BTCC bosses have today announced that the Toyota Avensis is to be used as the prototype car for the new NGTC regulations that will come into effect in 2011. The car, which will make its first appearance at the season-ending Brands Hatch meeting this year, is currently under construction by GPR Motorsport.
Toyota have generously supplied the car to the BTCC and, despite not officially supporting a works team, have been more than happy to supply a car and bodyshell for use in development of the new regulations.
“To be able to support the premier British motor sport series with the Avensis was a great opportunity for Toyota to help an ‘old friend’”, said Toyota UK head of PR Scott Brownlee. “The BTCC is a series we greatly respect and have enjoyed a long and successful involvement with in the past. Whilst we’ve made no commitment to re-enter the championship with a works team at this time, we will be following the prototype build with great interest and look forward to seeing the car perform on its debut at Brands Hatch in October.”
When the NGTC regulations come into force next year team’s will be able to design and develop their own cars for approximately 50% of the cost of running a current FIA Super-2000 specification machine. The cost savings will be achieved by an increased use of common components uspplied by the likes of AP Racing, Cosworth Electronics and Swindon Engines. The latter have already been able to get their NGTC engine on track this year, ahead of schedule, with Andrew Jordan and David Pinkney racing the new powerplants.
Once complete, James Thompson will be the first driver to get a taste of the new regulations in October. As the official NGTC test driver, Thompson will take part in the two free practice sessions on the Saturday at Brands Hatch – although series officials have not yet ruled out the opportunity of the new car being raced at the meeting.