Honda Yuasa Racing have unveiled the new Civic Type R as their challenger for the 2015 British Touring Car Championship as they bid to return to title-winning ways.
Having formally announced that Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden will pilot their machines for a sixth season last week, the outfit had suggested that their choice of car would be revealed at the series’ media day at Donington Park next week.
But arriving at Brands Hatch for testing, the Type R was given its maiden public outing after an extensive development programme over the Winter months, with the team boasting significant aerodynamic progress compared to the Civic Tourer that they campaigned last season which scored four wins.
With 2014 marking the first time that the manufacturer failed to win a title since joining the series in 2010 – despite becoming the first team to win a race in the championship with an estate car – the Team Dynamics-run operation opted for a new direction for 2015, and Technical Director Barry Plowman was bullish about the team’s prospects.
“We cannot wait for the new season to start,” he said. ” Our car for 2015 is going to win races. The shape of the new road going Civic Type R has allowed the team to build on the design and take it forward to be a championship winning car.
“2015 is widely being billed as the year Honda is back and we are continuing that in to BTCC. We’ve worked hard over the winter to ensure we have a winning car for 2015.”
And the team’s pair of drivers shared that enthusiasm, with their ambitions set high ahead of another new challenge in the championship.
“This is a car that not just us, but the entire automotive industry has been waiting for,” commented Neal. “We are as excited as anybody to start running the Civic Type R, which is a massive step forward from last year’s Tourer – from the engine to the handling and aerodynamics.”
“The Civic Type R is an iconic car,” said Shedden. “We are champing at the bit to get this distinctive, aggressive looking car out on the track. It’s going to stand out and cause a real stir on the track. Especially when we clean up in the championship!”
Photo courtesy of Honda Yuasa Racing.