Martin Depper expects the latest compound of Dunlop SportMaxx tyre to produce closer racing in this years British Touring Car Championship.
Depper, who is preparing for his Motorbase Performance début this weekend at Brands Hatch after making the switch from Eurotech Racing, has already tested the new compound during the off-season in the Ford Focus ST.
He scored a best finish of fifth place at Thruxton last season in the Honda Civic Type R and will benefit from the expertise of regular race-winner Mat Jackson in his new berth.
A capacity crowd is expected around the 1.2 mile Indy configuration of the Brands Hatch circuit for the first of ten events in this seasons championship.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back out on track this weekend,” commented Depper, who is entering his fifth BTCC season in 2017. “We’ve had a great test programme and the new Dunlop tyre has given us a few more things to think about, but I’m sure it’s going to be great for the racing and make the grid even closer this season.
“Brands is really going to be interesting, everyone has had a busy winter and played their cards close to their chest so it’s all to play for when all 32 cars get together on the same piece of tarmac for the first time this weekend!”