Nika Racing will run a 2013-specification Honda Civic in the TC2 category of this year’s World Touring Car Championship for Japanese racer Yukinori Taniguchi.
It was announced last week that the small Swedish team were to run Taniguchi in the category for a season long campaign and it has now been confirmed that the squad will switch car for 2014.
The team claimed three outright victories in 2013 with Dane Michel Nykjaer driving and, whilst they will be unable to compete for outright victories in 2014, Team Principal Niklas Karlsson is looking forward to forging new partnerships in the WTCC.
“2013 was a fantastic year for NIKA Racing, and we are thrilled to remain in the WTCC,” said Karlsson. “It’s with great pleasure that we are now looking forward to our new partnership with Honda.
“At the same time, I wish to thank Chevrolet for some truly unforgettable years. Together, we have won two STCC titles and claimed three WTCC race wins; Chevrolet played an instrumental role in establishing our team on the international arena. But it’s time to look to the future and, as far as that is concerned, I’m glad to say that 2014 marks only the beginning of a very interesting journey…”
Sporting Director Stefan Lindberg added that the team had been in talks with Honda since the end of 2013 in order to try to formulate a plan for the 2014 season.
“Our talks with Honda began at the end of last year, and we’re convinced that we have found the best direction for the team as we move into our next phase,” added Lindberg. “On April 16 we will announce our full long-term programme during a press conference, including a parallel commitment in another professional sport. It will make us more versatile and hand us a unique position among the WTCC teams, setting the stage for a very exciting future.”