Honda have today (1st September) announced that they will compete in the 2012 British Touring Car Championship with an NGTC-specification version of the new Honda Civic.
Two new cars, built to the BTCC’s new Next-Generation touring Car rules, are being prepared by the Japanese firm’s long-time partner Team Dynamics. It has also been confirmed that the entry will continue to be a full works-backed operation.
Speaking about the announcement Honda (UK)’s Managing Director Dave Hodgetts said:
“We are delighted to enter the new Civic in next year’s BTCC, and hope to build on the success we’ve already had with the current model.
“We’ve made significant improvements to the new road car, and we’re confident those changes will make for a competitive race car too.
“The Civic is the perfect model to compete in British Touring Cars, as it has been born and bred in the UK. The new car has been tested on more UK roads than any other Honda, and it will continue to be built exclusively in Swindon.”
Current Honda driver and former double champion Matt Neal is looking forward to racing the new Civic, the first new Honda model in the BTCC since the current Civic made it’s racetrack debut in 2007.
“We are all looking forward to 2012, and from my point of view it is very exciting to have the prospect of driving the new Honda Civic,” said Neal. “The team’s development of the car is already well underway, and the new Civic will fit the BTCC’s ‘Next Generation Touring Car’ regulations. I’m sure it will keep Honda at the front, and in the winner’s circle, both off and on track!”
A production version of the new Civic is set to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month.