United Autosports has kicked off its British Touring Car Championship challenge with a series of test days in recent weeks.

Following confirmation last December of the team’s entry into Britain’s premier motor sport series the squad have been hard at work rebuilding one Toyota Avensis for James Cole while constructing a brand new machine for team-mate Glynn Geddie.

The duo made their way to the Thruxton test day on 18th February with James’ Toyota while Glynn’s Avensis was being finished off back at base. Both cars have since been out for two days of testing at Snetterton this week, followed by a further damp day out at Silverstone.

Heading out in their brand new liveries, both drivers had a solid showing throughout the week, and got the chance to do some wet weather testing too. The team also worked through different set-ups as they familiarise themselves with the NGTC cars.

“Testing this week went really well,” said Cole. “Every time we go out we learn a little bit more about the car and my confidence in the car is improving each time we leave the pits. The only thing that is going against us at the moment is the British weather! Our pace is very encouraging considering how new we all are. If we keep on improving at the rate we are then Brands Hatch for round one will be very exciting!”

Experienced racer Geddie is equally pleased with the progress being made: "Things are going really well,” he said. “It will take some getting used to but we have had two successful tests and I am really happy with the car, team and the efforts everyone is putting in."

Team Owner and Managing Director, Richard Dean, was also delighted to see both cars hit the track for the first time with just a month remaining before the opening round of the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship:

“This week we made our testing debut with our brand new Toyota and I’m pleased to say it ran really well,” Dean noted. “It’s always a nervous occasion when a new car hits the track for the first time as you don’t know how it’s going to go but thankfully we have only had small issues that we could resolve fairly quickly.

“James’ rebuilt Toyota has also run really well this week and I think the time has been really useful for the drivers to get to know their cars too. We are trying to fit as much testing in as we can before the start of the championship so we can be confident, but also realistic, when we make our way to Brands Hatch at the end of March."

United Autosports now visits Oulton Park and Rockingham next week, followed by Brands Hatch and Croft the week after, before the official BTCC Season Launch at Donington on the 18th March.