Tuesday, October 16 2012

Darford-based Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Team HARD have confirmed the purchase of two NGTC Vauxhall Insignias from Thorney Motorsport, one of which will be raced at Brands Hatch this weekend (20/21 October). Team Principal Tony Gilham will enter the car alongside newcomer Aaron Williamson in their S2000-specification Honda Civic.

Gilham raced the Insignia for Thorney Motorsport at Snetterton and Silverstone and had confirmed earlier in the year that he was planning to switch to newer NGTC machinery for the 2013 season. This weekend will provide the team with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the car at their home circuit.

"This is a very exciting chapter in Team HARD's history," said Gilham. "Having driven the Insignia twice I am very confident there is a lot of potential in the car and, with the extra resources we have, we're really looking forward to seeing what we can wring from it both at Brands Hatch but also during testing in the off-season for 2013.

"Both cars we're running this weekend, the Insignia and the Civic, are currently in white and look stunning but there are still a few days to go - the colour scheme could change yet."

Meanwhile Williamson, previously a front-runner in the Ginetta Junior and GT Supercup, will make his BTCC debut in the Civic. He will follow Robb Holland and Howard Fuller, who have also sampled the series from behind the wheel of the car that took Gordon Shedden to the brink of the 2011 title.

Thorney Motorsport will be building two more Insignias with the aim of returning to the BTCC in 2013 along with new sponsors. The deal with Team HARD is intended to be the first of many customer build programmes.

Tickets for the final round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 20/21 October are available from £25, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information, call 0843 453 9000 or click here.