special really, to get the win on my first event with BMW Pirtek Racing and West Surrey Racing. It was all down to the team – credit to the guys for all the work they’ve put in, especially with the addition of the new engine.”

Jordan added a couple more top step appearances in 2017 –one at Oulton Park and another at Rockingham – on his way to ninth in the overall standings.

 

With 12 different drivers taking top honours in 2016, who would have predicted that the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship finale at Brands Hatch would yield a record-breaking 13th different race winner?

Over the course of the next couple of weeks we're reliving each of those victors’ efforts and next up it's ex-Halfords Yuasa Racing man, departing three-time champ Gordon Shedden – Round Two's winner.

After a restart, owing to Jason Plato's stricken Subaru Levorg which was turned into the pit-wall off the line, Tom Ingram led the pack away and around the first tour following an impressively quick getaway. With his Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis heavy on ballast as a consequence that victory in the opener, Shedden's Honda looked the more potent package and duly swept by on lap two at Paddock Hill Bend.

In behind the lead pair, a battle between Rob Austin, Andrew Jordan, Rob Collard and Adam Morgan began to evolve, with the foursome line astern around the 1.27-mile Indy loop. Contact left Ant Whorton-Eales' AmD Audi S3 beached at Clearways, meaning a brief period under the Safety Car, squeezing things up with just under ten laps left to run.

At the restart, it was all to play for. Shedden had looked as if he'd got it all wrapped up but Rob Collard in the Team BMW 125i M Sport was now the cat amongst the pigeons – or seemingly so, with Shedden's car much the heavier, laden with 66kgs of ballast. He made light work of Ingram on lap 20 with a nudge at Paddock before making the move stick up the hill into Druids.

It looked as if he'd have it in him to challenge the Honda out front, but he failed to make further progress with time rapidly running out. The Scot ultimately had enough in hand and the lead trio remained as-you-were until the chequered flag fell.

Post race, the Honda man said:  “That was a very bizarre race, with the restart and everything. To win with 66kg in the car is really special. Weirdly, the car probably felt better there than it did in the first race without any weight, so we’re clearly going in the right direction. 

"Rob [Collard] was coming on strong at the end, with a fair chunk less weight than I had – I’m glad it was over when it was over really. That was long enough!”

At the time, the indicators were there that the then-reigning champ would be a real force to be reckoned with once again in 2017 but ultimately, he closed the campaign – with his chase for three titles on the spin a fruitless one – just over 60 points shy of eventual winner Ashley Sutton.

That said, Flash had led the way in the standings as far into the season as the lead up to the Knockhill race weekend and tallied a further two top-step appearances. Strong competition at the top, however, was enough to see even Shedden falter as the season came to a head.

After an unprecedented 12 different drivers took the laurels in 2016, who would have predicted that come the final chequered flag of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch back in October, we would be welcoming home a record-breaking 13th different race winner?

Over the course of the next couple of weeks we'll be reliving each of those victors' efforts, starting with the man that took the spoils at the opening round last year on the Brands Hatch Indy loop – Speedworks Motorsport's Tom Ingram. You'll find a rather smart wallpaper to celebrate that success for both your phone and your computer below, on us!

In 2016, Tingram had set the pace at the Brands opener with pole position and duly followed up with an impressive lights-to-flag drive, fending off the eventual champion in Halfords Yuasa Racing's Gordon Shedden and Ciceley Motorsport's Adam Morgan. It was a maiden victory in the BTCC for the Buckinghamshire racer, and a breakthrough victory – one that set him up for a best-yet campaign, and one that set hopes sky-high for what he might go on to achieve in 2017.

The High Wycombe man could scarely have hoped for a better start to his championship charge last year – matching his efforts in Kent at the same point a year prior. The newly-facelifted Speedworks Toyota Avensis immediately showed signs that it would be a fearsome package in Ingram's hands over the 30 rounds to come, firing away from second spot and past polesitter Jeff Smith in the Eurotech Racing Honda Civic Type R before Smith could make it into Paddock Hill Bend.

Ingram sprinted clear with Smith holding station behind, while contact further back saw two championship challengers in Honda's Matt Neal and Team BMW's Colin Turkington stuttering into retirement with a Safety Car enforced.

