In pictures: Honda and Team Dynamics in the BTCC

Following confirmation that the relationship between Honda and Team Dynamics in the British Touring Car Championship has ended, TouringCars.Net takes a look back at the touring cars forged from the enduring partnership.

Honda confirmed on Thursday that after 17 years of working together, the relationship between the two companies ended at the end of the 2020 season.

That announcement was accompanied by the news that Daniel Rowbottom would be joining Gordon Shedden at Team Dynamics in 2020, with Team Dynamics Director Matt Neal taking a ‘sabbatical’ from driving duties this year.

Honda first partnered with Team Dynamics in the 2004 season, when the team ran the Honda Civic which was originally developed by Arena Motorsport.

For 2005, Team Dynamics moved on to the hugely successful Honda Integra, which scooped the 2005 and 2006 drivers’ titles with Neal at the wheel.

The new-model Civic was developed for 2007, and Team Dynamics ran the car for five seasons, initially with backing from Halfords, and independent in 2009, before Honda came on board as a manufacturer entry in 2010.

The relationship then endured as a manufacturer entry for the next 11 seasons, concluding in 2020 with Honda’s announcement that it would be terminating its support of Team Dynamics.

“Honda UK would like to thank everyone at Team Dynamics for the last 17 years of racing, fun and success”, said Olivia Dunn, Head of Communications, at Honda UK.

“As a business, we continually review our marketing activity to ensure that it aligns to our future business strategy.

“Therefore, it was with significant regret that we had to inform Team Dynamics that we were unable to continue our sponsorship at the end of the 2020 season.

“We wish Team Dynamics the very best of luck for the future and look forward to cheering them on next season and for seasons to come.”

Team Dynamics will continue to run Honda machinery in 2021, albeit as a fully independent outfit. Neal paid tribute to the support Honda has given his team over the past 17 years.

“We have been the most successful team in Honda’s history of touring car championships, which we are incredibly proud of,” said Neal.

“While we are very sad to see Honda go, we would like to thank them for the last 17 years of support and professional friendship.

“We have been working hard over the winter to pull a package together for the forthcoming 2021 season and will be racing the FK8 Honda Civic Type R with our highly accomplished crew who are as hungry as ever.”

2004 (pictured above): Matt Neal in the first year of Halfords backing.