On the restart, Ingram bolted with Smith immediately looking at a racy-looking Shedden in his mirrors. A valiant defence couldn't stop the factory Honda's progress via a storming move around Graham Hill Bend to take second spot. Morgan soon followed suit. 

The Speedworks Avensis looked serene out front, meanwhile, despite a double champ for close company and in the end, Ingram cruised his way to a commanding victory, with Shedden on the defensive come the closing stages as Morgan's Mercedes found its stride.

“That was absolutely fantastic, how do you put it into words?,” beamed Ingram post-race. “Two years on the bounce – that was just the best way to repay all that hard work we put in over the winter.

"The start we had was our plan all along. We had to try and get the jump on Jeff (Smith) off the line and it was just about as perfect as it could have been. From there, I just tried to build as big a gap as I could.

"A heck of a result, but we’ve just got to ensure we don’t do what we did in 2016. We were pace-setters but we lost a lot of points over the races. If we can make amends there, we will be in contention.”

Make amends Ingram and Speedworks did. A more composed, consistent 2017 saw him rocket to three further victories, starting at Donington Park just four rounds later. Visits to the top step at Knockhill and Silverstone would follow on his way to by far a best BTCC tilt to date for Ingram – in the end good for third in the overall standings, and top of the tree in the Independents' championships for both driver and team. Not a bad effort that, was it Tom?

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher has announced the signing of Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race winner James Cole for its 2018 campaign.

The Liverpudlian returns to the Motorbase fold having last raced with the Kent-based outfit during its part-season campaign in 2015. Cole has spent the last two seasons as part of BMR Racing's manufacturer-backed squad where he took his Subaru to a maiden BTCC pole position and race win at Rockingham in 2017.

Cole was a successful single seater driver in his early career, winning the British Formula Ford Championship in 2009, going on to compete in the British Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2 Championships before making his BTCC debut in 2013.

“It’s great to welcome James back into the team,” said Team Principal David Bartrum. “James was with us in  2015 for half a season, he came in during a very difficult year for us as we only got to run half a season, so he has unfinished business with Motorbase.

“James has done a very good job in the Subaru in the time he’s been away. He’s been on pole, won a race and has clearly raised his game and coming back to FWD may well suit him,” added the team boss.

“He has a big task coming into the team late but we’ve got an excellent infrastructure around him and he has a very strong team-mate in Tom Chilton so I know he’ll be able to equip himself well and get up to speed quickly. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the car this year.”

“It’s fantastic to be back as part of the Motorbase line-up this year,” said Cole. "I’ve never felt happier and more excited going into a new BTCC season. Thanks to David Bartrum for having the faith to welcome me back.”

“I’m coming back into the team as a race winner now and I have another two years’ experience under my belt which should put me in good stead to have a proper crack this year. It’s also great to be back working with James Mundy, my engineer from Formula Ford, it’s been 10 years since we last worked together so it feels like a homecoming!”

Having secured the remaining Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher seat alongside new signing Tom Chilton, Cole joined the Motorbase-run outfit for the final day of pre-season testing at Parcmotor Casterlloli circuit in Spain last week, where the 29-year-old got his first chance to sample the squad’s new challenger for the 2018 season, the Ford Focus RS.

“It was like putting back on an old pair of gloves at the test last week,” Cole added.  “I thought it might take a while to get to grips with FWD again but I managed to get up to speed very quickly.

"The new RS gives me a lot more confidence to push early on and considering I haven’t been in FWD for a couple of years, I managed to get on the pace within a day which shows how much the car has moved on from the old ST.”

Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Gallagher continues its pre-season testing programme over the coming weeks before the Championship’s official Season Launch at Donington Park on 27 March.

Halfords Yuasa Racing's all-new BTCC Honda Civic Type R broke cover for the first time this morning (27 February) at Parcmotor Castellolí, just outside Barcelona, Spain.

The car will be subjected to a near week-long test at the circuit, with latest generation Civic Type R (FK8) set to be shaken down and thoroughly evaluated as the team begins its pre-season programme ahead of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Triple BTCC champion Matt Neal and new signing Dan Cammish are scheduled to get their first taste of the car in Spain, before heading home to Brands Hatch and Donington Park for further track-time and development.

It has been a herculean effort from the Team Dynamics squad to build the pair of Civic Type Rs over the winter, with the team looking forward to unveiling the 2018 livery at their brand-new factory on 22 March.

The championship's official Season Launch event will then take place at Donington Park, 27 March, which will be the first time that all of this year’s BTCC's challengers will be on track together.

The opening rounds of the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will commence at Brands Hatch on 7/8 April.

David Hodgetts (Managing Director, Honda UK) said: “The Honda Civic Type R has been one of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship's most successful cars during its time in the series, and with the launch of the FK8 road car in 2017, it's fantastic to see the next generation in full racing trim out on track for 2018. With the new car and a new driver pairing, we're sure the season ahead will be one to remember. The new Civic Type R has scooped a host of awards, from Top Gear's Car of the Year to AutoExpress, Evo and Whatcar? Hot Hatch of the Year and we're hoping we can follow up those accolades with more success, on the track this time, in 2018.”

James Rodgers (Team Manager, Halfords Yuasa Racing) said: “It's been a massive effort by the team over the off-season to transition to the new Honda Civic Type R and to see all of those hours labour bear fruit is just a fantastic feeling. The car provides an excellent platform to work with and we're sure it'll prove a potent package when it hits the track in anger at Brands Hatch. We've got a busy testing schedule in the lead up to that point, and we will be sure to hit the ground running when the season starts, in the best shape possible.”

Matt Neal (Driver, Halfords Yuasa Racing and Director) said: “This next generation Honda Civic Type R is fantastic and the guys have pulled out all the stops to get us to this point. I can't wait to jump in and get out on track this week. If the car goes as fast as it looks then we'll be in great shape this season!”

Dan Cammish (Driver, Halfords Yuasa Racing) said: “It’s really exciting to see the new car in the flesh, in full racing trim and it’s really something special. Sitting in the cockpit for the first time will be a really proud moment for me.”

Multi award-winning car dealer Trade Price Cars will join Team HARD Racing as title partners for the 60th anniversary of the UK’s premier motorsport series, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with the outfit mounting a four-car challenge in 2018.

The company's owner Dan Kirby raced with Team HARD in the Ginetta Supercup, notching six podiums in the AM class. The Essex-based businessman was keen to expand his involvement with the outfit in the BTCC, having taken time out from his driving duties for the forthcoming season due to family commitments.

“It's is an exciting time to be involved with Team Hard Racing, so it’s fantastic to welcome Trade Price Cars as our new title partners," said Team Principal Tony Gilham. "We get stronger with every year that passes in the BTCC. We have built an amazing technical team and all four drivers are capable of success, in the overall running and in the Independents' Championship.

"It’s great that Dan (Kirby), as a friend of the team, has given us such a superb platform to work together, I can’t wait to see what we can achieve, both on and off-track this year.”

Trade Price Cars will feature on all four of Team HARD’s 2018 Evolution VW CC’s, with its distinctive logo prominently visible across the team's race operation. Team HARD will welcome guests of the company to enjoy its VIP weekend experiences, and Trade Price Cars will benefit from the incredible television and media exposure the BTCC offers up.

“Being part of the TOCA package last season was a mega experience, not only to compete in but to give something back to my sponsors in VIP benefits and nationwide coverage," said Kirby. "It is so important in modern day motorsport that drivers look after their partners and encourage them along to the track where the atmosphere and general race day vibe is electric.

"Our guests raved about the VIP experience with Team HARD and for the forthcoming season we are confident those businesses will continue to support us. I know how hard Tony Gilham has worked to progress the team, so it seemed an ideal time for us to join as title partners.”

“Already recognised as winners in business, now is the time to win on the race track with Trade Price Cars Team Hard Racing. The Independents' Championship and Jack Sears Trophy are strong possibilities – we will be pushing for both! Who knows, but it’s certainly an exciting time to be involved with the team.”

The 2018 Trade Price Cars with Team HARD livery will be revealed at the BTCC Season Launch on 27 March at Donington Park.